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Full text of "An Abridgement of Mr. Baxter's History of his life and times : With an account of the ministers, &c. who were ejected after the restauration, of King Charles II ... and the continuation of their history, to the passing of the bill against occasional conformity, in 1711"

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OK   THK 

Theological    Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

Case, 

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i       V/V.-y    >    /  Ljnr.n.-^  /(^   R^h^fn   /  ffuA.-&^n  T^^rm^  fl  ^^/^  i^  D.TMcJuDft^ 


^;;^'ti6:^/iatS>  ^/U-iV>'J. 


A  N    ^ 

ABRIDGEMENT 

HISTORY 

OF     HIS 

L/FEan 


WITH 

An  Account  of   the  Minifters,  fe'c 

who  were  Ejefted  after  the  R.eftauration, 
of  King  Charles  II. 

Their  Apology  forthemfelves,  and  their  Adherents, 
containing  the  Grounds  of  their  Nonconformity : 
Their  Treatment  in  xh^  Reign  of  King  Charles^ 
and  King  J^w<?j-5  and  after  the  Revolution :  And 
the  continuation  of  their  Hiftory,  to  the  paffing 
of  theBillagainflOccafionalConformity,in  171 1. 


The  ^am  <^XA\m, :  In  Two  V  O  L  U  M  E  S.  Vol.  I. 


By  Edmund  Calamy,   2).  2). 


LONDON: 

Printed  for  John  Lawrence,  at  the  Angel  in  the  Poultry  ; 
y.  Nicholjorty  and  J,  and  B.  Sprint  in  Little-Britain  j 
i^.  I{pbinjfon  in  St.  Paul's  Ghurch-yard,  and  N.  Ciiffe, 
and  D.  Jacl^fon  in  Cheapfide.     1 7 1 3 . 


T  O    T  H  E 


Duke  oiDevcnjJnre. 


May  It  pleafe  Your  Grace, 

OVR  Acceptance  of 
the  former  Edition  of 
this  JVork^^  emboldens 
me  to  lay  the  Second  at  Your 
Graces  Feet^  with  its  fre» 
fent  Additions  and  Amende 
ments. 

A  2  h 


1-  ft  -ir-na- 


The  Dedication. 


It  can  he  no  furpri^ing  Tubing 
to  Your  Grace,  that  Your  2)e- 
fcent  from  one  who  appear'^d  fo 
early  in  the  Glorious  Caufe  of 
Liberty^  and  Your  own  firm  Ad^ 
herence  to  the  Principles  of  the 
RevoluticWl,^  in 'which  Your 
ISJolAe  Father  -W;^  fo  JBive: 
Yoiir  dec  lard  Averjton  ^io  iBigO'm 
try  and  Terfecution  •  and  Your 
Zeal  for  the  Proteftant  Sm^ 
cejjion  in  the  lUuflrious  Houfe 
of    Hanover ;     jhould    mal{e 

the  '  Proteftadr    !^^ 

Qwho  are  not  capahie'  of  having 
any  fecular  Interefl  to  ^ve^ 
eppofite  to  that  in  T»hich  ^hfbur 
Graces  fo  heartily  engag'd^) 
Anihitiousoffemring^^YoHr  go$d 

4.  -    /:  While 


The  Dedication. 

JVhile  fome  purfue  them  mth 
fttrioHS  InveHiveSy  n^hich  they 
can  eajtly  dejpije^  they  are  apt  to 
Flatter  themfelves^that  a  jufi  Senfe 
of  Honour:,  mU  plead  for  them 
TOoith  tho/e  of  four  Gkaces 
ISIohk  T>if^ofttion :  Jnd  produce  a 
T^endernep  for  a  "Body  of  Men^ 
who  endurd  great  Severities 
from  the  Laws  of  their  Coun- 
try^ before  they  could  be  Tolera^ 
ted '^  and  have  been  rudely  inftdted 
jince  they  have  been  under  the 
Jhelter  of  the  AB  of  Indulgence ; 
and  are  at  la/i  rendred incapable  of 
any  publicly  Service^  and  yet  are 
exceeded  by  none  in  a  dijtntere/ied 
JfeBion  to  their  QV  E  EN  and 
Country^  or  in  an  irreconcilable 
Averfton  to  Topery  and  Slavery. 


It 


The  Dedicatioii. 


It  u  indeed  a  great  wihappinej^^ 
that  Proteftants  /hould  be  Jo 
much  divided^  and  that  -where 
there  is  fuch  an  Harmony  inToints 
of  Faithy  there  /hould  be  fuch  a 
i»ant  of  Charity  in  Matters  of 
meer  Opinion :  "But  upon  compa^- 
ring  the  Account  here  given^  mth 
the  Narratives  of  others^  Your 
Grace  mU  eafilypaf  a  fudg^ 
went  on  'which  Side  Charity  is 
mo/i  wanting.  The  Tt»o  proper 
Seafons  for  an  Accommodation  in 
1662  and  1^88,  mhich  xpere  fo 
jludioufy  lofl^  will  be  fujjictent  to 
determine  that  'Toint  -^  together 
mth  the  Hi[tory  of  that  Occa- 

fional  Conformity,    nphich 

was  dejignd  to  be  exprejjive  of 
Charity  to  thofe^  T»ho  have  unkindly 
reprefented  it  as  intended  to  ferve 

a 


The  Dedication. 


a  Turn^  though  its  well  k;non?n 
to  have  been  praBis*d^  before 
there  was  any  Turn  to  be  fervid 
hy  it. 

I  can  affure  Your  Grace  / 
have  been  Faithful  and  Impart ialy 
according  to  the  beft  Light  I  could 
obtain :  And  rphatever  elfe  I  may 
be  miftaken  in,  am  well  fatuffd 
in  this^  that  Your  Grace  has 
too  Noble  a  Spirit^  to  be  for  our 
being  run  down  mth  Obloquy  and 
Contempt^  meerly  becaufe  we  can  t 
jpeal^  and  aU  as  fome  would  have 
us^  from  whom  we  cannot  jujlly 
b^faid  to  differ  morCy  than  they 
do  among  themfelves. 

That  Your  Grace  may  be 
long  continud  aTatron  of  Liberty  ^ 
a  Supporter  of  the  Reform' dKeli^ 
giony    oj  our  prefent  Government, 

and 


The  Dedication. 


and  the  Proteftant  Succefjion, 
as  it  is  happily  EfiahlijHd  by 
han?  among  us  ^  and  leave  a 
Kace  of  "Tatriois  behind  YoUy 
Eminent  for  the  fame  Heredi^ 
tary  Spirit  of-  Gtandenr  and 
^enefcence^  to  tranfmit  %ur 
Name  \and  Honour  unfiaind  to 
fucceeding  Ages^  is  4he  T^rayerof 
many,   ^efides^  .\ 

May  it  pleafe  Your  G  r  a  c  e, 
Your  Graces 

i. ' 

Moft  Hunjble  and 

Moft  Obedient  Servant, 


Edmuod  Calamy^ 


THE 

PREFACE. 


IT  is  well  known  to  many,  that  Dr.  Henry  Snmpfon^ 
who  at  firft  defign'd  for  the  Miniftry,  and  was  af- 
terwards an  eminent  Phyfician  for  many  Years  in 
this  City,  had  taken  a  great  deal  of  Pains  in  col- 
lecSting  Materials  for  a  Hiftory  of  Nor.conformity,  and 
Memoirs  concerning  the  Ancient  and  Modern  Noncon- 
formifts.  Several  of  his  Papers  having  been  kindly  pnc 
into  my  Hands,  and  of  ufe  to  me  in  this  Work,  efpeci- 
ally  in  the  Second  Part ;  and  amongft  the  reft,  having 
by  me  a  Plan  of  his  De/ign,  I  {hall  here  Communicate 
it  to  the  World.    It  was  to  be  Entitled, 

"  An  Ejfay  of  the  Hiftory  of  PVJ^ITANISM  and 
"  'NOI^CONFOBJAITT:  Declaring  what  (he  Men  of 
**  fhofe  Chnraciers  have  done  and  Jujferd  ^  fince  tht 
*'  Reformation  of  Religion  /»  E  N  G  L  A  N  D."  It  began 
with, 

The  IntroduBion^  or  a  Preface,  (hewing  what  were  the 
Things  contended  for,  and  the  Points  of  Difference,  as 
well  in  DoBrine  as  Dijcif>line,  Government^  Liturp,  8cc, 
wherein  they  deHr'd  Refornutioif.  And  Twenty  fix 
Chapters  were  to  follow  in  this  Order  ; 

Chap.  I.  Of  fuch  as  are  faid  to  have  Aded  or  Suffered 
in  the  Caufe  of  Reformation  during  the  Reign  of  King 
Henry  VMl:  Particularly,  TiW<j/,  Frithy  Barnes,  Bi.n.y, 
Lambert,  Garret,  Hierom,  8cc.  Ihewing  how  fir  they 
jigreed  with  the  Diflenters,  or  difagreed  from  them. 

With  an  Appendix  concerning  Tindal's  Tranllation  of 
the  Bible, 

Chap.  II.  Of  thofe  that  were  the  great  Promo- 
ters of  the  Reformation  in  the  Days  of  EHveard  VI. 
How  far  they  inclinM  to  Puriianijm  and  Noticoufr^ 
mity,    (fo  caird  in  after  Times)  or  hgw  avcife  thereco  .- 

a  «'^^- 


The    PREFACE. 


^»v  of  K}dley^  Hooper,  CrnnmeTy  Latimer ,  Verrex^ 
H.irly,  Taylor,  Pqynet,  and  Others,  compilers  of  the 
Common  Prayer:  Of  the  Mirreprefcntations  given  of 
the  111  by  Dr.  Heylin. 

An  appendix  of  the  feveral  Unglifh  Bibles  in  publick 
Ufe  hitbeno. 

Chaf.  III.  Of  the  Attempt  that  was  made  for  the  J^tf- 
fofin-itio  Legum  Ecclefinflicarum,  in  King  Edward's  Days  ; 
Its  beginning,  progrels,  and  frulViation  in  that,  and  in 
0.ueen  E'li^abeth'i Reign  afterwards. 

C'.\^p.  IV.  Of  other  principal  Perfons  that  fuffer'd  in 
the  Matiati  Days;  how  far  they  feem  to  own  the  Puri- 
tan Do6trines  and  Principles :  •&;;(.  iipj^erj,  Sanders, 
Bradford,  Samuel^  Carele/s,  &c. 

Chap.  V.  Of  fuch  as  were  Exiles  in  Queen  Mary'*s 
Reign .  Their  Congregations  and  Difcipline  at  Fratik/ord, 
^urlch^  Strashurghy  Arrow,  Geneva,  ^^^fiK  ^^* 

With  an  Appendix  of  the  Tranflation  of  the  Bible, 
and  finging  Pfalms  at  Geneva. 

Chap.  VI.  Of  thofe  that  return'd  from  Exile  in  the 
Reign  of  Queen  Eli:{abeth,  and  became  Dignitaries  in 
the  Church :  Their  Temper  and  Difpolition  towards  the 
Nonccnformifts:  vi:{,  Grindal,  Sands j  Parl{lmrft^  CoXy 
Pitktngtov,  Noxvel,  fVoitingham,  Cole^  Humphry s.  Turner^ 
Horn,  Jewel,  &c.  With  an  Appendix  concerning  that 
Tranllarioo  of  the  Bible  callM  the  Bifloopt  Bible, 

Chap.  VII.  Of  the  Queens  InjunUions^  and  the  Con- 
troverfie  moved  thereupon,  about  Conformity  to  the  At- 
tire, wliereupon  divers  refus'd  Preferment  in  the  Church, 
and  others  that  had  already  been  prefcrr*d  were' now  de- 
priv'd;  amongft  whi^h  were  fome  thatcamc  from  Exile: 
An    1 5f  6.  As  Covcrdale,    Bale,  Leaver,   Samp/on^    PuUeyn,   Carlijlcy 
Peifecu-      Fax,   ff^hitehead,    Gtlby,  Crowly,   Goodman,  &c.     Others 
lion  i.        vvere  of  the  fame  Mind,  and  fuffer'd  in  like  Manner, 
but  had  never  been  Exiles:    As  Gilpin,    Morton^  Che/ion^ 
JKjnglmiS,  fVitheri,   (Fellow  of  Queen's  College  Cam^ 
bridge)  8cc, 

Chap.  VIII.  Of  the  Opinion  of  fome  Foreign  Divines 
about  thefe  Controverfies  and  Sufferings ;  their  inrerpofing 
by  Letters  to  the  Queen  or  Bilhops :  Such  as  Calvin  (once 
and  again  before  it  came  to  Deprivation)  P^Martyr, 
/^nmhy^  Bc:^a,  BuUifigcr,  Gualter, 

Chap] 


The     P  R  E  F  AC  B. 

Chap.  IX.  Of  the  Admonitign  to  the  Parliament  •  the 
Authors  and  Defenders  thereof,  and  Sufferings  thereup- 
on ;  and  other  Troubles  thar  fell  upon  divers  others  Per'etru 
from  the  1 5th  of  the  Queen,  till  the  Death  of  Archbi-  tion  U.* 
fhbp  Parker:  Which  wqsq Edward  Dealings  Crane,  fj/ii- 
coXy  Standoriy  Field,  Cartmight^  I^bcrp  Traven,  Fcnn  of 
Coventry,  Grembam,  Fw'ky  Mnrbury,  Gaxvton,  Sec. 

Chap.  X.  Of  the  quiet  Time  whilft  Edward  Grindat 
was  Archbifliop  of  Canterbury,  and  the  great  coalefcence 
of  Minds,  whilft  by  fo  much  Moderation  and  induftri- 
ous  Piety,  he  prefided  in  the  Church :  With  ReflejSions 
upon  Dr.  Hey  tin  and  others,  as  to  what  ihey  fay  about 
Grindali:(ers,    .; 

Chap.  XL  Of  the  firft  Storm  under  Archbifhop  ^%iV- 
gift,  upon  the  coming  out  of  his  Three  ArticJfes,  and  re- 
quiring Subfcription  to  them.    Of  feteral  Troubles  oc- 
cafion'd  to   the  Nonconformifts  by  the  publifhing  of 
Martin-Mar-Prelate,    the  fpreading  of  Brownifme,    the 
Madnefs  and  Treafon  of  Hac^et,  &c.    which  fome  did 
endeavour  to  fix  on  them.    Of  the  feveral  Perfons  that 
were  troubled,  deprived,  and  filenc'd  by  this  Archbilhop 
or  his  Agents,  in  the  High  CommiiTion  Court,  the  Star-  Perfecu- 
Chamber,  and  the  Courts  Ecclefiaftical:  vi:{.  Vdal,  Tra-  tioa  111. 
^>ers,  Dudly  Fenner,  Gifford,  Bjch.  I^ogers^  Perkins,  Brown^ 
LevervpQodyCharkfGardinery  Snape,  Bainht  ig,  Jobnfon^  Penry, 
old  Mr. Cavpdry^Scc:  John P^yrMs  o^ Oxon^  and  H^.  Wi)i- 
taker  oi  Cambridge y  notefcaping  his  frowns  and  menaces. 
Chap.  XII.  Of  the  Patrons  and  Favourers  of  theNon- 
conformifts  during  the  whole  Reign  of  Queen  Eli:[abcth^ 
by  whofe  Means  under  God  they  weather  d  out  all  thefe' 
Storms:  As  the  Lord  Keeper  S^cow,  the, Lord  Treafurer 
Burleigh,  the  great  Earls  of  Bedford,  fVarwick,  Leicefier 
and  Huntington^  the  Lords  Grey  and  Hoveard^  S'u  Fmnck 
Walfingham,  Sir  H^alter  Mildmaye,  Sir  Amiens  Pculet,  Sir 
FrancH  KjioUes,    Mr.  Beale,  Sec.    in  the  Court ;    befides 
divers  eminent  Gentlemen  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons, 
aiid  in  the  Country. 

Chap,  XIII.  Of  their  principal  Adverfaries  amongft 
the  Nobility,  Gentry,  and  Clergy :  Thofe  that  ad- 
ed  or  wrote  moft  keenly  againft  them ;  as  the  Arch- 
bifljops  Parker  and  fVhitgifi^  the  Lord  Chancellors 
tiatton  and  Bromley;  the  Lord  Keeper  Pickering} 
The     Biihops     ^Imtr,     Cooper,     Bridges,     Bancroft; 

a  2  Dr. 


The     PREFACE. 


Dr.  Sutcliff  ^    Dr.   Co:(ins^    Dr.  Stanhope,    Mr.  B^gers^ 
Mr.  Hoohr^  &c. 

C/7/a/).  XIV.  Of  the  entrance  of  King  Jnmes.  The  Con- 
ference at  Hampton-Couu.  Of  the  four  Perfons  nominated 
"by  the  King  to reprefentthc  Cafe  of  the  Nonconfornnifts ; 
vi:{.  Dr.  Reynolds,  Sparkj,  ChaJertot:,  and  Kpevojlub ;  with 
an  Appendix  concerning  a  Tranflation  of  the  Bible,  fol- 
lowing hereupon,  commonly  cali'd  the  Kings  Tranfla- 
tion. 

Chap.  XV.    Of  the  Convocation  that  followed  not 

'long  after,  and  the  Conftituiions  there  made;   and  the 

-depriving,    filencing,  Infpending,  and  admonilhing  of 

above  300  Minifters,  during  the  Time  Dr.  Bancroft  was 

Archbilhpp  of  Canterbury^  fome  of  which  bore  thefe  great 

Pe  fs-cu-     ' 'Sa.mcs,  Hilderjham,    Dod^    Pnrl{er,    Sherwood,  Midgeleyy 

lion  IV.      Burgefi,  Bourn,  "B/tin,  Brad/haw,    Taylor,-  P^g^^j  Carter^ 

BateSy  F{othvQelly  Broughton^    Brightman,  H^ootton^  Jacoh^ 

Pike,  John  Nicols,  &c.     With  a  fujl  Catalogue  of  the 

reft. 

Chap.  XVI.  Of  their  Troubles  during  the  Time  of 
Dr.  i^^^orj  being  Archbi(hop,  which  was  a  tolerably  quiet 
Interval,  efpecially  in  the  latter  part  of  it,  and  produc'd 
many  Moderate  Conformifts,  but  fuch  as  were  uneafie 
enough  under  the  Ceremonies,  iftid  were  reputed  Puri- 
tans: Such  as  Bo//^on,  Sibbs,  Prejlon,  Barnard,  Stoughton, 
Ward  of  Ipfmch,  John  Doxvnham,  Pemble,  Byfield,  Dr. 
■Gouge,  &C.  Of  fuch  as  were  troubled  in  other  Dioccfes, 
vi:(.  Ames,  Hind^  !{.  Nichols,  8(C. 

■'     Chap.  XVII.  Of  their  great  Vexations  whilft  Dr. Laud 

was  Favourite,  and  Archbifhop,  and  had  his  Creatures 

a(5iing  in  their  fevcral  Diocefcs ;  fuch  as  Dr.  iVren,  Peirfe^ 

Perfecii-      Lyndfel,  (3c.    Partly  by  prefling  the  legal  Conformity  to 

tioa  V.       the  height,  and  introducing  fome  Things  that  were  cajfd 

new  Conformities;  partly  by  putting  down  and  filencing 

all  Le£iurers,  and  partly  by  fufpending  fuch  as  refus'd  to 

read  the  Book,  of  Sports :    Whereupon  above  a  hundred 

fled  into  New-England,    and  divers  into  Holland:    And 

many  were  forc'd  to  abfcond,  or  fiifTei'  the  trouble  of  the 

Pcrrecu-     "High  Commil^on;  fome  of  which  were,  Hooker,  Cotton^ 

lion  VX.      Eliiot,  Stone,    Shcpp^rd,   Bulkly^  FQtovc^les,  Mather,  Good^ 

"win,    Sim/on,    Jof.  Sifnmondi^    H^ard^'  Herring,    Burton, 

Hoxlcy,  Edwards,  Carter,  Tijomas,  Crooks,  Nevrton,  Jenni^ 

foH^  H^r^thy  pVilJcnf  Valentim,  Archer,  Capcl,  3cc, 

'        '  Chapi 


The     PRE  FA  C  E. 


chap,  XVIII.  Of  the  entrance'  of  ihc  Long  Parlia- 
ment, the  calling  of  the  AlTembly  of  Divines,  the  Nameg 
and  Charaders  of  thofe  that  fate,  their  Bufinefs  in  their 
many  Seflions  from  1643  till  1647,  with  a  Vindication 
of  fuch  of  them  as  Ant.  a  IVood  hath  afperfed  in  bis  A- 
thence  Oxon.  Of  the  folemn  League  and  Covenant 
which  in  this  interval  was  compofed,  and  in  many  Pla- 
ces rigoroufly  imposed,  to  the  prejudice  of  their  Caufe, 
and  fequeftring  many  of  the  Epifcopal  Clergy. 

Ch/fp.  XIX.  Of  the  State  of  Religion,  and  Carriage 
of  thofe  heretofore  reputed  Nonconformifts,  from  the 
Time  of  King  Charles  the  Firft's  Death,  till  the  Reftau- 
ration  of  King  Charles  the  Second. 

Chap.  XX.  Of  their  Intereft  and  Agency  for  the  King's 
Rfftauration ;  and  their  endeavours  for  a  Reformation 
after  he  was  reftor'd.  Of  the  Conference  at  the  Savoj. 
The  King's  Declaration  concerning  Ecclefiaftical 
Afiairs. 

Chap.  XXL  Of  the  Depriving  and  Silencing  no  lefs  • 
than  2000  Minifters  by  an  A(St  of  Parliament,  that  took 
Place  Aug,  24.  1 661,    Of  another  Adl  againft  Conven- 
ticles the  Year  following. 

Chap,  XXIL  Of  a  Third  AA  of  Parliament  procured 
againA  them,  by  which  they  were  oblig'd  to  quit  all 
Corporations,    and  the  Places  they  Preach'd  at,  to  live  „  ^ 
Five  Miles  from  them,  or  be  imprifond.  t-l^'^Ma 

Chap,  XXIIL    Of  a  Fourth  Ad  procured   agimft     '^  ^^^' 
them,  whereby  their  Preaching  to  above  Four  Perfons, 
others  than  of  the  Family,  was  declared  a  Conven- 
ticle;  the  Preacher  to  pay  20/,  and  the  Houfe  2o/.Perfecu- 
more,  (^c,  tion  IX. 

Chap,  XXIV.  Of  his  Majefty's  Declaration  for  Liber- 
ty of  Confcience,  Mnrch  15.  167^,  and  of  the  Liberty 
of  Meeting  and  Preaching  thereupon  taken  for  fome  few 
Years. 

Chap.  XXV.  Of  the  abrogation  of  that  Declaration  : 
And  the  prorrading  of  Liberty  not  withftanding,  in  fomc  perfecu- 
Places  till  the  Year  i68o;   From  whence  the  ipvereft  of  tio^  x. 
thefe  Perfecutions  enfued. 

Chap.  XXVL  An  Account  of  thofe  2000  Nonconfor- 
mifks  that  weredepriv'd  and  (jlenc'd  after  the  Reftaura- 
tion  of  King  Charles  the  Second  j  exhibiting  a  Lift  of 
thisir  Names  J  fome  Ihort  Account  of  the  Adings,  Wri- 

%^  tings. 


The    P  R  E  F  A  C  t. 


tings,  md  Sufferings  of  fever al  of  the  moft  Eminent 
aiDongft  them  ;  and  the  Charaders  of  fuch  of  them  as 
jinf.  J  t4'ocd  hath  injuriooHy  retieded  on,  and  falfly  rc- 
prefented,  modeftly  Vindicated. 

Had  this  Work  been  finilh'd,  and  appear  d  in  the 
World,  it  might  have  been  a  means  of  convincing  fomc, 
that  Nonconformity  hath  all  along  had  a  elder  eonnexion 
with  both  oir  Civil  and  Religious  fnrereft,  than  they 
are  willing  to  allow:  And  that  the  prefent  Nonconform 
mifts,  (as  much  as  they  are  inveigh'd  againft)  A<9t  in  the 
main  upon  the  fame  Principles  with  tbofe  who  have 
been  moft  Eminent  for  rcriou<:  Religion  ever  (ince  the 
Reformation^  But  he  did  not  live  to  accomplifli  his 
Defign,  and  bis  Papers  have  fince  been  fcatter'd.  Mr. 
lipgcr  Morrice  alfo  had  made  great  CoUedlions  for  the 
fame  Ptirpofe,  which  might  yet  help  in  fuch  a  Defign, 
when  one  of  fuitable  Ability  is  at  leifure  for  that 
purpofe. 

Thefe  Two  Volomes  which  I  now  publilh,  take  in 
the  Nine  laft  Chapters  of  Dr.  S/impfon^s  Plan ;  and  if  the 
other  Seventeen  Chapters  were  brought  within  the 
compafs  of  another  Volume  of  the  like  bulk,  I  appre- 
hend it  would  be  an  ufeful  Work. 

I  here  take  for  my  Foundation,  Mr.  BaxtA^^i  Narra- 
tive of  his  Life  and  Times,  which  has  been  Extant  fdr 
feveral  Years,  and  has  met  with  the  fame  Treatment  as 
he  in  his  Life  time  was  fo  much  us'd  to,  both  as  to  his 
Perfon  and  Writings ;  It  has  been  much  valuM  by  fome, 
and  as  much  flighted  by  others  :  But  where  it  has  been 
moft  freely  cenfur'd,  it  has  been  generally  acknowledg'd 
to  contain  a  Colle(Sion  of  many  valuable  Things  of  di- 
vers Kinds ;  and  that  an  Epitome  of  it  would  be  accep- 
table and  ufefnl. 

'  I  don't  think  it  needful  to  trouble  the  World  with  a 
particular  Account  how  I  came  firft  to  undertake  it: 
If  1  had  thought  that  would  have  wanted  an  cxcufe,  I 
had  nfever  medled:  And  tbf  reform  fhall  only  fay,  that 
thinking  I  mightthis  Way  profitably  employ  forte  Time 
and  Pains,  I  was  willing  to  do  what  I  could  to  make 
mv  Abridgement  of  genferal  Ufe.  In  order  to  it,  tho* 
I  ha^e  endeavour'd  to  fay  much  in  ai  litde,  yet  1  have 
nor  willingly  omitted  any  Thing  that  I  tho'i  Material. 
I  have  rcduc'd  Thin'gs  to  that  Method  that  appear 'd  to 

me 


Ue     PREFACE. 


me  moft  proper.  Perfonal  Reflexions  and  little  Priva- 
cies I  have  dropt,  and  Things  which  were  out  of  date  I 
have  pafs'd  over  lightly.  Sometimes  I  have  kept  pretty' 
much  to  his  Language,  and  fometimes  1  have  taken  the 
freedom  to  ufe  my  own.  I  have  divided  the  whole  into 
Chapters,  and  given  Things  a  little  Connexion:'  And 
perhaps  have  this  way  taken  more  Pains,  than  it  needed 
have  coft  me,  had  the  Work  been  entirely  new.  Of  my 
Performance  I  muft  be  contented  every  one  Ihould  judge 
according  to  their  Pleafure;  fori  could  expea  no  other, 
whatfoever  i  might  be  able  to  fuggeft  to  befpeak  their 
Favour. 

When  Mr.  Baxter  in  his  Hiftory  comes  to  the  Ad  of 
Uniformity,  he  fubjoyns  the  Controverfie  bet  wen  the 
prefent  Conformifts  and  Nonconformifts  which  takes  up 
Eleven  Sheets.  Inftcad  of  abridging  that,  I  rather 
had  recourfe  to  his  Nonconformity  Stated  and  [^indicated^ 
in  Quarto;  which  contains  the  Sum  of  his  Thoughts 
that  are  any  where  extant,  upon  the  feveral  Points  in 
Debate.  1  have  reduc'd  the  fubftance  of  them  with- 
in the  compafs  of  my  Tenth  Chapter^  which  I  have  En- 
tituled.  The  I{eaJons  of  the  Ejected  Miniflert  for  their 
Nonconformity.  And  that  that  Title  might  be  the  better 
anfwer'd,  I  have  drawn  in,  what  has  been  Written 
upon  the  fame  Argument  by  others,  with  references 
to  the  feveral  TraSs,  where  thofe  Things  of  which  I 
have  only  given  the  general  Heads,  will  be  found  con- 
(ider'd  diftindly  and  at  large.  The  making  this  Ac- 
count fuccind,  clear,  and  methodical^  was  a  Work 
of  more  than  a  little  Time  and  Labour. 

I  have  caft  that  Chapter  into  this  Method.  1  have 
firft  given  their  Reafons  why  they  could  not  comply 
with  the  Demands  of  the  A^  of  Parlianncnt,  in  order  to 
the  continuance  of  their  publick  Miniftry.  Then 
follows   a   brief  Reprefentation  of  the  Grounds  upon  \ 

which  they  f^ill  held  on  in  the  Miniftry,   though  they  i 

parted  with  their  Livings.    I  have  added  the  Grounds  > 

upon  which  many  People  held  chemfelves  oblig'd  to 
adhere  to  them,  while  they  continu'd  their  Miniftry; 
how  bo.th  Minifters  and  People  were  defended  from 
the  Charge  of  Schifra ;  and  upon  what  Grounds  the 
more  Moderate  among  them  yielded  to  Occafionnl  Com- 
mmiion  with  the   Parilh  Churches,    even  while  they 

a  4  kept. 


The     PREFACE. 


kept  up  a  ftaced  Separation.  And  upcMi  the  whole  I 
thmk  1  may  ventnre  to  fay,  that  he  that  will  take  the 
Pains  to  perufe  that  Chapter,  may  at  one  view  take 
in  the  whole  Caufe  in  debate,  and  fee  the  ftrengih  of 
the  Argument,  abftradted  from  perfonal  Brangles  and 
Contefts,  which  as  far  as  I  can  difcern,  feldom  contri- 
bute eirher  Light  or  Strength. 

However,  that  Chapter  having  drawn  me  into  a 
Controverfie  with  Mr.  Ollyffe  and  Mr.  Hondly^  wh» 
thought  it  neceffary  to  Vindicate  thcmfelves,  from 
one  who  had  not  the  leaft  thought  of  affaulting  them, 
and  was  only  Hiftorically  relating  the  Sentiments  of 
others  with  their  Reafons;  and  there  having  been  fe- 
veral  Books  publilh'd  on  each  Side,  which  all  have 
not  leifure  to  read  diftindtly,  and  which  few  that  do, 
are  able  to  retain  afterwards ;  I  have  taken  the  Pains 
in  this  Second  Edition,  to  give  the  fubftance  of  the 
Arguments  in  this  whole  Controverfie  on  both  Sides, 
referring  to  the  feveral  Traces,  where  the  Matters  un- 
der confideration  may  be  feen  more  at  large :  And 
though  I  don't  fuppofe  it  eafie  to  fatisfie  fome  that  they 
are  not  mifreprefented,  unlefs  all  their  Words  are  given 
at  large,  Cwhich  quite  excludes  that  compendious  way 
of  confidering  things,  which  to  many  is  the  moft  agree- 
able) yet  I  can  fafcly  fay  there  is  not  any  Thing  that 
I  have  delignedly  mifreprefented,  nor  is  there  any 
Thing  that  appeared  to  me  to  be  Material,  that  I  can 
remember  I  have  wholly  wav'd.  My  doing  this  has 
confiderably  enlarged  that  Chapter,  but  could  1  have 
entertainM  a  Thought  that  the  generality  ot  Rea- 
ders would  have  thought  that  to  be  to  their  damage, 
it  might  have  favM  me  not  a  little  Pains. 

But  if  any  fhoald  think  that  Chapter  dry  or  tedious^ 
it  may  perhaps  make  the  other  parts  of  the  Volume  re- 
lilh  the  better,  it  having  been  my  endeavour,  fo  to  order 
u,  that  there  Ihonld  be  a  convenient  mixture  of  Hiftory 
and  Argument  running  through  it:  And  as  this  has  made 
it  the  more  agreeable  to  many,  fo  1  have  fome  realon 
ro  think,  thai:  fome  have  been  the  more  difgutted  upon 
that  very  Account.  Belides  the  fummary  of  the  main 
Controverfie  in  the  Tenth  Chapter,  there  are  feveral 
conficlerable  Points  that  are  elfewhere  canvafs'd,  and 
ififertcd  in  the  moft  proper  Places  in  the  Narrative. 

As 


The    PREFACE. 


As  for  Inftanee,  A  Debate  concerning  the  Neceirity  of 
a  clear  and  uninterrupted  Succefllon  in  the  Miniftry 
which  fome  lay  fuch  a  fttefs  upon  ;  page  1 22, 113,  (^c  I 
And  another,  about  unwarrantable  Impoficions,  and 
the  true  Senfe  of  thai  celebrated  Text,  ^om,  14.  i,  x,  5. 
pag.  166.  The  warrantablenefs,  the  prudence,  and 
the  confequences  of  the  Bartholomew  Eje(^ion  is  freely 
Debated,  pag.  183,  (^c:  And  the  Account  given  of 
the  fevcral  Attempcs  in  order  to  an  accomiKodation  of 
the  Difference,  will  appear  to  contain  Argument  to 
convince,  as  well  as  Hiftory  to  inform,  fuch  as  are 
ftrangers  to  thefe  Matters,  but  fo  far  unprejudic'd  as 
to  be  able  to  weigh  Things  with  Candor  and  Impar- 
tiality. 

Mr.  Baxters  Hiftory  proceeds  no  farther  than  the  Year 
1 684 :  And  therefore  in  my  former  Edition,  befidts 
additional  Palfages  caft  all  along  into  the  Margin, 
which  I  thought  might  not  be  difagreeable,  I  added  a 
continuation ;  containing  not  only  an  Account  of  Mr. 
Baxters  Trial,  that  was  never  publifh'd  before,  (in 
which  I  had  the  concurring  Teftimony  of  feveral  who 
were  at  that  Time  prefent  in  the  Court)  but  alfo  the  State 
of  the  Dilfeoters  in  the  Reign  of  King  James^  and  in 
the  firft  Years  of  the  Reign  of  King  iVilliam  and 
Queen  Mary^  And  enter'd  on  the  Debates  that  were 
on  Foot  foon  after  our  laft  happy  Revolution ;  endea- 
vouring to  reprefent  ihem  with  all  pofTible  fairnefs  j 
particularly  that  about  a  Comprehenfion ,  which  the 
Diflenters  had  at  that  Time  fome  realon  to  have  ex- 
pe(5ted  ;  nor  were  they  wanting  in  any  requifite  or  be- 
coming ftep  in  order  to  it ;  nor  was  it  their  fault  that  it 
was  not  effe(5led.  When  fo  fair  an  Opportunity  will  re- 
turn again,  God  only  knows. 

In  this  Second  Edition,  befides  feveral  not  inconfidc- 
rable  marginal  Additions  all  along,  by  way  of  Confir- 
mation and  Elucidation;  and  an  Account  of  feveral 
controverfial  Writings  on  both  Sides,  inferted  in  their 
proper  Places;  and  Remarks  on  thofe  Paflages  in  the 
TKird  Volume  of  the  CompUat  Hijhry  of  England,  in 
Folio,  which  unkindly  refled  on  the  Perfons  or  Caufc 
of  the  Nonconformifts,  there  is  a  continuation  of  the 
Hiftory  through  King  H^illiams  Reign,  and  Queen 
Anne's,   down  to  the  pafling  the  Occafional  hiil  ih*?  laft 

Year. 


The     P  R  B  F  A  C  E. 


Year.  Thcfe  Additions  make  up  a  full  Third  Part  of 
the  prefenC  Volume.  They  contain  among  other 
Things,  fome  Account  of  the  Conceflions  of  the  Ec- 
clehartical  Comroilfioners  in  1689:  The  Carriage  of  the 
Diflcnters  after  their  Liberty,  their  Differences  among 
themfelves,  and  their  Treatment  from  their  Brethren 
of  the  Church  of  England :  The  whole  Controverfie 
about  Occdfional  Conformity:  The  Differences  of  thofe 
of  the  Eftablifh'd  Church  among  themlelves,  about  the 
Nature,  Power,  and  Priviledges  of  Convocations,  ^c; 
with  a  faithf  j]  Reprcfentation  of  the  fubftance  of  feve- 
ral  Trcatifes  about  Toleration^  Church  Povper,  Liberty, 
and  divers  EcclcfiafticAl  Matters^  that  were  publifh*d 
from  1688  to  171 1.  And  in  the  clofe  I  have  fubjoyn'd 
the  {{eformed  Liturgy ^  which  was  drawn  up  and  pre- 
fented  to  the  Bidiops  in  1661;  that  the  World  may 
judge  how  fairly  the  Eje(3:ed  Minifters  have  been 
often  repreferited  as  irreconcileable  Enemies  to  all  Li- 
turgies. 

I  am  far  from  having  any  reafon  to  repent  of  my 
publifhing  the  former  Edition  of  this  Work,  noiwith- 
ftanding  all  the  angry  Refledhons  I  have  met  with. 
The  repeated  Thanks  I  have  had  from  all  Parts,  from 
Perfons  of  very  different  Charav5ters  and  Denominati- 
ons, are  to  me  more  than  a  Compenfition  for  all  the 
Gall  and  Venom  that  others  have  pour'd  forth  fo  plen- 
tifully. I  am  far  from  expedting  that  this  prefent  Edi- 
tion will  be  to  the  guft  of  fuch  as  were  incens'd  by  the 
former.  But  they  may  take  their  own  Way  ;  i  appeal 
tQ  Pofterity,  for  whom  I  have  taken  fome  Pams :  And 
I  hope  they'l  judge  of  Things  more  coolly,  than  the  in- 
flamed Age  we  Jive  in. 

I  have  indeed  had  my  (hare  of  Reproach,  and  yet  am 

far  from  being  difcourag'd.    For  fome  Years,   there 

was  fcarce  a  Pamphlet  came  out  on  the  Church  fide, 

in  which  I  had  not  the  Honour  of  being  referr'd  to  in 

the  invecf^ive  Part  of  it:   But  the  keen  Edge  of  their 

Authors  fecm'd  to  have  been  fomewhat  abated,   upon 

my  taking  no  notice  of  their  At- 

*  See  dn  Apology  for  the  Church    tacks,till  a  Writer  who  came  out  the 

0/ England,  (^c  By  John  Lewis,    laft  Year  *  is  pleas'd  to  difcover  his 

late  of  Exeter-ffl//<r(re  in  Oxford,    fear  leaft  I  fhould    be  fuffer'd  to 

«»</  Mifiifter  of  Margate.  remtin  quiet,  by  rcprcfenting  me 


The     PREFACE. 


4i  one  too  much  hyajTd,  to  have  any  Thing  I  fay,  concerning 
the  Party  I  have  ejpom'd^  believd  on  viy  hnre  IVord,  This 
is  a  flight  that  I  muft  confefs  1  little  expeAed  from 
one  of  Mr.  Lfww's  Charaaer.  Time  has  been  when  I 
have  had  the  happinefs  of  that  Gentleman'i  Conver- 
fation,  and  his  Difcourfe  and  Carriage  was  fuch  as 
made  me  apprehcnfivc  he  was  delirous  to  have  the 
Credit  of  lingular  Temper  and  Moderation.  If  my 
Memory  does  not  fail  me,  (and  1  believe  1  could  pro- 
duce  the  Hand  of  a  Voucher  that  was  an  Ear  Witnefs 
if  ii  was  needful)  he  was  pleas  d  very  generoufly  to 
give  me  Thanks  for  my  Abridgement,  Which  way  I 
fiave  incurr'd  his  Difpleafure  fince,  I  am  not  aware. 
However,  if  it  may  be  any  Satisfadiion  to  him,  I 
here  give  it  him  under  my  Hand,  (and  I'll  certain- 
ly ftand  to  it)  that  I  have  not  half  the  Zeal  for  the 
Piflenting  Party,  as  fome  he  knows  have  for  another 
Party,  that  are  too  much  for  monopolizing  the  Cove* 
nant  Mercy  of  God,  and  the  profitable  Favour  of  Men, 
to  thofe  of  their  own  Stamp  and  Chara£ter  only.  And 
that  he  mayn't  be  put  upon  believing  this  on  my  bare 
PVord^  I  can  give  him  this  Evidence  of  it ;  that  I  would 
go  much  further  in  parting  with  the  known  Faults, 
and  Infirmities  and  Imperfeftions  of  the  Diflenten, 
than  the  G.entlemen  I  refer  to,  would  with  the  Difor- 
ders  and  Irregularities  of  the  Party  they  have  fallen 
in  with,  which  when  they  have  done  their  beft,  they 
cannot  juftifie  or  excufe. 

I  would  gladly  .have  fo  ordred  Matters,  as  that  they 
that  had  purchased  the  former  Edition,  might  have 
had  the  prefent  Additions  by  themfclves :  But  the 
Nature  of  the  Work  would  not  bear  it.  However, 
I  can  now  undertake  that  in  any  future  Editions, 
care  ihall  be  taken  to  prevent  any  Complaints  of 
detriment  in  that  Refped.  I  have  made  fomc 
Alterations  in  the  Courfe  of  this  Work  at  the  de- 
fire  of  Friends,  and  fometimes  have  had  the  be- 
nefit of  help  from  my  Enemies,  whom  I  can  at 
any  time  thank  for  what  Light  they  help  me  to, 
while  I  heartily  pity  them  for  their  Heat  and 
Bigotry. 

I  have  nothing  to   add,    but  this,  as  before,   that 
if  I  have  mifs'd  of  Truth  in  any  'Point,  it  has  been 


Ue    PREFACE. 


unwillingly,  and  upon  better  Information  I  ihall  be 
ready  to  own  my  Error.  I  have  not  been  free  in 
Perfonal  Reflcdions,  which  are  made  with  much 
more  eafe  than  they  are  born  when  returned.  Va- 
rious Cenfures  will  not  furprize  me,  nor  will  any 
flarts  of  Wit  affect  me.  Tis  enough  for  me  ,  if  I 
may  have  the  Approbation  cf  Men  of  Temper, 
I  defirc  not  to  offend  any ;  For  I  know  not  the  Man, 
much  lefs  the  Patcy,  to  whom  I  bear  any  Enmity  or 
ill  Will. 


^TTT 


Poft- 


Poftfcripr. 

THERE  being  fome  who  may  be  willing  to 
fearch  into  the  bottom  of  that  Coniroverfie 
that  hath  been  depending  ever  (incc  the  Rcfor- 
noation,  between  the  Affertors  of  the  Perfection  of  the 
Eftablifh'd  Church,  and  thofe  who  have  adled  upon 
the  oppofite  Principle,  of  the  Neceflity  of  a  further  Re- 
formation, in  order  to  an  happy  Settlement ;  I  have 
been  defir*d  in  order  to  their  Satisfadiion,  to  point  out 
the  Writings,  which  may  be  judg'd  to  Contain  the 
ftrength  of  the  Caufe  of  the  DifTenters.  In  compli- 
ance with  which  defire,  I  recommend  the  following 
Writings  to  the  perufal  of  the  Curious,  who  arc,  with- 
out taking  Things  upon  Truft,  for  feeing  with  theit 
own  Eyes. 

A  part  of  a  ^gifter;  containing  fundry  mennorablc 
Matters,  written  by  divers  Godly  and  Learned  in  our 
Time,  which  ftand  for,  and  defire  the  Reformation  of 
our  Church  in  Difcipline  and  Ceremonies,  •  according 
to  the  pure  Word  of  God,  and  the  Law  of  our  Land> 
0(ftavo. 

De  Polheia^  EcclefjafticS  Chrifti,  &  Hierarchicha  Oppo- 
Jita,  Libri  Tres  :  Authore  Roberto  Parkcro  Anglo,  ad 
B^gnum  Dei  doEliUimo,     An.  Dom.  1 6xi.  in  Quarto. 

A  Scholaftical  Difcourfe  againft  Symbolizing  with 
Antichrift  in  Ceremonies,  efpecially  in  the  Sign  of  the 
Crofs.     An,  1607.  in  Fol. 

Concerning  this  Book  fee  Ames's  frelh  Suit,  p,^i, 

DidocUvii  Alt  are  Damafcenum,  Quarto.    1623. 

Dav.  Blondelli  Apologia  pro  Sententia  Hieronymi  de  Eplf- 
copis  ^  Presbyteris,     Amftel.  1646.     Quarto. 

Ames*s  frelh  Suit  againft  Ceremonies,  Quartoi   16^' 

Giltejpys  Difpute  againft  Englifhy  Popi/h  Ceremonies, 
8cc.    Quarto,  1637. 

SmeHymnuui,  Quarto.  1 640.  The  Firft  and  Second  Part. 

The  Papers  that  pafs'd  in  the  Conference  ar  the  Savoy 
in  1661,  which  were  Printed  fiift  in  Quarto,  a  little  af- 
ter 


POSTSCRIPT. 


ter  the  ending  of  the  Conference ;  and  afterwards  raore 
at  large  in  Mr.  Baxter's  Life  in  Folio,  and  are  here 
Abridg'd. 

Biihoip  Stilling  fleet*  shenicum,  Quarto.     1662. 

Mr.  Cor^e/'s  Remains,  Quarto.  1684. 

Mr.  Baxter's  Englifh  Nonconformity,  as  under  King 
CbarlesW.  and  King  James  II,  truly  Stated  and  Argu'd, 
Qparto.     1690, 

Mr.  Ton^s  Defence  of  Mr.  Hemys  brief  Enquiry  into 
che  Nature  of  Scbifm,  Quarto.     1 6^'^, 

Vindicia  Fratrum  Dejftntientium  in  Anglia,  Adverfus 
KC/.  Guliclmi  Nicholfii,  S.T.P.  Defenfionem  Ecclejj<e 
Anglican^e  ;  AuHore  Jacobo  Peircio  Presbyter 0,  O^fiavo. 
1710. 

He  that  will  be  at  the  Pains  to  perufc  thefe  feveral 
Writings,  will  find  that  the  Diffenters  have  much  to  fay 
in  their  own  Defence,  and  little  reafon  to  be  troubie- 
fome  to  the  World  by  repeating  their  Pleas,  as  often  as 
fucb  as  iove  Contention,  think  fit  to  renew  the  Charges 
that  have  been  fo  oft  brought  againfl  them,  and  as  often 
anfwer'd.  What  were  this  but  to  perpetuate  a  Difpute, 
the  accommodating  which  by  an  amicable  Agreement, 
would  be  more  for  dor  Intereft  and  Safety,  Peace  and 
Co/nfort  on  all  Hands. 


THE 


THE 

CONTENTS 

O  F    T  H  I  S 

VOLUME. 


CHAP.  I.  Mr.  Baxter'/  B'rtb  and  Educntion, 
early  Serioufnejs  j  and  entrance  into  the  Mini- 
flryi  page,  I. 

CHAP.  II.  Hk  firfl  Sentiments  concerning  Conformity. 
His  acceptance  in  hii  firjl  Minijlerial  Labours ;  and  the 
Difficulties  he  met  with  :  His  Settlement  at  Kedermin- 
ftcr.  p.  1 1. 

CHAP,  III.  The  Oppojftion  he  at  fir  ft  met  with  in  that 
Town,  His  indefatigable  Labours^  and  the  admirable 
efficacy  of  his  Miniftry  in  that  Place,  p.  12. 

CHAP.  IV.  The  I{ife  and  Springs  of  the  Civil  fVar, 
Some  brief  touches  of  the  Hiftory  of  the  Times^  tiS  the 
cutting  off  the  King,  p.  37. 

C  H  A  P.  V.  I{efleHions  on  public^  TranfaSlions  from 
the  Death  of  Kjng  Charles  I,  to  the  I{eJiauraticncfKjng 
Charles  II.  P- ^i• 

C  H  A  P.  VI.  Mr,  Baxter*;  ConduB  of  himjelf  during 
thefe  publicly  Commotions  and  frequent  Alterations,  Bis 
Behaviour  in  the  Army,  and  towards  Ciomwel.  Hk 
trouble  from  the  SeBaries  of  thofe  Times ;  with  an  Ac- 
count of  their  I^fe  and  Prevalence ^  Principles  and  Pra- 
Biees,  P-  74- 

CHAP.  VII.  His  general  Vfefulnefs  in  the  whole  Coun- 
ty, while  he  remain  d  in  WorcefterOiire.  Hk  publicly 
Service  by  hit  pacificatory  Endeavours,    and  other  PVays, 

p.  III. 

CHAP.  VIII.  The  TranfaBions  in  Order  to  the  healing 
pafid  Breaches  after  King  Charles';  t(eftauration.  The 
^ayoy  Conference^  and  its  fruit Icfi  Jjfuc,  p.  i39- 

L/  rl  i»  1  • 


The    CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  IX.  The  AH  of  Vniformity,  and  B^efleaions 
upon  it ;  And  the  ejeHing  and  filencing  of  many  worthy 
Perfons  by  it.  page  i8i. 

CHAP.  X.  The  Grounds  of  the  Nonconformity  of 
the  Minifters  who  were  EjeHed,  Their  Vindication  of 
themfelvej,  and  fuch  oi  adher'*d  to  them.  p*  I9S« 

CHAP.   XI.     Mr.  Baxter'^   Settlement  in  London. 

The  Occafion  of  his  Separation  from  his  beloved  People  at 

'  Kederroinftcr.     His  Carriage  to  them  after  he  left  them, 

Hk  Labour i  in  London  till  he  woijllencd.  p.  294: 

CHAP.  XII.  Hu  own  and  hi  Brethrens  Treatment  af^ 
ter  their  EjeHion^  tiS  the  Indulgence  in  167;.      p.  304. 

CHAP.  XIII.  An  Account  of  their  Cafe^  from  the 
time  of  the  Indulgence  in  1671,  till  the  Death  of  Kjng 
Charles  II.  p*  334•- 

C  H  A  P.  XIV.  Their  Cafe  in  the  B^eign  of  Kjng 
James  II.  p.  366. 

CHAP.  XV.  Mr.  Baxter'j  Manifold  Temptations, 
His  Improvements  and  Alterations  as  he  advanced  inTears, 
Hh  Deliverances  and  Supports.  Hvs  Inil  Sickpefs  and 
Death :  And  Intereft  in  Men  of  Note  and  Figure  in  the 
Days  he liv din,  .        P*  39o* 

CHAP.  XVI.     m  H^orks  and  Writings.  p.  41  o. 

CHAP.  XVIL  The  Cafe  of  the  Diffenters  and  their 
Treatment^  and  the  new  State  of  Things,  in  the  begin" 
ning  of  the  I{eign  of  1{ing  William  and  Queen  MsLiy, 

p.  421. 

CHAP.  XVIII.  The  Cafe  of  the  Diffenters^  and  other 
Ecclefiafiieal  Matters  in  the  following  Tears  of  the  I{eign 
of  Kl"S  William;  p.  484. 

CHAP.  XIX.  An  Account  of  the  Cafe  of  the  Dijfenters^ 
and  of  other  material  Incidents  in  the  ^eigh  of  Queen 
Anne,  tiS  the  paffing  the  BiU  againfl  Occafional  Con- 
formity, /»  1 7 1 1 .  p.  4zo.' 


THE 


THE 


LIFE 

O  F     T  H  E 

REVEREND 

Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


CHAP.    r. 

His  Birth  and  Education^  Early  Serioufnefs^ 
and  Entrance  into  the  Miniflry, 

FAR  the  Greater  Number  of  thofe  who  have 
bin  fent  to  k(St  a  Part  on  the  State  of  this 
Lower  World,  have  either  pafsM  off  filently, 
or  mifemploy'd  their  Activity ;  fo  that  their 
Names  are  either  bury'd  in  Oblivion,  or  ftigmatiz'd, 
to  the  Warning  and  Terrour  of  Pofterity.  Among 
fuch  as  have  made  the  greatcft  Figure  while  Living,  or 
bin  moft  applauded  after  their  Deceafe,  many  have 
ow'd  their  Diftinguifli'd  Reputation^  to  the  Stock  that 
JDore  them,  to  their  Peculiar  outward  Helps  and  Ad- 
vantages, or  to  certain  Accidental  Hits,  that  are  not 
to  be  accounted  for :  While  in  the  mean  time,  there 
have  in  all  Ages  bin  fome  few  others,  who  have  bin 
fignaliz'd  by  their  Remarkable  Endowments,  and  ex- 
traordinary Adions^   the  Fame  of  yvhich  hath  long 

B  furviv'd 


The  LIFE  of         Chap.  L 


farviv'd  them,  and  given  a  Luftre  to  their  Names  in 
The  Annals  of  Time.  Such  have  bin  their  MerirSj 
that  they  have  broke  thro*  all  thofe  Clouds  which  En- 
vy and  Malice  have  rais'd  to  obfcure  them.  So  Great 
Bieirings  have  they  prov'd  ro  the  World,  that  Attempts 
to  detracfl  fi  om  them,  have  recoil'd  upon  the  Affailants 
to  their  own  Infamy. 

Under  the  Great   Degeneracy  of  ..the  Prefent  Age, 
which  is  the  Matter  ot  fo  juft  Complaint,     we  have 
had  feme  Inftances  of  this  kind.     Mr.  Pjchard  Baxter 
(the  Subjedt  of   the  Enfuing  Hiftory)  cannot  be  de- 
ny'd  to  be  one  of  the  Number.     His  Soul  was  too 
Grear  for  an  Ufelefs  and  Unacftive  Life,  and  his  Piety 
and   Integrity  too  Confpicuous  for   him  lo  be  juftly 
Charg'd  with  perverting  his  Uncommon  Abilities,  or 
mifemploying  his  Confiderabic  Inrereft.     His  Rife  was 
mean,  and  his  Defcent  obfcure;  he  had  no  external 
Advantages  to  raife  and  diftinguifli  him,    but  as  many 
Difficulties  to  break  through  as  moft  Men,    and  yet 
hath  his  Perfonal  Merit  advanc'd  his  Reputation  to  that 
height,  that  it  will  outlive  the  Calumnies  of  ail  his  De- 
tratf^ors. 
His  Birth.   .     He  was  a  Native  of  Shropfhire,    His  Father  was  a 
Freeholder  of  that  County,    who  made  no  great  Fi- 
gure     His  Eftate  was  but  fmall;     and  fo  encumbred 
with  Debts,  as  not  to  be  clear'd  without  much  Thrift 
and  Good  Husbandry.     His  Mother  was  of  the  fame 
County  ;     being  the  Daughter  of  Mr.  ^chard  Adeney 
of  I{owto7?^   near  High  Ercal^   the  Seat; of  the   Lord 
Ncvpjfort.     There   was  he   born,     November  the  nth. 

1 615,    and  there  he  fpent  his 
Vr.  Bues  declares  in  his  Sermon    Infancy,  which  was  fo  remark- 
et his  funeral.  That  he  had  receird    able  in  nothing  as  in  the  Difco- 

this  Teliimony  conccrninx  his   Early      ygj.y    ^f     ^     ^IQUS     IncHnation, 

T^cty.    H'.s  Father  faid  v^ith  Tears    ^vhich  gave  great  Hopes  to  fuch 
fJrl  /'/  !  \  ^]r  T  t'    as  obfeiv'd  him.    When  he  waa 

cnard  /  ir>pe  w.^s    SanUihd    from        ,  vr  r  a  1. 

the  Womb;  Tor  ^hen  he  i^  I lit^     ^^^^"^  J5  ^eatS   of  Age,   hc  WRS 

lie  Boy  in  Coats,  if  he  heard  other    taken  Home  by  his  Parents  to 

children     in    Tlay    fpeaJc    Frofane      ^^^^«  Connantine  ,      (  a  Vlilag^e 
Words,    he   vffouU  reprove  them,    to     aboUt    5  Miles    fronj  ^hrovosbury) 

f he  Tponda  of  thtm  that  heard  him.      where  he  paft  away  his  Child- 
hood and  Youth,   which  upon 
Refledtion,    he  according  to  the  Wife  Man's  Ccijf»Jr«p 
found  to  be  Vanity.  Hc 


Chap.  I.        Mr,  Elichard  Baxter. 


He  was  unhappy  in  his  Edocadon,  with  Refped  h/j  eJw 
Loch  CO  Learning  and  Piety.  His  Sahoolniafters  wete/'^f'^^- 
both  Lewd  anJ  Ignorant.  For  wane  of  better  Inftru- 
aers,  he  fell  into  the  Hands  of  the  Readers  of  the  Vil- 
lages he  livM  in.  Learning  was  at  no  great  height  in  fo 
remote  a  Corner  of  the  Land:  Neither  could  much  Im- 
provement be  expe(fle4  in  fo  Barren  a  Soil.  His  Greac- 
eft  Help  in  Granvper  Learning  was  from  Mr.John  O^en^ 
Mafter  of  the  Free-School  at  ^Vroxeter,  with  whom  he 
continu'dj  'till  he  had  bin  fome  time  Captain  of  his 
School ;  and  advanc  d  as  far  as  his  Aififtance  would  for- 
ward him. 

He  had  not  afterwards  the  Advantage  of  an  Aca- 
demical Education,  and  yet,  (to  ufe  the  Words  of  the 
Reverend  Dr.  Bates)  by  the  Divine  BleiTing  upon  his 
rare  Dexterity  and  Diligence,  his  Sacred  Knowledge 
was  in  that  Decree  of  Eminence,  as  few  in  the  Uni- 
veriity  ever  arrive  to.  None  could  be  more  Deiirous 
of  Academical  Helps  than  he  ;  but  he  was  depriv'd  of 
them  by  a  Propofal  of  his  SchooImafter*s,  much  to  his 
Sorrow.  When  he  was  leaving  his  School,  Mr.  Owen 
(as  may  well  be  fuppos'd  out  of  real  Kindnefs)  moti- 
on d  his  Living  with  Mr.  Rjcknrd  J4^ickjlead^  Chaplain 
to  the  Council  at  Ludlow^  who  had  allowance  from  the 
King  for  one  to  attend  him.  There  being  no  others 
under  his  Care,  he  reprefented  this  as  likely  to  Jdc 
more  Advantageous  than  a  Tutor  in  the  Univerfity. 
This  Motion  eaiily  took  with  his  Parents,  who  were 
much  better  pleas'd  with  the  Tho'ts  of  having  their 
Son  fo  near  them,  than  at  a  much  greater  Diftance, 
and  they  Toon  embrac'd  it.  Bjc  it  anfwer'd  ncD  Ex- 
pedacion.  For  Mr.  H^ick^end  himfelf  was  no  Great 
Scholar,  and  he  took  no  trains  with  his  Pupil,  tho'  he 
Wasotherwife  very  kind  to  him.  So  that  his  only  Ad- 
vantage by  Living  with  him,  was  in  the  free  ufe  of 
his  Library,  which  was  open  to  him  :  And  he  having 
time  eno'  for  Study,  improv'd  that  Priviledge  to  his 
utmoft.  After  he  had  fpent  a  Year  and  half  with  him, 
he  return  d  home  to  his  Father ;  and  foon  after,  at  the 
Lord  Newpons  Requeft,  fupply'd  the  Place  of  his 
Schoolmafter  Mr.  John  Ovoen  for  a  few  Months,  while 
he  was  wafting  away  in  a  Confumption,  of  which  he 

B  %  Intend^ 


4  The  LIFE  of  Chap.  I. 

Intending  for  the  Miniftry,  he  was  earneftly  Defirous 
of  that  Knowledge  that  was  necelTary  to  qualify  him 
for  it.     Being  difappointed  in  his  Hopes  of  going  to 
the  Univerfity,    he  apply 'd  himfelf  lo  a  clofe  Courfe  of 
Study,   under  the  Condudt  of  Mr.  Francis  Garbett^  (a 
Perfon  of   Great  Note  and  Worth,    then  Minifter  of 
TVroxeter)  and  with  his  Afliftance  he  run  thro*  a  Courfe 
of  Philofophy.     Great  was  his  Induftry  ;  and  nothing 
troubled  him  fo  much,     as  the  Hindrance   he  receiv  a 
from  his  Bodily  Indifpofuion,    which  was  very  confide- 
rable.     He  endeavoured  to  manage  his  Studies  in  a  Sub- 
ordination to  Divinity,    and  was  aflifted  by  the  Advice 
of  feveral  Neighbouring  Minifters,    with  whofe  Help 
he  was  making  an  Hopeful  Progrefs,  'till  a  New  Moti- 
on was  made  that  bid  fair  for  enfnaring  him,    and  had 
hke  to  have  turn'd  his  tho'tsinto  a  quite  Different  Chan- 
nel, to  the  unfpeakable  Damage  of  himfelf  and  others. 
But  the  Purpofe  of  God  [haU  ftand. 
JL  Great        When  he  was  about  1 8  Years  of  Age,  Mr.  H^tckjlead 
Snare  e-     perfwaded  him  to  forbear  further  tho*ts  of  the  Mini- 
fcap'd.         ftry,  to  leave  the  Country  for  the  Court,   and  to  make 
an  Intereft  for  foire  Office  there,   by  which  he  might 
have  an  Opportunity  of  rifing  in  the  World,  and  be- 
coming Great  and  Confiderable.    The  thing  was  Plea- 
fing  to  his  Parents,    and  upon  their  Inftigation  he  came 
up  to   White-Hall,    being  recommended   to  Sir   Henry 
Herbert^  who  was  then  Mafter  of  the  Revels.     He  was 
courteoufly  receiv'd,  and  kindly  entertain'd,  but  found 
.  nothing  taking  in  a  Court  Life  ;    fo  far  from  it,  that  he 
was  daily  entertained  with  what  made  him  very  uneafy; 
Whereupon,  after  a  Month's  ftav,  he  return'd  down  in- 
to the  Country,   reaffnm'd  his  Former  Purpofes,    and 
apply'd  himfelf  to  his  Studies  with  frefli  Vigour ;  being 
more  Indefatigable  in  the  Purfuit  of  Knowledge  than 
can  eafily  be  imagind ;  'till  at  length  upon  the  Earneft 
Solicitation  of  Mr.  F{ichnrd  Foley  of  Stourbridge,  he  ac- 
cepted of  the  Mafterfhip  of  a  Free-School  he  had  lately 
^        ered^ed  at  Dudley,    having  an  Ufher  under  him.     And 
by  this  time  God  had  fitted  him  for  Great  Service  in 
His  Church,    by  bringing  him  to  more  than  Ordinary 
Serioufnefs,   the  Means  and  Methods  whereof  defer ve 
particular  Obfervation. 

The 


- — — — -     ■  ■ — - —  -r »  I     , 

Chap.  I.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  5 


The  Country  he  liv'd  in  had  very  Jittle  Preaching. 
The  Clergy  of  thofe  Parts  were  (generally  fpeaking) 
Lazy    and  Vitious.    Some   by    forging  Orders,   had 
compafsM  a  Tranflation    even  from  the  Stage  to  the 
PuJpit.     With  Amazement    be    it  mentiond,    feveral 
in  that  Neighbourhood  of  the  facred  Minifteriai  Fun- 
<Slion,  were  more  Noted  for  their  Gaming  and  Drink- 
ing, than  either  their  Good  Preaching  or  Good  Living. 
There  were  not  above  three  or  four  competent  Preach- 
ers all  round  the  Country,    and  tho'  all  except  one 
were  Conformable,   they  were  Derided  by  the  Com- 
mon People  as  Puritans,    becaufe  not  fo  carelefs  as  their 
Neighbours.     In  a  Word  ;     there  was  fcarce  the  Face 
almoft  of  Religion  left.     In  the  Village  he  liv'd  in,  not 
X  Sermon  was  to  be  heard  from  Year  to  Year.    And 
the  Service  was  run  over  very  Curforily  and  Irreve- 
rently ,•    and    when    that    was  done,    the  reft  of  the 
Lord's  Day  was  profanely  fpent  by  the  whole  Town  in 
Dancing  under  a  May-Pole,    and  a  Great  Tree.    In 
thefe    Circumftances,    'tis  amazing  he  did  not  fwim 
with  the  Stream.     He  hath  indeed  himfelf  acknow- 
ledg'd,    That  the  Univerfality  of  the  Corruption  did 
fometimes  prove  a  Confiderable  Temptation  to  him, 
but  the  Goodnefs  of  God  preferv'd  him.     His  Father's 
Good  Inftrudtions  and  Example  were  lingularly  helpful 
to  him,    under  all  thefe  Difadvanrages.     The  time  that  7-/,^  Benefit 
others  fpent  in  Dancing,  his  Father  employ'd  in  Read*  f,,    nceird 
ing  and  Praying  in  his  Family,   and  recommending  an  j^om  a  Pi- 
Holy  Life.     He  put  him  upon  a  careful  Reading  the  o«*  Educn- 
Hiftorical  Part  of  Scripture,    which  being  Delightful  tion. 
to  him,  made  him  in  Love  with  the  Bible :    And  his 
Serious  Speeches  of  God  and  the  Life  to  come,  poflefs'd 
him  with  a  Fenr  of  Sinning;     So  that  He  became  the 
firft  Inftrument  of  his  Hearty  Approbation  cf  an  Holy 
Life.     He  found  his  Father  reproach'd  for  his  Singula- 
rity, and  that  much  afFedted  him.    The  Profane  Crew 
derided  him  as  a  Puritan,    Becaufe  not  fo  Loofe  and 
Carelefs  as  they ;    which  mov'd  his  Indignation.     At 
firft  indeed,  hearing  the  Generality  fpeak  fcornfully  of 
Puritans,  he  was  apt  to  think  there  was  Ground  for 
it :  Why  elfe  Ihould  there  be  fo  common  a  Confent  in 
the  Cry  that  was  againft  them?    And  he  was  too  unac- 
quainted with  theic  Principles  or  Pradices  to  be  able  to 

B  3  defend 


,5  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  I. 

defend  them.  But  when  he  obferv*d  his  own  Father, 
of  whofe  fincere  Piety  he  had  (o  good  Evidence,  bran- 
ded with  that  Name  as  a  Reproach,  by  a  fottifli 
Drunken  fort  of  People,  he  caine  to  difcern  that  Piety 
was  the  Ground  of  that  General  Obloquy.  For  his 
Father  never  fcrupled  Common-Prayer  or  Ceremonies, 
nor  ever  fpake  againft  Bifhops,  nor  lo  much  as  Pray'd  but 
by  a  Book  or  Form  :  And  yet  being  zealous  for  Piety 
and  Sobriety,  Reproving  Drunkards  and  Swearers,  and 
intermixing  now  and  then  in  his  Converfarion  fome  ie- 
rious  Dilcourfe  concerning  Scripture  and  the  Life  to 
come,  he  was  re^ilM  ty  the  Name  of  Puritan,  Precifian 
and  Hypocrite;  and  it  was  the  like  with  fuch  Pious 
Conformable  Minifters  too,  as  the  Country  afforded, 
This  Obfervation  made  him  loath  the  Company  of  thefe 
Scoffers^  and  love  Religion  the  better. 
r/;<r  Irre^U'  Many  Ways  however  did  his  Corruption  break 
iaritles  of  forth  in  his  Childhood.  He  was  addicted  to  Lying  for 
his  cbi/d'  f-ar  of  Corre61:'ion.  He  joyn'd  fometimes  with  other 
hfjvci.  Naughty   Boys  in    Robbing   Neighbours  Orchards   of 

their  Fruit,  when  he  had  eno*  at  home.  He  was 
much  encJin'd  to  Play,  and  that  with  Covetoufnefs 
for  Money.  He  was  bewitcVd  with  a  Love  of  Ro- 
mances and  Idle  Tales;  and  tho*  he  durft  not  Swear, 
yer  was  he  fometirries  drawn  to  imitate  other  Children 
in  fcurrilous  and  foolifh  "Words  and  Actions.  He  was 
too  Proud  of  his  feveral  Schoolmafters  Commendations 
for  his  Learning ;  and  too  Bold  and  Irreverent  towards 
his  Parents.  Which  things  he  could  not  in  his  advan^ 
ced  Years  refledl  on,  without  Hearty  Concern,  Regret, 
and  Sorrow. 
TheMtam  Bbt  about  the  14th  Year  of  his  Age,  being  under 
Qj  iHs  Con  forng  more  than  ufual  Convidtions  of  Sin,  after  his  ha- 
rerjiou.  ^'^^^  robbM  a  Kfeig'h hour's  Orchard,  it  plcasM  God  he 
mcrt  with  ParJoTis  of  I{cfnlution^  (as  Corrtdled  by  Bumiy) 
irt  the  reading  of  which  fuch  Impreflions  were  made 
Upon  his  Spirit,  as  never  wore  off  to  the  Day  ef  his 
Death.  Noiy  it  was  that  God  tbro'ly  awakcn'd  his 
Soul,  and  (hew'd  him  the  Folly  of  Sinning,  and  the 
Miiery  of  the  Wicked,  the  inexprefljble  "VVeight  of 
Thing";  Eternal,  and  the  nectflity  of  refolving  on  an 
Holy  Life  rhoie  than  ever  before.  He  had  often  for- 
merly had  thb'ts  df  this  kind  Stirring  in  his  Mind,  bat 

now 


chap.  L       Mr.  Pvichard  Baxter. 


rtow  they  catTiei  in  another  manner,  with  Senfe  and 
Power  anci  Serioufnefs  to  his  Heart.  This  caft  him  in- 
to Fears  about  his  Condition,  and  they  drove  him  to 
Cordial  Contrition,  ConfefTion  and  Prayer;  and  ifla'd 
ihaferious  Refolution  of  altering  his  Courfe.  Meet- 
ing afterwards  with  Dr.  Sibbs'j  hruifed  /^e^.V,  he  found 
it  dpen'd  more  of  the  Love  of  God  to  him,  and  gave 
him  a  Hvelver  Apprehenfionthan  he  had  before,  of  the 
Myfteryof  Redemption,  and  convinc'dhim  more  than 
ever,  how  much  he  was  beholden  to  Jefus  Chrift.  By 
the  reading  alfo  of  Mr,  Perkins  of  B^pentancc^  and  of 
7he  Art  ^f  Living  ajid  Dying  voell^  and  fome  other  of 
his  Treatifes,  he  was  further  informed  and  con- 
firmM. 

Some  time  after,  being  in  Expedlation  of  Death,  by  Uh  sphi- 
a  Violent  Cough,  with  Spitting  of  Blood,    of  i  Years  ^^^^^  Ttow 
Continuance,    he  was  av/aken*d  to  be  yet  more  ferious  ^^^  ^f^^^' 
and  folicitous  about  the  Everlafting  Eftate  of  his  Soul.  *^'*''^^* 
He  apprehended  himfelf  to  fall  fo  fhort  of  that  Sence 
and  Serioufnefs  which  a  Matter  of  that  infinite  weight 
required,   that  he  was  long  in  Doubt  about  his  Sinceri- 
"ty,  and  fearful  that  he  was  yet  a  Stranger  to  the  true 
Spiritual  and  Divine  Life.     He  wondred  at  himfelf, 
that  he  could  think  and  talk  of  Sin  and  Hell,  of  Chri(t 
and  Grace,  of  God  and  Heaven,  with  no  more  feeling. 
He  cry'd  to  God  from  Day  to  Day,   againft  this  Dead- 
ncls,  and  all  his  Groans  were  for  more  Contrition,  and  . 
a  tender  Heart.     And  between    the  Expedations  of 
Death,  and  his  Doubts  of  his  own  Sincerity  in  Grace, 
he  was  kept  in  more  Care  concerning  his  Salvation, 
than  one  of  his  Natural  Temper  could  (in  his  own  E- 
fteem)  have  otherwife  bin  bro't  to.    The  reading  of 
Mr.  Ezek.  Culverwel  of  Faith  at  this  time  gave  him 
much  Relief.     But  tho'  he  had  now  and  then  certain 
glimmerings  of  Hope  and  Comfort,    yet  did  his  Fears 
often  return  again.    And  long  was  he  kept  with  the 
Calls  of  Approaching  Death  as  it  were  at  one  Ear,  and 
the  Queftionings    of  a  Doubtful  Confcience  at  the 
other. 

This  Method  which  it  pleafed  God  to  take  with  Ue  Benefit 
him,  he  often  admir'd  ;    and  many  were  the  Benefits  of  that  Ex- 
which  he  apprehended  he  receiv'd  from  it.     According  cn'ife. 
e©  his  own  Account,    this  kept  hini  Humble,  and 

~      B  4  made 


8  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  I. 

made  Pride  one  of  the  hacefulleft  Sins  in  the  WoiW  to 
him.     It  rcftrainM  him  from  the  Sportful  Levity  and 
Vanity  to   which  Nature   and   Youth   enclin'd   him; 
and  caus'd  him  to  meet  Temptations  to  Senfuality  with 
the  grcateft  Fear.     It  made  him  the  better  ReliHi  the 
Docflrine   of    Redemption,    and  rendred  his  tho'ts  of 
Chrift  the  more  ferious  and  affediing.     It  made  the 
VVorld  fcem  to  him  as  a  Catkafs,    without  either  Life 
or  Lovclinefs.     It  fet  him  upon  the  moft   Advantage- 
ous Method  of  Study.     It  caus'd  him  firft  to  feek  God's 
Kingdom  and  his  Righteoufnefs ;   and  moft  to  mind 
the  one  Thing  needful :  To  determine  tirft  his  Ultimate 
End;  by  which  he  was  engag* d  to  choofe  and  profe- 
cute  all  other  Studies  but  as  means  to  that  End :    And 
therefore  he  ftudy'd  Pradtical  Divinity  firft,  in  the  moft 
Pradiical  Books,  and  in  a  Pradiical  Order,   aiming  in 
all  Primarily  at  the  Informing  and  Reforming  of  his 
own  Soul.     So  that  he  had  read  over  and  digefted  all 
the  Pra£lical  Treatifes  he  could  meet  with,    before  he 
meddled  with  any  confiderable  Body  of  Divinity.     By 
which  means  his  AfFed:ions  were  carry'd  on  with  his 
Judgment,    and  he  profecuted  all  his  Studies  with  Un- 
weariednefs  and  Delight. 
The  The  Chief  Grounds  of  his  Doubts  concerning  his 

Grounds  o/Salvation  were  thefe.  Becaufe  he  could  not  diftin(^ly 
his  Doubts  trace  the  Workings  of  the  Divine  Spirit  on  his  Heart, 
and  Pears,  in  the  Method  which  Bolton,  and  Hooker.,  and  I^^^gerj^ 
and  many  other  Divines  defcribe;  or  poflltively  Aflign 
the  particular  inftant  of  his  Converfion.  Becaufe  of 
*  his  want  of  fuch  lively  Apprehenfions  of  Things  Spiri- 
tual, as  he  had  of  Things  Corporeal.  Becaufe  he  had 
at  certain  Seafons  bin  under  warm  Convidtions  even 
from  his  Childhood,  and  had  often  obferv'd  more  of 
Fear  than  Love  in  his  Duties  and  ReAraints.  Becaufe 
his  Grief  and  Humiliation  was  not  greater  and  deeper; 
and  above  all ,  becaufe  of  his  having  Sinn'd  delibe- 
rately and  knowingly,  afcer  his  apprehended  Change, 
But  Converfe  with  Confolatory  Books,  the  Obfer- 
vation  of  other  Chri/lians,  clofe  Confideration,  and 
further  Experience,  by  dcgrpe^  fatisfy'J  and  quieted 
him; 


Chap.  1.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


For  upon  further  fearch,    he  found  that  the  firft  De-  The  Meam         jj 
gre^  of  Special  Grace  was  ufually  very  fmall,   and  of  hu  Sa-  ^ 

therefore  not  eafily  diftinguiOiable  in  the  feafofi  of  its  tUfaWoH. 
firft  Prevalence  from  Preparatory  Grace  :  That  a  Soul 
in  Flelh  doth  work  fo  much  after  the  manner  of  the 
Flefh,  that  it  much  delireth  fenfible  Apprehenfions ; 
but  Things  Spiritual  and  Diftant  are  not  fo  apt  to  work 
upon  it,  and  to  ftir  the  Paffions,  as  Things  prefent  and 
fenfible :  That  Education  is  God's  ordinary  way  for 
the  Conveyance  of  his  Grace,  and  ought  no  more  to 
be  fet  in  oppofition  to  the  Spirit,  than  even  the  Preach-  J 

ing  of  the  Word,   or  any  other  appointed  Means,  on  " 

which  his  Bleffing  might  be  expeded :  That  tho'  Fear 
without  Love  be  not  a  ftate  of  Saving  Grace,  yet  that 
Fear  being  the  eafier,  and  more  irrefiftible  Paffion  of  the 
two,  doth  oft  hinder  that  Meafure  of  Love  that  is  true, 
from  being  Difcernable ;  And  that  he  who  had  rather 
leave  his  Sin  than  have  leave  to  keep  it,  and  had  rather  « 

be  the  moft  Holy,  than  have  leave  to  be  Unholy,  or  lefs  ' 

Holy,  is  neither  without  true  Repentance  nor  the  Love 
of  God. 

But  that  which  moft  perplexM  him,  and  which  ere-  of  sinn'mr 
ated  him  the  Greateft  Difficulty,  was  the  finding  him-  after  Con- 
felf  Guilty  of  known  and  deliberate  Sin,  after  that  he  verfion.  . 
had  tho't  himfelf  Convened  :  This  he  for  a  long  time 
could  not  tell  how  to  Reconcile  with  true  Grace.  E- 
very  known  Sin  he  committed,  in  this  refpedl,  re- 
newed his  Doubt.  He  could  not  fall  in  with  thofe, 
who  reckon  that  every  Sin  againft  Knowledge  nullifies 
former  Grace  ;  and  that  every  renew'd  Ad:  of  Repea- 
tance,  is  attended  with  a  New  Regeneration  :  For  this 
he  tho't  would  be  to  feek  to  folve  one  Difticulty,  by  in- 
troducing another  that  is  Greater.  At  length  he  fix'd 
on  this  Scheme  of  Tho'ts,  which  gave  him  Satisfadion. 
That  all  faving  Grace  doth  indeed  put  the  Soul  into 
a  ftate  of  Enmity  to  Sin  as  Sin,  and  confequently  to 
every  known  Sin :  That  this  Enmity  muft  flicw  itfelf 
in  Vidiory,  for  bare  Striving  is  not  a  full  Evidence  of 
Sincerity  :  That  this  Vidory  however  is  not  conftant, 
for  then  the  Upright  would  not  Sin  at  all;  whereas, 
He  that  faith  he  hath  no  Sin,  deceive tb  himfelf:  .But 
that  the  Children  of  God  neverthelefs  do  always  over- 
come thofe  Temptations,  which  would  draw  them  to 

a 


lo  The  LILE  of  Ch4p.  I. 

a  wicked  unholy  State  of  Life,  or  to  any  particuUr  Sin 
which  proveth  fucb  a  State,  and  fignifieih  a  Heart 
which 'hath  more  Habitual  Love  to  the  World  than 
unto  God  j  And  therefore,  tho'  in  the  moft  Upright/ 
Temptations  of  a  lower  Son  do  often  prevail,  yet  is  tht 
Inclination  of  the  Soul  ftill  tnoft  to  God  :  And  this  is, 
very  pcflible,  even  ahho*  Sin  be  corhmitted  with  fome 
Deliberation.  For  as  Grace  may  ftrive  one  Inftant  only 
in  one  A£t,  and  then  be  fuddenly  overcome  ;  fo  it 
may  firive  longer,  and  keep  the  Mirtd  en  the  Cbrifii 
deration  of  reltraining  Motives,  and  yet  be  overcome?: 
For  it  is  not  the  meer  Length  of  Confideration  which 
is  eno'  to  fence  the  Heart  againH  Sin,  but  there  muft 
be  clearnefs  of  Light,  and  Livelincfs  in  thofe  Con{i- 
derations ;  which  the  Beft  have  x\6i  always  Expcrienc^e 
of.  And  tho'  a  little  Sin  muft, be  hated,  and  Uni-; 
verfal  Obedience  muft  prove  our  Sincerity,  and  no  one 
Sin  muft  be  wilfully  continu'd  in,  yet  is  it  cer/ain 
that  the  Servants  of  God  do  not  often  commit  Sins 
ttiaterially  Great  and  Heinous,  and  yet  that  they  oft^n 
do  commit  fome  leifer  Sins,  (as  idle  Tho'ts  and  Words, 
and  Dulnefs  in  Holy  Duties,  C^c.)  and  that  the  Tehi- 
ptcr  oft  getterh  Advantage  even  with  them,  by  telling 
them.  That  the  Sin  is  fmall,  and  fuch  as  God's  Ser- 
vants ordinarily  commit.  And  therefore  one  Reafon 
why  Idle  Words  and  Sinful  Tho'ts  are  even  delibei^=.* 
ateJy  oftner  committed  than  mrtft  heinous  Sins,  is'be- 
caufe  the  Soul  is  not  awakenM  to  much  by  Feitt  and 
Care  to  make  Reiiftance.  Pious  Perfbns  howevet,  be- 
ing Men  commonly  of  the  itioft  Knowledge  in  Divine 
Things,  do  therefore  when  they  are  drawn  into  Sin, 
ordinarily  Sin  againft  mote  Knowledge  than  others. 
Withall,  there  are  fome  Sin^  fo  difficult  to  avoid,  ind 
{ome  Temptations  fo  ftrong,  and  the  Soul  at  fome  Sea- 
fons  is  fo  fluggifti,  and  fo  indifpos'd  to  the  neccflary 
Refiftance,  that  good  Tho'ts,  which  are  delibctatcly 
usM  againft  them,  are  at  laft  born  down,  and  lefs  ef- 
fectual. And  as  for  our  Prefent  Stock  of  Habitual 
Grace,  'tis  never  fufficient  6f  it  felf,  without  Co-ope- 
rating Grace  from  Chrift  :  And  therefore,  when  we 
provoke  him  to  withdraw  his  Help,  'tis  no  wonder  if 
we  difcovcr  our  Wcaknefs,  altho'  we  don't  turn  back, 
and  go   again  from  God  to  the   Wovld,     But  yet, 

whcD. 


Chap,  I.        Mr.  Richard  Bixcer.  H 


N)vhcn  ever  Perfons  thus  difpos'd  do  fall  into  Sin,  they 
recover  again  by  Repentance  ;  and  the  New  Nature  or 
Habit  of  Divine  Love  within  them,  will  work  out 
the  Sin  as  foon  as  it  hath  Advantage.  Tho*  in  the 
mean  Time,  'tis  not  at  all  to  be  wondred  at,  that  fich 
a  Thing  as  Sin  Ihould  breed  Fears  and  Uneafinefs. 
And  the  beft  Way,  when  all  is  done,  to  keep  under 
Doubts  and  Fears,  and  maintaio  Comfort,  is  to  keep 
up  Adtual  Obedience,  and  quickly  and  penitently  re- 
turn after  Sin  is  committed. 

Such  as  thefe  were  the  Confiderations  by  which  he 
was  relieved  and  quieted.  And  it  much  encreas'd  his 
Peace  to  find  others  in  the  like  Condition  :  He  found 
his  Cafe  had  nothing  Singular ;  being  call'd  by  the 
Providence  of  God  to  the  Comforting  of  others,  who 
had  the  fame  Complaints.  While  he  anfwer*d  their 
Doubts,  he  anfwer'd  bis  own  ;  and  the  Charity  he 
was  conftrain*d  to  exercife  towards  them,  redounded 
to  himfelf,  and  infenfibly  abated  his  Difturbance.  And 
yet,  after  alJ,  he  was  glad  of  Probability  inftead  of 
undoubted  Certainty.  And  for  the  greateft  Part  of 
his  Life,  tho'  he  had  no  fuch  Degree  of  Doubtfulnefs 
as  was  any  great  Trouble  to  his  Spirit,  or  procar'd  any 
finking  difquieting  Fears,  yet  he  could  not  fa/ that 
he  had  fuch  a  Certainty  of  his  own  Sincerity  in 
Grace,  as  excluded  all  Doubts  and  Fears  to  the  con- 
trary. 

'   From  the  Age  of  xi,  'till  near  13,   his  Weaknefs  His     En- 
was  fo  great,  that  he  hardly  tho't  it  pofHble  he  (hould  trance  upon 
live  above  a  Year.     And  finding  his  own  Soul  under  ff^e     Mini* 
ferious    Apprehenlions    of   the  Matters    of    another  A> 
World,    he  was  very  defirous  to  communicate  ihofe 
Apprehenlions  to  fuch  ignorant  carelefs  prefumptuous 
Sinners  as  the   World  abounds  with.     Altho*  there- 
fore he  had  his  Difcouragements,  thro'  his  Senfe  of  the 
Greatnefs  and  Av/fuln^fs  of  the  Work  of  the  Mirtiftry, 
and  his  Fear  of  expofing  himfelf  to  the  Cenfure  of  ma- 
ny, on  the  Account  of  his  wanting  Academical  Edu- 
cation, Honour  and  Dignities  ;  yet  expeding  to  be  fo 
quickly  in  another  World,  the  great  Concernments  of 
piiferable  Souls  prevail'd  with  him  to  engage  in  it ; 
and  finding  in  himfelf  a  thirty  Defire  of  Mens  Con- 
yerfion  and  Salvation,  and  a  competent  perfwading 
-      '  Faculty. 


12  The   LI  F  E   of       Chap.  II. 

Faculty  of  ExprelTion,  which  fervent  AfFedlions  might 
help  to  Adluacc,  he  concluded,  that  if  but  one  or  two 
Souls  might  by  his  Means  be  won  to  God,  it  would 
eafily  recompence  any  Treatment  he  might  meet  with 
in  the  World.  And  as  for  his  Fitnefs  in  Point  of 
Learning,  he  determined  to  fubmit  himfelf  to  the 
Judgment  of  others.  And  accordingly  he  applyM  him- 
felf to  the  Bifliop  of  fVorcefler-,  who  after  Examination, 
Ordain'd  him,  and  at  the  fame  Time  gave  him  a  Li- 
cenfe  to  teach  School  at  Dudley  ;  the  PJace  which  his 
Friend  Mr.  Foley  had  provided  for  him. 


CHAP.     IL 

Hif  Firji  Sentiments  concermfjg  Conforwity, 
His  Acceptance  in  bis  firfl  Minijierial  La- 
hoHrs  ;  and  the  Difftculties  he  tnet  with  : 
His  Settlement  at  Kedcrminfter. 

Hh     Firfi-  TN  his  Younger  Years    he   was  troubled  with  no 

Thots     oft    Scruples  about  Conformity.      He  joynd    in  the 

the   Contro-  -■-    Commo7i- Prayer  with   as  hearty  Fervency  as  he  af- 

yerfy     be-  terwards  did  in  any  other  Prnyers.     As  for  the  Non- 

trifeen    the  conformifts,   he  heard  them  generally  run  down,   and 

on  °''"^-    reprefen'^ed  as  an  Unreafonable,  Heady  fort  of  People  ; 

l^n'-on-     ^"'^  therefore,    iho'  he  was  perfonally  acquainted  with 

fomiifts.      "f^n^  ^f  them,  he  was  as  forward  as  others  to  Cenfure 

and  Condemn  them.     But  when  he  was  about  Twenty 

Years  of  Age,    he  became  acquainted   with  Mr.  5/w- 

monds^   Mr.  Cradocl{^  and  other  Pious  Nonconformifts 

in  and  about  Shrcvosbury^  whofe  fervent  Prayers   and 

Holy  Lives  and  Converfations  he  found  much  to  his 

Edification.     Obferving  fuch  Perfons  as  tbefe  filenc'd 

and  troubl'd  by  the  Bilhops,  be  was  much  afFc(5led, 

and  refolv'd  carefully  to  ftudy  the  Caufe  in   Debate 

between  them.     Confuking  the  Neighbouring   Mini- 

fters,   they  furnifli'd  him  with   Oovonhnrn^  Sprint^  and 

Dr.  Bur^efjy  who  had  written  for  Conformity,  whom 

he  carefully  read  over  :  But  they  could  help  him  to 

none  on  the  other  Side,  who  were  reprcfcnted  as  mean 

Scholars^ 


Chap.  II.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 5 


Scholars,  and  Men  of  little  Learning.  Whereupon, 
he  concluded  the  Caufe  of  the  Conformifis  jaflifiablel 
and  the  Reafoning  of  the  'Nonconformifls  weak.  And 
therefore,  tho*  he  had  not  diftindly  at  that  Time 
weigh'd  Particulars,  having  never  read  over  the  Book 
concerning  Ordination^  nor  half  the  Book  of  Homilies^ 
nor  fcann'd  the  Book  of  Comjyion-Prayer  with  any  ex- 
adnefs,  nor  confider'd  duly  fome  controverted  Points 
in  the  Nine  and  Thirty  Articles  ;  yet  his  Teachers 
and  Books  having  caus'd  him  in  the  general  to  think 
the  Conformifts  had  the  better  Caufe,  he  kept  out  all 
particular  Scruples  by  that  Opinion,  and  fo  fubfcrib'd 
as  ufually  at  the  Time  of  his  Ordination. 

But  being  fettled  at  Dudley,  Preaching  frequently  W's  fur- 
both  in  the  Town  and  the  Neighbouring  Villages,  he  thet  Study 
had  Occafion  and  Opportunity  to  ftudy  thefe  Matters  *"S  ''''** 
more  particularly.  For  he  there  fell  into  the  Acquain-  ^*«^*'<^<''/7- 
tance  of  feveral  Nonconformifts,  whom  he  apprehend- 
ed too  Cenforious  and  Bitter  in  their  Inve£lives  againft 
Conformity,  while  yet  he  found  them  Honeft  and 
Godly  People.  They  fupply'd  him  with  feveral  Wri- 
tings on  their  own  Side,  and  among  the  reft,  with 
Ames's  frejh  Suit  againft  Ceremonies^  which  he  read 
over  very  diftin^ly,  comparing  it  with  Dr,  BurgefsV 
^ejoynder.  And  upon  the  Whole,  he  at  that  Time  came  * 
to  thefe  Conclufions.  Kjieeling  he  tho't  lawful,  and 
all  meer  Circumftances  determined  by  the  Magiftrate, 
which  God  in  Nature  or  Scripture  hath  determin'd  of 
only  in  the  general.  The  Surplice  he  more  doubted 
of,  but  was  enclin'd  to  think  it  Lawful :  And  tho'  he 
intended  to  forbear  it  'till  under  NecefTuy,  yet  he 
could  not  fee  how  he  could  have  juftified  the  forfaking 
his  Miniftry  meerly  on  that  Account;  tho' he  never 
adiually  wore  it.  About  the  I{ing  in  Marriage,  he 
had  no  Scruple.  The  Crofj  in  Baptifm,  he  tho't  Dr. 
jtmes  prov*d  unlawful  :  And  tho*  he  was  not  without 
fome  Doubting  in  the  Point,  yet  becaufe  he  moft  en- 
clin'd to  judge  it  unlawful,  he  never  once  us*d  it.  A 
Form  of  Prttysr  and  Liturgy  he  judged  to  be  Lawful, 
arid  in  fome  Cafes  lawfully  impos'd.  The  Etj^Iif?  Li- 
turgy in  particular,  he  judged  to  have  much  Diforder 
and  Defedlivenefs  in  it,  but  nothing  which  fhouli 
trake  the  Ufe  'of  it  in  the  Ordinary  Publick  Worlhip, 

10 


14  The  LI  FE  of       Chap.  II. 

to  be  unlawful  to  them  who  could  not  do  better.  He 
fought  for  DifcipUne  in  the  Church,  and  faw  the  fad 
Efled:s  of  its  Ncglecft,  but  he  was  not  then  fo  fenfible 
as  afterwards,  that  the  very  Frame  of  Diocefan  Pre- 
lacy excluded  It ;  but  tho't  it  had  bin  Chargeable  on- 
ly on  the  Pejfonal  Ncgle£ls  of  the  Bifhops.  Suhfcrip" 
tion  he  began  to  think  unlawful,  and  repented  his 
Ralhnefs  in  yielding  to  it  fo  haftily.  For  tho'  he 
could  ufe  the  Common- Prayer^  and  was  not  yet  againft 
Piocefans,  yet  to  fubfcribe  Ex  Animo^  That  there  is 
nothing  in  the  three  Booths  contrary  to  the  H^ord  of  God^ 
was  that  which  he  durft  not  do,  had  it  bin  to  be  done 
again.  So  that  Subfcription^  and  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm, 
and  the  Promifcmus  Giving  the  Lord* s^Supper  to  all 
Comers,  tho*  ever  fo  unqualify'd,  if  they  weie  not 
Excommunicate  by  a  Bilhop  or  Chancellour  who 
knows  nothing  of  them,  were  the  only  Tilings  in 
which  he  as  yet  in  his  Judgment  inclinM  to  Noncon- 
formity. And  yet  even  as  to  thefe  Things,  he  kept  his 
Tho'ts  to  himfelf.  He  continued  to  argue  with  the 
Nonconform ifts  about  the  Points  they  diiFer'd  in,  and 
particularly  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament;  about  which 
be  managM  a  Difpute  with  fome  of  them  in  Writing, 
'till  they  did  not  think  fit  to  purfue  it  any  farther,  He 
^  freely  reprov*d  them  for  the  Bitternefs  of  their  Lan- 
guage againft  the  Bifhops  and  their  Adherents,  and 
exhorted  them  to  endeavour  for  Patience  and  Chari- 
ty, but  found  their  Spirits  fo  exafperated  by  the  hard 
Meafure  they  had  met  with,  that  they  were  deaf  to  his 
Adjnonitions.  Obferving  which,  he  came  to  this  Con- 
clulion.  That  he  that  will  have  Children,  muft  be  a  Fa- 
ther ;  and  he  that  will  be  a  Tyrant,  mult  be  contented 
with  Slaves. 
fjis  labours  While  he  continued  2d.  Dudley^  he  had  a  numerous 
in  Dudley  Auditorv,  and  a  tra^5tabie  People  to  deal  with.  The 
(^  Bridg-  Town  had  before  bin  famous  for  Drunkennefs ;  but 
pOJth.  he  found  there  a  greater  Readinefs  to  hear  the  Word  of 
God  with  Submiflion  and  Reformation,  than  in  moll 
Places  he  was  acquainted  with.  But  within  Three 
Quarters  of  a  Year,  he  was  by  earneft  Importunity 
prevailM  with  to  remove  to  Bridgnorth^  the  fecond 
Town  in  Shropfhire^  to  be  Alfiftant  to  Mr.  fViliiam 
Madjiard.    His  Work  here  being  juft  what  he  defired, 

with- 


Chap.  n.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  15" 

without  his  being  put  upon  any  Thing  that  he  fcrupled,  ^n.  1640, 
with  a  fair  ProbabiUty  of  Peace  and  Quiemefs,  was 
his  main  Inducement  to  liften  to  this  Motion.  For 
Bridgnorth  is  a  Place  priviledg'd  from  all  Epifcopal  Ju- 
rifdi^ion,  except  the  Arch-Bi(hop*s  Triennial  Viliuti- 
of>.  There  is  a  peculiar  Ordinary,  who  as  an  Official 
keeps  a  conftant  Ecclefiaftical  Court,  having  Ju- 
rifdidion  over  Six  Parilhes,  which  lye  there  together 
which,  have  all  the  Privikdge  of  this  Exemption. 
Mr.  Madflard,  who  then  was  Minifter,  was  a  grave 
and  fevere  Ancient  Divine,  very  Honeft  and  Confci- 
entious,  and  an  Excellent  Preacher,  but  fomewhat  Af- 
flided  thro*  the  Scantinefs  of  his  Maintenance,  and 
much  mor€  thro*  the  Unprofitablencfs  of  his  People. 
He  was  not  only  Minifter  but  Official  too.  which  was 
a  Security  to  his  Alliftant.  Tlie  Town  Maintenance 
being  inconfiderable,  he  took  the  Parfonage  of  O/df- 
^«r>neaftheTown,  a  Village  of  fcarce Twenty  Houfes, 
defiring  Mr.  Baxter  to  fpend  one  half  of  the  Lords 
Day  in  the  Town,  and  the  other  at  the  Village.  Tho' 
his  Lot  afterwards  fell  out  to  be  moftly  in  the  Town. 
He  was  here  put  upon  nothing  which  he  efteem'd  un- 
-lawful.  He  often  read  the  Common-Prayer  before  he 
Preach'd,  both  on  LordVDays  and  Holy  Days ;  but 
he  never  adminiftred  the  Lord's-Supper,  nor  ever  Bap- 
tized any  Child  with  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs,  nor  ever 
wore  the  Surplice,  nor  was  he  ever  put  to  appear  at 
any  Bilhop's  Court.  He  found  the  People  here,  ge- 
nerally Ignorant  and  dead  hearted.  The  Town  con- 
fifted  very  much  of  Inns  and  Ale-Houfes,  and  had  no 
General  Trade  to  employ  the  Inhabitants  which  is 
the  undoing  of  many  great  Towns.  So  that  tho  by 
his  firft  Labours  among  them,  he  was  Inftrumental  in 
the  Converfion  of  feveral  Perfons,  and  was  generally 
Applauded,  yet  be  was  not  fo  fuccefsfiil  m  bis  VVorK, 
as  afterwards  in  other  Places,  Tippling  and  III  Com- 
pany rendred  his  Preaching  ineffeduai. 
^  He  was  fcarce  well  fettled  ^^^V'.^  before  he  was  di- 0^^^^^^ 
fturb'dby  the  E.t  c<etera  Oath,  which  was  f^.^"^  ?/>  ^"j;, '^ 
the  Convocation  then  fitting.  All  ^vere  en)^^"^^/;/^'"' 
fwear,  That  they  muld  never  Confcnt  to  the  f  oration  oj 
the  ?\e[ent  Government  of  the  ^,^«^^^' ^ /^^^'Cnn 
Bll^op\    Dems,   ArchzD^ams,  &c.      And   that  upon 


1 6  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  II. 


An.1640.    pain  of  Expulfion.    This  was  a  New  Engine  of  Di- 

vifion.     Some  were  Zealous  for 

*  B!fl}op  Hall  declares  that  he  ne-     this  Oath  ;    *  Alfercing  the   Di- 
ver tender  (L  this  Oath  to  any  one  Mi-      vine  Right  of  Epifcopacy,  which 

nifter  of  his  Viotefs,  See  fame  Sj>e-  was  fettled  by  Law,  they  apprc- 
ciaJties  of  his  Life,  drawn  up  hy  headed  that  upon  the  Command 
himfe/f,  p.  43.  of  the  Sovereign  Power,  it  was 

very  warrantable  to  Swear,  ne- 
ver to  confcnt  to  an  Alteration.  And  the  King's  Ap- 
probation of  thofe  Canons  wherein  this  Oath  was  en- 
joyn  d,  they  tho't  made  them  fufficiently  Obligatory. 
But  others  look'd  upon  Epifcopacy  as  an  indifferent 
Thing,  mutable  when  King  and  Parliament  pleasM. 
Nay,  they  apprehended  the  Engli/h  Frame,  confifting 
of  Arch-Bifhops,  Deans  and  Chapters,  and  Arch- 
Deacons  ;  and  Diocefans  having  many  Hundred  Pa- 
rifh- Churches  under  one  Bifliop,  as  foreign  to  the 
Word  of  God,  and  deftruc^ive  of  that  Epifcopacy 
which  was  known  in  the  Church  at  leaft  for  lOo 
Years.  The  Swearing  to  a  blind  Et  cxtera  they  look'd 
upon  as  intolerable  ;  becaufe  it  took  in  all  the  Officers 
of  the  Eccleiiaftical  Courts,  Lay  Chancellours,  Surro- 
gates, CommifTaries  and  Officials,  which  was  Swear- 
ing to  an  Anomalous  Rabble.  They  further  pleaded. 
That  this  Sort  of  Government  might  actually  be  Le- 
gally altered  by  King  and  Parliament ;  and  that  to 
(wear  before-hand  not  to  obey  fuch  a  Law,  was  in 
fuch  a  Manner  to  make  an  Oath  a  Bond  of  Difobedi- 
ence,  as  was  next  to  a  Rebellion.  They  urg'd,  that  it 
was  againft  the  Subjeds  Liberty  to  Petition  for  Re- 
drefs  of  Grievances,  among  which  fome  Branches  of 
this  Government  might  well  be  reckoned  :  And  that 
it  was  againrt  the  Priviledge  of  Parliament,  to  have 
fuch  an  Oath  impos'd  without  their  Confent.  The 
Neighbouring  Minifters  met  together  upon  this  Occa- 
(ion,  to  confider  what  to  do  :  Some  were  for  comply- 
ing, but  more  againft  it.  This  put  Mr,  Baxter  upon 
ftudying  the  Matter  of  Epifcopacy,  and  the  Englifh 
Frame  of  Church  Government  afrefli ;  and  reading 
Gerjome  Bucer  his  Dijfertatio  He  Gubernatione  Ecciefia^ 
Didoclnvii  Altare  Dam/j/cenum^  Parker  de  Politeia  Ec- 
clefiaftica^  (3  Baynes*s  Diocefans  Try.i! ;  and  ^comparing 
their  Rcafons  with  Bifliop  Downafn:^^  he  was  convin- 
ced 


Chap.  II.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  j  j 

ced,  that  cho*  all  kind  of  Epifcopacy  tvas  not  fiaciy  un- ^Iw.  1640 
lawful,  yet  that  the  EngUflo  Diocefan  Frame  was 
guilty  of  the  Corruption  of  Churches  and  Miniflry, 
and  of  the  Ruin  of  the  true  Chorcii  Diicipline,  and 
fubfticuting  an  Heterogeneal  Thing  m  ics  ilea  i.  So 
that  this  very  Oath,  which  was  impos'd  m  Order  to 
the  unalterable  fubjeding  of  the  Nation  to  Dircefans, 
was  a  great  Means  to  alienate  him  frona  them,  ^rii  not 
him  only,  but  many  others  with  him.  They  who  be- 
fore tho't  it  belt  to  follow  their  Bufinefs,  and  live  in 
Quietnefs,  and  let  the  Bilhops  alone,  were  rowz'd  by 
the  Terrour  of  an  Oath  to  look  about  them,  ana  un- 
derftand  what  they  did.  New  Heats  were  ftirr'a  up 
among  the  Contending  Parties,  by  the  Debates  which 
this  Oath  occalion'd  :  And  they  who  wereagainlt  ic,  be- 
gan to  think  better  of  the  Cnufe  of  Nmicovformity^  and 
to  Honour  xht  .Nono^nformifts  more  than  before.  So 
that  thnf  which  was  defign  d  for  their  Ruin,  prov'd  a 
great  Advantage  to  chem. 

It  unhappily  fell  our,  that  while  this  Divided  the  r  r  ^^-a 
Church  at  Home,  the  Church  of  Scot'Und  alfo  was  all  J,  ^  *■'* 
in  a  Flame  :  For  when  Things  v;ere  quictihere  under  a  s^ytland. 
more  moderate  Epifcopacy  than  ours  in  England^  (  tho' 
that  Nation  had  bin  us'd  to  Presbytery  J  a  New  Com>rjon- 
Prayer  Book  ( that  is  the  Englifh  One,  with  fome  few 
Alterations)  was  impos'd  upon  them,  together  with 
the  Englifh  Ceremonies.  This  occafion'd  an  Infurretftion 
in  Edinburgh^  and  many  dther  Places,  A  Fire  being 
once  kindled  amongft  them,  was  not  eafily  excin- 
guiih'd.  Notwithftanding  all  the  induftry  and  Care 
of  the  Earl  of  Tre./uaire,  che  King's  Ccmmiirioner,  the 
Number  of  the  Malecontents  To  encreas'd,  rhat  there 
was  no  opponng  them  ;  but:  they  got  the  Power  of  all 
the  Land  into  their  Hand^the  Greatelt  Part  of  the 
Nobility  fallmg  in  with  the  Miniiters  and  their  Ad- 
herents, Hereupon  they  all  enter'ii  into  a  National 
Covenant,  to  the  fame  Purpofe-.  as  fortr  erly  that  Na- 
tion had  done  againft  Popcty,  preincy  and  Supeyflinorj^ 
and  to  uphold  the  Gofpel  and  Beformntion.  The  Do- 
lors of  Aberdeen  DifTented  Uomi\\t  Covenant^  and  ma- 
ny Writings  pafs'd  between  them  and  the  Covefw»rc>  s  up- 
on that  Subjeft,  'till  at  lait  the  Wars  that  came  on, 
turn'd  the  Debates  into  another  Strain. 

r.  At 


IH 


i8  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  II. 

yin.  1640.  At  ihc  very  iame  Time,  a  Tax  which  the  King  had 
Ohh  s/  0- •'^H^'o^'^  ^"  EngUnA,  cajl'd  Ship-Money^  (  zs  for  ihe 
Money  Strengchniiig  rhe  Navy  )  gave  general  Diiratisfadion. 
This  being  done  without  Confenc  of  Parliament,  there 
was  a  Marinuripe  all  over  the  Land,  efpecially  among 
the  Country  Nobiliry  and  Gentry  jfor  they  look'd  upon 
ir  as  the  Ovcrthrovooi  the  FunHatnental  L.^ws  or  ConftitU' 
ti-  n  of  the  KSvgdom^  and  of  Parliamejits  and  Property, 
This  was  the  Common  Cry  at  that  Time,  that  if  once 
ynrHiitncnts  and  Property  were  deftroy'd,  the  Government: 
was  dilVolvM,  and  no  Man  had  any  Security  of  Eftate, 
Liberty,  or  Life,  but  the  Pleafure  of  the  King,  whofe 
Will  would  be  the  only  Law.  Some  deny'd  the  Pay- 
ment o^  this  Ta:x,  and  put  the  Sheriffs  upon  Diftrain- 
ing.  The  Sheriffs,  tho'  afraid  of  a  future  Parliament, 
did  it  in  Obedience  to  the  King.  Mr.  Hampden  and 
the  Lord  Say  brought  it  to  a  Suit ;  Mr.  Oliver  S^  Jolmy 
and  others,  boldly  pleading  the  Peoples  Caufe.  All  the 
J4.;dges  except  Mutton  and  Crook,  had,  when  they  were 
conlulred,  given  it  as  their  Judgment,  That  the  King 
in  a  Cafe  of  Need  might  impofe  fuch  a  Tax:  And  fo 
Judgment  paft  for  the  King  in  the  Suit,  which  caused 
the  Matter  to  make  much  the  Greater  Noife. 
TheScotW)  The  Sects  foon  after  enter'd  England  vq\i\\  an  Army, 
Broils.  encourag'd,  as  it  was  fuppos'd,  by  many  of  the  Englijh 
Nobility,  who  tho't  there  was  no  other  Way  to  caufe 
the  Calling  ct  a  Parliament  to  remedy  Diforders.  The 
EarJs  of  Ejfcx^  Pf^arvc>icl{,  Bedford,  Clare,  BuUir.gbroo}{, 
'Mulgrave,  and  Holland^  and  the  Lords  Sny  and  Brocks 
were  reputed  of  this  Confederacy.  But  Heylin  fays, 
Thnt  the  Scots,  after  they  came  in^  did  perfvoade  thefc 
Perfcns  of  their  Dajiger  in  England  //  Arbitrary  Govern^ 
ment  voent  on  ;  and  fo  they  Petition'd  the  King  for  a  Par- 
liament, which  was  all  tlffeir  Confederacy.  And  this 
wa^  after  their  fecond  Coming  into  England  too. 

The  King  met  the  Scots  at  Uexo-Caftle,  A  Pacifica- 
tion was  concluded,  and  a  Parliament  call'd,  and  the 
Scots  return'd  Home.  This  Parliament  quickly  difplea- 
fing  rhe  King,  he  dilfoL'd  it,  and  again  undertakes  a 
War  agamft  the  Scots,  to  which,  befides  others,  the  Pa- 
pilts  by  the  Queen's  Means,  did  voluntarily  Contri- 
bute :  Whereupon,  the  Scots^  complam  of  Evil  Coun- 
felloius  and  Papifts,  as  the  Caufe  of  their  renew'd 
Dangers  j  and  raife  their  Army  again,  and  enter  into 

^nglanA 


Chap.  II.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


19 


Enghnd,  The  Engli/h  iat  To'k  Petition  the  King  for  a  A».  1640- 
Parliament,  and  once  more  it  is  rclolv'd  en,  and  an 
Agreement  made  :  But  neither  rhe  Scotti/h  nor  Ev^Jifh 
Army  was  Disbanded;  And  thns  in  the  Yt-ar  1640, 
began  that  which  hath  fihce  bin  cail'd  the  Lmg  PnrLA- 
mem  :  The  moft  Celebrated  Parliament  that  ever  fate 
iri  Englnyid.  ^      .         , 

During  thefe  Northern  Stirs,  the  Earl  of  Bndgevpaccr,  Mr.    Bix- 
who  was  Lord-Prefidentof  the  Marches  in  H-^ales,  paf-  ter  in  jhme 
firg  thro'  Bridgnorth  in  his  Journey  trom  Ludlorvxo  the  ^'*":^f'"  fo^ 
King,  Complaint  was  made  to  him  by  fome  malicious  ^''['■'^"»fcf' 
Perfons  of  the  Town,  that  Mr.  MrJfiard  znd  Mr.  B^x-  ^'^^' 
ter  were  defediive  in  Point  ot  Conformity  ;  not  fign- 
ing  with  the  Sign  of  the  C/c/r,  nor   wearing  the  v«r- 
plice,    nor    praying  againft   the  Scon,   who   were  juft 
then  entring  into  England^  for  which  there  was  a  Form 
of  Prayer  printed  by  the  Biiliops,    tho'  nO  Command 
from  the  King.     The  Complaint  was  made  on  S.itur- 
day   Evening,    when  the    Lord   Prefident    entered  thii 
Town;  and  he  promis'd  them,  he  would   himfelf  bi^ 
next  Day  at  the  Church,  and  fee  how  Things  went. 
Mr.    Mr.dfiArd    letir'd,      and    left    Mr.    Bixe^,    and 
Mr.  Swnw  the  Reader,  to  ftand  alone.     But  when  the 
next  Day  came,  the  Lord  Prelident  ibddenly  aktr'd  his 
Mind,  and  went  as  far  as  Lichfield  ;  requiring  the  Ac- 
cufers  and  Bailiffs  to  fend  after  him  to  inform  him  what 
was  done  that  Day  at  Church.     Thty   failed  not  to  0- 
bey  his  Orders,  and  threatn'd  mighty  Things  on  the 
Account  of  Noncompliance  ;    bur   all  evaporated  at 
length  into  Smoak  :  For  he  fent  them  Word  in  Anfwer; 
That  he  had  not  the  Ecchfiafiical  Jurifdiilioriy  nnd  there- 
fore cculd  not  Theddh  with  them. 

The  Parliament  being  met,  fell  directly  iipon  a  /^^-  ThOi/enlu^ 
formntion  of  Church  and  StatCc     Long  and  Vehement  of  th:  Long 
Speeches  were  made  aigaihft  Ship-Money,    againlt  the  Parlia- 
Judges  that  Approv'd  it,  againfl  the  Etdetem  Onth,  and  mcnt. 
the  B'/hcps  and  Convccatioh  that  form'd  it,'  and  againft 
jny  Lord  Strajford^  Arch-Bifhop  Laud,  and   other  Evil 
Counfellours.    There  w^s  at  firft.ai  marvellous  Con- 
cord among  the  Men\bers,  ihro"  the  Complication  of 
the  Interelts  of  thofe  Caufes,   in  which  ibey  federally 
"did  moft  concern  themfclves.     For  as  the  King,  bad  at 
oiice  impos'd  the  Ship^Money^  on  the  Comn.on-Wealtb; 
itii  perirjitted  the  Bifliops  to  impof(^upOn  the  Church 
"  £2  ^beir 


20  T^he  LIFE  of        Chap.  II. 


An.  1640.  their  Difpleafing  Articles,  the  Book  for  Dancing  on  the 
LordVDay,  c^c  and  to  Sufpend  or  Silence  a  great  ma- 
'  ny  Minifters,  for  want  of  Super  Canonical  Conformity; 

fo  the  Parliament  accordingly  confifted  of  Two  Sorts 
of  Men,  who  by  the  ConjunCliion  of  thefe  Caufes 
were  united  in  their  Votes  and  Endeavours  for  a  Re- 
formauon.  One  Party  made  no  great  Matter  of  the 
Alterations  in  the  Church,  but  faid,  That  if  ?arlicmcnts 
are  once  dovon^  nnd  Property  gone^  and  Arbitrnry  Govern- 
ment fet  up,  nnd  Law  fubjeHed  to  the  Princess  J4''iU^  then 
aU  were  Slaves  ;  and  this  they  reckon'd  intolerable  : 
For  the  remedying  of  it,  they  faid,  No  true  Englijh  Man 
could  thinly  any  Price  too  dear.  Thefe  the  People  call'd 
Good  Common  PVealth''s  Men.  The  other  Sort  were  the 
more  Religious  Men,  who  were  alfo  fenfible  of  thefe 
Things,  but  much  more  affected  with  the  Intereft  of 
Religion.  Thefe  moft  inveigh'd  againft  Innovations  in 
the  Churchy  the  Bowing  to  Altars^  the  Bool^  for  Sforts  on 
Sundays,  the  Cafting  out  Minifters^  the  High-Comm''JJion 
Court,  the  Putting  down  LeHures  and  Afternoofi  Sermons, 
and  Expofjtions  on  the  Lor d'^s- Days ;  with  other  fuch 
Things,  which  they  tho't  of  Greater  Weight  than  Ship- 
Money.  But  becaufe  they  who  were  of  this  Stamp,  a- 
preed  with  the  others  in  the  Vindication  of  Liberty  and 
Property,  therefore  did  they  of  the  other  Sort  the  more 
eafily  concur  with  them,  in  Oppofition  to  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Bifhops  and  High-Commiffion  Court^  &c. 

Their  Difpofition  being  known,  Complaints  and  Pe- 
titions were  fent  in  to  them  from  all  Parts,  with  Refe- 
rence both  to  Ecclefiaftical  and  Civil  Encroachments. 
Great  Things,  fuch  as  before  were  tho*t  Impradlicable, 
were  compafs'd  in  a  little  Time.     An  A61  pafs'd  againft 
the  High'CommiJJion  Court,  and  the  Secular  or  Civil  Power 
of  Church  Men.     Another,    That  the  Parliament  (kould 
not  be  dijjolvd  without  its  own  Confent,     And  another  for 
Triennial  Parliaments.     Nay,    at  length,  the  King  was 
forc'd  to  part  even  with  his  Favourite  the  Lord- Deputy 
Wemworth.     All  Things  in  general  put  on  a  New  Face; 
of  which  the  Sequel  of  this  Narrative  gives  a  further 
Account. 
j±  Refor-      Among  other  Important  Matters    that  were   deter- 
mation     o/min'd,  a   i\;formatim  of  the  Clergy  was  refolv'd  on,  and 
th:    t/fr^  accordingly  a  Committee  was  appointed,  to  hear  Pe- 
tntended.     titions   and    Co»plaints   againit    iheai.     Multitudes 

from 


Chap.  11.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


21 


from  all  Quarters  came  up  immediately  with  Petitions  An,  1640 
againft  their  Minifters,  charging  them  with  Injuff. 
ciency^  Falfe  DoHrinCj  Illegr.l  Innovations^  or  Scandnl, 
Mr.  John  Wnite  was  Chairman ,  and  was  the  Publifhec 
of  A  Century  of  Scandalous  Mlnifters^  which  was  after- 
wards follow'd  with  a  Second  Century  ;  both  were  fill'd 
with  moft  abominable  Particularities,  the  concealing 
which  had  certainly  bin  a  much  greater  Service  to  Reli- 
gion than  their  Publication  ;  which  was  but  making 
Sport  for  Atheills,  Papifts  and  Profane. 

Amongft  other  Complainets,   the  Town   of  Ksder-  ^  p   ■  : 
minfier  in  iVorceflerfhire  had   drawn  up  a  Petition  a-  front  ^ '  Kc^ 
gamft  their  Vicar  and  his  two  Curates,   as  infufficienc  dermin- 
for  the  Miniftry,  and  they  put  it  into  the  Hands  offter,      the 
Sir  Henry  Herbert^  who  was  Burgefs  for  Bewdley.     The  Octafton  of 
Vicar  well  knowing  his  own  Infufficiency,  agreed  to  ^/r.    Bax- 
Compound  the  Bufinefs,  and  was  free  to  allow  60  /.  ter'j  Settle- 
per  An.  (out  of  near  200  the  Living  was  vyorth)   to  a '"'"^  ^^^^'*' 
Preacher  who  (hould  be  cbofen  by  Fourteen  nominated 
Truftees.     He  that  was  chofen  was  to  Preach  whenfo- 
ever  he  pleas'd,    the  Vicar  ftiil  reading  the  Common- 
Prayer,  and  doing  every  Thing  that  might  be  Matter  of 
Scruple ;  for  all  which  he  gave  a  Bond  of  5  %o  /.    Here- 
upon the  Bailiflf  of  the  Town,  and  all  the  Feoffees  in- 
vited Mr.  Baxter  to  give  them  a  Sermon  ;  and  he  upon 
Preaching  once  to  them,   was  unanimoufly  chofen  to 
be  their  Minifter.     Thus  was  he  Providentially  bro't 
to  that  Place  which  had  the  Chiefeft  of  his  Labours, 
and  yielded  him  the  Greateft  Comfort.    He  was  the 
rather  inclin  d  to  liften  to  the  Motion,  becaufe  it  was 
a  full  Congregation,   and  moft  Convenient  Church  ; 
an  Ignorant  People  for  the  moft  Part,  who  had  great 
Need  of  Preaching,  and  yet  who  had  among  them  a 
fmall  Company  of  Converts,  who  were  Humble  and 
Godly,   and  of  a  Good  Converfation,  and  not  much 
hated  by  the  reft ;  and  therefore  the  fitter  to  aflift  their 
Teacher  :  And  they  had  had  but  little  Lively  and  Serious 
Preaching  amongft  them.     Here  therefore  hf^  fixt  him- 
felf,  making  this  remarkable  Obfervarion  :  That  among 
all  his  Changes  he  never  went  to  any  Place  which  he 
had  before  defired,   defign'd  or  tho't  off,    but  only  to 
thofe  Places  he  never  tho't  of,  'till  the  fuddain  Invita- 
tion did  furprize  him. 

C3  CHAP. 


2x  lie  LIFtL  of         Chap.  Hi. 


CHAP.     IIL 

Tfje  Oppojition  he  met  ^^Ith  at  firji  />  the  Town^ 
of  Kederminfler.  His  hidefatigable  La- 
honrs^  and  the  Admirable  tfficacy  of  his 
Mirujlry  in  that  Place. 


H 


F,   fpenc  Two  Years  at  Kjdermlnfter  before  the 
War  broke  our,  and  above  Fourteen  Years  af- 
trr  ir  ;  and  in  all  that  Time  never  touch'd  the 
Virandge  H 'ufc,    tho'  aiuhoriz'd  by  an  Order  of  Par- 
liament :  B  t  rhe  Old  Vicar  liv'd  there  peaceably  and 
quiedy,    without    any    Moleftation.      He   found  the 
PJac^'  like  a  Piece  of  dry  and  barren  Earth,  Ignorance 
^nd  P}of^77^nrfs^  ias  Natives  of  the  Soil,  were  rife  among 
them  :  But  by  the  Bleding  of  Heaven  upon   his  La- 
hour  and  Cultivating,  the  Face  of  Paradife  appeared 
there  in  all  the  Fniirs  of  I{ighteoufne/s.     Ac  firft,  f{agi 
and   M?cc  created  him   a  great  deal  of  Oppofition  ; 
but  it  wasfbbn  over,  and  a  Special  Div^'ne  Blejfutr,^  gave 
his  unwearied   Pains  among  that  People  an  unprece- 
dented Succefs. 
Stranrre  In-      Before  his  Corning,  the  Town,  having   bin  Emi- 
jjaAcei     «/nent  for  Vnniey^  had   a  Yearly  (hew,    in  which  they 
Malignity,  bro'c   forth  the  painted  Forms  of  Gyants,   ro  walk  a- 
bout  the  Streets  with.     He  gave  them  no  Difturbance, 
yet  the  Rabble  of   the  more  Vitious  Sort,    had  ftill 
f<')me  Spleen  to  vent  againft  him,  as  one  Part  of  their 
Game      And  once  all  the  Jgnoiant  Rout  were  Raging 
^'iad  againft  him  for  Preaching  to  them  the  Dodtrine 
of  Original  Sin,  and  telling   them,  Th.it    Infants,  before 
B^"j^encrntiov^  had  Ju  much  Guilt  and  Corruption  as  made 
them  loathfonic  in   the  Eyes  of  God.     Whereupon,  they 
vented  il   Abroad  in  the  Country,    That  he  Preach'd, 
that  G  d  hated  and  loathed  hfanti.     So  that  they  rail'd 
at  him  as  he  pafs'd  thro*  the  Streets.     The  next  Lord's- 
Da     he  clrar'd  and  confirm'd  the  Dodtrine  he  had  be- 
fore deliver'd  ;    and  fhewed  them,  That  if  it  was  not 
true,    their  Infants  had  no   Need   of  Chrift,    or    of 
Baptifm,  or  of  renewing  by  the  Holy  Ghoft.     And  he 
ask'd  them,  VVtJether  they  durfl  fay,  that  their  Children 

roere 


Chap.  HI.       M**-  R^i^hard  Baxter.  2^ 

were  favdvoltkout  n  Snviour^  and  xvcre  no  Chrijlinns,  and 
xvhy  they  Bapti:(d  them^  &c.  And  afcerwards  ihey  were 
Afliam'd  and  Silent. 

Another  Time,  one  of  the  Drunken  Beggars  ot  che 
Town  rais'd  a  Slander  of  hirii^  TL^t  he  vpdi  i.-id^r  a 
Tree  with  n  iVjman  of  III  Fame,     All  the  Drunkards  iiad 
got  it  in  their  Mouths,  before  he  con  id   find  the  Ori- 
ginal.    He  got  three  or  four  of  chc^n  bound  to  their 
Good  Behaviour  ;    and  the  Sot  himfeif  that  rais'd  the 
Slander,  confefs'd  before  the  Court,  That  he  Jnxv  him  in 
a  I{ainy  Day  on  Horfeback^^  fland  under  ttn  a^ky  "^''ich 
grew  in  a  thick.  Hedq^e,  and  the  t^omnn /landing  for  (hcltcr 
on  tlye  other  Side  the  Hedge,  under  the  fam:Tres  ;  and  that 
he  helievd  they  faw  not  one  another :  But  he  fpake  i^t  as  a 
left,   and  the  Company  were  glad  of  the  Qccafion  to 
feed  their  Malice.     They  all  askt  hini  For  given  efs,  and 
he  defired  the  Magiftrate  to  releafe  them.     Such  Things 
as  thefc  were  not  uncommon    at   IQdenninfter.     For 
Mr  John  Crofs,  (who  afterwards  dy'd  Minifter  of  Fn- 
day'-Jireet  in  London)  being  a  Preacher  there  fome  Time 
before  this,   a  Woman  defam'd  him  openly,  and  told 
the  People  he  would  have  Ravifli'd  her.     Ur.Crojs 
being  a  Prudent  Man,  fent  one  before  to  the   Bail.tf 
and  luftice   to  defire  them  to  call  her  to  Exammation, 
and  he  came  after,  and  fate  in  a  common  dark  colour  d 
Coat,  among  many  others,  in  the  Bailifts  Parlour,  as 
if  he  had  bin  one  of  the  Magiftrates.     Ihe  BaiLtt  cal- 
led her  in,   and  (he  ftood  impudently  to  the  Accula- 
tion.     The  Bailiff  askt  her,  ^oether  fh^  kne^  the  M^n 
if  (he  faw  him  ?  Which  Ihe  confidently  affirm  d.     He 
ask'd   her     Is  it  this  Man,  or   that   Man,    o^   the  oth^r 
Man,  or  any  there  P  She  faid,  O  ..  ,  Gcd  forbid  that  fi:e 
floould  accufe  any  of  them,     Mr.  Crofs  faid    v^;^  ^^otj    he 
Man?    And  fhe  faid,  No,  fl^e  kpevo  t^e  M.« J^/    -• 
And  when  they  had  told  her  that  this  was  Mr.  C;.//, 
fte  fell  down  on  her  Knees,  and  ask  d  him  F^^^^^^^^ 
npf*;  .    and  confefs'd.    That  one  of  his  Nei^^hboms  (  his 
Great  tcuftr  ac  the  B.fhop's  Courcs)  >.aUir^  '-  '^ 
reports.     Buc  the  good  Man  forgave  them  both     Hovv 
entirely  is  the  beft  eftabUftd  Reputation  at  the  Mcy 
of  th^  Hsvcngeful  and  Mdutou>,  any  farther  than  a 
Wife  Providence  fences  and  fcrcens  it . 

At  another  Time,  the  Parhament  fend  ng  down jm 
Order  for  the  Deraoliaiog  of  all  Statues  and  foag« 

C  4 


_f4 The  LIFE  cf       Chap.  lir. 

of  any  of  the  three  Perfon.  in  the  Trinity,  or  of  the 
Virgin  M,,)7,  which  Ihould  he  found  in  Churches,  or 
or  on  Crofles  in  Church- Yards  ;  Mr.  Baxter  was  for 
obeying  u  The  Church-Warden,  feeing  a  Gr.cifix 
upon  the  Crofs  m  the  Church-Yard  at  KfderwiMer, 
fctupa  Ladder  to  reach  it,  which  prov'd  too  fliort : 
He  going  to  feek  another,  the  Drunken  Crew  in.  the 
Town  took  tlie  Alarum  and  ran  all  together  with 
Weapons  to  defend  the.r  Crucifix  and  Church  Images. 
Ic  was  reportecK  Mr.  S,xter  was  the  Adior,  and  him 
they  fot  for:  Bur.  as  Providence  had  order'd  it,  he 
was  walking  about  a  Mile   out  of  Town,   orelfehe 

hi  Tu  lu^^'V^'".^''^'^  h^^H^y^.  Miffing 
him  and  the  Church-Warden  too,  they  went  raving 
about  the  Streets  to  feek  them  :  Two  Neighbours  ran 
in  amongft  them  to  fee  if  Mr.  Baxter  was  there,  and 
they  knocked  them  down,  and  fo  miferably  bruifed 
them,  that  they  dy  d  foon  after,  never  recovering  the 
Hurt  they  rece.v'd.  When  they  had  foam'd  about 
halt  an  Hour,  and  met  not  thofe  whom  they  fought 

Walk  and  hearing  the  People  curfing  him  at  their 
Doors,  he  wondred  what  was  the  Matter  ;  but  quick- 
1>  found  how  fairly  he  had  efcap'd.  The  next  I  ordV 
Day  he  dealt  plainly  with  them,  and  laid  open  to 
them  the  Quahty  of  that  Adion,  and  told  them.  See- 
tngtheyfo  requited  him  a,  to  feek  bis  Blood,  he  wa,  mlli„g 
to  leave  them,  and  fave  them  from  that  G„ilt.  But  the 
poor  Creatures  were  fo  amaz'd  and  afham'd,   that  they 

S  hTm  ^^'"  *"  "'"^  '"^' '"''' '°  P^" 

Not  being  at   all  difcourag'd  with   this  malicious 

Oppofition,    he  laid  out  himfdf  very  Laborioufly  in 

the  Work  of  the  Lord  among  this  People,  and  bad 

very   eminent  Succefs,    which   under  God   he  look'd 

tipon  as  procur-d  by  feveral  Advantageous  Circumftan- 

ces,  which  dcfervc  Ohfervation 

»•<    laho-     Before  the  Civil  War,    he' preach'd    twice  every 

»•.»,    Em-  Lord  s-Day  ;  but  afterwards  but  once,  and  once  every 

floyment  asThurJday,    bcfides  Occafional   Sermons.     Every  Thurl 

minte-       n^H^'"""i^o'^°'"'  °^. •"'  Neighbours  that  had  IncI i- 
minnei.      nation   and  Opportunity  met  at  his   Houfe,    one   of 

them  repeated  the  Sermon,   and  afterwards  ihey  pro- 

pos'd 


Chap.  111.       Mr,  Richard  Baxter. 


25 


pos'd  any  Doubts  about  it,  or  any  other  Cafe  of 
Confcience,  which  he  lefolv'd.  He  then  caus'd  fome- 
times  one,  and  fometimes  another  of  them  to  Pray, 
and  fometimes  Pray'd  wiih  them  himfelf ;  and  fo  the 
Meeting  brake  up  with  fmging  a  Pfalm.  Once  a 
Week  fome  of  the  younger  forr,  who  were  not  fit  to 
pray  in  fo  great  an  Affembly,  met  among  themfelves 
more  privately,  fpending  3  Hours  in  Prayer.  Every 
Saturday!  Night,  they  met  at  fome  of  their  Houfes  to 
repeat  the  laft  Lord's- Day's  Sermon,  and  to  Pray  and 
prepare  themfelves  for  the  Day  following.  Once  in  a 
few.  Weeks,  there  was  a  Day  of  Humiliation  kept  up- 
on one  particular  Occafion  or  another.  Every  Religi- 
ous Woman  that  was  fafely  delivered,  inftead  of  the 
old  Goflipings,  if  jfhe  were  able,  kept  a  Day  of 
Thankfgiving,  with  fome  of  her  Neighbours  about  her, 
praifing  God  and  finging  Pfalms,  and  foberly  Feafting 
together. 

Two  Days  every  Week  he  and  his  Alfiftant  took  14 
Families  between  them  for  private  Catechizing  and 
Conference.  His  Method  was  this:  He  firft  heard 
them  recite  the  Words  of  the  Catechifm,  and  then  ex- 
amin'd  them  about  the  Senfe,  and  afcerwards  urg'd 
them  with  all  poflible  engaging  Reafon  and  Vehe- 
mence, to  anfwerable  AfFedlion  and  Pradlice.  If  any 
were  fhy,  thro'  Ignorance  or  Baihfalncfs,  he  forbore 
to  prefs  them  any  farther  to  Anfwers,  but  made  them 
Hearers,  and  either  examind  others,  or  turn'd  all  into 
Inftrudtion  and  Exhortation.  He  fpent  about  an  Hour 
with  a  Family,  and  admitted  no  others  to  be  prefenr, 
leaft  Bafhfulnefs  Ihould  make  it  burthenfom,  or  any 
fhould  talk  of  the  Weaknefles  they  obferv'd.  His 
whole  Afternoon  on  Mondays  and  Tuefdays,  was  this 
way  employed.  Every  firfl  Wednefday  of  the  Month 
he  had  a  meeting  for  Parifli  Difcipline :  And  every 
firft  Thurfday  in  the  Month  was  a  Meeting  held  of  the 
Neighbouring  Minifters  for  Difcipline  and  Difputati- 
on ;  in  which  Difputations  he  was  generally  Modera- 
tour,  taking  the  Pains  to  prepare  a  written  Determi- 
nation of  the  Qneftion  to  be  debated.  And  every  Thurf- 
day in  the  Month  befides,  he  had  the  Company  of  di- 
vers worthy  Minifters  at  his  Houfe  after  the  Lecture, 
with  whom  he  fpent  the  Afcernoon  in  profitable  Con- 

yerfation 


_^f The  LIFE  of  Chap.  TIT. 

verfadon,   'tilJ  his  Neighbours  came  to  meet  for  their 
Exercife  of  Repetition  and  Prayer. 
His    Sue-       His  Publick  Preaching  met  with  an  Actentive  Dili- 
ce/s.  gent^  Auditory.     The  Congregation  was   ufuaily  full. 

Iho  theCburch  was  very  Capacious  and  Gomm.di- 
oas   yet  afrer  his  coming  thither,    they  were  forcVi  to 
buiJd    5  Galleries  to  receive  the  Hearers.     Their  Pri- 
vate Meetings  alfo  were  full.     On   the   Lod's  Days 
there  was  no  Diforder  to  be  feen  in  the  Town    but  yo J 
might  hear  a  Hundred  Families  Tinging  Pfams,    and 
repeating  Sermons,     as    you  pafs'd   thro*  the  Streets. 
V\henhe  firft  came  thither,  there  might  be  about  one 
raniily  in  a  Street  that  worfliip'd  God  and  calld  on 
his  Name  ;    and  when  he  came  away,    there  was  not 
above  a  Family  on  the  fide  of  a  Street  that  did  not  do 
It;  and  that  did  not  by  profefTing  ferious  Godlinefs 
fir^^A.  1?^  ^°P"  °^  ^^^'^^  Sincerity.     Nay,    in   the 
Worft  Faojihes,     Inns  and  Ale-hjoufes,    ufqally  fome 
m  each  Houfe  feem'd  to  be  Religious.    Tho'  the  Ad- 
miniftration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  fo  ordered  as  that 
many  were  difpleasM,  and  the  far  greater  part  kepta- 
way  themfeives,  yet  were  there  600  Commnnicanrs,  of 
v/hom  there  were  not  12  that  he  had  not  good  Hopes 
of  as  to  their  Sincerity.     And  thofe  few  that  did  con- 
lent  to  Communion,    and  yet  Jiv'd  Scandaloufly,  were 
afterward  Excommiwicated.     He  had  good  reafon  to 
nope.  That  many  who  join'd  not  in  Sacramental  Com- 
tnunion   with   him,    were    yet    Perfons  truly   fearing 
God.     Some  of  them  being  kept  off  by  Husbands,  by 
t'arents,  by  Mafters,  or  perfwaded  by  Men  of  oppofice 
Sentiments,  rather  than  Acting  according  to  their  own 
Inclinations  and  Defires.    Tho*  they  were  many  that 
were  kept  away,    yet  they  took  it  Patiently,   and  for- 
bore  Reviling,    as   if  any   Wrong   were   done  them. 
And  as  for  thofc  unruly  Young  Men  who  were  Excom- 
municated, they  generally  bore  it  Patiently  as  to  their 
outward  Behaviour,    tho'  their  Hearts  were  hill  of  Bit- 
ternefs.     When  he  fet  upon  Perfonai  Conference  with  each 
FaiDiIy,  and  Catechizing  them,   there  were  very  few 
Families  in  all  the  Town  that  refus'd  to  come-  and 
thofe  few  were  Beggars  at  the  Towns  end,   who  were 
fo  Ignorant,  that  they  were  afliam'd  it  fhonid  be  mani- 
feft.     Few  Families  went  away  without  fome  Tears, 
or  feemingly  fcrious  Fromifcs  of  a  Godly  Life.     Yet 

man^ 


Chap.  III.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  27 

many  Ignorant  and  Ungodly  Pcrfons  there  were  ftill 
yemainingi  but  moft  of  them  were  in  the  Parilh,  not 
in  the  Town,  and  in  thofe  Parts  of  the  Parilh  which 
were  fartheft  from  rhe  Town.  And  whereas  one  Part 
pi  the  Parilh  was  impropriate,  and  payM  Tythes  to 
Lay-Men,  and  the  other  Part  maintain  d  the  Church, 
it  To  fell  out,  that  almoft  all  that  lide  of  the  Parifh 
which  pa)'d  Tythe  to  the  Church  were  godly  honeft 
People,-  and  did  it  willingly  without  Contention,  moft 
of  the  bad  People  of  the  Parilh  liv'd  on  the  other  tide. 
Some  Poor  Men  did  competently  underftand  the  Body 
of  Divinity,  and  were  able  to  judge  in  Difficult  Con- 
troverlies  :  Some  of  them  were  To  able  in  Prayer,  that 
few  Mmifters  did  exceed  them  in  Order  and  Fulnefs, 
in  apt  ExprefHons,  and  holy  Oratory  with  Fervency. 
Many  of  them  were  ab'e  to  Pray  very  laudably  with 
their  Families,  or  with  others :  The  Temper  of  their 
Minds,  and  the  Innocence  of  their  Lives,  was  much 
more  laudable  than  their  Parts.  The  Profeflbrs  of  fe- 
rious  Godlinefs  were  generally  of  very  humble  Minds 
and  Carriage,  of  meek  and  quiet  Behaviour  unto  o- 
thers,  and  of  Blamelefnefs  and  Innocence  in  their  Con- 
verfations. 

God  was  plcas-d  alfo  to  give  him  abundant  Encou- 
ragement in  the  Lectures  which  he  preach'd  Abroad  in 
other  Places;  as  at  ^orceifer^  Cleobury^  Dudley^  Sheffnaly 
Sec.  where  he  had  full  Auditories,  and  many  Converts. 
Neither  were  his  Labours  loft  among  his  Brethren  in 
the  Miniftry.  Their  Difputations  were  advantageous. 
Their  Meetings  were  never  contentious,  but  always  pro- 
fitable. When  he  motion'd  a  Way  of  Church  Order  and 
Difcipline,  (of  which  hereafter)  which  all  might  agree 
in,  that  their  Churches  might  not  be  ungovern'd,  nor 
fall  into  Divifions  amongft  themfelves,  he  was  readily 
liften  d  to,  and  his  Motion  reduced  to  Pradice.  And 
when  he  attempted  to  bring  them  all  conjuncftly  to  the 
Work  of  Catechi:(ing,  and'inftrufting  every  Family  by 
itfelf,  he  found  a  ready  Confent  in  moft,  and  many 
adlually  comply'd  with  it,  much  to  their  Satisfadion. 
The  Praife  of  all  which  he  freely  and  heartily  afcrib'd    7.;^^  ^j^ 

to  God.  yantageotu 

*  Many  were  his  Advantages  in  order  to  this  Succefs.  cinumftan- 
He  came  to  a  People  that  had  never  fate  under  an  av«a-  ces  which 
kening  Miniftry  before.    He  was  himf^lf  ir>  the  Vigour  promoted 

,  ,  oi  this  Succefs, 


28 


The  LIFE  of      Chap.  III. 

of  his  Spirits,  and  had  a  very  moving  Delivery  •  and  do- 
ing aJJ  undei-  greac  BodiJy  Weaknefs,  as  a  Dying  Man, 
he  was  the  more  ^nrm  and  enme^t.  The  greateft  Ene- 
mies of  ferious  Religion  in  that  Towrt,  were  carry 'd 
oflF  by  the  War.  He  had  aJfo  the  Favour  of  the  Go- 
vernment on  his  nde.  Before  the  Civil  War,  the  Rio- 
tous  Rabble  had  Boldnefs  eno'  to  make  ferious  Godli- 
nefs  a  common  Scorn,  and  call  them  all  Pwitans  and 
Precifinns,    that  did  not  care  as  Jittle  for  God  and  Hea- 

Yu  ^'^^-  ^rV^  ^^"^^^^   ^5  ^^^y  ^i^-     Jf  a  Man  was  not 
tulJy  fatisfy  d  with  rheir  undifciplin'd  diforder'd  Churcb- 
^u'   ^',.^*y"^^^"^^l^<^Ufs  Excommunications,   ^c     If 
they  did  but  Fa^  and  Pray  together,  or  go  from  an  Ig- 
norant Drunken   Reader,    to  hear  a  Godly  Minifter  aC 
the  next  Parilh,  the  Biihop  s  Articles  would  enquire  af- 
ter them,    and  the   High  Commiflion  grievoufly  afflid 
them.     After  the  War,    the  Cafe  in  this  refpea  was 
mightily  aJter'd:  For  Piety  had  then  full  Liberty ;  nay, 
and  Countenance    and    Reputation  too.     WithaJ,    he 
gam  d  a  Greac  Intereft  in  the  AfFedions  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town,    which  is  no  inconfiderable  Thing, 
tor  tho  to  win  Eftimacion  and  Love  to  our  felves  on- 
ly, be  an  End  intended  by  none  but  Perfons  egregioully 
Proud  and  Hypocritical ;    yet  it  is  moft  certain,    that 
the  Gratefulnefs  of  the  Perfon  doth  ingratiate  the  Mef- 
fage,  and  greatly  prepare  People  to  receive  the  Truth. 
He  was  much  affifted  by  the  Zeal  and  Diligence  of  the 
Oodly  People  there  j  who  thirfted  after  the  Salvation  of 
their  Neighbours,    and  being  dlTpersM  thro'  the  Town 
were  ready  in  all  Companies  to  reprefs  feducing  Words 
^"^!,^  i^ftify  Godlinefs;  and  to  Convince,    Reprove 
and  Exhort  as  there  wasoccafion.     The  Holy,   Humble 
and  BJamelefs  Lives  alfo  of  the  Religious  fort  was  a  fin- 
gular  Blcfifing.     The  moft  Malicious  could  not  f^iy  here. 
Your  Profeilors  are  as  Proud  and  Covetous  as  any.     But 
the  blamelefs  Lives  of  godly  People  did  Ihamc  the  Op- 
pofers,  and  put  to  filence  the  Ignorance  of  fooiilli  Men; 
and  many  were  won  by  their  Converfation.     Their  L7- 
nity  and  Concord  alfo    was  very  Advantageous,  and 
Jheir  Freedom  from  thofe  Seds  and  Hcrcfies  which  in- 
tected  many  other  Places.     There  was  no  Prtftor  ageing 
Paftor,  nor  Church  a'/ainft  Church,   nor  ScSi  aoainii  Seff, 
nor  Chrillian  tigainn  Chnstian.     There  was  not  a  Sepal 
raptd,  an  Annipaptisl^  an  Antinomitin  in  the  Town.    At 

Bevedly 


Chap.  III.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  2  9 


Bewdly  there  was  a  Church  of  AnabaptiUs ;  at  Wor- 
ccHer  the  Independents  gathered  a  Church :  But  here  all 
were  of  one  Mind  and  Mouth,  and  Way.  One  Jour- 
neyman Shoemaker  turn'd  AnnbaftOi^  but  he  ktc  the 
Town  upon  it,  and  went  amongft  them.  When  Peo- 
ple faw  Diverfity  of  Setfts  and  Churches  in  any  Place, 
it  greatly  hindred  their  Converfion;  they  were  at  a 
Lofs,  and  knew  not  what  Pnrty  to  be  of,  or  what  PVny 
to  go  ;  and  therefore  many  would  be  for  no  Religion 
at  all,  but  derided  all  whom  they  faw  difagreed.  But 
they  had  no  fuch  Offence  or  Objection  here;  they  could 
not  ask,  Wbkh  Church  or  Party  fhall  voe  be  of  i  For  all 
were  but  as  one.  So  Modeft  were  the  ableft  of  the 
People,  that  they  never  were  enclin'd  to  a  Preaching 
Way,  nor  to  make  Oftentation  of  their  P/trts  ;  but  took 
Warning  by  the  Pride  of  others,  and  tho't  they  had 
Teaching  eno'  by  their  Paftors ;  and  that  it  was  bet- 
ter for  them  to  beftow  their  Labour  in  digefting  that, 
than  in  Preaching  themfelves.  The  private  Meetings 
that  were  kept  up,  were  alfo  very  helpful  to  the  Propn^ 
gating  of  Godlinefs.  Truths  that  were  flip'd  away  were 
thereby  recall'd,  and  the  Serioufncls  of  Peoples  Minds 
renew'd  :  Good  Defires  were  cherifli*d,  and  Know- 
ledge encreas'd.  By  thefe  he  had  opportunity  to  know 
their  Cafe :  For  if  any  were  touch'd  and  awaken'd  in 
Publick,  prefently  they  came  dropping  in  to  the  Pri- 
vate Meetings.  And  fo  remote  was  the  Danger  of 
Schifm  or  Divifions,  that  this  was  the  principal  Means 
to  prevent  them.  All  being  under  his  Overfight  and 
Guidance,  who  was  ufually  prefent  with  them,  anfwer- 
ing  their  Doubts,  and  filencing  Objedions,  and  mode- 
rating them  in  all.  Some  Private  Meetings  he  found 
were  very  much  defired  among  them.  Had  he  not  al- 
lowed them  fuch  as  were  lawful  and  prcfxtabUy  they 
would  have  bin  apt  to  run  into  fuch  as  were  unlawful 
and  hurtful.  And  therefore,  by  encouraging  them  in 
fuch  a  Way,  in  the  fit  Exercife  of  their  Parts,  in  T^e- 
petition^  Prayer,  and  asking  Queif ion's;  He  kept  them 
from  enclining  to  the  diforderly  Exercife  of  them,  in 
Imitation  of  the  SeBaries,  Befides,  there  were  fome 
publick  Dilputations,  whereby  the  People  were  much 
confirm'd.  The  Q^iakers  would  have  made  Difturbancc, 
and  fe:  up  a  Meeting  in  the  Tov/n,  and  raii'd  bitterly 
at  Mr.  iaxtsr ;  But  he  giving  them  leave  to  meet  io 
-  "  the 


30  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  lit. 


the  Church  for  a  Difpucc,   and  opening  before  the  Peo- 
ple their  Deceits,  none  would  entertain  them  more,  nor 
did  they  gain  one  Profelyte.     Mr.  Tombes^  the  /iyinbaf- 
tj^y   who  was  Le£lurer  at  Bewdly,    had  (haken  fome. 
But  after  the  Difputc  held  with  him,  (of  which  hereaf- 
ter) the  People  were  fettled,   and  the  Infeaun  ftopp'd. 
Another  /ldi/:ritage  he  bad,  was  the  great  Honefty  and 
Diligence  of  his  Alfiftanvs      Mr.  I{tchard  Scjennt,  the 
firftof  them,  was  very  Laborious,    much  belov'd,  of  a 
meek  and  humble  Spirit^    and  blamelefs  Life :   Andfo 
alfo   was  Mr.  Humphry  Jyf'^alHern^    who  fucceeded  him; 
which  rnadethe  People  fo  much  the  more  in  Love  with 
the  Miniftry,  and  the  more  ready  to  fubmitto  Inftru£ti- 
on.     Another  Advnntr.ge  was  the  Prefence  and  Counte- 
nance of  honeft  Juftices  of  the  Peace.     Col.  John  Brid- 
ge:, a  prudent  pious  Gentleman,  was  Patron  of  the  Li- 
ving,   and  liv'd    in  the  Parilh,   and  was  a  Juftice  of 
Peace.     And  a  Bailiff,   and  Juftice  were  annually  cho' 
fen  in  the   Corporation,   who  ordinarily  were  Godly 
Men,  and  always  fuch  as  would  be  tho't  fo,  and  were 
leady  to  ufe  their  Authority  to  fupprefs  Sin  and  pro- 
mote  Goodnefs.     And    when    once   a   Sabhnth-hreaker 
tho't  to  have  overthrown  the  Officers  at  Law,    Serje- 
ant Fountain  being  then  Judge  of  the  Afee,  did  fore- 
prefs  his  Malice,  as  difcourag'd  all  others  from  any  fur- 
ther Attempts  of  that  kind.     His  Readinefs  alfo  to  heip 
the  Poor,  was  a  great  Help  to  his  Succefs.     He  aiTifted 
them  for  fome  time  with  his  Advice  in  Phyfick,  and 
was  very  fuccefsful ;   but  finding  it  took  up  fo  much 
time  as  to  be  burdenfome,    he  at  lengrh  fix'd  among 
them  a  Diligent  Skilful  Phyfician,    and  bound  himfelt 
to  him  by  Promife,    That  he  would  Pra^ice   no  ynqre  in 
common  Cnfes.     But  be  always  was  Liberal   with  his 
Purfe.     His  ftated  Income  was  not  above  90  /.  per  An^ 
num:  Befides  which,    he  lome  Years  had  60  or  80/.  a 
Year  of  the  Bookfellers  for  Bonks ;   which  being  given 
away  anniongft  them,  except  fo  much  as  was  necelfary 
for  his  Comfortable  Subliftence,    irtade  them  much  the 
readier   to   liften  to   him.     Several  of  their  Children 
that  had  Capacities,   he  took  from  School,    and  fenC 
to  the  Univerfity,    where  he  maintain'd  rhem  by  his 
own  and  others  Contributions:  Some  of  which  after- 
'iwards  prov'd  very  uieful   Minirtcrs.     His  giving  away 
Bibles  atid  oiher  good   Booki  amotig  foUr  EnmiUfSi 


Chap.  in.        Mr.  Richird  Baxter.  21 


was  a  Thing  highly  pleafing  to  them.  The  People  ge- 
nerally were  of  fuch  a  Trade  as  allow'd  them  time 
eno'  to  Read  or  Talk,  of  holy  Things,  which  was  a- 
nother  Help.  His  fingle  Life  alfo  was  in  fome  refpeils 
an  Advantage  to  him.  Being  free  from  Family  Cares, 
he  had  the  Greater  Vacancy  and  Liberty  for  the  La- 
bours of  his  Calling.  And  it  was  alfo  fome  Com- 
fortj  that  there  were  at  laft  few  that  were  bad,  but 
fome  of  their  Relations  were  Converted.  Many  were 
wrought  on  at  14,  r^,  16  Years  of  Age  :  Which  did 
much  towards  the  Reconciling  the  Minds  of  the  Pa- 
rents and  elder  fort  to  Godllnefs.  Many  there  were 
of  a  conliderable  Age,  the  Converfion  of  whofe  Chil- 
dren was  the  Chief  Means  to  overcome  their  Preju- 
dice, and  old  Cuftoms  and  Conceits.  Many  did  God 
recover  by  Sicknefs,  and  his  conftant  difowning  the  Ini- 
quity of  the  Times  tended  to  the  Good  of  many  ;  and 
fo  alfo  did  the  Unanimity  of  the  Miniilers  of  the 
Country  round,  who  Affociated  in  a  way  of  Concord. 
The  Quality  of  the  open  Sinners  of  the  Place  was  fuch, 
as  difcourag'd  others.  Thofe  given  to  Drunkennefs 
were  fo  Beaftly  and  Ridiculous,  that  they  made  thac 
Sin  (of  which  there  was  the  greateft  Danger)  the  more 
abhor'd.  The  Quality  of  the  Apoitate  Sinners  of  the 
Place  was  alfo  remarkable.  They  that  fell  off,  (who 
were  not  many)  were  fuch  as  before  by  their  want  of 
Grounded  Underftanding,  Humility  and  Mortificati- 
on, gave  the  greateft  Sufpicion  of  their  Stability  :  And 
they  fell  to  no  lefs  than  Familifm  and  Infidelity,  ma- 
king a  Jeft  of  the  Scripture;  and  the  EflVntials  of  Chii- 
ftianity.  And  as  they  fell  from  the  Faith,  fo  they  fell 
to  Drinking,  Gaming,  furious  PaiTions,  and  a  grofly 
Vicious  Life :  And  were  thereupon  as  Pillars  and  Mo- 
numents of  God's  Juftice,  to  warn  all  others  to  take 
heed  of  Self-conceitednefs,  and  Herefies  -^  and  of  de- 
parting from  Truth  and  Chriftian  Unity.  Another 
confiderable  Furtherance  of  the  Peoples  Good,  wai  the 
foremention'd  Work  of  Perfonal  Conference  with  every 
Family  apart,  and  Catechizing  and  Inftruding  them. 
That  which  was  fpoken  to  them  Perfonally,  and  puc 
them  many  times  upon  particular  Anfwcrs,  awaken  d 
their  Attention,  and  was  more  eafily  apply'd  than  Pub- 
liek  Preaching,  and  feem'd  to  work  much  more  upon 
them.  The  Exercife  of  Church  Difcipline  was  anothec 
great  Helpo       "  - 


32  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  HI. 

^An  ama-  About  6  Of  7  Young  Men  join  d  with  the  Congrega- 
%inrr  In-  tion  who  were  addidked  to  Tipling,  and  one  of  them 
ftanceofan  yj^^  ^i  weak-headed  Fellow,  who  was  a  common  no- 
IncorrlgibU  forious  Drunkard.  He  was  admoniftiM  o'  his  Sin, 
Smner.  npon  offering  hiii.felf  to  Communion  ;  and  cold,  T/:rtf 
without  an  Humble  Penitent  ConfeJJlon,  and  Promife  of 
Amendment ,  he  muH  be  declared  Vnfit  for  Church 
Communion.  He  hereupon  lamented  his  Sin  with  great 
Bitternefs,  and  promis'd  Amendment;  but  quickly 
return'd  to  it  again.  He  was  Admoniih'd  over  and  o- 
ver,  and  great  Endeavours  were  us'd  to  bring  him  to 
Contrition  and  Refolution  5  and  he  would  TtiU  con- 
fefs  it,  and  yet  ftill  go  on.  Whereupon,  Mr.  Baxter 
"Warn'd  him  jpublickly,  and  Pray'd  for  him  feveral 
Days  in  the  Church :  But  he  went  on  in  his  Drun- 
kennefs  ftill.  At  Jaft,  he  declared  him  utterly  unfit  for 
Church  Communion,  and  required  all  to  avoid  him 
accordingly,  endeavouring  to  convince  him  of  his  Mi- 
fery,  and  of  the  Neceflity  of  true  Repentance  and  Re- 
formation. After  his  Ejedlion,  when  he  was  Drunk, 
he  would  Hand  at  the  Market-place,  and  like  a  Quaker 
cry  out  againft  the  Town,  and  take  on  him  to  Pro- 
phefy  God's  Judgments  againft  them,  and  would  Rage 
at  Mr.  Baxter'^  Door,  and  Rail  and  Curfe  him  bitter- 
ly. And  once  he  foUow'd  him  as  he  went  to  Church,' 
and  laid  Hands  on  him  in  the  Church-Yard,  with  a 
purpofe  to  have  kilTd  him  ;  but  it  fell  out  that  he  had 
hold  only  of  his  Cloak,  which  he  unbutton  d  and  left 
with  him  ;  and  before  his  Fury  could  do  any  more,  (ic 
bting  the  Fair- Day)  there  were  fome  Strangers  by  in 
the  Church- Yard,  who  dragg'd  him  to  the  Magiftrate 
and  the  Stocks.  And  thus  he  continu*d  raging  againft 
him  about  a  Year,  and  then  dy'd  of  a  Feaver^  in  Great 
Horrour  of  Confcience.  Three  or  Four  more  were 
forc'd  to  be  caft  out,  one  for  Slandering,  and  the  reft 
for  Drunkennefs :  And  they  were  enrag'd,  and  much 
the  worfe  after  it,  and  lb  were  loud  H^arnings  to  others. 
Another  Advanta^e^  in  order  to  his  Succefs  among 
them,  was  his  ordering  his  Docftrine  to  them  in  a  Suit- 
abienefs  to  his  main  End  ;  and  yet  fo  as  might  fuit  their 
Difpofitions  and  Difcafes.  The  Great  Fundamental 
Principles  of  Chrilfianify^  contJiin'd  in  the  Baptifmal 
Covenant;  even  a  right  Knowledge  and  Belief  of^ 
and  Subje&ion  and  Love  tOy   God  the  Father ^  the  Son, 

and 


Chap.  III.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  35 

and  the  Holy  Ghcfl^  were  the  Things  which  he  daily  o- 
pen'd  to  them,  and  with  greateft  Importunity  laboured 
to  imprint  upon  their  Minds.  So  frequently  did  he  in- 
culcate the  Knowledge  of  God,  Creator,  Redeemer 
and  Sandifier,  and  Love  and  Obedience  to  Him,  and 
Unity  with  the  Church  Catholick,  and  Love  to  Men, 
and  Hope  of  Life  Eternal ;  that  thefe  were  the  Mat- 
ter of  their  daily  Meditations  and  Difcourfcs,  and  in- 
deed their  Religion.  And  yet  he  ufuaiiy  put  fomt- 
thing  into  his  Sermons  that  was  above  their  Difcovcry, 
and  which  they  had  not  known  before,  ihatchey  might 
be  kept  Humble,  ftill  perceive  their  Ignorance,  and 
be  willing  to  remain  in  a  Learning  State;  and  to  en- 
creafe  their  Knowledge,  and  make  Religion  pleafant 
10  them  by  a  daily  Addition  to  their  former  Light,  and 
to  draw  them  on  with  Defire  and  Delight.  But  thele 
Things,  which  they  did  not  know  before,  were  not  un- 
profitable Controverfies,  which  tended  not  to  Edifica- 
tion, nor  Novelties  in  Dodtrine,  contrary  to  the  Uni- 
verfal  Church  ;  but  either  fuch  Points  as  tended  to  iU 
luftrate  the  great  Do(Srines  of  Religion,  or  ufually  a- 
bout  the  right  Methodizing  them,  which  requires  a 
great  deal  of  Tho't  and  Accuracy.  He  was  abundantly 
convinced  of  the  Neceflity  of  Care  in  this  refped,  by 
long  Obfervation :  For  when  Minifters  tell  their  People 
of  no  more  than  they  kriow,  and  do  not  lliew  that 
they  excell  them  in  Knowledge  and  Abilities,  they  will 
be  tempted  to  turn  Preachers  themfelves  :  And  think- 
ing that  they  have  learn'd  all  that  their  Miniiters  can 
teach  them,  they  will  contemn  them,  an.i  wrangle 
with  their  Dodrines,  and  fet  their  Wits  againft  them, 
and  hear  them  as  Cenfurers  and  not  as  Difcipies,  to 
their  own  Undoing,  and  to  the  Difturbance  of  the 
Church  ;  and  they  will  eafily  draw  Difciples  after  them. 
The  bare  Authority  of  the  Clergy  will  not  Icrve 
the  Turn,  without  confiderable  Minifterial  Abilities. 
Another  Advnntage  lay  in  the  Quality  of  the  People 
as  to  their  Outward  Condition.  They  xvere  not  Rich. 
There  were  few  Beggars  indeed,  becaufe  their  Cotri- 
mon  Trade  0^ StuffV^-avh^  would  find  Work  for  all, 
Men,  Women  and  Children,  that  were  able:  But 
there  were  none  of  the  Tradefren  Wealthy,  their 
Employment  ordinarily  finding  them  but  Food  and 
Raiment.    Few  of  the  MagUtrates  were  worth  40  /. 


54  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  III. 

per  Annum 'y  and  moft  not  half  fo  much.  Three  or 
Four  of  the  Mafter  Workmen  got  perhaps  Five  or  Six 
Hundred  Pound  in  ao  Years;  but  the  Generality  of 
them  hv'd  little  better  than  Journeymen,  from  Hand 
to  Movith,  excepting  that  they  labour'd  not  altogether 
fo  hard.  This  kept  them  from  a  great  many  Tempta- 
tions which  Weahh  is  attended  with,  and  made  them 
much  more  pliable  and  yielding  to  the  Miniftry,  than 
could  otherwife  have  been  expedted. 

His  not  meddling  with  Tythes  or  IV^rldly  Bufinefs  was 
another  Advantage  to  "him.  Hereby  he  had  the  more 
Tim£  for  his  Study,  and  his  Mind  was  the  freer  from 
Entanglements,  and  he  avoided  offending  the  People 
by  contentious  Law- Suits.  There  were  three  or  four  of 
his  honeft  Neighbours  who  manag'd  for  him  all  Con- 
cerns of  that  Nature,  and  he  never  took  an  Account  of 
them.  After  that  he  was  conftrain'd  to  let  the  Tythes 
be  gather  d  as  by  his  Title,  to  fave  the  Gatherers  from 
Law  Suits,  he  gave  Orders,  That  if  any  Perfons  refused 
to  fny  who  voere  Poor,  it  fhculd  he  forgiven  them  :  But  that 
if  the  Perfons  were  able  ^  what  was  due  floouldbe  Jought  for  by 
the  help  of  the  Ma^iftrate  with  the  Damr.ge  ;  and  that  both 
his  Part  and  the  Dnynages  Jhould  be  given  to  the  Poor, 
When  this  was  once  known,  none  that  were  able 
would  do  the  Poor  fo  great  a  Kindnefs  as  to  refufe 
Payment.  His  ftaying  fo  long  in  this  one  Place,  was 
a  further  Advantage.  By  this  Means  it  came  about, 
that  almoft  all  the  Religious  People  of  the  Place  were 
of  his  own  Intruding  and  Informing  ;  and  he  ftay'd 
to  fee  them  grown  up  to  fome  Confirmednefs  and  Ma- 
turity. All  which  Advantages  he  diftindtly  Noted 
and  Recorded,  with  due  Regard  to  that  Providence 
whereto  they  were  owing, 
t,.  -  _  One  of  his  main  Difficulties  when  he  fix'd  in  Kf- 
hout  DiCc'  ^^^^^^^^''t  was  how  to  fet  up  any  Thing  of  a  true  Dif- 
p/ine.  cipline^  without  being  fatisfy'd  with  the  Shadow  of  it, 

inftead  of  the  ReaJiiy  on  one  Hand,  or  unchurching 
the  Parifh  Church  on  the  other.  After  mature  Tho'cs 
upon  the  Matter,  he  told  the  People,  Toat  he  w;nt  not 
about  to  gather  a  Njw  Churchy  but  would  take  the  Parijh 
for  the  Churchy  uniefs  they  were  tinwilling  to  own  their 
Mrmbrtfhip.  Al]  that  did  own  their  Mcmbcrfhip  in 
that  Pariih  Church,  and  would  own  him  for  their 
Faftour,  he  delired  to  give  in  their  Names,   or  any 

other 


Ghap.  III.        Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  25 


other  Way  to  fignify  that  they  did  fo  :  And  thofe  who 
were  not  willing  to  be  Members,  and  rather  chofe  to 
wichdraw  themfelves,  than  to  Jive  under  Difcipline, 
he  defired  to  be  filenr.  And  fo  thro'  fear  of  Difci- 
pline, all  the  Pariih  kept  off  except  600,  when  there 
were  in  all  above  1600  at  Age  to  be  Communicancs  : 
Yet  becaufe  it  was  their  own  doing,  and  they  knew 
they  might  come  in  when  they  would,  they  were  quiet. 
If  any  fcrupled  fitting  at  the  Lord's  Table,  he  openly 
told  them,  They  Jhould  have  the  Liberty  of  their  own  Ge- 
fture.  And  he  was  free  to  Baptize  all  their  Children  : 
But  he  made  them  hrft  (as  he  would  have  done  by 
Strangers )  give  him  privately  ( or  publickly  if  they 
had  rather  )  an  Account  of  their  Faith.  And  if  any 
Father  were  a  Scandalous  Sinner,  he  made  him  confefs 
his  Sin  openly  with  Teeming  Penitence,  before  he 
would  Baptize  his  Child.  If  he  refus'd  ir,  he  forbore 
'till  the  Mother  came  to  prefent  it.  For  he  rarely,  if 
ever,  found  both  Father  and  Mother  fo  deftitute  of 
Knowledge  and  Faith,as  in  a  Church  Senfe  to  be  utter- 
ly uncapable. 

There  was  one  Sir  I{alpb  CUre  who  liv*d  in  the  Pa-  ^'^  ^o»' 
riih,  who  did  rtiore  to  hinder  his  Succefs,  than  could  ^"*^  '"" 
have  bin  done  by  a  great  many  others.  He  was  a  ^'*''  |  ^"' 
Man  indeed  of  great  Courtlhip  and  Civility,  and  car-  ^J  t*  ^ 
ry'd  it  with  much  Perfonal  Reverence  and  Refpe(5t, 
and  yet  coming  but  once  to  Church  on  the  LordV 
Days,  and  abftaining  from  the  Sacrament,  his  Exam- 
ple did  much  Mifchief ;  tho*  at  the  fame  Time  his  fend- 
ing his  Family  to  be  Perfonaliy  Inftrudted  and  Ca- 
lechiz'd,  did  win  with  the  worft  almoft  to  do  the  like. 
He  made  a  Motion  to  Mr.  Baxter,  That  he  would 
Communicate  with  him,  if  he  would  adminifter  the  Sa- 
crament to  him  Kneeling,  and  on  a  diftin(^  Day,  and 
not  with  thofe  that  receiv'd  it  Sitting.  In  a  Letter  in 
Anfwer  to  him,  he  offer'd,  //  he  muld  fuhmit  to  Difci- 
pline,  and  take  him  for  his  Paftour,  and  firft  hear  his  F^ea- 
fonsy  if  he  could  not  Convince  him^  but  if  he  xvoidd  profefs 
that  he  thot  it  n  Sin  agninft  God  to  receive  the  Sacrament 
unlefs  it  were  put  into  his  Hands  Kjieelivg,  and  that  he 
durfl  not  in  Confcience  takje  it  otherwife^  he  would  fo  give 
it  him :  But  as  for  doing  it  at  a  difiin^i  ftnted  Time  from 
the  reft,  it  would  make  fuch  a  Breach  or  Sciiifm^  as  he  coul4 
have  no  Hand  in» 

D  2  He 


§6  The  LIFE  of  Chap.  HI. 


The  Cafe  of     He  had  alfo  Tome  Difficulty  about  the  Sequeftrarion 
the     Fica-  of  the  Living  of  Kedcrmir?f}er^  upon    the    Account  of 
ridge  of  Kt-  which  he  was  refleAed  on  by  many,  but  very  unjuft- 
dcrminfler,  ]y  .  p^j.  ^^e  true  State  of  the  Cafe  was  this.     While 
he  was  kept  away  from  the  Place  by  a  Languilhing 
IJinefs,  not  knowing  whether   God  would  make  any 
farther  Ufe  of  him,  the  Towns  People  tho't  fit  to  re- 
new their  Articles  againft  their  old  Vicar  and  his  Cu- 
rate ;  and  upon  Tryal  of  the  Caufe,    the  Committee 
fequeftred  the  Place,  but   put  no  one  into  it,  leaving 
the  Profits  in  the  Hands  of  divers  Inhabitants  to  pay  a 
Preacher,   'till    it  were  difpos'd   of     Mr.  Baxter y  tho' 
urgently  prefs'd,    refus'd  the  Vicaridge,    and   would 
have  only  the  Lecfture,  which  by  the  Old  Man's  own 
Confent  and  Bond  he  held  before.     And  at  his  Return, 
he  found  only  Mr.  Serjeant  in  PolfefiTion,  who  was  de- 
fired  to  Officiate  during  the  Vacancy.      Being  vehe- 
mently urg'd  again  to  accept  the  Vicaridge,  he  repeated 
his  Refufal,  and  got  the  Magiftrates  and  Burgelles  to- 
gether into  the  Town  Hall,  and  told  them,  That  tbo  he 
was  offe/H  feveral   Hundred    Pounds    per  Annum    elfe- 
vphere,  yet  he  w/ts  vail  ling  to  continue  with  them  in  his  Old 
LeBurers  PUce^  which  he  had  before  the  0^ar^  expelling 
they  (hould  make  the  Maintenance  an  loo  1.  per  Annum, 
with  the  Addition  of  an  Houfe  :   Avd  if  they  would  promife 
to  fuhmlt  to  that  Dotlrine  of  Chrij},  which  as  his  Mini- 
fier  he  /hould  deliver  to  them,  he  would  never  leave  them. 
But  he  intimated,  that  this  Maintenance  fhould  neither 
come  out  of  their  own  Purfes,  nor  any  more  of  it  out 
of  the  Tythes  but  the  60 1,  which  the  Vicar  had  before 
bound  himfelf  to  pay  him,   But  from  an  Augmenta- 
tion,  eafily  to  be  procur'd  :  And  the  reft  he  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with.    This  Covenant  was  drawn  up  in 
Articles,  and  Subfcrib'd  ;   and  he  exprefly  difclaim'd 
the  Vicaridge  and  Paftoral  Charge  of  the  Parifli,  and 
only  undertook  the  Lecture.     And  thus  the  Sequcfira- 
tion  continued  in  the  Hands  of  the  Townfmen,  who  ga- 
thered the  Tyrhes,  and  paid  him  (  not  an  Hundred,  as 
they  promised)   but  80/.  per  Annum,  or   90  at  moft, 
and  Rent  for  a  few  Rooms :    The  reft   they   pave  to 
Mr.  Serjeant^  and  about  40  /.  per  Anvum  to  the  Old  Vi- 
car, and  6  /.  per  Annum  to  the  Lord  for  Rent,  befides 
other  Charges.     But  when  they  had  contmu'd  long  in 
this  Way,  they  fearM  kaft  feme  one  againft  their  Will 

(hould 


Chap.  IV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  27 


fhould  get  a  Grant  of  the  Sequeftration  from  the  Com- 
mittee, and  therefore  they  went  privately  and  got  an 
Order  from  them  to  fettle  Mr.  Baxter  in  the  Title,  and 
never  fhew'd  it  him,  but  kept  it  fecret,  defigning  only 
to  fecure  the  Place  from  a  Surprize,  and  thernfelvcs 
from  repaying  what  they  disburs'd.  But  when  King 
Charles  came  out  of  Scotland  with  his  Army  to  H^'orcsjler 
their  Houfes  being  full  of  Soldiers,  they  bro't  him  rhe 
Order,  entreating  him,  if  he  would  not  own  it,  yet  at 
leaft  to  keep  it  fafe,  and  to  fave  them  haimlefs  by  ir, 
if  they  were  call'd  to  Account  Which  is  the  rather 
mention'd  fo  particularly,  to  clear  him  from  fome  Af- 
perfions,  unjuftly  caf^:  upon  him  about  this  Matter. 

Upon  the  Whole ;  fo  much  of  the  Spirit  oF  God 
did  Mr.  Baxter  find  accompanying  him  in  his  Work  at 
IQdermvnJler,  and  fo  affecT:io!;ate  was  his  Regard  to 
the  Loving  People  of  that  Place,  that  he  would  not 
willingly  have  exchanged  his  Relation  to  them  for  any 
Preferment  in  the  Kingdom,  nor  could  he  without 
Force  have  bin  feparated  from  them.  . 

CHAP.     IV. 

The  Rifi  and  Springs  of  the  Civil  War  :  Some 
brief  Touches  of  the  Hiflory  of  the  Times 
*till  the  Cutting  off  the  King. 

NOT  long  after  his  Settlement  at  Ksdermwfter,  , 

the  Civil  War  began,  and  the  Times  rain'd 
—  Blood  fo  long,  'till  the  Languifliing  State  of  the 

Kingdom  was  almoft  defperate  and  incurable.  He  was 
a  Mournful  Spedtatour  of  the  Publick  Confufions, 
and  made  fome  Rematks  on  the  Occurrences  of  the 
Times,  which  are  not  unworthy  the  Notice  of  Pofterity. 

The  Nation  had  for  fome  Time  before  bin  under  rhe  further 
Difcontent.    The  General  Cry  was  for  Juftice  in  the  Proceedings 
Punifhment  of  Delinquents.      This  went  againft  the  of  tU  Long 
King,  and  was  a  great  Trouble  ro  his  Friends  and  Fa-  Parliament 
vourites,  who  none  of  them  knew  how  foon  his  own 
Turn  might  come.     The  Lord-Keeper  Finch  and  Secre- 
tary Wmdehank  fled  beyond  Sea  and  fav'd  themfelves. 
The  Guilty  Judges  were  deeply  accus'd  in  Parliament, 
jind  fome  of  them  ImpriCon* d  on  the  Account  of  Ship- 

P  ^  Money 


58  The  LIFE,  of        Chap.  IV. 


^n.  1(541.  Money.  But  the  Great  Difpleafure  was  agajnft  the 
*  Dr.  Parr  ^^^^  ^^  Strcjford,2iT\A.  Arch-Bi(hop  Luud.  They  were 
in  the  Life  toth  fent  to  the  Tovoer,  and  a  Charge  was  drawn  up 
of  Arch-  againft  them,  and  managed  prefendy  againft  the  Lord- 
BifI)o]}  Ufh-  t)€^\ii^'  PVentvoorthy  by  the  ableft  Lawyers  and  Gentle- 
er,  rvhich  men  of  the  Houfe.  This  was  a  Matter  they  were  long 
hepuhlifh'd  about  ;  for  the  King  being  unwilling  to  confent  to  bis 
tn  FV/o,  Deach,  us'd  all  his  Skill  to  ftop  the  Profecution.  A 
inenttoning  D^vifion  arofe  among  the  Great  ones.  The  Lords  Kj/i^- 
t'o  r  I  "'If  ^^^^ ^"^  Digby,  and  other  Perfons of  confiderable  Note, 
tin  \'  '^  ^^^^  ^^^  gratifying  tlie  King  by  fp^tfirig  him.  Others 
ztpon  thti  w^rc  vehement  on  the  other  Side,  faying  :  That  if  af- 
Occaf:on  ^^^  ^  plain  Attempt  to  fuhvert  the  Fundnynentnl  Ltiws 
fays  he  xpas  ^^^  Liherti^s,  no  one  Man  fhould  fuffsr  Denth^  it  xcould 
injnr''d  by  encourage  others  hereafter  in  the  like.  The  Londoners  Peti- 
Common  tion'd  the  Houfe  for  Juftice^  and  follow'd  them  with 
Tame,  in  their  Cries  and  Clamours  :  And  an  unhappy  Painter 
the  Feport  drew  the  Pidiures  of  the  Chief  of  thofe  Members  who 
fpread  a-  vvere  for  faving  the  Lord-Deputy,  and  call'd  thern  ^fr^f- 
broad.about  fQy^j^„j^  hanging  them  with  their  Heels  upward  on  the 
he  H  ^-^^^^^^^'     This  Procedure  made  the  Lord  Di^hy  and 

KXdye.  e  ^^^  j^Q^d  Falkland  heartily  fall  in  with  the  King's  Inte- 
('pa'T  6t  ]^^^''  being  not  fo  immovable  as  fome  others,  whom 
that  rphen  neither  Hope  oor  Fear,  nor  Difcontent,  would  alienate 
that  Holy  from  the  Caufe  which  they  thought  well  of.  Yet  o- 
Man  ivas  thers  were  try'd  with  the  Offer  of  Preferments.  The 
in  fuchLoiA  Sny  was  made  one  of  the  Privy-Councii ;  and 
Dangerous  Mr.  Oliver  St.  John  the  King's  Solicitor,  &c.  But  as 
Circumfian-  this  did  not  alter  them,  fo  others  would  accept  no  Prc- 
ces,  (IS  that  ferment,  leaft  they  fhould  be  tho'tto  feek  thcmfelve*,  or 
aRtffhowere  f^c  their  Fidelity  to  fale.  At  length  the  Earl  of  Straf- 
lT  r  f'''^'^^^^  Condemn  d,  and  the  King  l^ing  defired  to 
;of  '''J  Sign  the  Bill,  had  the  Advice  of  divers  Bi(hops,  and 
rL'H/;:  !,"1?"§  ^JV'^'  of  A.ch-Bii]iopty/^.>,  and  l^rjuxon 
Liberty    tn  Piuiop  01  Lonacn.  1  he  totmer'^,  as  v;as  faid,  told  him, 

a'ih  him,  If 

he  had  advis'd  tijt  King  to  pnfs  the  Bill  againd  the  Earl  of  Strajj'ord?  To  which 
he  reply  d,  I  l:now  there  is  fach  a  Thing  mofl  wrongfully  laid  to  my  Clmrge  - 
forIneithfrg3ve,  nor  aj^prordof  any  fuch  Advice,astirat  the  King  (hould  Af- 
fcnc  to  the  Bill  agninft  the  Earl  ^  baton  the  contrary  told  hisMajcdy,  thatifhe 
was  fatisfy'd  hy  what  he  hnd  h.eard  at  liisTryaljtliat  ih/-  Earl  was  nor  guilty  of 
Treafon,  his  Majefty  ought  not  in  Confcicncc  to  confent  to  hisCondemnatio.n. 
It  may  perhaps  contribute  to  the  Reader's  Satisfafiion  to  compare  the  Account 
here^iven  in  the  Text  and  Muy^w^  v^ith  Hi  (hop  Huckct'5  Lkfc  of  ^(h-Bifhop 
WilUamF,  ptfrf.  ?.  f^^.  1^1.  Jhdt 


%  —  - 

Chap.  IV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  20 

That  he  might  lavofully  concur  with  the  Judgment  of  his  An.   i6ai. 
Parliament    Proceeding  according  to  Law,   tho    his    oxon 
'Judgment  were,     that    their   Sentence  was  uvjuft  •    but 
the  latter  advis'd  him  to  do  nothing  againft  his'Con- 
fcicnce. 

There  was  great  Heat  auiongthe  Members  of  Parlia- 
ment in  thofe  Debates  which  this  Matter  occafion  d. 
Some  were  much  againft  Difpleafing  and  Provoking  the 
King,  and  tho'c  themfelves  not  obiig'd  to  attempt 
any  other  Juftice  or  Reformation,  than  what  they 
could  bring  him  to  be  willing  to.  And  they  thus  ar- 
guM  :  T4^hen  you  have  difpleasd  and  provoked  him  to  the 
utmofty  he  will  be  your  Kjng  fliU  ;  and  when  you  have  fate 
to  the  longeft,  you  mu§i  be  diffolvd  at'  laft.  Tou  have  no  . 
Power  over  hps  Perfon,  tho*  you  have  over  Delimjucnt  Sub- 
jeHs.  If  he  prote^  them  by  Arms^  you  muFt  either  your 
felves  he  ruind  by  his  Difpleafure,  or  engaged  in  a  War, 
Difpleafing  him^  is  but  exafperating  him  ;  and  would  ycu 
be  E{uCd  by  a  Kjng  that  hates  you  ?  The  more  you  offend 
him,  the  lefs  you  can  trufi  him*,  and  when  mutual  Co^fl' 
dence  is  gone,  a  War  is  beginning.  And  if  it  come  to  a 
War,  either  you  will  Conquer^  or  be  Conquer^ d^  or  come  to 
Agreement :  If  you  are  Conquer  d^  you  and  the  Common^' 
wealth  are  ruind,  and  the  Kjng  will  be  Ahfolute,  and  neg- 
leEi  Parliaments^  and  Govern  as  he  pleafcth.  If  ycu  ccme 
to  an  Agreement y  it  will  either  be  fuch  as  you  force  him  to^ 
or  fuch  as  he  is  willing  of :  If  the  latter  be  the  I{efult,  it 
may  be  done  more  eafily  and  cheaply  before  a  War  than  af- 
ter :  If  the  former  be  the  Iffue^  it  can  have  no  great 
Strength  ;  for  nothing  Violent  is  lafiing.  And  if  you 
Conquer  him,  what  are  you  the  better  ?  He  will  flill  be 
Kjng,  and  confequently  have  the  Power  cf  Avenging  him-- 
felf  in  his  Hands,  The  Pleas  of  thofe  of  the  other 
Stamp  were  of  this  Nature  :  //  the  Kjng  be  not  to  be 
difpleas'd,  then  this  Parliament  fhould  never  have  bin 
call'd,  Ship-Money  fhould  have  gone  on,  and  the  Subje^s 
Property  and  Parliaments  have  bin  fuffer'd  to  be  over- 
thrown: Church  Innovations  fhould  not  have  bin  controul*d^ 
nor  any  Stop  to  the  Suhverters  of  our  Government  and  Li- 
berties attempted.  Then  no  Members  fhould  fpecl^  freely  of 
any  of  theje  Things  in  the  Houfe  ;  And  what  do  we  here  ? 
Could  not  the  I^ng  have  pleas' d  himfelf  without  us  ?  Or 
4o  we  come  to  be  his  Inftruments  to  give  away  the  Peoples 
Liberties,  and  Ce$  up  that  which  n  begun  ?  Uither  it  is  our 

P  4  Duty 


40  The  LIFE  of        Chap,  IV. 


Jin.  1 64 1.  Duty  to  I{eform^  and  to  I^covcr  ciir  Liberties,    and  ^^ 
lieve   our  Country,   and   Pitw'Jh   Dclincjucnts^   or  not  ?  If 

-  not  J  let  us  go  Home  again.     If  it  bc^  let  w  do  it,  and  truji 

Qod.     For  if  the  Fears  of  fprefeen  Oppp/ition  /hall  make  us 
betrr.y   our  Count fy    and  Poflerity,    we    are   Perfidious    to 
them.  Enemies  to  our  /elves,  and  worfe  than  Infidels.     As 
/or  a  iVar,  the  Danger  of  it  may  be  avoided.     It  is  aThing 
uncertain ;  a-nd  therefore  a  prefent  certain  l^*in,  and  that- 
by  our  ovon  Hand,  is  nqt  to  be  cho/en  to  avoid  it.     The  f\Jng 
viay/ee  the  Danger  of  it  as  well  as  we^  and  avoid  it  on  bet- 
ter Terms  :  Or  if  he  were  willing,   he  may  not  be  able^  to 
do  any  great  Harm,     Do  you  thin^  that  the  People  of  Eng- 
land arc  fo  mad  oi  to  fight  againjl  thofc  whom  they  have 
cho/en  to  repre/enP  them  ?    To  dejiroy  themselves  and  the 
Hopes  nf  their  Pcfierity  ?     Do  thty  not  know,  that  if  Par' 
liamcnts  arede/troyd,  their  Lives  and  Ejiates  are  meerly  of 
the  Wdl  and  Mercy  0/  the  Conqueror  ?   And  what  fear  of 
I{cvengey  when  we  miy  continue,  ^till  we  confent  to  our  own 
Di/folution  ?  Can  we  not  avoid  confenting  to  it^  *till  we  fee 
our  /elves  cut  cf  the   Danger  of  [{evcnge  ?     Thus  were 
Mens  Minds  divided :  But  fome  unhappy  Means  fell 
out  to  unite  them,  fo  as  to  caufe  thejn  to  proceed  to  a 

The     Tore-  War.  ^ 

runmrs  of  The  King  had  a  confiderable  Party  that  adherd  to 
il7€  War.  him,  made  up  both  of  State  PoUticians,  and  Friends 
of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Hierarchy;  who  jointly  fetthem- 
felves  againll  the  Parliament,  not  only  becaufe  of  their 
apprehended  Encroachments  on  the  Civil  Power,  but 
•  alfo  becaufe  of  the  Church  Reformation  intended.  But 
the  Country  Party  carry'd  ail  Things  with  a  High 
Hand,  depending  upon  the  Aiififtancc  of  true  hearted 
Englipcmen  if  Matters  came  to  Extremity.  Many 
Things  fell  in  to  heighten  Difconrents.  The  London 
Apprentices  (enco^^rag'd  by  fome  Members  of  Parlia- 
ment) in  a  Tumultuous  Manner  brought  up  their  Pe- 
titions to  I'Vefmiv/icr.  In  one  of  I  heir  Progrcflbs  they 
met  fome  of  the  Bilhops  going  to  the  Houfe  in  their 
Coaches:  Forgetting  Civility,  they  cry*d  out,  No  Bi- 
/}:>ops^  and  flouted  and  ijifulied  rudely.  The  Bifliops 
hereupon  in  a  Fright  met  together,  and  declaring 
themlelvts  Deterrd  from  their  Attendance  in  Parliament 
by  Clamours  and  Tumults^  drew  up  a  Proteftation  again  ft 
aiiy  Law  that  Ihould  pafs  in  their  Abfence.  This  was 
fo  refented  by  the  Parliament,  iliat  they  who  fubfcrib'd 

ii 


Chap.  IV.       Mr.  Elichard  Baxter.  41 

it  were  voted  Ddinquents,  and  fent  to  Prifon,  as  ^i- An.  1^41. 
tempting  to  deftroy  the  Power  of  ParJiaments.  And  e- 
'ven  Bifliop  l-J^^U  himfelf  was  one  of  ihem.  Thcfc  nu- 
merous Petitioners  were  alfo  very  OfFenfive  to  the 
King,  infomuch,  that  when  at  another  Time  they 
pafsM  by  M/hite-hall,  they  were  fet  upon  by  fome  of 
hi§  Cavahers,  who  laying  hold  of  fome  cf  them,  cut 
off  their  Ears.  There  was  another  Scuffle  about  M^dji- 
minfier^ Abbey ^  when  Sir  i{ich^rd  W.Jcman^  that  Head- 
ed them,  waskill'd  by  a  Stone  from  the  Abbey  Walls. 
Thefe  Tumults  made  the  King  not  think  himfelf  fafe, 
either  in  the  City  or  near  it. 

Great  were  the  Jealoufies  between  him  and  his  Par- 
liament. He  diftrufted  them,  as  thinking  they  bore 
hard  upon  him  in  every  Thing  ;  and  they  diOrufted 
him  without  any  Dependence  upon  his  Declarations  or 
Prooaifes.  They  were  confident  he  was  immoveable  as 
to  his  Judgment  and  AfFedions,  and  that  whatever  be 
granted  them  was" but  in  Defign  to  get  his  Advantage 
utterly  to  deftroy  them  ;  and  that  he  did  but  warch  for 
fuch  an  Opportunity.  They  fuppos'd  that  he  utterly 
a^bhorr'd  them,  and  their  Adions  againft  his  Ship- Mo- 
ney, his  Judges,  Biftiops,  ^c,  and  charging  him  with 
the  Brench  of  former  Promifes^  they  durft  not  take  his 
Word  in  any  Thing.  This  their  Diffidence  was  many 
ways  encreas'd.  The  two  Armies  of  Scots  and  Engllfh 
remain'd  undisbanded  in  the  North,  'till  the  Parliament 
Ihould  provide  for  their  Pay.  The  EngUfh  Army  want- 
ing Pay,  were  Difcontented  :  Hereupon  rhey  enter- 
tained a  Defign  to  inarch  fuddenly  up  to  London^  and 
Matter  the  Parliament.  This  being  difcover'd,  feveral 
of  the  Chief  Officers  (as  Sir  Jncob  Aftley,  O  Keal^  and 
Sii  Fulk^Himkj)  wereexamin'd,  and  confefs'd  T/?^ryor«e  . 
ne^r  the  Kjng^  h/id  treated  with  them  nbout  bringing  up  the 
Army.  Which  Examinations  were  publilh'd,  and  faiis- 
fy'd  many,  That  the  K^ng  did  but  wntch  vohiie  he  quieted 
them  with  Promifes^  to  m^fter  them  by  Force^  and  ufe  them 
at  h«  Pleafure.  The  Parliament,  to  prevent  any  Infalts, 
provided  themfelves  with  a  Guard,  which  they  took  to 
be  their  Priviledge.  The  Kiag  difcharging  them,  fet 
another  Guard  upon  them  of  his  own  choofing.  This 
nvade  them  look  like  Prifoners ;  and  they  fear'd  they 
who  made  up  the  Guard  appointed  by  the  Kiog,  would 

if 


42  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  IV. 

jin.  1541.  if  commanded  become  the  Executioners  of  his  Wrath 
upon  them.  Upon  which  they  difmiflcd  them,  and 
caird  for  a  Guard  of  the  City  Regiments.  At  length 
the  King,  being  advis'd  no  longer  to  ftand  by  and  fee 
himfelf  Affronted,  took  an  unprecedented  Step  in  go- 
ing fuddenly  to  the  Houje  of  Commons,  with  a  Com- 
pany of  Cavaliers  with  Swords  and  Piftols,  to  charge 
five  of  their  Members,  vi:{.  Mr.  Pirn,  Mr.  Hampden, 
Mr.  Hollis^  Mr.  Strovod^  and  Sir  Arthur  HnJJerigg,  and 
and  the  Lord  Kjmbolton^  (  afterwards  Earl  of  Mm- 
chejler,  and  Lord  Chamberlain )  with  High-Treafon, 
Had  they  bin  there,  it  was  fuppos'd  they  would  have 
bin  feiz'd  by  Force ;  bnt  upon  Notice  before-hand, 
they  abfented  themfelves,  retiring  into  the  City. 
The  Houfe  was  hereupon  Allarum'd,  as  if  their  Li- 
berties or  Lives  muft  be  affaulted  by  the  Sword,  if 
they  pleas'd  not  the  Court  5  and  thereupon  they 
prefently  Voted  this  A£tion,  a  Breach  of  their  Privi- 
iedges^  and  an  Effe^}of  the  Kjr/gs-Evil  CcunfeHcrSy  and 
publilh'd  their  Votes,  to  awaken  the  People  to  refcue 
ihem,  as  if  they  were  in  apparent  Danger.  The 
King  being  difappointed,  publifheth  a  Paper,  in 
which  he  chargeth  the  aforefaid  Perfons  with  Treafon, 
as  ftirring  up  the  Apprentices  to  Tumultuous  Peti- 
tioning, &c.  But  confeffeth  his  Error  in  violating  their 
Priviledges. 

Not  long  after,  the  Lord  Dighy  and  feme  other  Ca- 
valiers,  attempted   at  Kjngfton  upon   Thames  to  have 
•fuddenly  got  together  a  Body  of  Horfe,  which   the 
Parliament  highly  refented.     But  the  Party  was  difli- 
pated,  and  he  was  Voted  a  Delinquent,  and  orderM  to 
be  Apprehended :  But  he  fled  to   France,  and  thence 
wrote  to  the  King,    (  which  Letters  were  intercepted  ) 
advifing  him  to  retire  from  the  City  to  fome  Place  of 
Strength  :  Which  they  tool^  as  an  Advice  to  make  open 
War  upon  them. 
The  Irifh        ^"^  x.\itxt  was  nothing  that  wrought  fo  much  with 
Majfacre     ^^^  People  as  the  Iri/h  Maflfacre  and  Rebellion.     The 
mnd  Rebel'  ^^'7^  Papifts  made  an   unexpedted  Infurredion  in  all 
/ion.  Parts  of  that  Kingdom  at  once,  and  feiz'd  upon  al- 

moft  all  the  Strong  Places  in  the  Land,  and  it  was 
very  wonderful  chat  Dublin  efcap'd,  which  was  to 
have  bin  furpriz'd  with    the  reft,   OHcb,  23.  1641. 

they 


Chap.  IV.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  j^-^ 


they    murther'd   Two    Hundred    Thoufand    Perfons. 
Men,   Women  and  Children  were  moft 

cruelly   us'd,    the  Women  ript  up   and        ^^^^  ^"'  John  Temple'* 
treated    moft   Filthily    and  Barbaroufly,     ^'V/ory  ;  Dr.  Junts'j  .v^r, 
and  Infants  us'd  like  Toads  or  Vermin.     '•'<^»t'^  "f  f/^e  f-v^m/n^^- 
Thoufands  of  thofe  who  efcap'd,    came    '^^'^ff^'^'^rlofOvt,- 
Stript  and-almoft    FamilVd  to  Dublin,    ^1  ^M^^^ toaV<tu,,n. 
and  afterwards  into  England  to  beg  their  Bread.     Mul- 
titudes of  them  were  driven  together  into  Rivers,  and 
caft  over  Bridges  and  Drown'd.    Many  Witnefles  fwore 
before  the  Lords   Juftices,   That  at  Portdovon-Bridge^ 
a    Vifion  every    Day  appcar'd    to  the   PalTengers   of 
Naked    Perfons,    landing  up  to  the   Middle  in   the 
River,  and  crying  out  ^evenge^  Revenge,     In  a  Word  ; 
fcarce   any  Hiftory    mcntloneth   the    \i]<i,Q.  Barbarous 
Cruelty  with  this.     The  Irijh  deciar'd,    they  had  the 
King's  Commiffion  for  what  they  did :  And  many  e- 
ven  at  that  Time,  weighing  all  Circumftances,    be- 
lieved as  much,    while  others  reprefented  it  as  an  hor- 
ridly Unjuft  and  Scandalous  Afperfion  upon  his  Ma- 
jefly  ;  but  as  Providence  orderd  it,  a  certain  Memo- 
rable Particularity  help'd  to  fet  this  Matter  in  a  juft 
Light.     The  Marquefs  of  Antrim^  who  was  a  Noted 
Man  among   the  Lijlo  Rebels,  having  had  his  Eft  ate 
Sequeftred,    tho't  fit,  upon  the  Reftauration  of  King 
Charles  the  Second,  to  fue  for  the  Reftitutioii  of  ic. 
The  Duke  of  Ormond  and  the  Council  judg'd  againft 
.  him  as  one  of  the  Rebels.     Whereupon  he  bro'c  his 
Caufe   over  to  the  Kin^,  and  affirm'd,  That  what  he 
did  was  by  his  Father's  Confent  and  Authority;  and  the 
King  referred  ic  to  fome  worthy  Members  of  his  Privy- 
Council,   to  examine  what  he  had  :o  fhew.     Upon 
Examination,  they   reported,  That  they  found  he  hnd  the 
Kings  Confent,  or  Letter  of  InftruHlons  for  what  he  did, 
which  amaz'd  many.     Hereupon  King  Charles  wrote  to 
the  Duke  of  Ormond  and  the  Council,  To  reftore  his^  E- 
ftate,  becaufe  it  appear'd  to  thofe  appointed  to  Exa- 
mine it,  that  what  he  did  was  by  his  Father's  Order 
or  Confent.     The  Lord    M^tT^arine,  and  others  in  Ire- 
land^ not  fully  fatisfy'd  with  this,    tho't  fit  fo  far  to 
profecute  the  Matter,  as  that  the  Marquefs  of  Antrim 
was  forc'd  to  produce  in  the  Houfc  of  Commons  a  Letter 
of  King  Charles  the  Firft,  by  which  he  gave  him  Order 
for  ihe  taking  up  Arras,  which  being  read  in  the  Houfe, 
-    '  ^  produc'4 


44  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  IV. 

Jin.  1541-  produc'd  a  general  Silence.  *  The  whole  Account 
^  jjj  ^  of  it,  with  a  great  many  furprizing  Particulars,  was 
in  many  P^t)lifh'd  in  a  Pamphlet  call'd.  Murkier  will  out,  Ac 
JPamphlets  the  Time  when  this  Barbarity  was  committed,  all  Eng- 
ieen  Ye-  ^^^^  ^as  fiU'd  wi[h  Fear.  People  were  afraid  both  of 
fictled  on  ^^^  ^^'7^  and  of  the  Papifls  at  Home  :  Infomuch,  that 
vrith  great '^htn  the  Rumour  of  a  Plot  was  fpread  about  a  little 
Seyerity,  after  in  Londcn^  the  Poor  People  all  the  Countries  over, 
ferinfertlng  were  ready  either  to  run  to  Arms,  or  hide  themfelves, 
this  Paf'  thinking  the  Papifts  were  coming  to  cut  their  Throats. 
f^e  of  the  YhQ  Parliament  was  folicitous  to  fend  Help  to  Dubtw, 
^r^Kc/}  to  prevent  its  being  loft.  The  King  prefs'd  to  go  over 
Th  "w^T  ^'"^^^^^i  ^^^^1  which  nothing  could  be  more  difagreeable 
ofammons  ^^  ^^em,  who  were  afraid  leaft  getting  at  the  Head  of 
has  been  ^^^  Armies  he  fliould  unite  them  both  againft  them, 
told 'if  it  in  ^"^  ^y  ^^^  Abfence  make  a  Breach,  and  hinder  the  Pro- 
a  Letter  to  ceedings  of  the  Houfes.  The  few  that  were  left  in 
them^fpreai  Dublin,  defended  themfelves,  tho'  under  prefling  Necef- 
timongft  fities,  andfcnt  over  Word,  That  the  lnih.threntned,  that 
them  before 

the  ^oth  of  January  ^  and  I  hare  had  hard  Katnes  given  me  by  federal.  But 
if  they  kpouU  conftder  that  I  report  it  from  Mr.  Baxter,  it  might  abate  their 
Cenfures.  If  he  was  imposed  upon  in  this  Matter^  I  cannot  J)elp  it.  I  don't 
iook  upon  my  felf  as  refponjible  for  the  Truth  of  it.  jind  fet  had  I  found 
they  had  any  of  them  difproy'd  it^  I  /hould  hare  forbnrn  infertinq^  it.  That 
fome  of  the  Irifli  Rebels  did  counterfeit  the  King^s  Commijfon,  is  not  call'd  in 
iQueftion  by  this  "Relation.  That  may  hare  fufficient  ^roof :  And  yet  if  a 
Letter  ryas  actually  produc'^d  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons^  from  King  Charles 
the  Firfi  to  the  Marquef  of  Antrim,  impowering  him  to  take  up  Arms^  I 
don't  fee  hov?  He  can  be  charg'd  vfitb  any  fuch  Counterfeiting.  And  if  King 
Charles  was  thereupon  fatisfy'd  to  let  the  Marque fs  keep  his  Lftate,  I  can- 
not fee  why  others  Jhould  be  fo  dijiurbed  that  Fojierity  fI)ould  knoKp  it. 
But  let  the  TaCl  of  the  Letter  be  difproVd  5  let  a  true  Copy  of  the  Letter 
that  was  read  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  (  the  Original  of  tpinch  I  am  in* 
form'd  was  once  in  the  Taper  Office  wherever  it  is  now  )  be  publifl)''d  to  the 
World,  with  Evidence  of  its  being  genuine  ;  and  let  it  appear  that  that  Let- 
ter gave  the  Marquefs  no  Order  or  Commiffion  to  take  up  Arms,  and  no  fur- 
ther Diflurbance  need  be  feared  from  this  Story.  J  ^jan't  give  any  Credit  to 
it  my  felf:,  and  would  readily  ufe  my  Endeavours  to  fatisfy  others^  if  they 
fiould  be  fo  weak  ai  ftill  to  believe  it.  And  I  don't  fee  that  any  Thing  far- 
ther can  be  reafonably  dcfird  of  me.  Whoever  was  the  Author  of  the  Tampit- 
let  call  d  Murder  will  out,  if  he  vfas  the  Author  of  the  Letter  too  ;  or  if  the 
Letter  was  not  to  the  Furpofe  mention  J^  'tis  an  horrid  Impofition  on  the  Horld: 
But  if  tlje  Letter  was  Genuine,  and  to  the  Purpofe  mentioned,  it  defences  fo»- 
(iieration  :  And  lUl  this  ii  difproyeii  Out-Crys  are  injtgnifcant, 

when 


Chap.  IV.        Mr,  Kichard  Baxter.  45- 


TQhen  they  had  done  with  the  ha?jdful  thnt  wai  left  in  An.  i ^a\ . 
Ireland,  they  would  cowe/wfo  England,  and  deal  with  the 
Parliament  and  Protefiants  here,  Thefe  Threatnings 
v%7ith  the  Name  of  200000  murder'd,  and  the  Recital 
of  the  monftrous  Cruelties  of  thofe  Canibals,  made 
many  Thoufands  in  England  think,  that  nothing  could 
be  more  neceflary  than  for  the  Parliament  to  put  the 
Country  into  an  Armed  Pofture,  for  their  own  Defence. 

At  length  the  King  leaves  London,  and  goes  North-  Tf^e  opening 
ward,  and  marches  to  Hull,  where  Entrance  was  de- ^/^^'^^  *^'»'^- 
ny*d  him  by  Sir  John  Hotham.  The  Parliament  pub- 
Jifh'd  their  Votes  to  the  People,  That  the  Kjng  mijlcd  by 
Evil  Coimfely  was  raifing  a  fVar  againfl  his  Parliament, 
They  nam'd  Lord  Lie^i tenants  for  the  Militia  of  the  fe- 
verai  Counties,  and  the  Kingnam'd  others  by  aCommif- 
fion  of  Array,  and  each  command  the  faid  Lord  Lieute- 
nants to  fettle  the  Militia  :  And  both  King  and  Parlia- 
ment publifh'd their  Declarations,  jaftifying  their  Caufe. 
The  Parliament  chofe  the  Earl  of  E/Z'e.v  for  General,  and 
refolve  to  raife  an  Army,  for,  the  Defence  of  Kjng  and 
Parliament^  and  the  Liberties  of  the  SubjeHs,  agaivji  Evil 
Counfellours  and  Delinquents',  They  publifli'd  a  Remon- 
ftrance  of  the  State  of  the  Kingdom,  and  a  Declara- 
tion of  the  Caufes  of  their  taking  up  Arms :  Which 
two  Writings  contain  the  Sum  of  their  Juftification. 

. The  King  went  to  Nottingham,  where  he  fet  up  his 

Standard.  There  were  but  about  2000  that  came  in  to 
him  there  ;  whereas  the  Londoners  quickly  filFd  up  a 
Gallant  Army  for  the  Earl  of  EJfcx,  and  the  Citizeris 
bro't  in  their  Money  and  Plate,  and  the  Women  their 
Rings  to  Guild-hall^  for  the  paying  them.  The  King  from 
Nottingham  offered  a  Treaty,  and  fent  fome  General  Pro- 
pofals.  The  Parliament  fent  him  Nineteen  Propofals 
'of  their  own  :  Oflfering,  That  if  he  would  disband  his  Ar- 
myy  come  to  his  Parliament,  give  up  Delinquents  to  a 
legal  Courfe  of  Jufiice,  &C.  he  fhould  find  thm  Dutiful, 
The  Great  Bone  of  Contention  was  the  Militia.  The 
King  pleaded,  *Twas  his  by  Law,  and  would  not  part 
with  the  Power  of  it.  The  Parliament  pleaded,  ^  That 
as  Things  flood,  they  muft  eltijer  fecure  it,  or  give  uj* 
the  Proteftant  Religion^  the  Laws  and  Liberties  of  the 
Land,  and  their  own  Ncckj,  to  the  iViil  of  Papifls  and 
■pslinihms. 

In 


46  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  IV. 


An,  1641.      In  this  Conteft  between  King  and  Parliament,  the 


/-f^^,.^'//^'"wemoverto  him.     A  great  Part  of  the  Knights  and 
adherd    to  Gentlemen  of  EmUnd  adhcx'd  to  him,  except  in  Mid- 
the      King  dlefex,    Ejfex,    Suffolk^,    Norfclk^^    and    Camhridge-Jhire, 
and  to  //%  where  the  King  never  came  with  his  Army.     Moft  of 
Parliament. ihtw  Tenants  follow'd  them,  and  moft  of  the  poorer 
Sort  of  People  throughout  the  Nation.     On  the  Parlia- 
ment's Side,  were  the  fmaller  Part  of  the   Gentry  in 
moft  Counties,  and  the  greateft  Part  of  the  Tradefmen 
and  Freeholders,   and  the  middle  Sort  of  Men,  efpe- 
cially  in  thofe  Corporations  and  Countries  which  de- 
pend on  Cloathing^  and  fuch  Maniifadiiires.     To  them 
alfo  adher'd  the  far  greater  Part  of  thofe  thro*  the  Na- 
tion, who  were  Friends   to  a  Religious  StriHnefs,  and 
Enemies  to  Formality  and  Profanenef's,S:ipeYftition  and  Im- 
mar/i/ity.     It  was  not  indeed  properly  Bellum  Epifcopalc^ 
the  Bifhops  War,  tho*  by  many  fo  ftil'd.     For  Thou- 
fands  that  wilh'd  for  Good  Bi/bops^  were  on  the  Parlia- 
ments Side.   But  the  Generality  of  thofe  who  were  call'd 
Puritans  and  Precifiatis^  and  were  for  Serious  Godlinefs, 
both  Minifters  and  People  adher'd  to  the  Parliament. 
On  the  other  Side,  they  who  were  for  Lonfenejsf  Sxvear^ 
ing^  Garni  fig,  and  Drinking  ;   the  Minifters  and  People 
who  were  againft  the  ftri^  Obfervation  of  the  Lord's- 
Day^  and  fond  of  Dancing  and  Recreations  at  thofe  fa- 
cred  Seafons,  that  plac'd  all  their  I{eligion  in  going  to 
Church,   and  hearing  Common- Prayer^  that  were  againft: 
ferious  Preaching,  and  for  running  down  all  thofe  who 
were  ftri(^er  than  therofelves,  ihefe  adher*d  aJl  along  to 
the  King.     Which  one  Conftderation  was  the  Thing 
that  determin'd  many  fober  and  honeji  Perfons   which 
Side  to  take.     The  Nation  was  long  before  divided 
SomeRefle-\^[Q  two  Parties,  with  refpedt  to  i^r/zj^»c«5  Matters^  the 
^lom     on  brief  Confideration  of  the  Rife  and  Progrefs  of  which 
^.^^^^i^'/^'^'Divifion,   adds    not  a   little  Light   to  the  yiniincfities 
y       £>'/-  ^ijjcj^  ^ejg  aj  fjj^j  Time  on  Foot.  '  Thus  then  ftood 

t]TZt!!^n  f he  Cafe. 

from  the  ^^  unhappily  fell  out  in  the  Days  of  Qjieen  M-iry, 
Time  of  the  ^^^^  ^^^  ^pformcrs  being  Fugitives  at  F'nnkford,  fell  in- 
Reforma-  ^^  ^  Divijhn  :  One  Part  of  them  were  for  Diocefans^ 
tion,  and  the  Engli/h  Litwgy  and  Ceremonies^  that  they  might 

no 


Chap.  IV.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  47 


no  more  than  needs  depart  from  the  PapiftSf  nor  feem  -^-  '^41. 
Inconftant  by  departing  from  what  King  Edward  had 
begun.  The  other  were  for  Calvin  s  Difcipline  and  H^ay 
of  PVorpoip  ;  for  the  fetting  up  of  Parochial  Difcipline  in- 
ftead  of  Diocefan  ;  and  to  have  a  Government  in  every 
particular  Church,  and  not  only  One  over  a  Thoufand 
or  many  Hundred  Churches ;  and  for  a  plain  and  fe- 
rious  Way  of  Worlhip,  fuited  as  near  as  polTible  to  the 
Word  of  God. 

Thefe  two  Parties  returning  into  England^  the  D/o- 
cefan  Party  got  Queen  Eli:{abeth\  Countenance,  and  were 
Prefert'd,  and  their  Way  fet  up.  The  other  Party 
Fetition'd,  and  Hop'd,  and  Waited,  but  were  Difcoun- 
tenanc'd,  Rebuk'd,  and  by  Law  Supprefs'd.  The  Dif- 
countenanc'd  Party  were  fervent  Preachers,  and  of  Ho- 
ly Lives:  And  fo  were  many  of  the  Bilhops  alfo  in 
tbofe  Days.  Had  they  who  fucceeded  them  been  herein 
generally  like  them,  they  had  in  all  Probability  been 
more  Honour'd  and  lefs  AiTaulted.  But  when  Jewel, 
Pill{inton^  Grindal,  and  fuch  like  were  dead,  many  fuc- 
ceeded them,  who  were  Men  of  another  Stamp.  The 
filenc  d  Oifciplinarians  (as  they  were  ftil'd  )  did  by  their 
Writings,  fecret  Conference  and  Preaching,  and  their 
Godly  Lives,  work  much  upon  fuch  as  were  Religioufly 
addicted.  So  that  this  Opinion  fpread  very  much, 
Thtit  a  j'uft  Parochial  Difcipline  would  very  much  I{eform 
the  Church,  and  that  Diocefam  by  excluding  it  cherifh'd 
Vice,  The  Prelatical  Party  finding  their  Places  and 
Power,  Lands  and  Lordlhips,  aflfaulted  by  this  Opinion, 
tho*t  it  necelfary  more  and  more  to  fupprefs  the  Promo- 
ters of  it.  Hereupon,  putting  Epifcopacy,  Liturgy  and 
Ceremonies  into  theSubfcriptions  which  they  impos'd  on 
all  that  would  be  Miniflers  or  Schoolmaftcrs,  they  kept 
and  caft  out  many  worthy  Men.  For  fome  that  were 
for  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  were  not  for  Diocefans,  but 
for  Parilli  Difcipline ;  and  fome  that  were  for  Bifliops 
were  not  for  the  Ceremonies  ;  and  fome  that  were  for 
the  reft,  yet  fcrupled  fome  one  5  and  he  that  could  not 
fubfcribe  to  all,  was  forbidden  to  preach  the  Gofpel : 
Whereas  in  the  mean  Time,  many  Btfliops  Preach'd 
but  feldom,  and  abundance  of  Places  had  ignorant  Rea- 
ders who  could  not  Preach,  qr  weak  Preachers  whofe 
Performances  were  very  mean,  and  ipany  of  them  were 

alfo  Scandalous  in  their  Lives. 

Hereupon 


48  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  IV. 

ubt.  1541.  Hereupon,  the  Difciplinarians  cry'd  out  of  the  Seve- 
rity  and  Impofitions  of  the  Prelates,  and  the  Ignorance 
and  Scnnd.ilous  Llvet  of  many  of  their  Minifters  :  And 
they  on  the  other  Side,  vehementJy  inveigh'd  againft 
the  Noficonformijls.  They  call'd  them  Puritans^  which 
was  the  Name  whereby  they  were  commonly  known. 
And  in  Procefs  of  Time,  the  Vidous  Multitude  call'd  all 
Puritans  that  were  Strict  and  Serious  in  a  Holy  Life, 
tho'  ever  fo  Conformable.  So  that  the  fame  Name  in 
a  Bifhbp's  Mouth,  fignify'd  a  Nonconfonniji  ;  and  in  an 
ignorant  Drunkard's  or  Swearer's  Mouth,  a  God/y  Ohe" 
(iiAjt  Chriftian,  Now  the  ignorant  Rabble  hearing 
that  the  Bt'/hops  were  againft  the  Puritans,  were  the  more 
embolden'd  againft  all  thofe  which  they  gave  that 
Name  to,  and  their  Rage  againft  the  Godly  was  the 
more  encrcas'd  ;  and  they  cry'd  up  the  Bi/hops,  partly 
becaufe  ihey  were  againft  the  Puritans,  and  partly  be- 
caufe  they  were  earneft  for  that  Way  of  Worfhip 
which  they  found  moft  fuitable  to  their  Ignorance, 
Carelefnefs  and  Formality  ;  and  thus  the  Intereft  of 
the  Diocefans,  and  of  the  Prophane  and  Ignorant  Sort 
of  People,  v/as  unhappily  twifted  together  in  the 
Nation. 

Many  alf<)  were  much  fet  againft  the  Bi/h^ps,  by 
obferving  Men  of  Parts  and  Piety  (ilencd,  while  in- 
fnfficient  and  vicious  Men  were  encourag'd  and  pre- 
ferred among  the  Clergy,  and  many  Thoufands  of  the 
People  were  perifhing  in  Ignorance  and  Sm,  for  want 
of  Help.  And  it  not  a  little  difturb'd  them,  to  fee 
Fafting  and  Praying,  and  other  Religious  Exercifes 
which  they  found  Beneficial,  fo  ftridlly  look'd  after, 
and  punilh'd  in  the  High  Commijfioyi  and  the  Bifhops 
Courts^  as  if  more  Perilous  than  Common  Swearing 
and  Drunkenncfs  prov'd  to  the  Ungodly  :  And  it  ad- 
ded to  their  Difturbance,  to  have  a  Book  publifh'd  for 
Recreations  on  the  Lord's- Day ,  with  the  Biiliops  Appro- 
bation, as  if  they  concurr'd  with  the  Profane  :  That 
Afternoon  Sermons  and  Le&urcs,  tho' carry  d  on  by  Con- 
formable Men,  were  put  down  in  divers  Counties  : 
Thar  fo  great  aNumber  of  ConformableMinifters  were 
fufpendcd  or  punifhed  for  not  Reading  the  Book  ot  Sports, 
or  about  Altars,  (3c,  And  fo  many  Thoufand  Fami- 
lies, and  many  worthy  Minifters,  driven  out  of  the 
Land  :  That  Bowing  towards  Altars,  and  other  Inno- 
vations 


Chap.  rv.        Mr,  aichard  Baxter.  .^ 

'  — — — — 47 


vations,  .fere  daily  bro't  in  by  the  Hyper-Conformijis  An.  164. 
none  knowing  where  they   would  end  :    And  finally  ^ 

That  the  B.lhops  proceeded  fo  far,  as  to  fwear  Men  to 
their  whole  Government  by  the  Et  c.vrcm  OatL  and 
that  thejf  ,,pp. cv  dofShip-Momy  and  other  fuch  Encroach- 
ments on  their  Civil  Inrerefts.  Thefe  were  the  Caufes 
why  lo  many  of  thofe  who  were  counted  moft  Reli- 
gious telj  m  with  the  Parliament. 

It   hath  indeed    been  alFerted,  rhni  it  was  Seditious 
Preachers  who  /itn  d  up  the  People,   and  were  the  Caufc  of 
all  the  Commotions.      Which  is  a    notorious  Falfitv 
Many  indeed  there  were,  who  difcover'd  their  diflikfe 
ot  the- Book  of  Sports,    and   Bowing  to  Altars,  and 
Diminilhing  Preaching,   and  Silencing  MiHifters    ^c 
and  were  glad  that  the  Patliameiic  attempted  a  Reforl 
Ration  ;  but  very  few  even  of  thefe  ftirr'd  up  to  War 
but  were  fearful  of  the  Gonfequences  :  But  this  is  cer- 
tain. That  whether  they  did  fo  more  or  lefs,  they  were 
almoft  all  of  them  Conformsble  Mihifters,  the  Laws 
and  3ifliops  having  caft   out  the  No?ico,?fo>TniJ} s'hng 
eno  before.     They  who  made  up  the  Affembjy   im/i- 
m^fter,  and  who  thro*  the  Land   were  the  Honour  of 
rhe  Parliament's  Party,   were  almoft  all  fuch  as  had 
till  then  Gonform'd,  and  tor  k  thofe  Things  to  be  Law- 
ful in  Cafe  of  Neceflity,  but  jong'd  to  have  that  Nccef- 
iity  remov'd. 

.  ^  Having  afterwards  the  Advantage  to  be  on  theRiHn^ 
Side,  it  had  undoubtedly  been  both  their  Wifdotn  and 
the  Nations  Intereft,  to  have  kept  fome  Bounds   with- 
out running  Things  to  Ejftremity.     Had  they  endea- 
vour'd  only  the  Ejedion    of  Lay-Chancellours,    the 
Reducing  the  Diocefles  to  a  narrower  Compafs,  or  ihc 
Setting  up  a  Subordinate  Difcipline,  and  the  Corredt- 
ing  and  Reforming  the  Liturgy  ,  fo  as  to  leave  nothing 
juftly  Exceptionable,  in  all  Probability  it  had  been  pa- 
tiently born,  and  the  Confufiohs  the  Nation  afterwards 
run  into  had  been  prevented.     There  is  good  Reafon  to 
fuppofe  it,  becaufe  BifllOp  Vjher,  fVilUams,  and  Morton^ 
and  many  othet  Epifcopal  Divines  w^ich  them,  agreed 
in  certain  Points  of  Reformation  *,    They  had  Cenfur'd    *  ^  t^>H 
the  moft  remarkable  Innovations^  both  in  Doi5lrine  and  ^*^?"  '**  *^^ 
Difcipline ;  andconcurr'd  in  altering  the  Common-Prayer^  ^*""^*  ^'Z** 
fp  as  to  obviate  the  Objections  againft  it ;   and  if  any  ^^^'  ^^9- 
Thing  of  this  NaciKe  would  have  fuific'd,  bad  been  like- 

E  ly 


JO  The  LIFE  of  Chap.  IV. 

*  Thii  ii  ly  to  have  fallen  in  heartily  with  the  Parliament's  Inte- 
contradifi-  reft:  But  finding  an univerfal  Change  inliftedon,  and 
edhyBijho^  t\\2Li  nothing  iliort  of  the  utmoft  Extremity  would  fa- 
Hacket  *«  risfy,  they  lurn'd  againft  the  Parliament  and  their  Inte- 
his  Life  0/ reft,  and  were  as  much  difpleas'd  as  any  ;  except  Arch- 
J^n  '*  Bifhop  PVUliams.  who  afterwards  took  up  Arms  for  the 
^'/^^^        Parliament* 

TheReafotti  The  Reafons  alledg'd  by  thofe  who  adhered  to  the 
of  the  Far-  Parliament,  were  briefly  thefe.  They  tho't  the  Dan- 
liamenta-  get  of  the  State  evident  from  fundry  Matters  of  Fadk. 
rians'  Ship-Money  they   found  threatned   the   Overthrow  of 

Property.     Many  Parliaments  had   been  dilfolv'd   in 
Difpleaiure,  after  they  had  been  long  forborrt     The 
calling  up  the  Army,  and   demanding  the  Members, 
fatisfy'd  them  that  the  Ruin  of  the  Parliament  was  de- 
fign'd.     And  the  Murder  of  fo  many  Thoufand*  in 
Ireland  convinc'd  them  they  were  far  from  being  Se- 
cure, while  Men  of  the  like  Malignity  were  prote^ed, 
and  could  not  be  kept  out  of  Arms,  nor  bro't  to  Ju- 
ftice.    They  tho't  the  Prefervation  of  a  Kingdom  was 
fuch  an  End  to  aim  at,  as  would  make  any  neceffary 
Means  lawful,  which  God  himfelf  had  not  forbidden. 
The  Parliament  having  a  Part  in  the  Legiflative  Pow- 
er,   they  tho*t  had  fo  far  inherently  a  Power  to  defend 
it,  which  no  Law  can  fuppofe  them  to  give  away  : 
And  as  the  Peoples  Reprefentatives  they  fuppos'd  them 
intrufted  to  fecure  their  referved  Liberties,  which  the 
Law  givcth  not  the  King  any  Authority  to  take  away. 
.  They  tho'c  that  the  Judgments  and  Executions  of  the 
Courts  of  Juftice,  being  the  Effeciis  of  Laws  which 
King  and  Parliament  have  made,  are  of  greater  Au- 
thority than  contrary  Commiflions  or  Commands  from 
the  King  alone.     It  confirmed  them  to  hear  it  own'd 
fo  generally,  that  the  Sheriffs  of  Counties  may  in  fome 
Cafes  rai^c  the  Pojfc  Comitatus^  tho'  the  King  forbid  ir, 
or  grant  a  Commilfion  to  hinder  it.     They  faid,  That 
it    belongeth  to   the    Parliament   to    judge   its  own 
Members  ;  and  that  if  on  Pretence  of  punilhing  fuch 
of  tjicm  as  ^o  offend,  the  King  may  come  and  fetch 
away,    or  denr.and  thofe  that  difpleafe  him,    Parlia- 
ments and  Liberties,  and  all  the  Security  of  them  is 
gone.     Many  were  confirm'd  by  the  King's  Anfwer  to 
their  Propofitions,    wherein  it  was  declar'd,  That  the 
Legijlntive  Poxver  woi  in  Kjngy  Lords  and  Commons  j  and 

thn% 


Chap.  IV.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  5 1 


that  the  Government   was    mix*d,    and    not   Arhitrnry  - 

which  they  thought  it  muft  be,if  his  Commiflions  were 

of  greater  Power  than  his  Laws  and  Courts,  and  if  no 

'Refiftance  might  be  made  againft  fueh  as  executed  an 

•  Illegal  Commiffion.     The  War  ( they  (aid  )  was  not  a- 

gainft  the  King,  but  his  Delinquent  Subjeds.     They 

pleaded,  Bnrclrjy,    Grotius  de  Jure  Belli  &  Pact's,  Hooker 

'  and  Bilfiif,  who  all  own  the  Lawfulnefs  of  Refinance 

in  fome  Cafes,  and  in  fuch  Circumftances  as  thciirs 

then  were.     Grotius  fays  particularly,    Thr.r  if  fevernl 

Perfons  have  a  Part  in  the  Summa  Poteftas,  (  of  which 

Legiflatiori  is  a  Chief  AH  )    each  Part  hath  naturally  the 

Power  of  defending  its  own  Intereji  in  the  Sovereignty^  a- 

gainft  the  other  Part  if  they  invade  it.     And  that  if  in 

fuch  a  PVar  they  Conquer,  the  Conquered  Party   loofeth  to  . 

them  Im  Share.     hvAihiLi  this  h^o  tvnc,  ihtt  it  holdcth, 

tho  the  Law  expre/Iy  fay^  That  one  of  the  Parties  floal I  have 

the  Power  of  the  Militia  :  It  being  to  be  underjicod  that 

he  fhaS  have  it  againft  Foreign  Enemies,  and  Delinquents^ 

iind  not  againft  the  other  Part,     But  to  go  on  with  the 

Hiftory. 

\  '■  The  King  marching  from  Nottingham  to  Shrewsbury^  A  further 
'fiird  up  bis  Army  out  of  Shro-pfhire^  fVorceftcrfkire,  He-  Account  of 
refordfldire,  and  H^nles.  And  the  Earl  of  Effex  march'd  ^M  ^^*** 
-^ith  a  Gallant  Army  to  iVorceJler,  Many  excellent  ■^'  '^42* 
Divines  were  Chaplains  to  the  feveral  Regiments. 
Mr.  Stephen  Marfhnl  and  Dr.  BurgeJJ,  to  the  General's 
own  Regiments.  Mr.  Obndinh  Sedgwick^,  to  Col.  HoU 
Iks  Regiment.  Dr.  Calibute  Downijig^  to  the  Lord  i^o- 
berts's  Regiment.  Mr.  John  Sedgwicf^,  to  the  Earl  of 
Stamford's  Regiment.  Dr.  Spurftow,  to  Mr.  Hamf  den's. 
Mr.  Perkins^  to  CoI.  Goodwln\,  Mr,  Moor,  to  the 
Lord  iVhdrtons.  Mr.  Adoniram  Byfieldy  to  Sir  Henry 
■Cbolmley's.  Mr.  Nalton,  to  Col.  Grantham's.  Mr.  Si- 
mean  A/h^  either  to  the  Lord  Brook's  or  the  Earl  of 
Manchefter's,  Mr.  Morton  of  Ncw-Caftie,  with  Sir 
Arthur  Haflerigg's  Troop.  With  many  more.  On 
OBober  the  23d  1 642,  was  the  Battle  at  Edge-Hill,  be- 
tween the  two  Armies  ;  in  which  the  Advantage  was 
on  the  ParliamentsSide.  The  King^s  Army  drew  off  to- 
wards Oxford ;  and  Effcxs  towards  Coventry,  for  Re- 
frefliment.  There  were  a  great  many  other  Fights, 
particularly  related  by  the  Hiftorians  of  thofe  1  imes, 
who  may  beconfultcd  by  fuch  as  therein  dcfirc  Infor- 

E  %  mation. 


52    .i-y.^ili-^i^  1^         ^^^^9:}^' 

.  mation.     But  ti\aj;   ^i^[Hich  upon .  the  Whple  was  the 
g^^ac^Caufe  of  j  xhp  Par  J  laments  Strength,    and  the 
Kings  Ruin,  was  that  ih^  Debauched  RabfcJe  thro  the 
I.and    emVoIdenM, by  his  Gentry,  and  feconded  by  the 
Cooapnon  Solaier^j(?:f  hi5  Army,  toi  k  aJl.that  were  call  d 
Bplyr/tns  for  their  Bjp^mies.      And   il^'  fume  of  the 
K'ngs  Gentry  and  ouperl>ur  Officers  we^e  fo  Civil, 
vthac  they  would  do  no.  fuch  Thing,    ycc  that  was  no 
i  Security  to  the  Country,  while  the  Multitude  did  woat 
they  Jiit.     So  that  if  any  one  was  noted  for  a  ftnd:  and 
fanious  Preacher,   or  fgr  a  Man  of  a  Pious  Life,  he  was 
either  plun^'crcd  or  a{}ufed,  and  in  danger  of  his  Life. 
•And .  if  a   Man  did  but  pray  in   his  Family,  or  wei:e 
buc  heard  r»'p-.-.^t' a  Sermon,  or  (ing,a,Pfalro,  they  pie- 
.  fently  c^y'd  cui:  £{cifcis,  H^undhcadsy  ar^d  all  their  Money 
artd  G001I5  that  were  portable,  prpv'd  Guilty,  how  Jn- 
pdcenc  loever  they  were  themfciN  es.     This  was  it  that 
filled  the  Armie$  and  C»arr  Tons  of  tne  Parliament  with 
Sober,  Pi®us  Men'.     Thoufands  had  no  Mind  to  med- 
dle, Nvith  the  Wafp,'  bjit  greatly  deiired  to  iive  Peace- 
ably at  Home,  when  tlx-  Rage  of  Soldiers  and  Drun- 
'-     kards  would  not  lirfFer  them.     Some  :fiay'4  'dll   they 
had,  bern  Imprifori'd.     Some  'till^hey  had  been  Plun- 
der d  twi' e    or    .thrice  over,    and    hadj   nothing   leff 
thcrn..    Some;  were  qmte  ured  oir^c :  wiih  the  Abufe  of 
all  Comers  Th^-quarrer  d  on  ihcm  ;  and  fome  b>  the 
Jo'olenoy  of  ff>ferii  KeighboL-rs.     But  nijoft  were  afraid 
An  16  A  A,  '    -heir  Live      and  fp  fought  Refuge  in  the  Parliament'^ 

.    '      TJlons. 
qP  ^      /^  _       'ftcr-thc  War  had  been  carry 'd  on  for  /ome  Time, 
/  •  r/V'*'<'  '  Great  Ut)ceitainty  in  what  it  would/lflbe;  there 

ti  't  Jtng.h.  a  great  Change  made  on  the  Parlia- 

Side,  which  had  confiderable '  Confequences. 
;  Ear]  of  *\lftx  being  weakened  by  a  great  Lofs  in 
ffrf /,  was  laid  by,  and  another  General  chofen. 
The  Bcnfoti.^  given  lor  this  Change  were  thefe.  Becaufe 
of  rhe  Dijf'lutenejs  of  many  of  bis  Soldiers,  who  were 
grown  too  like  the  King's  Soldiers  in  Profancnefs  and 
L  xtdf?rfs :  And  withal,  it  was  urg*d,  That  the  Re- 
volt of  Sir  Faithful  Fortcfcue,  Sir  ^chard  Greetiville^ 
Colont- J  Vny^  and  others,  was  a  fuificient  Evidence, 
that  they  who  had  not  a  Senfe  of  Religion,  were  not 
much  to  be  truRed,  but  might  ea(iJy  be  hired  by  Mo- 
ney to  betray    (hem.     It  was  dUcover'd>  That  the 

Cari't 


Chap.  IV.       Mr,  Kichard  Baxter. 


5^ 


Earl's  Judgment  was  againft  Ending  the  War  hy  the 
Sword,  and  that  he  and   the   wifeft  Men  ab  >ut  hiai 
were  for  aiming  only  to  Force  a  PntljicntoryT.eaty^  and 
againft  a  Conqueft.     For  he  tho't,  if  the  Kiug  ihouJi 
Conquer,  the  Government  of  the  Kingdom  would  be- 
come Arbitrary,  and  the  Subjeds  Property  and  Libe/cy 
would  be  loft  :    And  that  if  he  fhould  Conquer,  the 
Parliament  would  fwaljow  up  the  Prero'rativc  of  the 
King,  and  the  PrhiUdges  of  the  Lords,  aiid  not  krow 
bow  to  fettle  the  Eihte  of  the  Kingdom  or  the  Church, 
without  injuring   others,  and  running  into  Extreams' 
and  falling  into  Divisions  amongft  themfeJ  es.    And 
therefore  the  New  Regulators  tho't  that  bv  Delay,  he 
gave  the  King  an  Advantage,    and  wearied  out  and 
ruin'd  the  Country  ;  aiid  faid,  TW/z^  Edge-Hill,  New* 
bury,  and  other  PUces,  he  had  not  profecuted  his  Vitiory^ 
hut  flood  ft  ill^  andjavp  the  Kjngs  Army  I^treat^  andtipver 
purfud  them^xvhen  it  had  been  eafy  to  have  ended  the  M^.irs. 
But  the  main  Spring  of  the  Alreration,  was  the  Preva- 
Jence  of  the  SeBarian  Intereft  in  the  Houfe,  joyn'd 
with  Cromvpcl^s  in  the  Army,  which  now  began  to  can  y 
all  before  it.    Many  honeft  and  intelligent  People  in- 
deed were  for  new  Modelling  the  Army,  putting  out 
the  Loofer  Men,  and  taking  in  thofe  who  were  mo^e 
ftridt  and  fober,  but  Vane  and   Cromwel  joining   toge- 
ther, outwitted  and  over-reacht  the  reft,  and  earned 
on  their  own  Particular  Intereft  fuccefsfuUy.    The  Me- 
thod they  took  for  comparing  this  Defign  wicho^t  Di- 
fturbance,  by  ftirring  up  againft  ihemfeh  es  the  Forces 
they  disbanded,  was  hy  2iS elf-denying  Vote  in  the  Houfe, 
pafs'd  to  this  Purpofe  :     That  becavfe   Commands   in  the 
Army  had  much  Pay^  and  Parliament  Men  foould  keep  to 
the  Service   of  the    Hou/cy  therefore   no    Parliament  Men 
Jhould  be  Members  of  the  Army,     This  put  out  at  once 
the  Earl  o^  Effex,  and  Earl  of  Manchefter,  the  two  Ge- 
nerals; ^ndSiiiVilliam  Waller,  a  valiant  Major- Gene- 
ral, an4  a  great  many  Colonels  j   and  to  avoid  Sufpi- 
lion,  Cromwei  himfeif  was  put  out  at  the  firft.     They 
then  chofe  for  General  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  Son  to  the 
Lord  Ferdinando  Fairfax,    who  had  been  in  the  Wars 
beyond  Sea,  and  had  foughc  valiantly  for  the  Parlia- 
ment in  Tork/hire.    He  was  therefore  chofen,  bccaufe 
neither  too  Great  nor  too  Cunning  to  be  commanded 
by  the  Parliaoiem  j  nor  toofubtilfor  Cromwel  to  make 

E  J  a  Tool 


54  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  IV. 

a  Tool  of.    He  being  chofen,  CromvoeCs  Men  could  not 
be  without  hirn  :    And  therefore  the  Self-denying  Vote 
muft  be  thus  far  difpensM  with,  That  Cromnelxr\2i^  be 
in  the  Army,  tho'  no  other  Member  of  the  Houfe  were 
allow'd  it  5  and  To  he  was  made  Lieutenant-General. 
An.  i(54<;.      The  Army  being  thus  new  Modell'd,  was  really  in 
Ciomwci's  the  Hands  ot    Crc??iwel,  tho*  feemingly  under  Fairfjix's 
Jnterefi    in  Command.     Not  long  after  the  Change,  was  the  Fight 
the    New-  at  Nafehy^  where  the  King's  Army  was  totally  routed 
7nodeIl^d     and  put  to  flight,  and  about  5000  Prifoncrs  taken,  with 
'^'''"•^'''"^  all  the  Kings  Ordnance  and  Carriage,  and  abundance 
^l'','-  ^  ^^    of  his  own  Letters  to  the  Queen  and  others  inhisCabi- 
-'^  '  •^^'       net:  Which  letters  the  Parliament  printed,  thinking 
ihey  contained  furh  Things  as  greatly  clouded  the  Re- 
putation of  his  Word  and  Cauie.     Cromvoei  in  the  Ar- 
my did  all,  and  chofe  almoft  all  the  Officers.     He  firft 
made   Ircfon    Commiirary-General  ;    and   wheii    any 
Troop  or  Company  was  to  be  difpos'd  off,  or  any  con- 
fiderable  Officer's   Place  was  void,  he  was  Cure  to  put 
a  St£lary  into  the  Place      And  when  the  Brunt  of  the 
War  was  over,  he  look'd  not  fo  much  at  Valour  as  O- 
pinion  :  So  that  by  Degrees  he  had  Headed  the  greaicft 
Part  of  the  Army  with  Anabaptifts^  Antihomians^  Scekr 
ers  or  Scparatifts^  at  bcft  ;  and  he  ty'd  all  together  by 
the  Point  of  Liberty  of  Covfcience,  which  was  theCom- 
lyion  Intere/^  wherein  they  united.     At  length  the  Par- 
liament came  to  be  fulicitous  about  keeping  them  from 
An.  16 a6.  Tumults  and  Difobedience.     But  Sir  Heii^y  Vane  Confe- 
Aft.  1547.  ^^^"^^^"8  wi^h  them,  they  procur'd 'the  Hcufc  to  Dis- 
band almoft  all  the  honeft  County  Forces  and  Garri- 
fons,  which  might  have  oppos'd  them  in  their  Defigns, 
and  fo  the  Army  went  on  with  little  Fear  of  Oppo- 
fition.     The  next   Defign  of   Vane  and  Cromvocl  was 
to  ufc  the  Army  to  model  the  Parliament.     With  this 
Aim  they  ftir  up  the  Houfe  to  pafs  lome  Votes,  which 
they  km-w  would  be  moft  difpleafingto  the  Army,  and 
then  ftir  up  the  Army  to  the  deepeft  Refentn.ent.     The 
Parliament  Voted,  Tl:)at  Part  of  the  Army  fhos'.d  go   for 
Ireland,  Pa^t  be  disbanded^  and  Part  continud.     The  Of- 
ficers told  the  Army,  This  was  to  Divide  them,  and  De- 
prive them  of  their  Pay^  And  to  get  nn  Advantage  on  them 
to  I{uin  them  oi  ScFinrieSy   &c.     A  rare  Reward  for  all 
their  Services !     Ai  Triploe-Heatb  they  emcr'd  into  an 

Engagement; 


Chap.  IV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  55 


Engagement  to  ftick  together,  and  were  drawing  up  a 
Declaration  of  their  Grievances.  Col.  Edward  Hariey 
acquainted  the  Houfe  with  it.  Cromwel  flifly  deny'd  it 
and  faid  it  was  a  Slander,  akho'  deep  in  the  Secret,  as 
he  afterward  acknowledg'd,  when  he  Headed  them  in 
their  Rebellion.  The  Parliament  order'd  all  thar  were 
faithful  to  forfake  them  ;  and  feveral  Officers,  as  Gene- 
ral F/»c/7^r,  Mz]oT  ^Ifop^  Major  Huntington,  and  others 
with  a  confiderable  Number  of  common  Soldiers,  did 
fo  ;  but  not  being  able  to  make  a  Body  to  refift  them,  it 
prov*d  a  great  Addition  to  their  Strength.  For  now  all 
that  were  againft  them  being  gone,  they  fiird  up  their 
Places  with  Men  of  their  own  Mind,  and  fo  were  ever 
after  the  more  Unanimous, — —Upon  this,  Cromrvelznd 
his  Obedient  L^mhs  (as  he  call'd  them)  advanced  in  their 
Defign,  came  nearer  the  City,  anddrewupanlmpeach- 
ment  againft  eleven  of  the  moft  adive  Members  of  the 
Houfe  ;  Sir  Philip  Stapleton^Slx  H^iliiayn  Lcwm,  Col.  HoU 
liSy  ^11  John  Maynard^  Mr.  Glyv,  Col.  Edward  Hariey^  &CC. 
And  when  they  had  forc'd  the  Houfe  to  feclnde  them,  as 
under  Accufation,  they  Jet  fall  their  Suit,  and  never 
profecuted  them,  nor  proved  them  Guilty.  Having  ad- 
vanced thus  far,  they  expeded  to  havefeund  the  Houfe 
very  Pliable  and  Yielding,  but  were  ftill  difappointed. 
The  City  took  Courage,  and  under  the  Condud:  of  two 
Major- Generals,  Mnjfey  and  Pcint:^^  were  for  defend- 
ing the  Parliamenc  againft  the  Army  ;  but  the  Army 
fpeedily  advancing,  the  Hearts  of  the  Citizens  fail'd 
them,  and  they  let  the  Army  enrer  the  City  in  Triumph. 
Whereupon,  Majfey  and  Hollis,  and  others  of  the  ac- 
cufed  Members,  fled  into  France  ;  and  among  the  reft 
Sir  Philip  Stapletm^  who  dy'd  of  the  Plague  x\g2.x  Calais, 

As  for  the  King,  when  Oxford  was  Bfiieg'd  by  the  Par-  OftheKittg^i 
liament's  Forces,  having  no  Army  left,  he  efcap'd  to  the  fi'i»s  tothc 
North,  and  call  himfelf  upon  the  Scots^  who  lay  there  ^**^'"'^-'^ '-  "^^d 
with  an  Army.     The  Scots  were  puzled  how  to  Oeer  in  ^'^^^ft^^* 
this  Critical  Jundure  ;  To  fend  him  back  to  the  Englifh  "^'j'f  ^'■ 
Parliament,  feem'd  Unfaithful,  when  he  had  caft  him-{j^^^  J^.^'^'f. 
felf  upon  them  :  To  keep  him,  would  divide  the  two  J^^^^^^// 
Kingdoms,  and  be  follow'd  with  a  War  from  England, 
for  which  they  were  not  provided.     After  long  Conful- 
tations,  the  Terror  of  the  Conquering  Army  made  them 
deliver  him  to  the  Parliaments  Commiffioners,  upon  two 
Cpnditions :    That  the  King's  Perfon  Ihould  be  pre- 

E  ^  fov'd 


56  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  IV. 

f£rv*d  in  Safety  and  Honour  ;   And    that  their  Army 
ihould  have  half  the  Pay  that  was  due  to  them  advancM 
immediately.      The  Parliament    hereupon   appointed 
(Zo\.  Greaves^  and  Major- General  Broven^  to  attend  the 
King  at  Holmby-Houje in  Nonhawptcvjhire.  Cornet  Joice 
by  Concert  with  the  Leading  Part  of  the  Army,  fetchc 
him  ihence,  and  kept  him  amongft  them,  till  rhey  canfie 
to  Hampton-Court^  where  he  was  Guarded  by  Col.PVfoal- 
ley.     The  Army  fawn'd  upon  the  King  at  firft ;  they 
blam'd  the   Aufterity  of  the  Parliament,  tvho  had  de- 
ny'd  him  the  Attendance  of  his  own  Chaplains  ;  and  of 
his  Friends,  in  whom  he  took  moft  Pleafure.  They  gave 
Liberty  for  his  Friends  and  Cha|)lains  to  come  to  him, 
and  pretended  that  they  would  fave  him  from  the  In- 
civilities of  the  Parliament   and  Presbyterians.    And 
vvhen  the  Parliament  made  him  Propofals,  they  pre- 
fented  him  with  Propofals  of  their  own.     But  all  on  a 
fuddain  they  began  to  cry  for  Juftice  upon  him.     A 
Council    of   AgitatouYs    was  chofen    among  them,   of 
y/hich  Colonel  Jama  Berry  was  President.     They  drew 
up  a  Paper  call'd,  The   Agreement  of  the  People^  as  the 
Model  or  Form  of  a  New  Common-wealth.     Cromrvel 
feems  to  be  againft  them ;  and  while  they  were  con- 
tending, a  Letter  came  to  CoJ.  iVnalleyy  (from  an  un- 
^cnown  Hand  )  intimating  a  Defign  of  rhefe  Agitntotns 
to  Surprize  and  Murder  the  King.     Some  think  that 
this  was  fent  from  a  Real  Ftiend,  but  moft  think  it 
•was  contrived  by  Crorfiwel,  to  affright  the  King  out  of 
the  Land,  or  into  fome  defperate  Courfe,  which  might 
give  them  Advantage  againft  him.    The  Colonel  gave 
the  King  a  Sight  of  the  Letter;  and  be  thereupon  efca- 
ped   fecjretly  with  two   Confidenrs  only  to  the  Jjle  of 
iVight^   committing  himfelf  to  Col.  Hnmmond^     who 
was  Governour  of  a  Caftle  there  :  And  here  Cromwel 
bad  him  in  a  Pinfold,  and  was  more  fecure   of  him 
than  before.     While  the  King  was   confin'd,   feveral 
Armies  were  rais'd  in  his  Favour.    One  in  Pembroke- 
foire^  by  Major- General  Langbom  ;  another  in  Scotland, 
by  the  Duke  of  Hamilton ;  a  third  in   Ksnt^    by   the 
Lord  G'^ring  •  and  a  fourth  in  Ejjex^  by  Sir  Charles 
Luc.is :    But  were  all  Defeated.     At  length  the  Parlia- 
ment fent   to   the  King,    while   he  continu'd  in  this 
Ifland,  fome  Propofitions  to  be  confcnted  to  in  order 
tp  his  Reftot^tion.    Some  of  them  he  Granted,   and 

others 


Ghap.  IV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  57 


others  he  Refas'd.  The  chief  Thing  he  ftuck  at,  was 
The  utter  Abolifhirig  of  Epifcopacyy  and  the  Alienating  of 
Bi'fhops^  and  Deans  and  Chapters  Lands.  Upon  which 
Mr.  Marfhal,  Mr.  Vines^  and  Dr.  Sejr?ian^  were  fent 
down  as  Commiflloners  to  difcourfe  with  him  about  it, 
in  order  to  his  Satisfaction.  They  debated  the  Matter 
with  A^'C^I-Billiop  ZJfhe  ,  Dr.  Hammond,  Di\  Sheldon^ 
and  others  of  the  King's  Divines.  The  Debates  were 
printed,  and  each  Party  thought  they  had  the  better. 
Arch-Bifhopt^yfe."/ then  ofFet'd  the  King  his  Redudi- 
oh  of  Epifcopacy  to  the  Form  of  Presbytery,  which  the 
King  would  have  accepted  ;  and  had  it  been  accepted  oa 
jhe  other  fide,  might  have  be^n  the  Foundation  of  a  .a- 
0ing  Agreement. 

The  King  fending  his  Final  Anfwers  to  the  ParUa- 
ment,  there  were  warm  Debates  among  thm,  14^  ether 
they  Jhotild  acqwefc:   in    them    Ji   a  fuyic^ent:  ^y  .und   for 
Peace?  And  at  laft  they  Voted  his  Conceffions  a  iufficient 
Ground  for  a  Perfonal  Treaty  with  him,  and  were  fcr 
fending  for  him  up  accordingly.     But  Crowxvel  and  his 
Confidents,  feeing  all  their  Defigns  would  be  utterly 
(Jifappointed  by  this  Method  of  Procedure,   fent  Col. 
Pride  to  the  Houfe   with  a  Party  of  Soldiers,   who 
Guarded  the  Door.     Such  Members  as  were  to  their 
Purpofe  they  let  in,  others  they  turn  d  away,  and  fome 
they  Imprifon'd  ;  and  the  Remainder  of  the  Houfe  was 
henceforward  caird  the  I{ump.    The  Secluded  and  Im- 
prifon'd  Members  publilVd  a  Writing  call'd  their  Vin- 
dication;  and   fome  of  them  would  afterwards  have 
thruft  into  the  Houfe,  but  the  Guard  of  Soldiers  kept 
them  out ;    and  the  ks^mp  were  cry'd  up  for  the  only 
Honeft  Men.    They  pafb'd  a  Vote  to  eftablifh  a  Go- 
vernment without  a  King  and  Houfe  of  Lords ;  and  fo 
the  Lords  diflblv'd,    and  thefe  Commons  fate  and  did 
all  alone.    They  ereded  an  High-Court  of  Juftice  \  v  rhat  the 
brought  the  King  to  his  Tryal,  Condemned  him,  and  Paf>isisth9* 
ereded  a  Scaffold  at  White- Hall-Gate^  and  there  before  they  ABed 

•  behind    the 

Curtain^  had  a  conjiderahle  Hani  in  thefe  Commotions  and  their  Tfagicallf- 
fucy  there  is  yery  good  Eyidence.  In  the  CoUefiion  of  Letters  at  the  end  of 
Dr.  Parr's  Life  of  Arch-Bi/hop  Uflier,  there  is  one  written  by  Bp.  Biamhall, 
(then  Abroad)  to  that  Arch-B'i[hr>p.  'Tis  Hum.  293.  wherein  is  this  Ac- 
count.  That  in  1646.  by  Order  from  Rome,  abore  a  i  co  of  the  Bomi/h 
Cler^  were  fent  into  England,  confiUing  o/Englini,  Scots,  andhi^^  who 


58  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  IV. 

had  been  K-  2i^yi\\  AlFcmbly  of  People  Beheaded  him.  The  Lord 
ducatcd  in  General  Vnhfax  Itood  by  all  the  while,  full  of  Regret, 
1  iance,lt>i-  [5^.  Xrick'd  and  Oveipower'd  by  his  Lieutenant.  At 
ly,  Germa- ^.j^^  time  of  the  King's  Death,  he  was  in  wonderful 
ny,  ^  an  Perplexity,  and  when  Mr.  CnUmy\^  and  fome  other  Mi- 
\[ho  mere  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  were  with  him,  would  have  perfwaded  him 
moTl^    of    ^^  Rcfcue  the  King,   his  Troubles  fo  confounded  him, 

them  Soldi- 
ers in  the  'Parliament'' s  jirmy,  and- were  to  hold  Correjpondence  vith  the  Ro- 
mamjls  that  jvae  in  the  King's  -A^^yi  ^ho  were  not  as  yet  admitted  to  the 
Grand  Secret.  Upon  conferring  together  in  1^47.  enquiring  into  the  Keafons 
of  each  others  Meafures^  they  froduc'd  Bulls  ar.d  Licenfes  for  their  Warrant. 
Upon  tvhich^  ffeing  their  Capacity  of  haying  Secret  Influence^  they  wrote  to 
their  fereral  Conrcnts,  eJJ>ecially  the  Soibonifts,  to  kir^w  whether  the  taking  off" 
the  K'nir  rva^  a  Thing  to  be  fcrupled  ?  ^The  anfwcr  return  d  was  this^  That  it 
might  Lawfully  be  done^  for  Mother  Churches  Jldvancement.  Agreeable  where- 
to is  the  Account  given  by  Vr.  Peter  du  Moulin  in  his  Vindicaiion  of  the 
Sincerity  of  the  Proteftant  Religion,  written  in  Anfwer  to  a  Jefuitical  LI- 
htl^  caWd  Philanax  Anglicus  5  where  he  tells  ttf.  That  thi  Tear  before  the 
Kings  Death-i  a  Sele£}  Number  of  Englifh  Jefuites  were  fent  from  their  whole 
Tarty  in  England,  frfi  to  Paris,  to  confult  with  the  Vacuity  o/Sorbon,  then 
altogether  Jefulted^  to  whom  they  put  this  Quefiion  in  Writing  ;  That  feeing  the 
5f<?fe  o/' England  i3?<«i /«  a  likely  Frofpeit  to  Change  Government^  whether  it 
was  Larpful  for  the  Catholich  to  work  that  Change^  for  the  Advancing  and 
Securing  of  the  Cathalick  Caufe  /«  England,  by  making  away  the  King  ?  Which 
was  anfrver''d  Affirmatively.  After  which,  the  fame  Ter fans  went  to  Komc^ 
•where  the  fame  ^uefiion  being  propounded  and  debated,  it  was  concluded  by 
the  Tope  and  his  Council,  That  it  was  both  Lawful  and  Expedient  for  the  Ca' 
tholicks  to  promote  that  Alteration  of  Stale.  U  hen  the  blow  was  ailually  gi- 
ven, and  ihe'FaU  exclaimed  again/l,  the  Pope  commartded  all  the  Papers  about 
that  ^ueflion  to  be  gather  d  and  burnt.  According  to  which  Order,  a  Roma^ 
nift  at  Paris  had  a  Copy  of  thofe  Papers  winch  he  had  by  him,  demanded  f-om 
him-^  but  he  refusd  to  give  it,  and  ff)ew'd  it  a  Proteftant  Friend  of  his. 
This  Account  Vr.  Du  MouVm  fir/i  publiflfd  in  the  Tear  1661.  It  immedi- 
ately firuck  a  Terrour  at  Sonntrret-Houfe,  where  the  Queen  Mother  then  re- 
fided  with  her  jefuites  nbcut  her,  and  where  jhc  at  thai  time  entertain'd  the 
very  Lord  who  conduced  the  Jefuites  in  their  Progrefs  forementioned,  as  a 
principal  Officer  of  her  Houfe.  By  her  Means  they  demanded  Juftice  of  the 
King  a;rainji  this  Author.,  for  the  Affront  he  had  put  upon  them  by  publifh- 
iHg  fuch  a  Narrative.  The  DoHor  offer  d  to  give  full  Proof  in  Juflification 
of  his  Report,  whenfoever  he  was  required  by  Autltbrity,  and  to  produce  liv- 
"^  Wit>ujfes  of  the  Truth  of  it.  Upon  confiiieratlon  therefore  they  tho't  it  befi 
to  ktep  Silence,  not  daring  to  exafperate  him.  And  they  injiftrd  no  farther 
than  that  the  Secretary  of  State,  Sir  William  Morrice,  jbould  be  ordered  to 
write  to  him,  to  charge  him  to  forbear  Printing  any  ihin^  for  the  future  in 
^ngiiih,  tonfidermg  it  ts^as  pot  his  Kative  lAugua^ti    TnU  was  accordingly 


Chap.  IV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  50 


ihac  they  darft  let  no  Man  fpeak  to  him.  Cromvod  (as  ^o«e.  And 
it  was  faid)  kept  him  Praying  and  Confulting,  'till  tlie  ^^'°'  '^-'^ 
Stroke  was  given.  But  when  a  Jictle  atcer,  War  was /''^'^^  ^"^'^^ 
determined  againft  Scotltvd^  he  laid  down  his  Commiifi-  ^'^^  ^^'»' 
on,  and  never  had  to  do  with  the  Army  more :  And  ^^/  fi'^^^^i^ 
Cromwel  became  General  in  his  ftead.  ^'^^'  "^f^^^' 

rvardsj  and 

lert^e  asoft  repeated-,  y:t  did  they  think  fit  to  contime  fiUnt,  Tvithout  eyer 
ealUng  him  into  ^te/tlon  before  the  Judgci^  according  to  hn  deflre  '  To  this 
Mr.  Piynn'5  Account  may  be  added,  who  ift  a  Book  called^  TIic  1  nw  and  Per- 
feft  Narrative,  p  46.  relates  thU  Pajfa're :  That  tiin<r  Charjts,  h^ylnr  i„ 
the  Treaty  tn  the  Ifle  of  Wight,  agreed  to  5  firia  b'iUs  againft  Pcp^ry'^ the 
fefuites  in  France  at  a  General  Meeting  there,  prefently  refoh  d  to  brin'r'  him 
to  jfuftice,  and  tah  off  hU  Head,  by  the  Torver  of  their  Friends  in  the  Army, 
of  which  the  King  hirnfelf  was  certify  d  by  an  Exprefs  from  thence,  a  fid  rpflyi 
to  provide  againft  it,  but  two  Days  before  his  Removal  by  the  Army  &otn 
that  IJland,  in  Order  to  thii  Execution.  All  which  confiderd,  m.ike>  the 
'Saffage  related  by  Mr.  Baxter,  in  hit  Hiflory,  Tart  2.  p.  373.  muih  the 
more  Credible  ;  the  Story  is  this.  One  Mr.  Atkins  of  GloccrlLrOiiie,  Bro- 
ther to  Judge  Atkins,  being  beyond  Sea,  with  others  that  had  fery'd  KInr 
Charles  the  Tirft,  fell  into  intimate  Acquaintance  with  a  Tneft,  that  had 
been  (or  then  was)  Governour  nf  one  of  their  CoUedges  in  Flander^.  They 
agreed  not  to  meddle  with  each  other  about  Religion,  and  fo  continued  iheif 
Triendfhip  long.  A  little  after  the  King  was  Beheaded,  Mr.  Atkins  mec 
this  Prieft  in  London,  and  going  into  a  Tavern  with  him,  faid  to  him  in 
his  Familiar  way :  What  Bufmefs  have  you  here  i  I'll  warrant  you 
come  about  fome  Roguery  or  other?  Whereupon  the  Prieft  told  him,  as 
a  Great  Secret,  That  there  were  50  of  them  here  in  London,  who  bj 
Inftruftions  from  Cardinal  Mazarine,  did  take  care  of  Publick  Affairs, 
and  had  fate  in  Council,  and  debated  the  Queftion,  Whether  the  Kin? 
(hould  be  put  to  Death,  or  not?  And  that  it  was  carry'd  in  the  Aihi*- 
mative,  and  there  were  but  two  Voices  for  the  Negative ,  which 
was  his  own  and  anothers.  And  that  for  his  Part  he  could  not 
concur  with  them,  as  forfeeing  what  Mifery  this  would  bring  up- 
on his  Country.  This  Pajfage  was  fir  ft  trjd  to  Mr.  Baxter,  ij 
Mr.  James  Stanfield,  a  Glocefterfhire  Minifter ,  who  had  it  fi-sm  3.V. 
Alk'ins  hirnfelf :  And  afterwards  relating  it  to  Dr.  Thomas  Goad,  wljo 
was  well  AccjuaiTtted  with  the  faid  Mr.  Atkins,  he  deftred  him  to  enquire 
of  him  concerning  it',  and  he  afterwards  told  him,  Tim  Mr  Atktm  ai- 
fur'd  him  it  was  true.  Which  Particularity  of  -^o  of  the  Jcfuitical  Crew 
coming  about  that  time  from  France  w////  a  Special  Commijjt^n,  agrees  r cry 
well  with  the  Account  given  in  a  Book  call'd,  The  Fiir  Wijrning,  printed 
many  Tears  before  ;  wherein  is  thii  pajfage  :  That  ^O  Prices  were  met 
by  a  Proteftant  Gentleman  between  Roan  and  Dicp,  to  whom  they 
(taking  Iiira  for  one  of  their  Party;  declar'd,    That  rhey  were  going  in- 

TLc 


6o  The  LIFE  of  Chap.  IV. 

to  EngUni      The  Minifters  all  this  Time  generally  Preach'd  and 

and  would  Pray'd  againft  Dinoyalty.     Tbey  drew  up  a  Writing  ro 

take^Arms  ^^^  ^^^^  General,    (which  was  printed)  declaring  their 

2plnlnt     ^l^horrence  of  all  Violence  againft  the  Perfun  of  the 

JlrZyl^nd  ^^"^'  ^"^  "'■g'"g  tiioi  and  his  Army  to  take  heed  of 

endeavoux- 

to  be  Ag^ltatour:. 

ICotvithftand'.ng  the  Abundant  Kyidenfe  of  the  Concern  of  the  Papifts 
in  this  jifair,  many  haye  taken  tfte  pccdom  to  Char^^e  it  on  the  Presbyieri- 
ans,  but  -very  unjujily.  He  that  voould  fee  the7n  fully  Vindicated,  may  Con- 
fitlt  The  Conformifts  firft  Plea  for  tlx  Nonconformifts,  vhere  there  is  an 
Appendix  dejtgn'd  on  purpofe  to  wipe  of  tbat  AJperfim.  Their  Carriage  in 
the  vhole  matter  is  tfure  particularly  related,  and  their  Innocence  cleared  by 
Authentlck  Eridence. 

^  In  December,   1648.    The  General,  and  the  Army  fent   to  fey er at  of  the 
City  Ministers  to  meet  the  Officers  of  the  Army^    in  their  Confultations  about 
Matters  of  Religion.     Some  of  them,  as  Mr.  Calamy,  Air.  Marflial,  Mr.  Afh, 
A/r.  Whi taker,    Afr.  Sedgwick,  CJrc.    attended  them^    apd  manifeJl.d  their 
difike  of  their  Anions:  And  afterwards  ahoye  40  c/  the  City  Alj ni Tiers  fent , 
a  Letter  to  the  General,  te/lffying  their  Concurrence  with  their  Brethren  afore-;. 
faid;  freely  declarin>r  agatnsl  their  ^Seizing  and  Imprifoning  the  Verfon  of  the 
King,  &c.     And  afterttfards^  when  the  King's  Trial  came  o«,    they  publi/h'd 
a  Vindication  of   tltemfelyes-.,    declaring    before    the  vpJ^ile   Worl((^  that  that 
vhich  put  them  upon  a  fearing  for  the  Parliament  at  firft,  wm  the  Propoiti- 
cns  and  O'ders  of  the  Lords  and  Commons,  June  I  o,  1642.  for  bringing  in  of 
Money  and  Plate  -,    wherein  they   were  ajfurd  it  fhould  be  m  otlurwife  ern- 
floyd^  than  to  maintain  the  Proteftant  Religion,  the  King's  Authrity,  His 
JPerfoft  in  his  Royal  Dignity,  the  fiee  Courfe  of  Justice,  the  Laws  of  the  Land^ 
the  Peace  of  the  Kingdom,  and  the  Priyiledges  of  ParUament,    againfi  any 
Force  which  fhould  oppofe  them.      That,  they  were  wholly  unfutisfyed  with  the 
fr  ceedings,  jince  the  Exclufon  and  Imprifonment  of  the  Members  of  the  lioufe 
of  lommons;  and  held  themfeha  bound  in  Duty  to  God,  Religion^  the  King., 
Parliament,  and  Kingdom,  to  profefs  before  God,  Angels  and  Men,  that  they 
Eerily  belieyd,  the  taking  away  the  Life  of  the  King  in  the  way  of  Trial  then 
depend'n:^,    was  not  only  not  a<i^reeable    to  any  Word  of  God,  the  Prtnciples  of 
the  PiotelianC  Religion,    (never  yet  ftaind  with  the  leaft  drop  of  the  Blood  of 
M  King)  or  the  Fundamental  Confiitution  of  the  Kingdom  ;  but  contrary  to  them  : 
As  alfo,  to  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  the  prote/iation  of  May  5.  1 641.   and  the 
Solemn  League  and  Covenant,   f-om  all  which,   or  any  of  which  Engagements^ 
they  knew  not  any  Power  on  Earth  able  to  Abfolre  them  or  others.     And  laft- 
ly,  thty  warn'd  and  exhorted  in  the  Ji^ame  of  the  peat  God,    all  that  belonged 
to  thtir  charges  and  Miniftry,  ta  keep  clofe   to  the  Hays  of  God,    the  Rules  of 
Jteilion,  and  Fundamental  Conftitution  and  Goyernment  of  the  Kingdom,  not 
fufering  themfehcs  to  be  feduc'd  from  it,  by  being  drawn  to  fabfcribt  the  late 
Models,  or  Agreement   of  the  People,   which  dircHly   tmdcd  to  fubvert  the 
Fundamental  Goycrmnent ;  and  to  mvtm  bitterly  for  the  Sin<  of  all  degrees  of 

fuch 


€hap.  I V.        Air.  Elichard  Baxter. 


fuchanAdion:   And  th^y  prefented  it  to  him,  when  Men-,  and 
tlie  King  was  in  danger.     Neither  was  this  the  Aa  on-  ^^S  "/  God 
'ly  of  a  few  •  for  there  were  60  of  the  Presbyterian  Mi-'^^*^      f^e 
nifters  of  London,  who  fub*fcrib*d  the  Writing,  together  ^^^^<^  ^«- 
with  many  Country  Minifters.  -f!^'*,'*    '^ 

--(:.■'.  •  .  .  ^ '6/ence   of 

.  they  might  mt  dare  to  draw  upon  themfches  and  the  Kingdom  the  Blood  of  their 
Sovereign.      This  wof  fuhf crib'' d  by ^ 


^orn^nus  Buirges,  D.'p, 
Will,  douge,  T>.  D.    ' 
Edi.  5U^iLon,,  D.D. 
.T}io.  Temple,  D.  D,  ■ 
^Geprge' Walker,         ^  '• 
.Edm.  Calainy," 
Jer.  Whi  taker,  .  . 
Dan.  Cawdrey, 
WiU  Spunlow,  D.  p.  _ 
La.  Seaman,  D.  D, 
Simeon  Afhe, 
Thomas  Cafe, 
Nrc.  Proffer, 
Tho.  Thorowgood, 
Ed  w.  Corbet, 
Hen.  Roborough, 
John  Downham, 
Arthur  Jackfon, 
J.?mes  N  a  Icon, 
Thomas  Caw  ton, 


■  Charles' Off- fpring,'  ^ 
Samuei  Clark,       -,' 

Francis  Roberts, 
■Samuel  Bolton, 
Map.  Kaviland, 
John  Sheffield, 
WillramKarrifon, 
-William  Jenkjn, 
"  John  Viner,' 
Elidad  Blackwell, 
John  CrolTe, 
John  Fuller, 
William  Taylor, 
Peter  Withara, 
Francis  Peck, 
Chrift.  Love, 
J.  Wallis,  D.  D. 
Thomas  Wattfon, 
William  Wickins, 


Thomas  Manton,  D.  D. 
Thomas  Gouge, 
Williim  Blp.ckmoic, 
Robert  Mercer, 
Ra.  Robinfon, 
Johh  Glafcock, 
Thomas  Whaccly, 
Jonathan  Lloyd, 
John  Wu'ls, 
Benj.  Needier, 
Nath.  Sraniforch, 
Steven  Watkins. 
Jacob  Tice, 
John  Stileraan. 
Jofias  Bull, 
John  Devereux, 
Paul  Ruflel, 
Jofhua  Kirby, 
Arthur  Bailiam. 


The pubii/hing  of  this  Taper,- iphifh  was  Intitled,  A  ferious  and  faithful 
Reprien Cation,  of  the  Judgments  of  the  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel  within 
the  Province  of  London,  in  a  Le:ter  to  the  General  and  Council  of  U'ar, 
74«.'f8.  1^48.  delivered  by  fomeof  the  Subfcribers^  was  a  plain  running 
<r  great. lizard  as  Things  then  flood,  and  may  be )uftly  reckon d  an  Evidence 
of  the  great  Integrity  and  Hone  fly  of  the  Ferfons  that  fubjcrib'd  it :  jtnd 
therefore  a  late  Author  *,  who  does  not 

always  pafs  the  mofi  farourable  Cenfures        *  Compleat  Hiftory  of  LngUnd 
that  mi'^ht  be  defiid  upon  Men  of  their    in  Folio,  To/.  3.  p.  175. 
CharaCler,  declares.  That  in  Juliice  to 

the  greater  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Minifters,  it  muft  be  acknowledged, 
that  when  they  faw  too  late  the  fad  IlTue  of  Things,  they  did  then  labour 
to  prevent  the  Execrable  Faft  of  putting  the  King  to  Deatii.  But,  he 
addsy  alas  (which  was  more  we  hope  than  they  knew)  it  was  all  to  no 
purpofe.  But  if  he  would  really  hare  done  them  Juftice,  he  jhould  have 
Qwnd  this  to  hay€  hem  4  rtry  bold  and  (ouragioM  A^kn  as  thi  Tima  ih.n 

Ani 


62  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  V. 

fverc  ^    be-      And  thus  thefe  Inteftine  Commotions  came  to  an 
caufe    they  ifjQe^    little  tho'c  off  at  firft  by  any  that  began  them, 

hereby    ex-  which  caiinot  but  furprize  all  future  Generations. 
*tfperat€d 
thofe    who 

had  the  Fower  in  their  Hands y  in  the  lafl  decree:  And  if  he  would  haye 
added  Charity  to  Juftic*^,  (rvhich  makes  a  good  mixture^  he  might  haye  for- 
born  hislaji  Rcfle^ion^  unlefs  he  had  good  Pr»of  at  hand-,  that  they  intended 
their  B.efrrefentation  only  for  an  injtgnifieant  Tlourijh,  tpithout  any  efeSt  ; 
r?hich  in  their  Circumfiances  vfas  not  yery  likc/y.  And  to  fuj^cEi  any  Thing  of 
ihat  kindy  of  Perfons  in  tffhofe  Carriage  tlte  Credit  of  Religion  it  concern  d,  un- 
iefs  there  be  Proofs  tpill  not  eafily  be  excused  from  Cenforioufnefs.  Tor  them  in 
their  Circumfi antes  to  maJce  fuch  aDeclaratton^  wot  to  difcharge their  Confcienc'es 
in  the  yietff  of  the  greatefi  Danger^  which  alone  ii  fujjlcient  Eyidence  that 
they  were  in  earnefi  :  Wlyereas^  if  Men  fay  and  unfay  upon  the  fame  Sub' 
jecty  and  declare  one  Thing  one  Tear^  and  another  the  next^  and  haye  Intereji 
to  ftvaythcm  todiminiji)  what  they  haye  faidy  and  are  afraid  to  fland  to  what 
they  know  to  be  true  and  Right,  (which  is  a  Cafe  that  has  been  fnmetimcs 
known)  "'tis  truly  hard  to  know  when  they  are  in  Larnef}^  or  when  Tofierlty 
Tnay  depend  upon  them. 


CHAP.     V. 

RefleClhfis  on  Pnblick  TranjaUions^  from 
the  Death  of  King  Charles  the  Fir  ft  ^  to 
the    Reftduration    of  King    Charles    the 

Second, 

An  1(^49.  ^"T"^^^  King  being  taken  out  of  the  way,  Crom- 
The  Bit'       I       ^''^»  pretends  to  be  for  a  Common-wealth,  'till 

Zazemcnt,  ^^  had  laid  a  fufficient  Foundation  for  his  own 

Advancement.  The  I{t4mp  prefently  drew  up  a  Form 
of  an  Enoaffement,  to  be  Subfcrib'd  by  all  Men  of  the 
Age  of  1 8  Years  and  upwards ;  vi:{,  J  do  prowi/e  to  be 
Tme  and  Fnithful  to  the  Common-vpealth  <ii  if  »  won?  esia' 
yiifVd^  without  n  Kj^i^  or  Houfe  of  Lords,  Without  this 
Engn^cmfrit  no  Man  muft  have  the  Benefit  of  Suing 
another  at  Law,  nor  have  any  Mafteriliip  in  the  Uni- 
verfitics,  nor  Travel  above  fo  many  Miles  from  their 
Houic?,  CJ^c.  Mr.  yims  and  Dr.  f{atnbovo  were  hereup- 
on put  o\u  of  their  Headlhips  in  the  Univerfity,   and 

Mr. 


A     vi 


Ghap.  V.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter*  62 


Mr.  Sympfon  and  Mr.  Sadler  put  in  their  Places:  Dr.  i^.y- 
nolds  alfo  was  caft  out  of  the  Deanry  of  Chri^  Church 
Oxoriy  and  Dr.  Oxven^  fucceeded  him.  The  Covenant  was 
now  laid  afide,  as  an  Almanack  out  of  Date.  Many 
Epifcopal  Divines  wrote  for  the  Engagements  and  plead- 
ed for  taking  it,  upon  the  fame  Diltindtion  of  De  Facto 
&  De  Jure,  as  hath  fince  beert  fo  Celebrated  among  us. 
But  the  Moderate  Church  Party  and  the  Presbyterians 
refus'd  it.* 

Tho'  Cromvpel  had  ConquerM  England  and  Irelatid,  Cromwel'i 
tho'  the  Parliament  was  Imprifon'd  and  caft  •  out,  the  T)[fjknhief. 
King  cut  off,  and  the  E{ump  Eftablilh'd  as  a  New  Com- 
mon-wealth ;  yet  were  there  ftili  feveral  Impediments 
to  his  laying  hands  upon  the  Crown  according  to  his 
defire.  There  were  ftill  many  Cavaliers,  who  were 
ready  for  new  Enterprizes  againft  him.  The  Scots  x^- 
folv'd  to  ftick  to  the  Covenant  and  the  King.  The  Ar- 
my alfo  created  him  no  fmall  Difficulty,  who  muft  be  un- 
taught all  the  Principles  which  he  had  been  inftilling  into 
them  with  fo  much  care.  For  he  well  knew,  that  thofe 
Principles  that  were  requifiie  to  bring  him  to  the  Crown, 
would  be  the  worft  in  the  World,  when  once  he  had 
gotten  it.  And  at  the  fame  time  he  knew  very  well, 
that  the  Minifters  of  England  and  Scotland,  and  the  fo- 
ber  People  who  regarded  them,  were  very  muchagainft 
him.  As  for  the  Royalifts,  he  after  fome  Struggling 
crufli'd  them,  making  his  Advantage  by  all  their  Enter- 
prizes.  As  for  the  Army,  he  was  never  wholly  without 
his  Uneafinefs.  As  for  the  Body  of  the  Minifters,  and 
the  foberer  Part  of  the  Nation,  he  could  never  get  them 
heartily  tg  fall  in  with  his  Ambitious  Dcfigns ;  They 
kept  quiet  indeed,  but  never  were  in  his  Intereft,  and 
waited  but  for  a  favourable  Opportunity  to  turn  the 
Scale.  And  as  for  the  Scots,  tho'  they  put  him  to  it  at 
firft,  yet  he  at  leiigth  overcame  them,  and  rcach'd  his 
Defigns  upon  them.  Quickly  afcer  the  King's  Death,  they 
difpatched  Meffengers  to  his  Son,  Charles  the  Second,  to 
defire  him  to  come  over  to  them,  and  take  the  Crown :  But 
firft  they  treated  with  him  about  taking  the  Covenant, 

and 


^  Many  of  the  Minifters  of  Chediire  4«^  L^nc^niire,  and  the  Fart ^  aj- 
joyning,  fubllflM  the  Reafons  of  ihcW  Kefufal  of  this  Fng^igcmcnl,  %^hle 
marty  of  the  Prelatical  Stamp  printed  their  Reafonsfor  taking  it. 


64  The  LIFE  of         Ghap.  V. 


and  reno'ncing  the  Wars,  and  the  Blood  that  had  been 
fhed  in  them  by  his  Father's  Party.  So  great  were  his 
Neceflities,  that  he  could  not  but  comply  with  them. 
He  took  the  Covenant,  and  publilh'd  a  Declaration  to 
the  World,  Ihr^t  he  did  it  Voluntarily  nnd  Heartily^  and 
that  he  Lamented  the  Sins  of  his  P^jher*s  Houjcy  ticknovo- 
hdging  the  Gin  It  of  tic  Blqod  of  the  late  fV.^.rs^  &c,  and 
hereupon  had  the  whole  Kingdom  at  his  Command 
'.At.  id5o.  and  Difpoftl.  This  was  no  (boner  uhderftood,  than 
an  Invalion  of  ihe  Scots  was  refolv'd  on,  to  keep  them 
fron^  Invading  England^  without  ftaying  'till  they 
made  an  Entrance  upon  the  Land  as  formerly.  So  that 
CrornvQel  Was  Opon  them  with  an  Army,  before  they 
were  well  fettled  in  their  Affairs.  Without  .any  De- 
Jay  he  advanced  towards  Edinburgh^  where  the  Scotch 
Army  lay  intrcnch'd :  But  after  long  Skirmilhing  and 
Expedlations,  when  he  cov'.ld  neither  draw  the  Scots 
out  of  their  Trenches  to  a  Fight,  nor  yet  pafs  forward, 
Bii  Succefs  j^jg  Soldiers  fell  Sick,  and  were  impatient  of  the  Po»  erty 
wibcotland.  ^f  ^^^  Country  ;  and  fo  with  a  weakned  ragged  Army 
he  drew  off  ro  return  to  England:  and  had  the  Scots 
but  let  him  go,  or  cautioufly  followed  him,  they  had 
in  all  Probability  fecur'd  themfelves,  and  broken  his 
Honour.  But  at  length  they  drew  out,  and  foliow'd 
him,  and  overtaking  him  near  t>unbarr^  forcd  him  to 
a  Fight  by  engaging  his  Rear.  They  were  totally 
Touted  in  Fight,  and  had  their  Foot  taken,  and  their 
Horfe  purfu'd  to  Edinburgh.  Ten  Thoufand  Prifoners 
•were  bro't  to  Kevo-Caftle,  where  being  negietSted  they 
were  moft  of  them  FamilhM.  The  Colours  that  were 
taken,  were  hung  up  as  Trophies  in  M^cjlminjier- Hal/^ 
and  never  taken  down  till  the  King's  Reftauration. 
CrowTP^/ enters  £^/«/7wr^/j  Triumphantly,  and  drives  the 
Scots  to  Sterlings  beyond  the  River,  where  they  forti- 
fy *d  themfelves.  He  took  the  impregnable  Caftle  of 
Edinburgh^  after  a  fhort  Siege,  and  then  pafs'd  his  Ar- 
my over  Sterling  River,  in  purfuit  nf  the  Scotj.  Kmg 
Charles  with  the'  Scotch  Army,  not  being  a^'!e  to  fight 
bim,  haftily  advances  towards  England^  hoping  that 
great  Numbers  of  the  En^l  Jh  would  join  themfelves 
to  him.  But  many  Things  concurr  d  to  hinder  his  ex- 
pedled  Fncreafe.  The  Manner  of  the  Scits  coming  a- 
way,  perfwaded  People  that  NcciTity  fojc'd  tn^ni.  and 
they  Were  rather  look  d  upon  as  Flying,  than  ^s  Ald.ch- 


Chap.  V.         Mr,  Elichard  Baxter.  65 

ing  into  England,     And  few  will  put  themfelves  into 
a  Flying  Army,  which  is  purfu  d  by  a  Conquering  E- 
nemy.     Witha],  it  was  .altogether  uncertain,   how  the 
Country  would  have  been  treated,had  they  now  appear'd 
for  the  King,   before  they  were  affur'd  of  an  Amnefty 
of  part  Diforders,   and  an  Abatement  of  their  former 
Burthens.     And  at  the  fame  time,  the  Event  was  very 
uncertain,    the  Fame  of  the  late  Vidtory  at  Dunbarr 
had  rnade  great  Impreflion,  and  Cromwel's  fpeedy  Pur- 
fuit  raisM  fuch  an  Expectation,   that  People  were  gene- 
rally willing  to  fee  how  I'hings  would  encline  upon  an 
Engagement  between    the  two  Armies,   before  they'd 
difcover  themfelves ;  So  that  tho'the  Earl  of  Derby,  the 
Lord  Talbot  J  and  fome  GentL^men,  joyn  d  themfelves  to 
the  King's  Army,    yet  the  Country  in  general  would 
not  follow  their  Example.     The  King  came  by  the  way 
of  Lancnjhire,  and  fummon'd  Shrewsbury  in  vain,    as  he 
pals'd  thro'  Shropfhire :  But  when  all  tho't  he  was  haft- 
ning  towards  London,   where  it  was  commonly  appre- 
hended he  might  have  attain'd  his  Ends,   encreas'd  his  An.  16 $i: 
Strength,  and  had  no  Reiiftance,  he  turn  d  to  Worccfter, 
and  there  refrelh'd  his  Army.     Cromxvsl  overtook  him 
there,  and  fought  to  ftraiten  him:   But  not  enduring  to 
be  pent  up,  the  King  refolv'd  to  Charge  him;   and  the 
Scots  at  firft  behav  d  themfelves  gallantly  :  but  at  length,  ^^^^    ^.  ^^^ 
thinking  they  had  a  Security  behind  them,  they  retreat-  J\i^J^J.^ 
ed  into  the  City,    and  at  the  fame  time  Cromveets  Soldi-  ^^^ 
ers  purfu  d  them  fo  clofe  at  the  Heels,    that  they  enter'd 
the  City  with   them.     The   Surprize  of  this  was  fo 
great,  that  the  whole  Army  fled  thro*  the  City  in  great 
Confufion,  many  being  trodden  down  and  flain  m  the 
Streets,  and  they  were  utterly  rouced.  ^  In  their  flighty 
the  Troopers  that  were  fcatier'd  up  and  down  the  Coun- 
try, difpatcb'd  many  of  them.     The  Marque fs  of  H^- 
milton  (late  Earl  of  Lanerick)  was  (lain.     The  Earl  of 
Derby  and  Capt.  Bcnb^vp  of  Shrewsbury  v/ere  both  taken, 
and  put  to  Death.     The  Earl  oi  L^-tidprdMc,    and  the 
Earl  of  Craford,  were  fent  Prifoners  to  iVtndfjr-Caftle, 
where  they  were  detaind  'till  the  King's  Reftoration. 
As  for    King    Charles,     when    he    feparated   him  ell 
from  his  Lords,  he  went  to  Bofcohl  by  the  iV.j^te  In- 
dies, where  he  was  hid  in  an  Onk,   in  a  manner  luffici- 
ently  declarM  to  the  World;   and  ihence  loMo/ey: 
After  which  he  accompany'd  Mrs.  Unc  as  a  IraveHer 


6G  The  LItE  of  Chap.  V. 

and  efcap'd  all  the  Searchers  Hands,  'till  he  carre  fafe 
beyond  Sea. 

Tiie  Sects  Army  being  utterly  difpers'd  in  Englnndy 
and  many  of  the  Prifoners  of  Foot  fent  to  the  Bari  adoes 
zndoi\\e\'  American  Plantations,   parr  of  c'^^^^w^/'s  Ar- 
my wasdifpatch'd  into  Scotland  to  profecutc  the  Victo- 
ry there.     All  their  Garrifons  at  laft  were  taken,  and 
the  Ear]  c^Glencar??,    and  the  Noble  Ear]  o^  Bnlcnrres^ 
(who  kept  up  the  laft  Forces  there  for  the  King)  were 
forc'd  to  fly  to  King  Charles  beyond  Sea.     Upon  which 
Major-General  Mo)it^\Nis  left  there,  with  fome  Forces 
to  keep  the  Country  in  Subjeftion. 
uin.  i6^\.      A  little  before  the  Fight  at  l^orcesfer,   divers  Perfons 
Mr.  LovL'i^ere  feiz'd  on  in  London  for  holding  CorrefpondenCe 
Tryal  ^"^  vvith  the  King.     Many  of  them  were  Presbyterian  Mi- 
Hxecutton.   nij^ers,    who  for  meeting  together  to  contrive  how  to 
raife  a  fmall  Sum  of  Money  for  Majfefs  Relief  in  Scot- 
land, were  charg'd  with  Plotting  ageing  the  Government, 
Eight  of  them   were  fent  to  the  Tower.     Mr.  Arthur 
Jaclfon,  Dr.  Drake,  Mr.  PVatfon,  Mr.  Love,  Mr.  Jenkins, 
Mr. Thomas  Cnfe, Mr. I{nlph  E^obirijon,  and  Mr. ^ch.Heyrick^ 
S<c.  And  Mr.iV^/fow,  and  Mr.  Cnvghton  tied  into  Holland, 
Mr.  Love  was  Try 'd  at  a  Court  of  Juftice,  where  Edmurd 
Prideaux  Efq;  a  Member  ofthei^w/^/',  and  Solicitor  for  the 
Comrnon-vQcalth^    tho't  his  Place  aJlow'd  him  to  plead  a- 
gainft  the   Life  and  Blood  of  the  Innocent.     Mr.  Love 
was  Condemn  d  and  Beheaded,    dying  neither  Time- 
roufly,  nor  Proudly  in  any  deCperate  Bravado,  but  with 
as  great  Alacrity  and  fcarlefs  Quietncfs,    and  freedom 
of  Speech,  as  if  he  had  but  gone  to  Bed,  and  had  been 
as  little  concern 'd  as  the  Standcrs-by.    A  worthy  Gen- 
tleman, Mr.  Gibbons^    was  Beheaded  with  him  for  the 
fame  Caufe.     And  at  the  time  of  their  Execution,  or 
very  near  it  on  that  Day,    there  was  the  dreadfulleft 
Thunder,    Lightning  and  Tempeft,   that  was  heard  or 
feen  of  a  long  time  bciore.     This  Blow  funk  deeper  to- 
wards the  Root  of  the  New  Common-wealth,    than  will 
eafily  be  believ'd  at  a  diftance.     The  reft  of  the  Mini- 
flers  were  releas'd  upon  Mr.  Jenkjn's  Recantation,    and 
Submillionto  the  Government. 
Cromwcl         Cromwel,  being  fiufli'd  by  his  Succefs  in  Scotland,  tho'c 
difcards  the  he  m'lf^hi  now  do    what  he  pleas'd.     Having  thus  far 
Rump  Par  fecmd  to  be  a  Servant  to  the  Parliament,    and  to  have 
iiamcnt.      work'd  for  his  Mailers  the  ^mp  or  CommQn'Wcaltbf  he 

WIS 


Chap.  V.         Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  67 


was  at  length  for  fetting  up  for  himfelf.  In  order  to  this 
he  firit  ferves  them  as  he  had  betore  done  the  Presbue- 
rians,  fceking  to  make  them  odious  by  hard  Speeches 
throughout  his  Army,  as  if  they  intended  to  perpetuate 
themielves,  and  would  not  be  Accountable  for  the  Mo- 
ney of  the  Common- wealth,  &c.  and  then  he  treats  pri- 
vately with  manv  of  them  to  diflblve  themfelves;  that 
another  free  Parliament  might  be  chofen:  But  they  per- 
ceiv'd- the  danger,  and  were  rather  for  filling  up  their 
Number  by  New  Elcdions,  which  he  was  utterly  againft. 
Impatient  at  laft  of  further  delay,  he  fuddenly  took  Har- 
rifon  and  fome  Soldiers  with  him,  and  in  a  fort  of  a  Rap-  -^'  '  ^5  3' 
ture  went  to  the  Houfe,  and  reproveth  the  Members  for 
their  Faults,  and  pointing  to  Vnne  calls  him  a  Jugler,  and 
to  Henry  Martin^  and  calls  him  Whoremafter;  and  ha- 
ving two  fuch  to  inftance  in,  takes  it  for  granted  that  they 
were  all  unfit  to  continue  in  the  Government,  and  fo  he 
Difcards  them.  Few  People  being  griev'd  at  their  being 
laid  afide,  tho'  all  except  the  Sedaries  and  the  Army, 
touk^-bim  for  a  Traytor  that  was  the  Inftrument. 

The  Young  Common-wealth  was  thus  left  Headlefs.  The  Little 
Nothing  might  now  feem  to  ftand  between  Cromwel  and  Parlu- 
the  Crown.  For  a  Governour  there  muft  be :  And  who  ""''"'• 
fitter  than  himfelf  ?  But  Care  muft  firft  be  taken  to  make 
theNeceflity  of  his  Government  undeniable,  and  to  make 
his  Soldiers  out  of  love  with  Democracy^  or  at  leaft  to 
make  them  hateful  that  adher'd  to  it.  And  therefore  a 
a  Parliament  muft  be  call'd,  but  the  ungodly  People  are 
hot  to  be  trufted  with  the  Choice  j  therefore  the 
Soldiers^  as  more  Rehgious,  muft  be  the  Choofers: 
And  two  out  of  a  County  are  chofen  by  the  Offi- 
cers, upon  the  Advice  of  their  Sectarian  Friends  in  all 
t^arts^  This  was  in  Contempt  call'd  Tl.e  Little  Pnr^ 
liament.  This  Conventicle  made  an  Ad,  Th^t  Migi- 
ftrates  jhould  Marry  People  inftead  of  Minifiers*.  And 
then  they  came  to  the  Bufinefs  of  Tythes  and  Minift-  rs. 
Before  this,    Harrifon  being  authorized  thereto,  had  at 

F  2  •        once 


*77;c  AaOrder%  That  the  Perfons  to  be  Married  fhould  come  before 
fume  Juftlce  of  the  Peace:  That  the  Man  and  Woman  fhould  pronounce  i he 
Words  before  him,  and  he  pronounce  them  lawfuUy  Married.  See  Scobel  s  ^ol- 
kftion  of  St;itutes.  Thns  fays  Mr  Tallents  of  Shrewsbury  m  a  Letter  to 
we,  /  and  others  have  Married  many  before  a  Jufiice,  he  faying  nothi»^>  t,ia 
only  dedarin^  the  Manhge  w<u  Falid* 


68  The  LI  F  E  of         Chap.  V. 

once  put  down  all  the  Parifh  Minifters  of  Waks^  becaufe 

that  moft  C)f  them   were  Ignorant  and  Scandalous,  and 

had  fet  up  a  few  Itinerant  Preachers  in  their  ftead,  who 

were  for  Number  incompetent  for  fo  great  a  Charge, 

there  being  but  One  to  many  of  thofe  wide  Parilhes:  So 

that  the  People  having  a  Sermon  but  once  in  many  Weeks, 

an.{  nothing  elfe  in  the  mean  time,    were  ready  to  turn 

Papifts,  or  any  Thing  clfe.     And  this  is  the  Plight  which 

the  /inahaptiji J ^2ind  other  Sedlaries,  would  have  bro*tthe 

whole  Land  to.     And  all  was  with  this  Defign,  That 

the  People  might  nor  be  tempted  to  think  the  Parifh 

Churches  to  be  true  Churches,    or  Infant  Baptifm  true 

Baptifm,    or  therafelves  true  Chriftians;    but  might  be 

convinc'd,    That  they  muft  be  made  Chriftians  and 

Churches  in  the  way  of  the  Anahnptifts  and  Separatisls, 

Hereupon,  Harrifon  became  the  Head  of  the  Se^aries^ 

and  C'rmvpsl  now  began  to  defign  the  Heading  of  a  So--*- 

berer  Party,  that  were  for  Learning  and  Mmiftry,  while 

yet  he  was  the  Equal  Proccclor  of  all.     At  length  it  was 

put  to  the  Vote  in  this  Parliament,  PVnether  all  the  Parifb 

Mlnijh'rs  of  England  fhould  at  once  be  put  aovon  or  no?  And 

it  was  but  accid.fr)tally  carry'd  in  the  Negative  by  two 

Voices.     And  it  was  taken  for  gianred,  that  Tithes  and 

ZJnivc  fities  would  next  be  voted  down  ;  and  now  Cram- 

wc!  muft  be  their  Saviour,    or  they  muft  perifh:  When 

he  had  purpofd.  caft  them  into  the  Pit,  that  they  might 

be  Seho!ding  to  hiun  to  pv  11  them  out.     In  the  Iflue,  Sir 

C.  I'V.  a  ^d  <"oaie  others,    take  their  time,  and  put  it  to 

•the  \ ore.  PV  I   -ei   tht  t-JouJc^    ai  incapchlc  of  Jerving  the 

C  '.'.  ^';,  P:ould  go  ^ful  deliver  up  their  Power  unto 

CroMiwj],  fr  VI  vrhom  they  had  rcceivd  it  }  They  carry'd 

it  ii.  the  A^r  native,    and  away  they  go,    and  folemnly 

r^fign  theii  Power  to  him;    who  then  carries  all  before 

fiim.     Hs  Snbtiity  lay  here;    he  caus'd  and  permitted 

^^-^rui^  on  to  hang  over  the  Nation,    to  Niccftitate 

,  whether  they  would  or  not,  to  take  him  for  ihe'r 

'"'>i-ir.  that  he  m:^ht  be  their  Proredlor.     A  Juntlo 

"■     :s  drew  up  a  Writing,  called.  The  hiftnimcut  of 

yn.nt  f  the  Cornm 'u-wcalth  of  England,  Scot- 

'  iland.     Thi<;  Inftrument  made  Oiiver  Crom- 

ivj  Pjott^i^or  of  the  Commfn-wealth.     The  Lord 

•  v    and   Aldermen,    the  Judges    and    OiHceys    of 

ny  were  fiuidainly  drawn  togrther  to  H^elbniyifter- 

I  upon  the  Reading  this  Inftrument  inftall'd 

Crom^ 


Chap.  V".         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  5q 


CrcmvQcl  in  the  Office  of  PrcteHor^  and  fwore  him  ac- 
cordingly; and  thus  the  Common-wealth  feem'd  orce 
more  to  have  a  Head — ^As  for  rhe  Proceedints  of  the 
Parliamenrs  which  he  caU'd  in  hi^  Protedlorihip,  th.^ir 
difpleafing  him  by  Ravelling  hir  Inrtriimenr,  an.^  his 
rough  and  refolutediiiblving  them,  the  Fartici'lais  may 
be  feen  in  the  Common  Hiiiorians  of  the  times. 

One  of  his  Chic  1  Works  was  the  Pwgivg  of  the  Mi-  rhe  Triert 
n'iftry.  The  Synod  of  Weftminfter  was  dilTolv'd  with  the  ofMmjitrs. 
Parliament :  And  therefore  a  Society  of  Mmifters  with 
fome  others,  were  chofen  by  Crcjnvoel  to  Cii  at  I4^hite-' 
Hn!!^  under  the  Name  of  Triers^  who  were  moftly  In- 
dependents, but  had  fomc  Presbyterians  join'd  with  'em, 
and  had  Power  to  try  all  that  came  tor  Inflirution'or  In- 
duction, and  without  their  Approbation  none  were  ad^ 
mitted.  They  themfelves  examin'd  ail  that  were  able 
to  come  up  to  London:  But  if  any  were  unable,  or  of 
doubtful  Q.ualitications,  they  referred  them  to  fome  Mi- 
nifters  in  the  County  where  they  livM,  and  approv'd 
them,  if  they  approv'd  rhem  :  And  with  all  their  Faults, 
thus  much  n«ui4  be  faid  of  thefe  Triers,  that  they  did  a 
great  deal  of  Good  to  the  Church,  rhey  fav'd  many  a 
Congregation  from  ignorant  ungodly  Drunken  Teachers. 
That  fort  ot  Minifters  that  either  preacht  againft  an  Ho- 
ly Life,  or  preacht  as  Men  that  never  were  acquainted 
with  ic;  all  thofe  that  us  a  the  Miniftry  but  as  a  Com- 
mon Trade  to  live  by,  and  were  never  likely  to  Convert 
a  Soul,  all  thefe  they  ufualiy  rejeded;  and  in  rheir  ftead 
admitted  of  any  that  were  able  ferious  Preachers,  and 
liv*da  Godly  Life,  of  what  Opinion  foever  they  were 
that  was  tolerable. 

He  had  the  Policy  not  to  exafpera:e  the  Minifters  and  An.  16 $6. 
others,  who  confented  not  to  his  Government;    bur  he  Cromwei.'i 
let  Men  live  quietly,  without  pmring  any  Oaths  of  Fide-  CoMduH: 
iity  upon  them  ;  except  hisParliamenrs,  which  were  not  ^^'^e  rra- 
fuffer'd  to  enter  the  Houfe,  'till  they  had Tworn  Fideli-  f^<.7&r. 
ty  to  him.     The  Sedfcarian  Party  in  his  Array  and  elfe- 
where  he  chiefly  trufted  to,  and  pleasM,  'till  by  the  Peo- 
ples Submiflion  and  Qiiietnefs  he  tho't  himfelf  vvell  (et- 
led:  And  then  he  began  to  undcrmme  them,  and  by  De- 
grees to  work  them  out.     And  tho'  he  had  fo  often  fpo- 
ken  for  the  Anabaptifts,  he  now  finds  them  fo  heady,  and 
fo  much  againft  any  fettled  Government,  and  ^okt  up- 
on the  promoting  of  ^heir  Way  and  Party,  that  he  doth 


b 


70  Jhe  L  1 F  tL  of  Chap.  V. 

not  only  begin  to  blame  their  Unrulinefs,  but  alfo  defign- 
eth  to  fettle  himfelf  in  the  Peoples  Favour  by  lupprelfing 
them.     In  JreUnd  they  were  grown  fo  high,  that  the  Sol- 
diers were  many  of  them  Rebaptiz'd,  as  the  way  to  Pre- 
ferment :  And  they  who  oppos'd  them  were  crulht  with 
lincharitabje  Fierccnefs.     He  fent  his  Son  Hen  v  Cromvoel 
into  Ireland^  who  mightily  fuppreft  them,  and  carry'd  ic 
fo  obligingly  to  all,  that  he  was  generilly  bel.)v'd.     So 
that  Major-GeneralLv.^/rTr,  who  headed  the  Anabaftlfts 
in  Irelnnd^  was  forc'd  to  fubmit.     And  tho'  h?  longcon- 
nivM  at  his  Old  Friend  Harrifov^  the  Head  of  the  Anabaf- 
tijis  here,  yet  finding  it  would  be  an  acceptable  thing  to 
the  Nation  to  fupprefs  him,  he  doih  ic  in  a  Trice  j  and 
makes  him  Contemptible,  whobutyefterday  tho*t  himfelf 
not  much  below  him.     As  eafily  alfo  to  the  full  doth  he 
lay  by  Lambert :  Which  were  very  pleafing  Adiions. 
An.  i6'^2.      At  length  Cromvpel,  who  had  efcap'd  the  Attempts  of 
Jii's    Death  many  who  fought  to  difpatch  him,  could  not  efcape  the 
ttnd  chara-  Stroke  of  God,  but  dy'd  of  a  Feaver,   before  he  was  a- 
ihr.  ware.     He  dy'd  very  fuddainly,  tho'  a  bold  Man,  (one  of 

the  then  prevailing  Party)  praying  for  him,  had  faid.  Lord ! 
we  ask^  not  for  his  Life.,  for  that  xvs  are  fare  of;  but  that  he 
mayferve  thee  better  than  ever  he  has  done ;  to  the  Di(honour 
of  that  Prefumption,  which  fome  Men  call  a  Particular 
Faith  ;  that  is,  a  Believing  that  that  they  (hall  receive 
ivhatfoever  they  ask,  if  they  can  but  ftedfaftly  believe 
that  they  (hall  receive  it ;  tho*  it  be  fuch  as  they  have  no 
other  Promife  for,  but  that  of  Hearing  Believing  Prayers^ 
"which  they  mifunderf^and.  Never  Man  was  highlier 
extoird,  or  bafelier  reported  of,  and  vilify 'd  than  this 
Man,  according  as  Mens  Imerefts  led  their  Judg- 
ments*.    The  Soldiers  and  Se(3:aries  highly  roagnifyM 

him. 


*  There  ii  a  rery  memorable  Tajf.i'rc  concerning  him,  related  in  Eifhop  Hacket'5 
Life  of  Arclj'biffyofjWiU'ums.  'lis  this:  That  Bp.  WillhmS'  (wijovr/t^ perhaps 
a-s  well  accjuaintcd  rvith  Men  and  Ti)ings  oi  rnnfl  Statefmen  rse  Jjave  ever  had  in 
this  A'ation)  being  in  the  Tear  1  6^/\.fent  for  by  K.  Ch2r\es  the  fir /i  owto/Wale?, 
vhtther  he  hadretired,  he  attended  him  accordingly  at  Oxford.  Among  other  Ad- 
yicehe  gave  the  King  at  that  time,  he  a£urdhim^  That  Crnmwcl^  who  was 
lately  taken  intotiif  Parliament's  Army  by  h'lsCouiinHambden,  wasrhemoft 
dangerous  Enuny  that  his  Mnjefty  had:  And  therefore  he  adyi^'dhim^Ehhcr  to 
win  himby  Promifcsof  fair  Treatment,  or  catch  him  by  fome  Stratagem  and 
cut  him  fhort.  Nay,  (faith  Bp.  Hackei)  his  Servants  often  heard  him  fay  long  be- 
fore the  Events  That  ihey  would  live  to  fee  the  time,  wlien  Cromwd  would 
bear  down  all  other  Powers  before  him,  and  fet  up  himfelf. 


Chao.  V.        Air.  Richard  Baxter.  7i 

I  him,  rtll  he  began  to  feek  the  Crown,  and  the  Efta* 
"  blifliinenc  of  his  Family  :  And  then  there  were  fo  many 
.hat  woald  be  half  Kings  tbemfeJves,  that  a  King  feem'd 
intoHerable  to  them.  The  Royalifts  abhorr'd  him  as  a 
moft  Perfidious  Hypocrite :  and  the  Presbyterians  tho'c 
bim  little  berter  in  his  Management  of  Publick  Matters. 
Upon  the  whole,  Mr.  Baxter  hath  left  this  as  his  Judg- 
ment concerning  him:  Tbnt  he  began  loWy  androfe  high' 
er  in  his  B^folutions  ai  his  Condition  rofe :  And  the  Promi^ 
fes  wh'ch  he  made  in  his  loxver  Condition^  he  uid  as  the  hi- 
tere§t  of  his  higher  foUovoing  Condition  did  require  ;  and 
l{€pt  di  much  Honefly  and  Godlinefs,  in  the  main,  as  his 
Caufe  and  Interell  would  aSow  him,  and  there  they  left 
him.  And  that  his  Name  ftandeth  iH  c  MoJiitory  Monument 
OY  Pillar  to  Pqfterity,  to  tell  them  the  Inftability  of  Man  in 
ftrong  Temptations,  if  God  leave  him  to  himjelf.  tpl^ap 
Pride  can  do,  to  make  Man  Selfifh,  and  Corrupt  the  Heart 
mth  111  Defigns :  What  SelfiJhneJ]  and  I'd  Defigns  can  do, 
to  Bribe  the  Confcience,  Corrupt  the  Judgment,  mal^e  Men 
julfify  the  greatest  Errors  and  Sins,  and  fet  againft  the 
ckareft  Truth  and  Duty:  What  Bloodfhed,  and  great  Enor- 
mities of  Life,  and  an  erring  deluded  Judgment  may  dravo 
Men  to  do,  and  Patrpni:(e^  And  that  when  God  hath 
Dreadful  Judgments  to  execute,  an  Erroneous  Senary,  or  a 
proud  Self'feeker,  is  oftner  his  Inftrumcnt,  than  an  Hur?j~ 
tie  Lamb'like  Innocent  Saint, 

Cromxvel  being  dead,  his  Son  Richard,  by  his  Will  Kiciind'^ 
and  Teftament  and  the  Army,  was  quietly  fettled  in  his  Succr(jion. 
Place,  The  feveral  Counties,  Cities  and  Corporations 
of  England,  fend  up  their  Congratulations,  to  own 
him  as  ProteHor,  He  Interred  his  Father  with  great 
Pomn  and  Solemnity.  He  callM  a  Parliament  wichnuc 
any  fuch  Reftraints  as  his  Father  had  us'd.  The  Mem- 
bers took  the  Oath  of  Fidelity  to  him,  before  they  cntrcd 
the  Houfe.  And  all  Men  wondred  to  fee  all  lo  quier 
in  fo  dangerous  a  Time.  Many  fober  Men,  that  call  d 
his  Father  no  better  than  a  Traitorous  Hypccnte,  began 
to  think  that  they  ow'd  him  Subjedion.  But  the  Arn»y 
itfeems  fee  him  up  .only  upon  Tryal,  refolvmg  to  ule 
him  as  he  behaved  himfelf.  And  tho  they  fwore  Fide- 
lity to  him,  they  meant  to  keep  it  no  longer  than  he 
pleas'd  them :  And  when  they  faw  that  he  began  to  fa- 
vour the  fober  People  of  the  Land,  to  Honour  I  ariia- 
ments,  and  to  Refped  the  Minifters  call  d  Presbyterians 

p  ^  mey 


The  LIFE  of         Chap.  V. 


they  prefently  refolv'd  to  make  him  know  his  Mafters, 
and  that  it  was  they^    and  not  he,   that  were  call'd  by 
God  to  be  the  Chief  PrcteHors  of  the  IntercB  of  the  Na- 
tion.    He  was  not  {o  formidable  to  them  as  his  Father, 
and  theref  >re  every  one  in  a  little  time  boldly  fpurn* d 
at  him.     The  Fifth  Monarchy  Men  under  Sir  Htmy  Vane, 
rais'd  a  violent  Clamorous  Party  againft  him  among  the 
An.  1559.  City  Sectaries.     R^g^^s  and  Fer.ke^    and  fome  others  of 
their  Temper,  blow'd  the  Coals :    But  the  AfTembly  at 
iVallingford  Hcu/e  did  the  main  Bufincfs.     It  was  there 
And  Deffo-  determined,   That  Richard'^  Parliametit  mufi  be  dijfolvd^ 
Jiiion.         and  rhcn  he  quickly  fell  himfelf;    And  it  was  as  foon 
done  almoft   as  determin'd.     Tho*  Col.  In^olshy,   and 
fome  others,  would  have  ftuck  to  theProte(5lor,  and  have 
vcncur'd  to  furprize  the  Leaders  of  the  Faction,    and 
the  Parliament  would    have  been  true  to   him ;    Yet 
Berry's  Regiment  of  Horfe  and  fome  others  were  juft 
ready  to  begin  the  Pray  againft  him.     And  he,   as  he 
fought  not  the  Government,    fo  was  refolv'd  it  fhould 
coft  no  Blood  to  keep  him  in  it :    And  therefore  he  re- 
fign'd  it  by  a  Writing  under  his  Hand,  and  retired  him- 
felf, and  left  them  to  govern  as  they  pleas  d.     His  Bro- 
ther-in-Law  Fleetwood ^  and  his  Uncle  Deshorough,  were 
,  fo  Intoxicated  as  to  be  the  Leaders  of  the  Confpiracy. 

The  Core  of  the  Bufinefs  was  this;   That  Oliver  had 
once  made  Fleetwood  believe,  that  he  (hould  be  his  Suc- 
celfor,  and  drawn  an  Inftrumcnt  to  that  purpofe;  but 
his  Laft  Will  difappointed  him.     However,  now  they 
fct  up  a  few  of  rhemfelves,  under  the  name  of  a  Co«n- 
cil  of  Stnt^,  wherein  F>ectwJod  wasuppermoft,  and  Lam- 
bert next  him. 
K:n^      The  Nation  being  tired  with  Changes,  foon  difcover'd 
Chariest     ^heir  Uneafinels.     Sit  Geo' ^^e  Booth  and  S\r  Thomas  Mid^ 
Jteiiaurati-  ^letot?^  rais'd  Forces  in  Chefloire  and  Korth-H^ates  for  King 
«"•  Charles^  but  being  faifd  by  the  Cavaliers  that  Ihould 

have  joyn'd  with  them,  Lambert  foon  routed  them :  And 
it  the  fame  time  Sir  Arthur  Haflerig^e  fiezes  Fortfmouth 
for  the  l{ump.  Monk^  purges  his  Army  in  Scotland  of 
Annbapti^s^  and  marches  into  Enginnd.  The  I{ump 
Party  with  Hnflerigge  divided  the  Army  at  Home,  and 
fo  difablcd  them  to  oppofe  Monk^  who  march'd  on 
to  the  great  Surprize  of  all.  At  firft,  he  joyn'd  with 
the  i{}*mp  againft  the  Citizen?,  and  puU'd  down  the 
City  Gates  to  terrify  them :  But  at  length,  being  invited 
^    ^  ^    '■•  inio 


Chap.  V.        Mr,  flichard  Baxter.  7^ 


into  the  City  by  Sir  Thomas  Allen,  then  Lord-Mayor,  he  An.  i66c 
joynd  with  them  agaitift  the  Rump,  which,  was  the  ve- 
ry Thing  that  turn  d  the  Scales,  and  bro'c  in  the  King. 
Aiowi^  calls  together  tke  Old  Secluded  MsmbcrSy  agreeing 
with  them.  That  they  fhould  fit  but  a  few  Days^  and  then 
dijfolve  themfehes,  and  call  another  Parliament.  They, 
confented,  appointed  a  Council  of  State,  and  diflblv'd 
themfelves.  In  this  Council  of  State,  it  was  put  to  the 
Queftion,  Whether  they  Jhould  call  in  the  Kjng  upon 
Treaty  and  Covenant^  or  entirely  confide  in  him  ?  And 
it  was  refolv'd  to  truft  him  abfolutely,  Mr.  A.  parti- 
cularly fo  perfwading.  The  New  Parliament  meet- 
ing, prefentiy  appointed  a  Day  of  Fafting  and  Prayer 
for  themfelves.  The  Hou/e  of  Commons  chofe  Dr.  Gau- 
den,  Mr.  Calamy^  and  Mr.  Baxter,  to  carry  on  thfe 
Work  of  the  Day.  The  very  next  Morning,  May  i. 
1660,  they  unanimoufly  voted  Home  the  King,  N^- 
mine  Contradiccnte,  The  King  being  fent  for  over  from 
Holland,  certain  Divines  and  others  were  fent  by  the 
Parliament  and  City  to  attend  him  ;  vi7[.  Mr.  Calamy, 
Dr.  Manton,  Mr.  Bowles,  and  others :  And  his  Maje- 
fty  gave  fuch  encouraging  Promifes,  as  rais'd  in  fome 
of  them  very  high  Expectations.  And  when  he  came 
in,  as  he  pafs'd  thro'  the  City  towards  H^eftminjler,  the 
London  Minifters  in  their  Places  attended  him  with  Ac- 
clamations, and  by  the  Hands  of  old  Mr.  Arthur  Jaci- 
fcn,  prefented  him  with  a  richly  adorn'd  Bible,  which 
he  received,  telling  them.  If  fioould  be  the  £{ule  of  his 
Actions. 


e  H  A  p> 


74  The  LIB  E  of  Chap.  VI. 


CHAP.     VI. 

Mr.  Baxter'/  Cofidu£l  of  Himfelf  during  thcfc 
Publick  Commotions  and  frequent  Alter ai;^ 
ons.  His  Behaviour  in  the  nrmy  and  pvoardt 
Cromwel.  His  Trouble  from  the  Se<^>a' 
of  thofe  Times  ;  xviih  an  Acconnt  of  their 
Rife  and  Prevalence^  Principles  and  Pra- 
3ifes. 

EX  T  R  E  A  M  S  are  very  pJeafing  to  Humane  Na- 
ture: Moft  Men  are  (o  fond  of  them,  that  they'll 
run  as  far  as  from  one  Pole  to  another  in  a  Breath, 
rather  than  ftop  in  a  more  Temperate  Region.  Such  is 
their  Eagernefs,  that  nothing  but  what  is  violent:  and 
furious  can  fuit  them :  And  fuch  their  Stupidity,  that 
they'll  on  each  Side  entertain  more  favourable  Tho'ts  of 
thofe  in  the  oppofite  Extream,  than  o£  fuch  as  keep  in 
the  Mid-way,  being  unwilling  to  bend  towards  the  one 
Side  or  the  other>  any  farther  than  a  Cogency  ot  Rea^ 
fon  fways  them.  And  therefore  it  hath  been  often  ol>- 
ferv'd,  That  Men  of  a  Calm  and  Healing  Spirit^  whofe grent 
Aim  it  hath  been  to  avoid  Extreams^  have  been  ajfaulted  on 
both  Sides  xvith  e/jual  Fur;',  tis  if  they  vfere  a  Sort  of  Common 
Enemies.  Hardly  any  Man  ever  had  more  Experience 
of  this  than  Mr.  Baxter  ;  who,  in  Political  Matters  en- 
deavoured equally  to  (hun  the  flavifii  Principles  of  the 
AfTcrtors  of  Abfolute  Monarchy^  and  the  confounding 
Notions  of  Democratical  Vnjekors :  And  at  the  fame 
Time,  in  Ecclefiafiical  Matters,  was  equally  fearful  of 
the  Arbitrary  Encroachments  of  ^{ffuming  Prelates,  and 
and  the  Uncharitable  and  Dividing  Principles  and  Pra- 
<fiiccs  of  the  Se^aries,  This  expos'dhim  to  the  EfTcdts 
of  the  Malignity  of  each  Party,  and  created  him  a 
great  deal  ot  Trouble  :  But  at  the  fame  Time  his  Con- 
Icience  was  fatisfy'd  in  the  Meafures  he  took ;  and  he 
doubted  not  but  Pofterity,  when  the  Heats  were  over, 
would  judge  more  favourably  of  hisCondudt,  than  ma- 
ny of  his  Corcmporarics,  who  were  adled  by  Malice 
and  Fury,  blind  Zeal  and  Bigottry,  in  the  Cenfures  they 
pafs'd  upon  him.  He 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  7- 


He  was  far  from   encouraging  fuddam  Impulfes,  the  ARemark- 
Danger  of  yielding  to  which  he  was  well  aware  of  ;  «^/e  Faf- 
and  yet  was  once  carry *d  quite  beyond  his  Intentions  As<^- 
in   a  P.ublick  Performance,   the  Manner  and   Confe- 
quence  of   which   was   Remarkable.     Mr.  Madeftard 
(  whom  he  had  aflifted  at  Bridgnorth  )  dying,  after  he 
had  been  a  little  While  fix'd  at  K^derminfter^  He  was 
defired  to  preach  his  Funeral  Sermon.     He  difcharg'd 
that  Office  under  fo  deep  a  Senfe  of  the  Mifery  of  the 
unprofitable  Pe<;ple  of  that  Town,  and  the  deep  Groans 
he  had  heard  from  their  Faithful  Paftor  for  their  Ob- 
duratenefs,  that  he  could  not  forbear  to  tell  them  his 
Fears,  Thnt  jome.fuddain  Judgment  vcould  come  upon  that 
Plac? ;    which  they  were  more  capable  of  laying  to 
Heart,  than  their  Paftor 's  Death.    Neither  did  he,  ei- 
ther before  or  after,  prefume  upon  fuch  kind  of  Pre- 
didkions  ;  but  the  ExpreiHon  of  that  Fear  he  could  not 
then  fupprefs.     His  Text  was  £;^e/^.  33.  33.  And  when 
this  Cometh  to  fafsy  (^lo^  it  will  come )  then  /hall  they  fyiox9 
that  a  Prophet  hath  been  among  them.     And  when  the 
War  was  begun,  the  Town  being  againft  the  Parlia- 
ment, was  a  Garrifon  for  the  King,  kept  by  the  Neigh- 
bouring Gentlemen  of  the  Country,  who  fortify'd  the 
Caftle.    When  the  Parliament's  Forces  came  to  take 
the  Town,  they  by   the  Fire- works  from  the  Caftle 
burnt  it  to  the  Ground,  together  with  the  Church  where 
that  Sermon  was  preach'd,  and  where  Mr.  Madejiard 
was   Interr'd.    So  that  the  Inhabitants  were  undone, 
and  forc'd  to  lie  under  Hedges,  'till  the  Compaflion  of 
others  afforded  them  Entertainment  and  Habitation. 
And  as  for  their  Church,  it  was  a  great  While  before  it 
was  rebuilt,and  that  after  two  General  CollecSkions  for  it. 
The  firft  Time  he  came  among  them  when  the  War 
was  over,  he  chofe  the  fame  Text  again  to  preach  on, 
to  call  their  Sins  againft  their  faithful  Paftor  to  Re- 
membrance :  But  both  Speaker  and  Hearers  were  fo  in- 
terrupted with  Tears,  that  it  was  not  without  much 
Difficulty,    and  after  feveral  Paufes,  that  he  was  able 
to  proceed  on  to  the  End. 

He  adher'd  to  the  Long  Parliament ^  as  far  as  he  could  Mr.  Baxter 
apprehend  theirCaufeand'their  Motions  juftifiable;  hy^t  adheres  tqt 
no  Hopes  or  Fears  could  draw  or  drive  him  any  farther,  the  ParlU- 
Upon  Occafion  of  the  Iri/h  Maffacre,  they  made  an  ^ent. 
Order,  That  all  the  People  fliould  taf{€  4  Propejiation,  to 

defend 


76  The  LI  FB   of       Chap.  VI. 


defend  the  I{ing's  P:rfor?,  Hoyiour  and  Authority^  the  Power 
dr,d  Priviledg:i  of  PariiamcTjtSy  the  Liberties  of  the  Sub' 
jecf,  and  the  Protestant  ^ligiony  againjl  the  Common  Ene- 
my.    Herein  he  readily  obey'd,    and   joyn'd  with  the 
Magiftrace  in  offering  this  ProtejUtion  to  the  People  ;  tho' 
fi;me  were  much  otiended  at  ir.     Soon  after,  the  King's 
Declarations  were  read  in  the  Market- PJace  at  f^eder- 
minjhr^  and  the  Comminion  of  Arrav  was  fet  a  foot  ; 
the  Lord  Hown-d,  who  was  the  Parliament's lienrenanc 
for  the  Militia  of  the  Counry  of  H'orcefier^  not  appear- 
ing.    Hereupon,  the  Rabble  grew  fo  Riotrus  and  Fu- 
rious, that  a  Sober  Man  could  h;irdly  hope  f.r  Safety  : 
For  in  the  Prt-paration  to  the  Approaching  Wa;-,  they 
had  got  the  Word  amongft  them,  Down  with  ch  R^ouud- 
hcads  ;  infomuch.  that  if  a  Srranger  in  many  Places 
happen'd  to  pafs  by,  that  had  ihort  Hair,  ar.d  a  civil 
Habit,  the  Cry  was,  Down  with  the  [{oundbcaas,  and  on 
they  fell,  knocking  them  down  in  the  open  Streets,  none 
daring  to  appear  in  their  Defence. 
Hetiref  to        To  avoid  Uproars  of  this  Kind,  he  was  advis'd  to 
Gloucefter.  withdraw  a  While  from  F-Iome  ;  and  follow'd  the  Ad- 
vice.    As  he  pafs'd  but  thro'  a  Corner  of  the  Suburbs  of 
the  City  of  lVo)ccfter^  the  Multitude,  the'  they  knew 
nothing  ot  him,  cry'd,  Down  with  the  Roundheads,  info- 
much,  that  he  was  glad  to  fpur  on  and  be  gone.     He  re- 
tired to  Gloucejier,  where  he  found  a  Civil,  Courteous 
and   Religious  People,     as    different    from    thofe  of 
l4^orcefier,  as  if  they  had  Jiv'd  under  another  Govern- 
mdir.     This  Coumy  came  in  for  the  Parliament,  while 
"  iV^rceflerfhire^  Hereford/hire  and   Shrnp/hire  were  wholly 
for  the  King-     It  was  in  this  Retirement  that  he  met 
with  the   i\\i\  An.ib'tptijh  that  ever  he  was  acquainted 
with.     About  a  dozen  Young  Men,  or  more,  of  con- 
liderable  Parts,  had   received  the  Opinion  againft  In- 
fant Baptifm,  and  were  Re-baptiz'd,  and  labour'd  to 
draw  others  after  them,  not  far  from  Gioucejler.     The 
M.niOcr  of  the  Place,  Mr.  l^f'innel^  being  hot  and  im- 
paiient   with  them,  k  was  tho't,  hardened   them  the 
more.     He  wrote  a  Confiderablc'  Book  at  that  Time 
againft  them  :  But  the  Nation  having  then  no  great 
lixpcrience  of  the  Tendency   of  their  Principles  ;  the 
People  that  were  not  of  their  Opinion,  did  but  pity 
them,  and  think  it  was  a  Conceit  that  had  no  great 
H;irm  in  it,  and  J^am  d  Mr.  If'inncl  for  his  Afperity 

towaid§ 


Chap.  VI.        Air.  Richard  Baxter.  77 

towards  them.  But  this  was  manifeftly  the  Beginning 
of  the  Miferies  of  Gloucefter  :  For  while  the  Anabaftifis 
encreas'd  on  one  Side,  one  Mr.  Hart  came  out  of  Here- 
fordfoire  with  Mr.  Vaughnn  3l  Gencleman,  who  drew  ma- 
ny to  Separation  on  another  Side,  and  afterwards  came 
Mr.  Bacon,  a  Preacher  of  the  Army,  and  he  drew 
them- to  Antimminnifm  on  another  Side  ;  which  toge- 
ther fo  diftradted  the  good  People,  and  eat  out  that 
Heart  of  Religion  and  Chafity  among  them,  that  the 
City  which  before  had  as  great  Advantages  for  the 
Profperity  of  Religion  among  them,  as  any  in  the  Land, 
in  the  Civility,  Tra6tablenefs  and  Piety  of  the  People, 
became  as  low  and  poor  as  others,  and  the  pity  of  more 
happy  Places. 

After  about  a  Month's  ftay  at  Glouccfier^  his  Neigh- 
bours of  Kjderminfter  defired  his  return,  leaft  the  Peo- 
ple (houid  interpret  his  Abfence,  either  as  the  Effed:  of 
his  Fear  on  the  Account  of  fome  Guilt,  or  as  fignify- 
ing  his  being  againft  the  King.  When  he  came  Home, 
he  found  the  drunken  Rabble  very  boifterous,  threat- 
ning  all  fober  People,  and  crying  out  as  they  met  any 
of  them  in  the  Streets,  fVe  jhall  take  an  Order  xcith  the 
Puritans  eer  long :  They  were  like  ty'd  Maftiffs  newly 
loofed,  flying  in  the  Face  of  all  that  was  Religious, 
yea  or  Civil,  which  came  in  their  Way.  This  forced 
him  to  withdraw  again.  He  fpent  a  few  Days  in  the 
Earl  of  EJJex's  Army  then  about  iVorceHer,  flaying 
with  them  'till  the  March  of  the  King's  Army  occafi- 
ond  their  Remove.  On  the  LordVDay  following,  he 
preached  at  Alce^ler^  and  during  his  Preaching,  the 
Noife  of  the  Cannon  inform'd  ihem  that  the  Armies 
were  engaged  ;  and  this  was  the  Fight  at  Edge-Hill. 
In  the  Evening,  many  flying  Troops  affur'd  them,  Th.^: 
all  was  loft  on  the  Parliament's  Side,  and  the  Carriage  ta- 
ken  and  Pf^aggnns  plunder*d  before  they  came  axvay  :  But 
they  afterwards  got  a  better  Account  ;  vi::^.  That  while 
Prince  Rupert's  Men  were  plundering  the  PVaggons  of 
EfTexV  Left  Wing  which  they  bad  routed^  the  main  Body 
and  the  J^ght  H^ing  frevail'd  againft  the  reft  of  the  Kjngs 
Army^  and  got  the  Day,  The  next  Morning  he  went  to 
fee  the  Field  where  the  Fight  had  been  the  Day  before, 
and  found  the  Earl  of  Ejfex  with  the  remaining  Part  of 
his  Army  keeping  the  Ground,  and  the  King's  Army 
facing  them  upon  a  Hill  a  Mileofr,and  about  aThoufand 

dead 


78  The  LI  FE  of        Chap.  VI. 


dead  Bodies  in  the  Field  between  them,  and  neither  of 
the  Armies  moving  towards  each  other.  But  in  a  lit- 
tle Time  they  on  both  Sides  retired  to  Quarters  of  Re- 
frelhmenr. 
Eetira  to  ^j.  ^j^^g  Time  Mr.  Baxter  was  very  much  at  a  Lofs, 
Covenuy.  ^j^^  knew  not  what  Giurfe  to  take.  To  live  at  Home 
was  very  uncomfortable  and  hazardous,  the  Soldiers 
on  one  Side  or  other  ft  ill  palling  to  and  fro,  and  being 
ready  to  make  a  Prey  of  ivhatfoever  came  before  them: 
And  yet  he  had  not  any  Thing  tofublift  onelfewhere  irt 
a  Place  of  Safety.  At  length  he  determin'd  to  go  to 
Cove77try^  where  Mr.  Snmn  Kjng,  who  was  his  Ac- 
quaintance at  Bridgnorth^  was  Minifter,  determining 
to  ftay  there  'till  one  Side  or  other  had  got  the  Victory, 
and  the  War  was  ended.  For  fo  little  acquainted  was 
he,  or  indeed  the  Country  round  him,  with  Matters  of 
War,  that  it  was  commonly  fuppos'd,  a  very  few  Days 
or  Weeks  bv  one  other  Battle,  would  bring  Things  to 
an  lifuc.  When  he  had  continud  with  Mr.  Kj^g  a 
Month,  he  found  the  War  as  far  from  being  like  to 
End  as  before.  This  put  him  upon  Tho'ts  of  making 
further  Provifion  forhirnfelf,  that  he  might  not  be  bur- 
denfome  to  his  Fnenci ;  and  while  his  Mind  was  thus 
employed,  as  Providence  otderM  it,  the  Committee  and 
Govcrnour  of  the  City  pf  Covcnt-y  defired  him  to  ftay 
with  them,  and  Lodge  in  the  Govemour*8  Houfe,  and 
preach  to  the  Soldiers.  The  offer  fuited  well  with  his 
Keceflities ;  and  tho'  he  vva«;  not  enclin'd  to  be  Chaplain 
to  the  Regiment,  or  take  a  Commilfion;  yet,  fince  the 
meer  Preaching  of  a  Sermon  once  or  twice  a  Week  lO 
the  Garrifon  would  fatisfy,  he  readily  accepted  the  Of- 
fer 'till  he  he  could  return  Home  in  Safety.  In  this 
Poft  he  follow'd  his  Studies  as  quietly  as  in  a  Time  of 
Peace  for  about  a  Year,  only  Preaching  once  a  Week 
to  the  Soldiers,  and  once  on  the  Lord*i-Dny  to  the  Peo- 
ple, not  taking  any  Thing  of  them  for  either,  excepting 
only  his  Diet.  He  had  here  a  very  Judicious  Auditory  : 
Sir  F{ichnrd  Shffi»gton,  Col.  Godfrey  Bofvile,  Mr.  hUck^^ 
worthy  Mr.  George  Ahbot^  and  many  other  Pious  and 
Judicious  Gentlemen  were  his  conftant  Auditors^  There 
were  alfo  about  y  worhy  Minif^ers  in  the  City,  who 
fled  thither  f  r  Safety  from  Solders  and  popular  Fury, 
as  he  had  done,  tho'  ihcy  never  meddleci  in  the  Wars^ 
Mr,I{icUrU  Vine:^  Mr.  Anthony  Bw2e]s,   Mr.  Bwdall^ 

""  '  "  Mr- 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  79 

Mr.  Brumskill^    Dr.  Bryan^   Dr.  Grew^    Mr.  Stephens^ 
Mr.  Craddockji  Mr.  Morton  of   Bevfdley,    Mr.  Diamond^ 
Mr.  Overton^  were  fome  of  them.     And  he  was  ex- 
ceeding Thankful  to  God  for  the  Quietnefs  and  Safety, 
and  Sober,  Wife,   and  Religious  Company,   with  Li- 
berty to  Preach  the  Gofpel,  which  he  vouchfafed  him 
in  this  City,  when  other  Places  were  in  the  Terrours 
and  Flames  of  War.     When  he  had  been  above  a  Year 
at  C&ventry^   the  War  was  fo  far  from  being  ended, 
that  it  had  difpers'd  it  felf  into  almoft  all  the  Land. 
Only   Middlejexy   Hertford/hire^    moft  of    Bedford  and 
hJorth^mptonfhire^  being    entirely  for  the  Parliament, 
had  fome  Quietnefs.     And  EJfex,  Suffolk,,  Norfoll^,  Cam- 
bridgejhiie,    and  Huntington/htre,  with  the  Ille  of  £/;, 
which   were  call'd  the  /^jjoclated  Counties^  Hv'd  as  in 
Pea^e,  the  King's  Armies  never  coming  near  them. 
And  it  was  fo  for  the  moft  Part  alfo  with  K^nt,  Surrey 
and  Suffcx,     "While  on  the  other  Side,  Hereford/hire, 
Pf^orcefterfhirey   and   Shrop/hire^  and    almoA  all  fVales^ 
( PembrGkefhWe  excepted )  were  only  poffefs'd  for  the 
King ,  and  faw  not  the  Forces  of  the  Parliament.    But 
almbft  ali  the  reft  of  the  Counties  had  Garriibns  and 
Parties  in  them  on  both  Sides,  which  caus'd  a  War  in 
every  County,  and  there  were  but  few  Parifties  where 
at  one  Time  or  other  Blood  had  not  been  fhed.    The 
Religious  Part  of  the  People  of  Ksderminfter  would 
gladly  have  liv*d  quietly  at  Home,  but  were  forc'd  to 
be  gone,  and  retired  alfo  to  Coventry ;   where  fuch  of 
them  as  had  any  Eftate  of  their  own,   liv*d  at  their 
own  Charge  ;  and  the  reft  were  fain  to  take  up  Arms, 
and  be  Garrifon  Soldiers  to  get  them  Bread.     In  Shrop- 
/hire,  where  his  Father  dwelt,  both  he  and  all  his  Neigh- 
bours, that  were  noted  for  Praying  and  Hearing  Sermons, 
were  plunder'd  by  the  King's  Soldiers,  fo  that  fome  of 
them    had    nothing  almoft  but  Lumber  left  in  their 
Houfes  :  Tho*  his  Father  meddled  on  neither  Side,  but 
followed  his  own  Bufmefs,  and  held  no  Correfpondencc 
at  all  with  his  Son.    At  length  Col.  Mitton,  and  other 
Shropfhire  Gentlemen,  refolving  to  fettle  a  Garrifon  at 
Wem^  a  little  Town  in  their  own  Country,  eight  Miles 
from  Shrewsbury,  and  Mr.  Mackworth,  Mr.  Hunt,  and  o- 
thers,   prefling  him  to  go  with  them,    he  comply'd, 
partly  becaufe  *twas  his  Native  Country,  and  partly 
becaufe  he  ihould  be  near  his  Father,  and  withal  hop- 


8o  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VL 


An.  1543.  ing  he  fiiould  then    have   more   of    his    Ksdirminfter 
Neighbours  about  him.     Having  ftay'd  there  and  at 
Lcvgford  Garrifon  about  two  Months,  and  redeemed  his 
Father  out  of  Prifon  at  Lillf^ulj  he  return'd  to  Coven- 
try^ and  fettled  in  his  former  Habitation  and  Employ- 
ment, and  follow'd  his  Studies  there  in  Quiecnefs  for 
another  Year. 
TheSuteof     The  Garrifon  of  Coventry  confifted  half  of  Country- 
that  City,    men,  and  half  of  Citizens.     The  Countrymen  were 
foch  as  had  been  forc'd  from  their  Dwellings  in  the 
Neighbouring    Places ;   and   were    Men   of  as  great 
.Sobriety,  and   Soundnefs  of  Underftanding,    as  were 
in  any  Garrifon  in  England,     But   one  or  two  of  Sir 
Henry  Vntie's   Party,    who   came  out  of  New-England^ 
and  an  Anabaptifi  Taylor,  had  almoft  troubled  all  the 
Garrifon,    by  infedting  the  honeft  Soldiers  with  their 
Opinions :    So  that  he  was  forc*d  to  Preach  over  all 
the   Controvcrfies  againft  the  Anabaptifis^    and  after- 
wards againft  the  Separatiftsy  and  fo  kept  the  Garrifon 
found.     The  Anabaptifi s  fent  to  '^edfordiot  one  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin. Cox,  an  old  Anabaptifi  Minifter,  a.  Bilhop*s  Son, 
and  nd,  mean  Scholar,  with  whom  he  had  a  Difpute 
firft  by  Word  of  Mouch,  and  afterwards  by  Writing, 
which  he  tho't  fit  at  length  to  forbear.    So  that  upon 
the  Whole,  a  few  Poor  Townfmen  only  were  carried 
away,  about  a  Dozen  Men  and  Women  :  But  the  Sol- 
•dicrs,  and  the  reft  of  the  City,  kept  found  from  all  In- 
fecflion  of  Sedlarics  and  Dividers.     While  he  liv'd  here 
in  Peace  And  Liberty,  like  one  in  a  dry  Houfethat  hears 
Srorms    Abroad,    he  was  daily   entertained  with    the 
News  of  fomc  Fight  or  other,  or  of  one  Garrifon  or 
other  won  ( r  loft,  the  Particulars  whereof  are  related 
by  the  Hijiorians  of  thofe  Times. 
n' ih  iayc-    .  When  the  Earl  of  Xerv-Cajlle  had  over-power'd  the 
n^-Mf.  Lord  Fairfax  in  the  North,  and  the  Queen  bro't  over 

many  Popilh  Soldiers  from.  Foreign  Parts,  and  other 
Circumftanccs  concurred  that  made  the  I^nyaHfts  For- 
midable ;  the  Parliament  was  glad  to  dcfire  Alfiftance 
from  the  Scots^  whofe  Army  was  paid  off  and  Disband- 
ed before  the  EngHfo  War.  The  Scots  confented,  but 
withal  offer'd  a  Covenant  to  be  taken  by  both  Nations 
for  a  Rcfolvcd  ^formation^  againft  Popery^  Prelacy^ 
Srhifm  and  Profanenc/s.  This  Covenant  was  propos'd  by 
the  Parliament  to  the  Coniideration  of  the  5>W  at 

f^y^fiminjier. 


Chap.  VI.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  8i 


Weftminjler.  They  ftumbled  at  fome  Things  in  it, 
and  efpecially  ac  the  Word  Prelncy.  Dr.  Burges,  the 
Prolocutor,  Mr.  Gntakcr,  and  feveral  others,  de- 
clar'd  their  Judgments  to  be  tor  Epifcop^cy,  even  for 
the  Ancient  Moderate  Epifccp/icy,  in  which  one  ftated 
Prehdent  with  his  Presbytery  govcrnd  every  Church  : 
Tho'  iTOt  for  the  Englifh  Diocefan  Frams,  in  which  one 
Bilhop  did  without  his  Presbytery,  by  a  Lay-Chan- 
celiOiir*s '  Court,  govern  aJi  the  Presbyters  and 
Churchesofa  Diocefs^being  many  Hundred  ^  and  'hat  in 
a  Secular  Manner^  by  abundance  of  upftart  Secular  Of- 
ficers, unknown  to  the  Primitive  Church.  Here- 
upon there  was  a  Debate  in  the  Aifembly.  Some  (  ef- 
pecially the  Scottifh  Divines  )  being  againft  every  De- 
gree of  Bilhops,  and  others  for  a  Moderate  Epifco- 
pacy.  Bat  the  latter  would  not  fubfcribe  the  Cove- 
nant^  \i\\  there  was  an  Alteration  fuited  to  their 
Judgments :  And  fo  a  Parenthefis  was  yielded  to,  as 
defcribing  that  Sort  of  Prelacy  which  they  opposed  ; 
'vi:{,  \That  is.  Church  Government  hy  Arch-Bijhops,  Bi- 
/hopSy  Deans  and  Chaptert^  Arch-Deacons,  and  all  other 
Ecclefiaftical  Oncers  depending  on  that  Hierarchy.']  When 
it  was  thus  agreed  on,  the  Lords  and  Commons 
firft  took  the  Covenant  themfelves,  and  Mr.  Thomas 
Coleman  preach'd  to  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  and  gave 
it  them  with  this  Publick  Explication,  That  hy  Prelacy 
we  mean  not  all  Epifcopacy,  but  only  the  Form  which  is 
here  defcrib^d.  When  the  Parb'ament  had  taken  it, 
they  fent  it  to  be  taken  by  all  the  Garrifons  and  Ar- 
mies;  and  commended  it  to  all  the  People  of  the 
Land.  And  when  the  War  was  ended,  they  caus'd 
all  the  Noblemen,  Knights,  Gentlemen,  and  Officers, 
which  had  been  againft  them  in.  the  Wars,  to  take  it 
before  they  would  admit  them  to  Compofition,  and 
they  did  fo.  And  they  required  all  young  Minifters 
to  take  it  at  their  Ordination.  This  Covenant  being 
taken,  the  Scots  raised  an  Army  and  came  into  England, 
and  clear'd  the  North;  but  afterwards  lay  ftill  and  did 
no  Service,  and  thereupon  were  burdenfome.  Which 
arofe  from  the  Policy  of  C^mwel  and  his  Party,  who 
tho't  them  no  fit  Inftruments  for  their  Purpofes,  and 
thereupon  kept  them  without  Pay,  and  without  March- 
ing Orders,  &c, 

G  The 


82  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  VI. 

^^_«JM^-    ' —    ■-■      -     ■   ■        ■ -^ ■ —        ■ ■ ■  ■  ■  --  ■  ,  ,, 

TheAffem-  The  mention  of  the  tVeftyninfter  Synod,  upon  occa- 
hly  of  VI-  iion  of  this  Covenant,  feems  to  require  fome  Account 
V;"««.  of  it.     This  Synod*  was  not  a  Convocation  according 

*  My  Lord  t6  the  Diccefan  way  of  Government,  nor  was  it  called 
Clarendon  by  the  Voces  of  the  Minifters  according  to  the  Presby- 
7«  hif  Me-  terian  Way  :  But  the  Parliament  not  intending  to  call 
Tnoirs  rol.l.  ^j^  AfTembly,  which  Ihould  pretend  to  a  Divine  Right 
f'  '^'5-  to  make  obliging  Laws  or  Canons  to  bind  their  Bre- 
/-pX^/V,^  ^/ thren,  but  an  Ecclefiaftical  Council  to  be  Advifers  to 
/^  ^r^j'.  themfelves,  did  think  that  tjiey  beft  knew  who  were 
AfTemblv^  the  fitteft  to  give  them  Advice,  and  therefore  chofe 
r:^;  fomeof^^^"^  all  themfeives.  Some  Counties  had  two,  and 
them  vvtre  fome  but  one.  And  becaufe  they  would  feem  Impar- 
infamous  tial,  and  that  each  Party  might  have  the  liberty  to 
ja  their  fpeak,  they  chofe  alfo  many  of  the  moft  Learned  Epif- 
lives  and  copal  Divines ;  as  Arch-Bilhop  Vfher^  Dr.  Holdfvporth^ 
Converfa-  Dr.  Hnmmond^  Dr.  Wlncop^  Bifliop  W.-flford,  Bilhop 
^ionsj  ^n^  p.idrnux,  Bifhop  J^rowwn^^,  "Dr.  Sander/en,  DT.H<cJ{et^ 
moft   of     ^j^j  feveral  others  to  joyn  with  them  ;  but  they  refused 

them  of  ve-  ^^  come  becaufe  it  was  not  a  Legal  Convocation,  and 

xy    mean  '^  ' 

rartfj   in 

Learning,  if  not  of  fcandilous  Ignorance  :   And  of  no  other  Reputatioh, 
than  of  M;iJice  to  the  Cbiirch  of  England.  ——   This  is  a  very  Heary  Charge 
tipon  fuch  a  Body  of  Men  as  they  were.      Thai'  my  Lord  Clarendon  rvas  un- 
doubtedly a  yefy    ^reat  /Uan^  yet  thti  C>infure  vfont  recommend  his  Hiftory  to 
Tofitrityj  vfho^iu  be  hard  pm  f)  it,  to  find  Men  of  more  Exemplary  Fiety^and 
hidre  e7>iinent  Minificrial  Abilitiei:,  amon^  their  Progenitors  in  any  Age,  than 
jhefc  ^ere  -K?hom  he  endeavours  at  fuch  a  Rate  to  expofe.      fi  ho  can  gire  Cre- 
dit to  him  as  an  Hifiorian  that  fhali  reprefent  fuch    Men  as    Dr.  Twif*?, 
llr.  Gatakcr,  B'flop  Reynold'^,  Dr.  Arrotcfmith,    Dr.  Tuckney,  Dr  Light- 
foor,  &c.  as  Men  of  icandaljws  Ignorance,  or  mean  Paris  ?     Or  who  runs 
down  fuch  Men  as  Dr.  Gouge,  Mr.  Oliver  Bawles,  Mr.  Vine?,  Mr.  Heile, 
Dr.  Spurflow,  Mr,  Kev^'comcn,  Mr.  Coleman,  c^rc.  as  Terpens  of  no  orlicr 
Recantation  than  of  Malice  to  the  Church  of  England  i     I  have  added  the 
tifi  of  this  Ajfcmhly      Let  the  World  Judge  of  the  Hiforian  by  the  .^ffembly, 
<ir  the  AJfcmhly  by  the  Hifiorian  as  they  fee  Occafton.     I  cant  difccrn  the  lea  ft 
HeafoH  to  fear    the   Confetjuence,    where  Terfons  are  not  over-run  with  the 
gtojfcf}  Trcindice  and  £artialiiy.     And  therefore  I  jhould  have  tho't  the  Com- 
p Her  of  the  Com\')\c(c  Hiftory  of  Hrifiland,    who  in  Vcl.  III.  p.  \r{/^.  takes 
notice  of  this  Rtfle^iion  of  my  Lord  Clarcmlon'j,  might  have  f par d  a  Word 
er  two  y pen  it,  wJ)cn  l)c  i<.  fo  liberal  of  his  Cenfitres  upon  other  OccaftonSy  with 
far  lefs  Rtafon.,    It  defcrveshis  Confidcratioff^  whether  his  faying  nothing  to 
fo  ur.deferv''d.a  Rcfieliionon  fuch  a  Body  of  worthy  Men,  has  not  made  it  hi4 
o-JCYi  ',  and  whether  that  he  likely  to  conciliate  Credit  JO  If  is  Biftorical  Labours 
r.rtiong  th^fe  that  (Jjall  rife  up  ttfter  us. 

becaiuCb 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  83 


becaufe  the  King  declar'd  againfl  ic.     Some  few  in- 
deed came,  and  among  the  relt  Dr.  Fcatly.     Bui  being 
charg'd  with  fending  Intelligence  to  che  King  at  Ox- 
ford  oi  what  pafs'd  in  Synod   and  Parjiamchc,  he  wss 
imprifonM.     Their   firft    Prolocutor  was  Dr.  i^^tlUnm 
Tmfs^  a  Man  very  Famous  for  his  Schoiaftical  Wit  and 
Writing.     The  Divines  were  Men  of  Eminent  Learn- 
ing and  Godlinefs,  Minifterial  Abilities  and   FideJify. 
They  were  confind  in  their  Debates  to  fuch  Thi-.gs     '  1 
only  as  the   Parliament  proposed.     And  many  Lords      ^  ""^ 
and  Commons  were  joyn'd   with   them,    to    fee  char    '^*^'  '""^^ 
ihey  did  not  go  beyond  their  Commiifion  *.     Six:  or  ^;^^^^  ^ ^^ 
Seven  Independents  were  joyn'd  to  them,  that  <x\{S\di,Sr,en:nthU 

rfere,  Algernon  Earl  of  Northumberland.  William  Ear/  of  B  jrw.d. 
Philip  Earl  of  Pembroke.  William  Earl  of  Salisbury.  Henry  Earl  of 
Holland.  Edward  Earl  of  Manchefter.  William  Lord  Fifcount  Say  and 
Seal.  Edward  Lord  Fifcount  Conway.  Philip  Lord  Wharton  Edw^d 
Jlor^  Howard.  John  Selden  Efq-^  Francis  Rous  f/^f;  Edmund  Prideaux  £/^; 
Sir  Henry  Vane  Sen.  Kt.  John  Glyn  Efq-^  Recorder  of  London.  John 
White  Eff^  Bulftrode  Whitlocke  Eff^  Humphry  Salloway  Efq-,  Mr.  Ser- 
jeant Wild.  Oliver  St.  John  Ef(j-^  his  Majefifs  Solicitor.  S/V  Benjamin 
Jludyard  Kt,  John  Pym  Efcf-^  Sir  John  Clotworthy  Kt.  John  May- 
nard  Ef^',  Sir  Henry  Vane  /««•  Kt.  William  Pierpoint  £/gr^  William 
Vv^heeler  Efq'.,  Sir  Thomas  Barrington  Kt.  Walter  Young  Efq-j  And 
Sir  John  Evelin  Kt. 

The  Minified  that  wet  in  this  AJfembly  were  thefe.     Vr.  William  Twifs 
of    Newbury,     Prolocutor.     Dr.     Cornelius    Buiges    of  .Watfoid,     and 
Mr.  John  White  of  Dorchefter,  AJfeJfors.     Vr,  William  Gouge  of  B'ack- 
Fryars,  London.     Mr.  Robert  Harris  of  Hanwell,  JB.  D.     Mr.  Jhomas 
Gataker  of  Rotherhithe,    B.  V.     Mr.  Oliver  Bowles  of  Sutton,   B.  D. 
Mr.  Edward  Reynolds  o/Bramfton.     Mr.  Jeremiah  Whitaker  of  Stret- 
ton.     Mr.  Antony  Tuckney  of  Bofton,  B.  D.     Mr.  John  Arrowfmich  of 
Lynne.     Mr.  Simeon  Afhe  of  St.  Brides.     Mr.  Philip  Nye  o/Kimbolron. 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Burroughs  of  Stepney,      Mr.  John    Lightfoot  of  Afhley. 
Mr.  Stanley  Gower  of  Brampton-Bryan .     Mr.  Richard   Heyricke  of  Man- 
chefter.     Mr.  Thomas  Cafeo/  London.    Dr.  Thomas  Temple  of  Bjtter- 
fey.     Mr.  George  Gipps  of  Ayleftone.     Mr.  Thomas  Carter.    Mr.  Hum- 
phrey Chambers  of  Claverton,    B.  D.     Mr.    Thomas  Micklethwaice   of 
Cherryburton.     A'Ir.  John  Gibbon  of  Waltham.     Mr.  Chrift.  Tifdale   of 
Uphusborne.     Mr.  John  Philips  of  Wrentham.     Air.  George  Walker,  B.  D. 
Mr.   Edmund   Calamy  of  Aldermanbury,  B.  D.     M.  Jofeph    Caryl    of 
Lincolns-Inn.     Mr.  Lazarus  Seaman  of  London.     Mr.  Henry  W  ilkinlbn  Sen. 
•/  WaddefdoR,  B.  D.     Mr.  Richard  Vines  of  Calcot.     Mr.  Nicola?  Prof- 
fet  0/  Marlborough.    Mr.  Stephen  Marlhalo/Fincliingfield,  B.D.    Vr.  Jo- 

G  1  might 


84  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VL 


Jofhua  might  be  heard.  Five  of  thefc,  t;/;^.  Mt.  Philip  Nje^ 
Hoyle.  ^j-.  Thomtis  GcoAvoin^  Mr.  Jeremiah  Burrcu^hs,  Mr.  5y- 
Mr.  Tlio.  ^raclj  Sympfn^  and  Mr.  If^illinm  BnHge^  were  call'd  the 
tpis  Wr-  i3iff^,j^t-,ng  Brethren.  They  joyn'd  wirh  the  reft,  'till 
on  Of  '  ^^^  ^^^  drawn  up  the  Confeifion  of  Faith,  and  larger 
Mr  Tho  SLfi^  fnialler  Catechifm:  But  when  they  came  to  Church 
Modgcs  of 

Kenfington.  Mr.  Thorr.:?s  Biyiy  of  Nhningford  Biuce.  Mr.  Francis  Tay- 
lor of  Ya'ding.  Mr.  Ihorrns  Young  of  Stowmarkec.  Mr.  Thomas  Va-_ 
Itntinc  o/Chalfont  Giles,  B.  D.  Mr.  William  Greenhill  of  Stepney 
Mr.  Edward  Peak  of  Compton.  Trhg  John  Green  of  Pencombe.  Mr.  An- 
diev/  Pern  o/*  VVilby.  >iy.  Samuel  de  la  Place.  Mr.  John  de  la  March. 
Mr.  John  Drury.  Mr.  Philip  pelme.  /1'/r.  Sydrach  Sympfon  of  London. 
Mr.  John  L^ngley  of  Weftnderly.  Mr.  Richard  Cleyton  of  Showel. 
My.  -<4rf/;r;vSalwey  o/Seavernftoak.  iifr.  John  Ley  o/Budworth.  A/r.  Charles 
Herleo,^  Winwicki  ^/jo  was  Prolocutor  after  Dr  Twifs.  Mr.  Herbert  Pal- 
mer of  AQiWcil,  B.  D  vpho  rffas  Afefor  after  Mr-  White.  Mr.  Daniel 
Ciwdrcy.  Mr.  Henry  Painter  of  Excefter,  B.D.  MY.  Henry  Scudder  of 
CoMngbiirn.  Mr.  Thoma?  Hill  of  Tichmarch,.B.  D.  Air.  William  Reynor 
of  Egham.  Mr  Ihomas  Goodwin  0/ London,  B.V.  Mr.  William  Spur- 
ftow  of  Hampden.  Mr.  Matthew  Newcomen  of  Dedham.  Mr.  Jolin  Co- 
nant  n/  L^'ffiington,  B.  D.  Dr.  Edmund  Staunton  of  Kingfton.  Mr.  An- 
thony Burgeffe  0/ Sutton  Coldficid.  Mr.  William  Rathband.  Mr.  Francis 
Cheynel  o/Oxon.  Mr.  Henry  Wiikinfon  /««.  B.  D.  Mr.  Obadiah  Sedg- 
Wick  of  Cogfhall,  B.  D.  Mr.  Edwaid  Corbet  of  Merton-College,  Oxon. 
>^/r.  Samuel  Gibiono/BurJey.  Mr-  ihomas  Coleman 'jfBliton.  yV/r.  Theo- 
dore Hackhurft  0/  Overion  VVatervile.  iV/r.  William  Carter  0/ London. 
t>r.  Pctef  Smith.  Mr.  Juhn  Maynard.  Air.  William  Price  of  Paul's 
Covcnt-Garden.  Dr,  John  Wir.cf'p  0/  St.  Martin's  i«^/je  F/e/^<.  >/r.  Wil- 
liam Bridge  0/  Yarmouth.  A:r.  Peter  Sterry  of  London.  Air.  William 
Mew  of  Efling-on,  B.  D.  Mr  Benj.  Pickering  of  Eafthoatly.  Mr.  John 
S'rickland  of  New  Sarum.  Air.  Humphrey  Hardwicke.  Air.  Jafper  Hickes 
of  La  wrick.  Mr.  John  Bond.  A  r.  Henry  Hall  of  Norwich,  B.  D. 
"Mr.  Thomas  Ford.  Mr.  Thomas  Thorowgood  of  MalTingham.  Mr.  Pe« 
rcr  C J  irk.  A/r.  William  Good.  Air  John  Fovcroit  o/Goth:im.  />ir.  John 
Ward.  y)/r.  Richard  B;Held.  y>/r  Francis  Woodcock.  A/r.  J.  Jackfon. 
The  Commiffioners  for  Scotland  Wfr?,  the  Lord  Maitland.  Air.  Alexander 
Hcnderlbn.  A/r.  George Gillefpie.  A^r.  Samuel  Rutherford.  AndMr.Ko^ 
Lcrt  Biylic.  UJ)e  Scribes  were  Air.  Henry  Robrough.  Mr.  Adoniram  Byfield. 
And  Mr.  ]o]m  VVallis. 

7 here  tpas  aFrormfe  or  Vovf  taken  by  eyery  Member.,  vho  vfds  admitted  to 
/'tin  thlf  AjfcwL/y,  of  this  Tenour  :  I  A.  B.  do  ferioufly  Promife  and 
Vow  in  the  Prcitjicc  of  Almighty  God,  that  in  this  Alfeinbly  whereof  I- 
am  a  Member,  I  will  maintain  nothing  in  Point  of  Dortrine,  but  what 
3  believe  tg  be  niofl  agreeable  to  the  Woid  of  God  :  Nor  in  Point  of 
pifcipline,  but  what  may  make  moft  tor  God's  Gloryj  and  the  Peace  and 
Good  of  his  Chuj  cl). 

government: 


Chap.  VL       Mr.  Pvichard  Baxter.  85 


-> 


Government,  they  engagd  them  in  long  Debates,   and     This  Af- 
kept  the  Matter  as  long  as  they  coujd  undeterniin'd  :  Tembly  /5r/2 
And   after  that,  they  kept  it  fo  long  unexecuted  in  al-  ^^^^ '»  Ju- 
raoft  all  Parts  of  the  Land,  except  London  and  Lanca-  ^y  '^43* 
[hire,  that  their  Party  had  Time  to  ftrengthen  them-  ^!^"'^  ■^'"'^" 

bet  teas  de- 
fi^nd  to  be 
no.  The  Eplfcopal  Uhines  refuflng  to  appear  among  them^  and  fame  others 
that  were  nominated^  abfenting  themfehes,  on  th?  Account  of  Age  and  In- 
difpofitlon^  many  others  were  joined  to  them,  who  were  cali'd  the  Super-added 
Divines.  Each  Member  had  four  Shillings  a  Day  allow  d  him  by  the  Parlia- 
ment  toxffardshis  Expences.  They  continud  their  Meetings  in  the  Tears  1644. 
and  1 645  But  after  the  taking  0/ Oxford,  when  the  Country  was  ^niet^ 
they  moft  of  them  return  d  to  their  own  Cures,  and  fo  the  Affembly  was  re- 
folvd  into  a  Sort  0/ Committee /or  the  examining  the  Abilities  and  good  Ajfe- 
flions  of  fuch  as  were  prefented  to  Livings,  but  was  never  formally  dijfoly'd 
by  the  Authority  that  call'-d  it. 

The  Minutes  of  this  Aflfembly  are  yet  refervd  in  private  Hands.  The 
mofi  remarhahle  Hints  concerning  their  Debates  that  are  pubUp^d  to  tbs 
World,  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  Life  of  Dr.  Lightfoor,  before  his  Works 
in  Folio,  and  in  the  Preface  to  the  fame  Doflor's  Kemains  in  Oii-avo  ;  for 
which  we  are  indebted  to  the  Ingenious  Mr.  Sti'vpc,  frefent  Incumbent  o/LoV/ 
Ley  ton.  The  Altembly  met  with  many  Difficulties.  They  were  not  gnlj 
ernbarrafs'd  by  the  DilTenting  Brethren,  but  by  the  Learned  Mr.  Selden,  whg^ 
often  employ  d  hi  s  IT  ncommon  Learning,  rather  to  pcrplexthanclear  the  Matters 
that  came  before  them.  The  Eraflims  alfo  that  were  in  tJjc  Ajfembly,  of 
whom:  Air.  Coleman  and  Dr.  Lightfoot  were  rechond  the  Principal  Perfons^ 
created  them  a  '^reat  deal  of  Trouble.  And  yet  after  all,  it  mufe  be  acknorp" 
ledg'd,  they  went  as  far  towards  clearing  the  Matters  rejerr'd  to  them,  4S 
could  be  expcfted  from  Men  in  their  Circumjtances. 

One  of  their  firft  Puhlick  Afts  was  the  prefenting  a   Petition  to  the  two 
Houfes  for  a  Vaji,  which   was  readily    comply  d    with.     After   which    they 
proceeded  to  draw  up    a  Letter  to  tlie  feveial  Reformed  Churches  Abroad, 
with  an  Account    of  their  Clrcumftances  and  Intentions.     And   being  called 
together  to  give  Advice  concerning    the  fettling  of  DoClrine,    Worjhip   and 
church  Government,   they  after  fame    Time  prefented   to   the  Parliament,  A 
ConfeHion    of  Fait/h  :    A  larger  and    lliorter  Catechifm  :    A  Directory 
for  the  Publick  VVorftiip  of  God  throughout  the    Tliree   Kingdoms    o^ 
England,  Scotland,  and   Ireland  :    And  their  Humble   Advice  concerning 
Church  Government.     After  the   la/i  had   been  prejl'nted,  the  two  Houfes 
of  Parliament    agreed  upon  fundry  Ordinances,  Direilions,  and  Fotes  for  the 
fpeedy  E/iablifiment   of  the  Presbytcrial  Coyernment.     They  were  publifj'd 
fin4er  thefe  Titles.     Dircdions  for  the  Chooiing  of  Ruling  Elders  in  aJI 
Congregations,   Augufi    19.    1 64  5.     Rales  and   Direaions   concerning 
Sufpenlion  from    the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's-Siipper,  in  Cales  o^'  Igno- 
rance and  Scandal,  oa.  20.  164$.     An  Ordinance   for  keeping  <if  Sc?n- 
dalous  Perfons  from  fhe   Lord's-Suppcr,   March    14.  16 j6.    An  Oidi- 

G  ^  felvcs 


86  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VI. 


nance  for  felves  in  the  Army  and  Parliament,  and  hinder  the  Exe- 
the  prefent  cution  after  all,  and  keep  the  Government  determin'd 
fettling  of^  jj  Stranger  to  moft  of  the  People  of  the  Nation, 
(without  ^^,[^Q  knew  it  but  by  Hear  fay,  as  it  was  reprefented 
Sfoftty  Reporters. 

Presby  re- 
rial  Government  in  the  Church  of  England,  Jnn-  5-  1.6^6.  Remedies 
for  rcmovinp  ibme  Obfiruftions  in  Church  Government,  Afril  22. 
1647.  An  Ordinance  for  the  Ordination  of  Minifters  by  :the  Claffical 
Prcsbycprp,  Au;^.  28.  \6^6.  An  Ordinance  for  the  fpeedy  dividing  and 
fettling  the  feveral  Counties  of  tlie  Kingdom,  into  diftinft  ClalTical 
Presbyteries,  and  Congregational  Eldcrniip?,  '/^n.  29.  1^47.  ——-4/* 
ter  vfhich^  the  Debates  between  the  Diifenting  Brethren  and  the  reft  of 
the  Alfembly,  about  Church  Government,  voere  ordered  to  be  printed  by  the 
Tarli4>ncnt,  and  there  was  an  End  of  the  intended  Settlement. 

There  it   one  Work  unjuflly  Afcribed  to    this  Affembly,    and  that  is  the 

Annofsrions  on  the  Bible,  which   commonly  bear   their  Name.     It  is  true,» 

as    is  hin  ted    in  the  Freface  before  the  faid  Notes,  the  fame  JParliament  that 

cal I' d  thp  A(kmh\y,    employ  d  the  Authors  of  thofe    Annotation^:    Vor    Let- 

ter<  rvere  dlrefhed  to  them  by  the  Chairmen  of  the   Committee  for    Keligion, 

wrinir  thpir  Undertahin'Z,  of  that  Work  :    And  they   were  by  Order  of  that 

Cr.mmittee    furr.ijJ)''d  with    whatfoerer  Books  were  needful.     It  is  alfo  true, 

T^'at  fev.ral  of  thofe  that    were    concern  d  in    it,   were    Members   of   the 

yT'^hly  :    And  yet    it  was  not  undertaken  by  the   Dire^ion  or  with   the 

the  Ajfembly  :,    nor  were  the  major  Part  Members  of  the  Ajfem' 

r  did   itiy  deputed    by  the   Ajfembly  reriew  the  Work  when  it  wai 

:    So  that  it  cannot,  upon  any  Account,    be  faid  to  be  theirs.     How- 

was  a  good  Work  in  its  Seafon,   and  I  fljall   add  the  Names  of  the 

r  Authors,    as  far    as    my    bejl   Encjuiry  would  help    me   to   Intelligence. 

.    '.   \rv,  Sub-Dean  0/ Chefter,  did  the  Pentateuch.     Dr.  Gouge  had  the 

.:•  '  Books  of  Kings,  and  Chronicles,  Ezra,    Nehemiah    and  Efther  for  his 

J -.'yince.     Mr.  Meric  Cafaubon  did  the  Vhlms,     Mr.  Francis  Taylor  the 

■  roverbs,    And  Dr.  Reignolds,Ecclefiaftes.    Mr. Swalwood  who  wasrecom- 

r-.  .idcd  by   Archbijhop  Uflier,  did  Solomon's  Song.     TJje  Learned  Gataker 

'  ./  Ifaiah,  Jeremiah,  and  Limeniations  ;   And  is  {in  the  Opinion  of  many 

Cn.petent  Judges)  exceeded  by  no  Commentator,  Anttent  or  Modern,    on  thofe 

f^ooks.     Ezekiel,   Daniel,  and  the  fmall  Prophets,  were  in    the  firji  Edition 

done  by  Mr.  Pemberton,  and  in  the  Second  by  Bifhop  Richardfon.     The  Notes 

on  the  four  Evangclifts,  are  Mr.  LeyV,  and  thofe  en  S^PauI'i  Epifiles  Dr.Feat- 

l^.v's  ',  which  latter  are  broken  and i-.jpcrfec},  on  the  Account  of  tijc  Author  s 

dyin'T   before  he  had  rerls'd  or  fnifl/d  them.     There  were  alfo  tr^o  other  Per- 

fens  cn.Ktrn'd   in  this  Work^  viz.    Mr.   Downame   and  Mr.  lU'^ding,    who 

mi<rht  ^'robubly  hure  tht  other  Parts  of  Stripturc  allotted  tbem^   that  are  no( 

here  mention  d. 


Among 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  87 


Among  other  Parts  of  their  Truft,  one  was  to  ap- 
prove of  all  that  fhouJcl  be  admitted  into  any  Church 
Livings,  They  had  no  Power  to  put  any  out,  but  on- 
ly were  to  judge  of  the  Fitnefs  of  fuch  as  were  laken 
in.  The  Power  of  Cafting  Que  was  in  a  Committee 
of  Parliament  Men  at  London,  and  partly  alfo  in  the 
Committees  of  the  feveral  Counties.  Th(fe  that  were 
Secjueftredy  were  generally  by  the  Oaths  of  feveral  Wit- 
neffes  ^rov'd infujfficietit  ov/candalous^  or  both  j"  efpecal* 
ly  guilty  of  Drunkonnefs  and  Swearing  :  And  thofe  that 
were  Abie  and  Pious  Preachers^  that  were  cait  oil'-  tor 
the  War  alone,  as  for  Opinions  fake,  were  compara- 
tively few  :  *Tis  pity  indeed  there  were  any.  Ai  d  tho'' 
now  and  then  an  imworthy  Perfon  by  Sinif^er  Mraus 
crept  into  their  Places,  yec  commonly  thofe  that  were 
put. in,  were  fuch  as  fet  themfelves  laborioufly  10  fcek 
the  faving  of  Souls.     But  to  return  to  Mr.  Bnxter. 

After  the  Great  Fight  at  Nafeby^  which  was  not  ^„,  i^Ai- 
far  from  Coventry^  he  went  into  the  Army,  to  vilit  h?  yifits 
fome  few  of  his  old  intimate  Friends.  He  ftay'd  2ithejir7ny. 
Night  with  them,  and  got  fuch  Intelligence  as  to  the 
State  of  the  Army,  as  amaz'd  him  ;  he  found  Plotting 
Heads  were  hoc  upon  what  intimated  their  Intention 
to  Subvert  both  Church  and  State.  Independency  and 
Annhnpiftry  extreamiy  prevail'd  among  them ;  and 
Antinomittnifm  and  Arminieinifm  were  equally  diftri- 
buted  :  And  Thomas  More's  Followers,  had  made  a 
Shift  to  joyn  thefe  two  Exireams  together.  Many 
Common  Soldiers,  and  fome  of  the  Officers,  were  ko- 
neft,  fober  and  orthodox  Men ;  but  a  few  proud,  felf- 
conceited,  hot-headed  Sectaries,  had  got  into  the 
higheft  Places,  and  v/ere  CrormveCs  chief  Favourites, 
and  by  their  very  Heat  and  Activity  bore  down  the 
reft,  or  carried  them  along  with  them,  and  were  the 
Soul  of  the  Army,  tho'  much  fewer  in  Number  than 
the  reft.  They  tho't  Providence  would  caft  the  Trufl: 
of  Religion  and  the  Kingdom  upon  them  as  Conque- 
rors^;  they  made  nothing  of  all  the  moft  Godly  ancj 
Wife  Men  in  the  Armies  and  Garrifons,  that  were  not 
of  their  Way :  Per  fas  aut  nefas.  By  Law  pr  without  ir, 
they  were  refolv'd  to  take  down  not  only  Bi/hops^ 
Liturgies  and  Ceremonies^  but  all  that  did  withftand 
them.  Separatifts  and  Sectaries  were  the  Perfons  moft 
HQnaur*4  I    but  Qromwel  and  bia  Council  joyn'd  iq 


88  The  LIFE  of       Chap,  VI. 

with  no  Party,  being  for  the  Liberty  of  all.  Upon 
this  he  lamented  that  the  Minifters  had  forfakcn  the 
Army,  betaking  themfelves  to  an  ealier  and  quieter 
Way  of  Life,  as  they  had  moft  of  them  done,  after 
li:!ge-HUl  Fight :  For  by  their  Staying  and  Diligence 
they  might  in  all  Probability  have  prevented  the  Infe- 
ction of  the  Army,  and  the  Mifchief  that  followed  up- 
on it.  Neither  could  he  forbear  Reflediing  with  Re- 
gret upon  his  own  Rcfufal  to  comply  with  an  Invita- 
tion from  Crcmvccl  j  who  when  he  firft  rais'd  his  Troop 
(which  was  to  be  a  gathered  Church)  that  was  after- 
wards fo  Famous,  fenc  to  him  from  Cambridge  to  Coven- 
try^^fi  Invitation  to  come  and  be  their  Paftor  ;  which  was 
univerfally  Sublcrib'd.  He  lent  them  a  Denial,  re- 
proving their  Attempt,  and  telling  thetn  wherein 
his  Judgment  was  againft  the  Lawfulnefs  and  Conve- 
nience of  their  Way,  and  fo  he  heard  no  more  from 
them.  But  afterwards  meeting  Cromwel  at  Leicefier,  he 
expoftulated  with  him  for  his  Refufal.  Thofe  very 
M^nwho  then  invited  him  to  be  their.Paftor,  were  the 
Men  that  afterwards  headed  much  of  the  Army,  and 
feme  of  them  were  the  forwardeft  in  all  the  Pub- 
lick  Changes ;  which  made  him  wifh  he  had  gone  a- 
mong  them,  when  all  the  Fire  was  in  one  Spark, 
Captain  Evan/on  told  him,  ^Twas  not  yet  too  Ute  to*  do 
Service  ;  that  the  ^^giment  he  xvas  of,  was  one  of  the  moji 
Religious,  Valiant  and  Succefsful  of  the  Army^  but  in  as 
much  Danger  tis  any ;  and  therefore  he  prefs'd  him  to 
come  among  them.  He  was  loath  to  leave  his  Studies, 
Friends  and  Quietnefs  at  Coventry,  to  go  into  an  Army 
of  fuch  a  Complexion  ;  bur  he  tho't  the  Publick  Good 
commanded  him,  fo  he  gave  him  fome  Encourage- 
ment :  Whereupon  he  told  his  Colonel  (fVhalley)  who 
was  an  Orthodox  Man,  but  engaged  to  Cromwel  by 
Kindred  and  Intereft  :  He  invited  him  to  he  Chaplain  to 
his  l^gimetit ;  whichhe  took  a  Day's  Time  to  confider 
of  before  he  gave  his  Anfwer. 

Coming  Flome  to  Coventry^  he  confulted  the  Mini- 
flers  that  were  there  about  the  "Matter:  He  acquainted 
thcui  with  the  Intelligence  he  had  gotten,  and  the  In- 
vitation that  was  made  him.  He  told  them,  That  all 
was  in  Dang^.  ;  that  the  Fate  of  the  Kjngdom  vfas  like  to 
foUow  the  Di/pojition  and  Inter  eft  of  the  Conquerors  ^  and 
that  for  his  Part^  th^  he  k/tew  his  H'eak^cfs  to  be  fiich  that 

he 


Chap.  VI.       Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  89 

he  fhould  run  the  Hn:{nrd  of  hit  Life  ;  and  tho'  he  could 
7iot  but  exfeH  the  EjfeBs  if  their  Fwj,  end  tho'  he  knew 
it  was  not  much  that  one  Man  could  do^  yet  if  they  appre- 
he?ided  it  to  be  his  Duty,  he  would  venture  his  Life  among 
thein  ;  and  did  not  knovp  but  fome  ether  Mlnifters  might 
he  drawn  in,  andfo  more  of  the  Evil  he  prevented.  Dr.  Bryan^ 
Dr.  Grew,  and  other  Miniftersthen  prefenr,  finding  his 
own  Judgment  for  it,  and  being  mov'd  with  the  Caufe, 
unanimoufly  gave  their  Judgment  for  his  going.  Up- 
on which  he  went  diredily  to  the  Committee,  and  told 
theoSy  He  had  an  Invitation  to  the  Army,  and  defired  their 
Confent  to  gc.  After  fome  Confultation,  they  left  it 
wholly  to  the  Governour  ;  telling  him,  That  if  he  con', 
fentedy  they  fhould  not  hinder  him.  His  Confent  he  foon 
obtain'd  5  for  Colonel  Barker  was  juft  then  going  out, 
and  was  therefore  the  more  willing  to  yield  to  Mx.  Bax- 
ters going,  that  he  himfelf  might  be  mifs'd  the  more. 
Whereupon,  he  fent  Colonel  Wu alley  Word,  That  he 
vpcuid  fpeedily  be  with  him.  The  Committee  afterwards  was  Becomei  a 
much  againft  his  going,  but  he  pleaded  their  Confent,  chaplain 
and  told  them,  He  had  prcmifed,  and  therefore  was  fofitive,  to  a  Regi- 
but  he  gave  them  his  Reafons,  taken  from  the  State  nient^ 
of  the  Army  ;  which  Col.  Purefoy  ^who  was  one  of  them, 
and  a  Confident  of  CromweCs^  took  Care  to  give  him 
Intelligence  about.  Which  was  the  Caufe  that,  when 
he  came  to  the  Army,  Cromwel  but  coldly  welcom'd 
him,  and  never  fpake  one  Word  more  to  him  while  he 
was  there.  And  his  Secretary  gave  out,  That  there  was 
^  Reformer  come  to  the  Army  to  undeceive  them  and  to  fave 
Church  and  State  •  whereby  he  underftood  that  his  Dif- 
courfe  before  the  Coventry  Committee ^vidiS  got  to  the  Ar- 
my before  him. 

Here  he  fet  himfelf  from  Day  to  Day,    to  find  out  rhe  State 
the  Corruptions  of  the  Soldiers,  and  to  Difcourfe  and  of  the  Ar- 
Difpute  them  out  of  their  Miftakes,   both  Rehgious  my  and  hit 
and  Political.    His  Life  amongft  them  was  a  daily  Paim    a- 
Contending  againft  Seducers.     He  found   that  many  wowj  <''ew- 
honeft  Men  of  weak  Judgments,  and  little  Acquain- 
tance with  fuch  Matters,  had  been  feduc'd  into  a  dif- 
puting  Vein,  and  made  it  too  much  of  their  Religion 
to   talk    for  this  or  that  Opinion  :    Sometimes  they 
would  vehemently  contend  for  State  Democracy,  and  at 
other  Times  for  Church  Democracy  ;   fometimes  againft 
^orms  of  Prayer,  and  fometimes  againft  Infant  Baptifm  ; 

fometimes 


90  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  VI. 

fomecimes  agaiiift  Set-times  of  Prayer^  and  againft  the 
Tying  of  our  Iclves  to  any  Duty  before  the  Spirit  moves 
US;  and  fomedmes  about  Free-Grace  and  Free'J>yill i  and 
alJ  the  Points  of  Antimmianifm  and  Arminianifm.  So 
that  he  was  almoft  always  Difputing  with  one  or  other 
of  them,  fometimes  for  Civil  Government^  and  fome- 
limes  for  Church  Order  and  Government ;  fometimes  for 
Infant  Baptifin  ;  and  often  againft  Antinomianifm, 
and  the  contrary  Extream.  But  their  moft  frequent 
and  vehement  Difputes  were  for  Liberty  of  Confcience^ 
as  they  callM  it  ;  rhat  is.  That  the  Civil  Magiftrate 
had  nothing  to  do  in  Matters  of  Religion,  by  Con- 
ftraint  or  Reftraint,  but  every  Man  might  not  only 
Hold  and  Believe,  but  Preach  and  do  in  Matters  of  Re- 
ligion what  he  pleas'd.  He  found  that  one  half  almoft 
of  the  Religious  Party  among  them,  were  fuch  as  were 
eitht-r  Orthodox,  or  but  lightly  touched  with  their  Mi- 
ftakfs;  and  almoft  another  half  were  Honeft  Men, 
that  ftept  further  into  the  Contending  Way,  than  they 
could  again  get  out  of,  but  with  competent  Help  might 
be  recover'd.  But  a  few  fiery  felf-conceited  Men  a- 
niong  tbem  kindled  the  reft,  and  made  all  the  Noife 
and  Buflle,  and  carried  about  the  Army  as  they  pleas'd. 
With  thefe  he  endeavour'd  to  be  Acquainted,  and  he 
would  be  often  Difputing  with  them  in  the  hearing  of 
the  reft  ;  and  he  found  that  they  were  generally  Men 
that  had  been  harcht  up  in  London  among  the  Old  Sepa- 
ratifts^  and  made  it  all  the  Matter  of  their  Study  and 
Religion  to  rail  againft  Miniftcrs,  Parifh  Churches  and 
Presbyterians,  and  had  little  Knowledge,  but  were 
fitrce  with  Pride  and  Self-conceit,  having  gotten  a  great 
Conqueft  over  their  Charity  to  all  other  Parties  but  their 
own.  Some  of  thefe  Men  became  the  Laughing  Stock 
ot  the  Soldiers  before  he  left  them  :  And  when  they 
Preacird  (for  they  were  great  Preachers)  their  Weak- 
nefs  cxpos'd  them  to  Contempr.  A  great  Part  of  the 
Mifchief  they  did  was  by  difperfing  Pamphlets,  which 
the  Soldiers  would  eagerly  read  in  their  Quarters, 
when  there  was  none  to  contrad'.(5t  them.  But  there 
was  a  yet  more  Dangerous  Party  among  them,  ( only 
in  Major  Bethel's  Troop,  in  UVi}alley''s  Regiment )  who 
took  the  dircd  jefuitical  Way.  They  hrlt  moft  ve- 
hemently declaimed  againft  the  Docliinc  of  Hledtion, 
gpd  for  the  Power  of  Free* Will,  (^c.    Then  they  as 

iierccjy 


Chap.  VL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ^i 

fiercely  cry'd  down  the  Prefent  Tranflaiion  of  Scrip- 
tures, and  debas'd  their  Authority,    iho'  they  did  not 
deny  them  to  be  Divine.     They  cry'd  down  the  Mini- 
ftry  of  all  forts,  and  all  our  Churches,  they  vilify'd  al- 
moft  all  .our  Ordinary  Worfhip,   efpecially  Singing  of 
Pfalms,   and  Conftant  Family  Worfhip  ;    they  allowed 
of  no 'Argument  from  Scripture  but  in  exprefs  Words  j 
were  vehement  againft  all  Government  but  Popular  j 
and  utterly  againft  any  Concern  of  Magiftrares  in  Re- 
ligious Matters.     Whenever  they  Difputed,  'twas  with 
as  much  Fiercenefs  as  if  they  had  been  ready  to  draw 
Swords.     They    trufted    more  to  Policy,   Scorn    and 
Power,    than   to  Argument.    Thefe  People  avoided 
Mr,  Baxter  as  much  as  poffible ;    but  if  ever  they  en- 
gag'd,   they  drown'd  all  Reafon  in  Fiercenefs  and  Ve- 
hemence,   and  Multitudes  of  Words.     They  greatly 
ftrove  for  Places  of  Command ;   and  when  any  Place 
was  due  by  Order  to  one  that  was  not  of  their  mind,, 
they  would  be  fure  to  work  him  out,  and  be  ready  to 
Mutiny  if  they  had  not  their  Will.    It  look'd  as  if  they 
were  Ac^ed  by  the  Jefuits,    but  the 

fecret  Spring  was  out  of  fight*.  ^^'^  *»^y  '^''y  ^eR  fuf^pofe 
Thefe  were  the  Men,  who  were  af-  /'"»'  °f  ^H^  EmifTaries  menti- 
terwards  call'd   Levetters,   and  rofe     "/^M?-  58,   &c.  ^o  W  ^ce« 

up  againft  Cromwel,   and  were  fur-     ^'''\'''  ^  i\/     n  hi'  1 

•   » J  T,     r     1      T>i         r      ^L   •       Reziinents    been    as    firtctk  ob^ 

priz  d   at  Murford.     Thompfon   their    ^^^^,^  y    ,,;,^^,  ^   /^^^   ^^^^j. 

General,    who  was  flam  upon  the    j^y',  ^^  ly  mt.  Baxter  /«  that 

Inlurre(aiOn  in  1649,  was  no  great-  /,>f/g  time  he  was  among  them^ 
er  Man  than  one  of  the  Corporals    many  of  their  Deeds  of  Varh- 

of  this  Troop  ;    the    Cornet  and  O-      mfs  might  have  been  bro^t  to  ii'Tht. 

thers  being  worfe  than  he. 

He  march'd  with  the  Army  Weftward  againft  my  His  Motiom 
LordGor/«^,and  was  at  the  taking  of  Bridgwntey,2ind  the  ^ith    th 
Siege  o^Brifiol,  and  Sherbon-Ca^le;  and  as  they  march'd  -^'''"J- 
along  the  Country,   they  were  every  where  entertain  d 
with  ftrange  ^Intions  of  the  Horrid  Impiety  and  Outrn^ 
ges  of  the  Lord  Goring  s  Soldiers.    A  t)ber  Gentleman 
he  quarter'd  with  at  South-Pederton  in  Somer/etfhire,  a- 
VerrM  to  him,    That  with  him  a  Company  of  them  prickt 
their  Fingers^  letting  the  Blood  run  into  a  Cup,    in  which 
they  dranli^  a  Health  to  the  Devil.     He  was  with  the  Ar- 
my 3  Weeks  at  the  Siege  of  Exater  :    And  H'halley  be- 
ing order'd  thence  with  a  Party  of  Horfe  to  keep  in  the 
Garrifon  of  O;cford,  'till  the  Army  could  come  to  Be- 


92  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  VI. 

(lege  ir,  he  accompany'd  him  ;   was  with  him  6  Weeks 
Wioxt  Banbury^Ca^ls^    and  ii  Weeks  at  the  Siege  or 
An.  1616.  ^orcefter.     And   Col.  V/ionHey  being  fiifpedted  by  the 
Sedtarian  Commanders  ac  the  Head  Qnarters  for  his 
Chaplain's  fake,  loft  the  Government  of  that  City  when 
he  had  taken  it,  which  was  given  to  Col.  I{^  ins  borough^ 
who  was  nif-re  for  their  turn  5   under  whom  tho'  the 
5^<3rtr/>j  profper'd  in  the  City,    yet  the  Country  round 
remained  free  from  their  Infedion.     All  this  while  he 
had  full  Employment  in  Preachings    Cotiference  and  Dif- 
fillings   againit  the  Sectarian  Errours.     The  Soldiers  of 
that  Stamp  much  infedled  the  Countries  by  their  Pam- 
phlets and  Converfe,  and  the  People  admiring  the  Con- 
quering Army,    were  ready  to  receive   whatever  they 
commended  to  thenn.     Qiiartering  at  Ag77iondrJham  in 
^ttckjnghnmfhircy    he  found  fome  Sectaries  of  Cheflodm 
fiad  fet  up  a  Publick  Meeting  by  way  of  Conference, 
to  propagate  their  Opinions  thro'  all  the  Country,  ana 
that  in  the  Church,  by  the  Encouragement  of  an  Igno- 
rant Led^urer.     There  he  had  a  Conference  with  them 
of  a  whole  Day's  Continuance,    with  good  Succefs. 
Bit Tulf lick  When  the  ufual  time  of  their  Meeting  came,  Bethel's 
Difpute       Troopers  (then  Capt,  Pitchfora^)  with  other  Se(9:arian 
with    the   Soldiers,  muft  be  there,    to  confirm  the  Che/ham  Men, 
Seiiarics.     ^^^\  make  People  believe  that  the  Army  was  for  them. 
Mr.  Bax'er  tho't  it  his  Dnry  to  be  there  alfo,  and  rook 
divers  fober  Officers  with  him,   to  let  them  fee  that 
more  of  the  Army  was  againft  them  than  for  them.     He 
took  the   Reading  Pew,    and    Pitchford's  Cornet  and 
Troopers  took  the  Gallery.     There  was  a  crowded 
Congregation  of  poor  well-meaning  People,  who  came 
in  the  Simplicity  of  their  Hearts  to  be  deceiv'd.     The 
Leader  of  the  Chefkam  Men  began  ;  Piecl.ford's  Soldiers 
followed ;    and  he  difputed  with  them  'till  it  was  al- 
molt  Night,   determining    not  to  leave  them   behind 
hitn;  knowing  very  well  that  if  he  had  gone  firft,  they 
would   have  Boafted  extravagantly,   and  made  People 
believe  that  they  had  Baffled  him.     Their  Nonfenfi- 
Cal  Uiicourfe,   may  be  fecn  in  KdwarHs's  (]nngra:na,  in 
which  a  Narrative  of  the  AlTair  is  pubhlh'd,   without 
the  mention  of  Mr.  Baxte)\  Name,    according  to  the 
Account  which  he  gave  to  a  Friend  in  a  Letter.     He 
had  many  Thanks  for  that  Day's  Work,  and  amongft 
the  reft  from  Dr.  Crooks  and  Mr.  L{ichnrd[cn^  the  Redor 

and 


Chap.  VI.         Mr,  Elichard  Baxter.  02 


and  Curate  of  the  Place,  who  being  Royalifts  durft 
not  open  their  Mouths  for  fear  of  Danger.  The  Sedla- 
ries  were  hereby  fo  difcourag'd,  that  they  never  met 
there  any  niore. 

His  great;  Imped iiments  as  to  the  Succefs  of  his  En- 
deavours, lay  in  the  Difcountenance  of  Crcmwcl  and  his 
Chief  Officers,  who  kept  him  a  Stranger  to  their  Meet- 
ings and  Councils;  and  the  Incapacity  he  was  under  of 
fpeaking  to  many,  the  Quarters  of  the  Soldiers  being 
fo  fcatter'd.  So  that  the  moft  of  the  Service  he  did  be- 
yond J^P^ha/Ie/s  Regiment,  was  by  the  Help  of  Cape, 
Larvrence,  with  feme  of  the  General's  Regiment,  and 
with  Major  Harrlfon,  and  fome  few  others.  But  by 
what  Succefs  he  had,  he  found  reafon  to  apprehend, 
that  if  there  had  been  a  competent  number  of  Miniftcrs, 
each  doing  their  Part,  the  whole  Plot  of  the  Furious 
tarty  might  have  been  broken,  and  King,  Parliament: 
and  RcHgion  preferv'd.  Sdltmarfh  and  De!i  were  the 
two  great  Preachers  at  the  Head-Quarters ;  only  Honeft 
and  Judicious  Mr.  Bdward  Bovpjes  kept  ftill  with  the  Ge- 
neral. At  length  Mr.  Copk_  of  I{cxhnl  alfo  came  to  the 
Army,  to  give  AfCftance ;  but  he  was  foon  weary. 
Major-General  Berry^  tbo*  his  Old  Friend,  never  once 
came  to  vifit  him  in  the  whole  2  Years  he  was  in  the  Ar- 
my, nor  gave  him  the  leai^  Encouragement  j  but  look'd 
always  askew  upon  him. 

When  PVprcehsr,  Siege  was  over,  he  went  and  vifir 
ted  his  Flock  at  I\idermlv(ier,  who  expected  that  the 
Country  being  clear'd,  he  fhould  return  to  them,  and 
fettle  in  Peace  among  them:  But  going  to  Crvetury^ 
he  again  confulted  the  Minifters  there  about  his  Duty ; 
he  told  them  what  Succefs  he  had  already  had,  and 
with  what  difficulty.  He  told  them,  That  the  grente^f 
Service  with  the  grentefl  Ha:{ard  xvai  yet  behind.  That  the 
War  being  ended,  the  Army  would  certninly  Jloortly  fct  up 
for  themfelves  5  thnt  tho  he  could  not  fay  he  could  do  nny 
great  Matter  to  hinder  it^  yet  he  having  fome  Jntcrcfl,  Witi 
willing  to  improve  it  to  tie  utmoft  for  the  Publick,  Good, 
Upon  the  whole,  the  Minifters  advis'd  him  to  remain 
with  the  Army,  and  yet  for  fome  time  longer  to  abfcnt 
himfelf  from  his  Flock.  Accordingly  he  return  d  to  the 
Array  for  a  little  while,  but  was  foon  feparated  from 
tbem  by  his  great  Weaknefs,  occafioned  by  the  Lofs  o^  He  leayes 
a  Gallon  of  Blood  at  the  Nofe.  Upon  which  retiring  to  the  Army. 


_94 The  LIFE  of       Cfaap.  Vt. 

Sir  yho,{{oufe\  he  was  taken  up  with  daily  Medicines 
to  prevent  a  Dropfy,    and  was  in  continual  expediation 
Death.     By  this  Providence,   God  unavoidably  pre- 
venred  the  Efted  of  his  Purpofes,    in  his  laft  and  cbief- 
elt  Oppotinon  to  the  Army ;    and  took  him  off  at  the 
Very  time  when  his  main  Attempt  Ihould  have  bePun. 
His  Purpofe  was  to  have  done  his  beft,   firft  to  take  off 
the  Kegnnent  which  he  was  with,   and  then  with  Capt. 
l^nwYcnce  to  have  try'd  upon  the  General's  Regiment, 
(in  which  2  were  Cromml\  chief  Confidents)    and  then 
to  have  joyn  d  with  others  of  the  fame  mind.     But  the 
determination  of  God  againft  it  was  very  obfervabJe. 
(\l^     r'^^'y  time  chat  he  was  Bleeding,  the  Council 
ot  War  fat  at  Nonhgbnm,    where  they  firft  began  to 
open  then  Purpofes  and  aft  their  Part:    And  prefently 
atter  they    enterd   into  their   Engagement  at  TriploL 
Heath,    Tho    had  he  had   Scope  for  the  Attempt  he 
delignd    in  ail  probability  he  had  had  but  fmaJl  Suc- 
cels ;  and  had  been  much  more  likely  to  liave  loft  his 
JLite  ^inong  them  in  their  Fury,    than  to  have  reach'd 
nisJind. 

A  General     And  here  the  Account  which  Mr.  Baxter  hath  given 

^IX/'^-lr^V^^Sf,^!?^  ^^^^---n  General,    comes  in^Iry 
cune..        naturally.     Thefe  are  the  People  whom  he  moft  indu- 
ftnoLily  m  thefe  Times  fefhimfelf  to  oppofc,   forc- 
lecmg  the  i  1  Tendency  of  their  Principles  and  Pradi- 
ces.     Take  bis  own  Words.     *'  Thefe  are  they  (fays  he) 
Who  have  been  moft  addided  to  Chnrch-Divifions, 
and  Separations,  and  Sidings,    and  Parties,  and  have 
refas  d  all  Terms  of  Concord  and  Unity.     Who  tho' 
«  *"^i?/,^^  ^^^F^  w<^3^  2"^  raw,   were  yet  prone  to  be 
^^  puff  d  up  with  hi^hTho'is  of  tbemfelves,  and  to  o- 
vcr- value  their   little  Degrees  of  Knowledge  and 
Farts,  which  fet  rhcm  not  above  the  Pity  of  undcr- 
ftanding  Men.    They  have  been  fet  upon  thofe  Cour- 
Ics  which  tend  to  advance  them  above  the  Common 
,,  people,  in  the  Obfervation  of  the  World,  and  to  fee 
^^  them  at  a  farther  dillance  from  others  than  God  allow- 
^^  cth,  and  all  this  under  the  Pretence  of  the  Purity  of 
the  Church.    In  Profecudon  of  their  Ends,    there  are      • 
tew  ot  the  Anabapti^s  that  have  not  been  the  Oppo- 
ters  and  Troublers  of  the  Faithful  MiniHcrs  of  God 
in  the  Land,  and  t!ie  Troublers  of  their  People,  and 
ttjndercrsof  rheirSuccefsi  ftrengthcningthe  Handsof 

1  the 


4i 


u 


*( 

it. 


C( 


u 


'if 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  95 

the  Profane.  The  SeHarics  (efpecially  the  Annb.iptifis, 
Seekers^  and  Qual{ers)  chofe  out  the  moft  able  zealous 
Minifters,  to  make  the  Marks  of  their  Reproach  and 
Obloquy,  and  all  becaufe  they  flood  in  the  Way  of 
their  Defigns,  and  hindred  them  in   the  propagat- 
ing their  Opinions.      They   fet  againft  the  lame 
•Men  as  the  Drunkards  and  Swearers   fet  againft, 
and  much  after  the  fame  Manner ;    reviling  them, 
and  raifing  up  falfe  Reports  of  them,    and  doing  all 
that  they  could  to   n>ake  them  odious,  and  at  laft 
attempting  to  pull  them  all  down  :  Only  they  did 
it  more  prophanely  than  the  Prophane,  in  that  they 
faid ,  Let   the  Lord  be  glorified ^  Let  the  Gofpel  be  pro- 
pagated ;  and  abns'd  and  profan'd  Scripture,  and  the 
Name  of  God,  by   enticUng  him  to  their  Fadion 
and  Mifcarriages.     Yea,   tho'  they  tho't  themfelves 
the  moft  Underftanding  and  Confcientious  People 
of  the  Land,  yet  did  the  Gang  of  them  feldom  ftick 
at  anv  Thing  which  feem'd  to  promote  their  Caufe  ; 
but  whatever  their  Fadtion  in  the  Army  did,  they 
pleaded  for  it,  and  approv  d  it.    If  they  pull'd  down 
the  Parliament,  Imprifon  d  the  Godly  F jithfal  Mem- 
bers, and  kill'd  the  King;  if  they   caft   out   the 
I{ump,  if  they  chofea  UrW^  Pariiament  ot  their  own, 
if  they   fet  up  Cromwel,  if  they  fet  up  his  Son  and 
pull'd  him  down  again,  if  they  fought  to  obtrude 
Agreements  on   the  People,    if  they  one  Week  fee 
up  a  Council  of  State,    and  if  another   Week   the 
liump  were  reftor'd,  if  they  fought  to   take  down 
Tythesand  Parilh  Minifters,  to  the  utter  Conhirion 
of  the  State  of  Religion  in  the  Land ;   m  all  ihefe 
'the  Anahaptifts  and  many  of  the  Independents  in  the 
three  Kingdoms  followed  theuj,  and  even  their  Pa- 
ftors  were  ready  to  lead  them  to  confent. 
**  And  all  this  began  but  in  imxvarrdntable  SepAr/iti- 
ons  and  too  much  aggravating  the  Faults  of -the  Churches 
and  Common  People,    and  Common-Prayer  Book,    ^^nd 
Mlnifiry-  which  indeed  were  none  of  them  with- 
out Faults  to  be  lamented  and  amended.    But  they 
tho*c  that   what  ever  needed  Amendment  required 
their  Ohfiinate  Separation,  and  that  they  were  allow  d 
to  make  odious  any  Thing  that  was   amifs:   And 
becaufe  it  was  faulty,  if  any  Man  had  rebuked   hem 
for  belyisgit,  ind  making  it  f»r  «iore  faulty  than  ^t 


<jS  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VI. 


*'  was,  inftead  of  confelling  their  Sin,  they  call'd  their 
"  Reprover  a  Pleader  for  Antichrift  or  BaaL     Every 
"  Errovir  in  the  Mode  of  the  Common  Worihip,  they 
"  had  no  titter  Name  for  than  Idolatry,  Popery,  Anti- 
"  chriftianifm,  Superftition,  Will-worihip,  (^c.   When 
"  in  the  mean  Time,  many   of  their  own    Prayers 
*'  were  fall  ot"    Carnal   Paflion,  Selfirtmefs,   Fa(3:ion, 
*'  Diforder,  Vain  Repetitions,  unfound  and  loathfome 
*'  Expreffions,  and  their  Dodrine  full  of  Errours  and 
"  Confufion :    And  thefe  Beams  in  their  own  Eyes, 
'*  were  Matter  of  no  Offence  to  them.     They  would' 
"  not  Communicate  with  that  Church  where  ignorant 
*'  Perfons  or  Swearers  were  tolerated,  (iho*  they  thera- 
"  felves  never   did  their  Part  to  have  them  caft  our, 
"  but  look'd  that  the  Minifters  Ihould  do  all  without 
**  them )  but  without  any  Scruple  they  would'  Com- 
"  municate  with  them  that  had  broke  their  Vow  and 
"  Covenant  with  God  and  Man,  and  rebell'd  againft 
*'  all  kind  of  Government  that  was  fet  up,  (even  by 
*'  themfelves)  and  did  all  the  fore-recited  Evils, 

*'  I  know  (  fays  he)  the  fame  Accufations  are  laid 
**  by  fome  in  Ignorance  or  Malice,  againft  many  that 
'*  are  guilty  of  no  fuch  Things,  and  therefore  fome 
"  will  be  oflFended  at  me,  and  fay  I  imitate  fuch  Re- 
"  proaches:  But  Ihall  none  be  Reprov'd,  becaufe 
"  ibme  are  Slander'd  ?  Shall  Hypocrites  be  free  from' 
'"  Convidlion  and  Condemnation,  becaufe  Wicked 
**  Men  call  the  Godly  Hypocrites  ?  Woe  to  the  Man 
**  that  hath  not  a  faithful  Reprover;  but  a  Thoufand 
"  Woes  will  be  to  him  that  hnteth  Reproof:  And  Woe 
"  to  them  that  had  rather  Sin  were  credited  and  kept 
**  in  Honour,  than  their  Party  Diftionour'd  ;  And  Woe 
**  to  the  Land  where  the  Reputation  of  Men  doth  keep 
"  Sin  in  Reputation.  The  Scripture  it  felf  will  not  fpare 
*'  a  Noah,  a  Lot^  a  D  ivid^  an  He-{ekjAl\  a  Jrfi(il.\  a  Pe- 
*'  ter^  but  will  open  and  Ihame  their  Sin  to  all  Gener 
"  rations :  And  yet  alas !  the  Hearts  of  many,  rhat  it  is 
'*  to  be  hop'd  are  truly  Religious,  will  rife  againft  him 
"  that  fhall  yet  tell  them  of  the  Mifdoiiigs  of  thole  of 
*'  their  Opinion,  and  call  them  to  Repentance.  The 
"  poor  Church  of  Chrift,  the  fober,  found.  Religious 
"  Part,  are  like  Chnft  that  was  Crucify'd  between  two 
*'  Malcfacfiors  i  tiie  Profane  and  Formal  Perfecutors 
"  on  pne  Hand,   and  ihe  Fsuuiick  Dividing  Sedtaries 

"  on 


Chap.  VL       Mr,  FLichard  Baxter.  57 


on  the  other  Hand,  have  in  all  Ages  been  grinding 
the  Spiritual  Seed,  as  the  Corn  is  ground  between 
the  Milftones  :  And  tho*  their  Sins  have  ruin  d  them- 
felves  and  us,  and  filenc  d  fo  many  hundred  Mini- 
"  fters^  and  fcatter'd  the  Flocks,  and  made  us  the  Ha- 
**  tred  and  Scorn  of  the  ungodly  World,  and  a  By- 
word,  and  Defolation  in  the  Earth,  yet  there  are 
few  of  ihem  that  lament  their  Sin,  but  juftify  them- 
felves  and  their  Mifdoings,   and  the  Penitent  Male- 
fadlor  is  unknown  to  us.     And^  feeing  Pofterity  muft 
know  what  ihey  have  done,  to  the  Shame  of  our 
Land,  and  of  our  facred  Profeffion,  let  them  know 
thus  much  more  alfo,  to  their  own  Shame,  that  ail 
the  Calamities  which  have  befallen  us  by  our  Divifi- 
ons,  were  long  forefeen  by  many;   and  they  were 
'*  told  and  warn'd  of  them   Year  after  Year.     They 
'*  were  told,  that  a  Houfe  divided  againfi  it  felf  could 
*'  not  flandy  and  that   the    Courfe  they  took^  xvottld  bring 
''  them  to  Shame ^   and  turn  a  hopeful  I{eformation  into  a 
*'  Scorn,    and  make  the  Land  of  their  Nativity  a  Place  of 
"  Calamity  and  Woe  ;  but  the  Warning  fignify'd  nothing 
"  to  them  ;    but  tbefe  Dudtile  Profeflbrs  blindly  fol- 
"  low'd  a  few  felf-conceited  Teachers  to  this  Mifery, 
**  and  no  Warning  or  Means  could  ever  ftop  them. 

"  A  few  Diffenting  Members  of  the  PVeftminfier  Sy» 
"  nod  began  all  this,  and  carried  it  far  on.  That 
"  good  Man  Mr.  Jeremiah  Burroughs  joyn'd  him  felf 
"  to  them  in  Name ;  but  as  he  never  pradtis'd  their 
"  Church-gathering  Way,  fo  at  laft  he  was  contented 
"  to  have  united,  upon  the  Terms  which  were  offer'd 
'*  them,  and  wrote  an  excellent  Book  of  Heart  Divi- 
*'  Jions.  Afterwards  they  encreas'd,  and  others  joyn'd 
*'  themfelvesto  them,  who  partly  by  StifFnefs  and  parc- 
**  ly  by  Policy,  encreas'd  our  Flames,  and  kept  o-  - 
*'  pen  our  Wounds,  as  if  there  had  been  none  but  ihey 
*'  Confiderable  in  the  World  :  And  having  an  Army 
"  and  City  Agents,  fit  to  fecond  them,  effediually  hm* 
"  dred  all  Remedy,  'till  they  had  dafh'd  all  into  Pieces 
"  as  a  broken  Glafs.  O  what  may  not  Pride  do,  and 
*'  what  Mifcarriages  will  not  falD  Principles  and  Fa- 
^*  aion  hide  !  One  would  have  iho't  that  if  their  Op:. 
*'  nions  had  been  certainly  Tme,  and  their  Church  Order 
''  good;  yti  the  Interef^  of  Cbrift,  and  the  Souls  ot 
rj*  Men,  and  of  greater  Traths,  Ihould  have  been  lo 
*■  ^  H  regarded 


98  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  VL 

'*  regarded  by  the  Dividors'm  kngland,  as  that  the  Safe- 
*'  ty  of  allthele  lliould  tiave  been  preferr'd,  and  notali 
**  ruin'd,  rather  than  tlieit-  Way  fhould  want  its  Carnal 
*'  Aim  and  Liberty  :  And  that  they  (hould  not  tear  the 
"  Garment  of  Chrift  all  to  Pieces,  rather  thart  it  fliould 
*'  want  their  Lace. 

Many  new  SeHs  alfo  fprang  op  in  thefe  Times,  whofe 
Doifirines  Were  almoft  the  fame,  iho'  ihcy  put  on  diffe- 
rent Names  and  Shapes. 
^.  u  Sir  Henry  Vane  had  a  fet  of  Difciples,  who  firft 
Va  "  d  fp^^"g  under  him  in  Kexv-EngUnd,  when  he  was  Go- 
h^ToUow'  vernour  there.  But  their  Notions  were  then  raw  and 
tfs,  qndigefled,   and  their  Party  quickly  confounded  by 

God's  Providence,  as  appears  from  hit.  The,  Weld's  Ac- 
count. One  Mrs.  Dyer,  a  Chief  Perfon  of  the  Seff,  did 
fiyfi  bring  forth  n  Monfier^  which  had  the  Parts  of  almofi 
nil  Sorts  of  Living  Creatures ;  fame  Parts  lil^e  Marij  hui 
moH  ugly  and  miffUcd  ;  and  fome  like  Beajis^  Birds,  and 
Fijhes,  having  Horns,  Fins  and  Claws :  And  at  the  Birth 
cf  it  the  Bed  fhocl{,  and  the  iVotnen  VQcre  forced  to  leave  the 
I{pdm.  Mrs.  Hutchinfon,  the  chief  Woman  among 
themj  and  their  Teacher^  (to  whofe  Exercifes  a  Con- 
gregation of  them  us'd  to  affemble)  brought  forth  about 
30  Mifhnfen  Births  at  once;  and  being  banifli'd  into  a- 
nother  Plantation,  tvas  kiH'd  there  by  the  Indians, 
'  Sir  Henry  K/j«c  being  Governour,  and  found  to  be  the 
Life  of  their  Caufe^  was  fain  to  ftcal  away  by  Night, 
and  take  Shiping  for  England,  before  his  Year  of  Go* 
vernment  was  at  an  End.  Coming  over  into  England^ 
he  provM  an  Inftrument  of  greater  Calamity  to  a  finful 
People.  Being  chofen  a  Parliament  Man,  he  was  very 
Adive  at  firft  for  bringing  Delinquents  to  Punifhment. 
He  was  the  Principal  Man  that  drove  on  the  Parliament 
with  that  Vehemence  againft  the  King.  Being  of  rea- 
dy Parts,  great  Subtilty,  and  unwearied  Induftry,- 
he  labour'd,  and  not  without  Succefs,  to  win  others 
in  Parliament,  City,  and  Country  to  his  Way.  When 
the  Earl  of  Strafford  was  accus'd,  he  got  a  Paper  out  of 
bis  Father's  Cabinet,  ( who  was  Secretary  of  State  ) 
which  was  the  chief  Means  of  his  Condemnation.  Ta 
molt  cf  the  Changes  that  followed,  he  was  that  within 
the  Houfe,  that  Cromwel  was  without.  His  great  Zeal 
to  inflame  the  War,  and  to  cheiiih  the  Sedarics,  and 

efpecially 


Chap.  VL        Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

erpecially  in  the  Army,  madchim  above  all  Men  to  be 
valu'd  by  that  Parry. 

His  Unhappinefs  lay  in  this.   That  his    Doarines 
were  fo  cloudily  form'd  and  exprefs'd,   that  few  couJd 
underftand  them ;  and  therefore  he  had  but  few  true 
Difciples.     The  Lord  Brook  was  flain   before  he  had 
broughr  him  to  Maturity.     Mr.  Sterry  is  tho'c  to  have 
httn  of  his  Mind,  being  his  Intimate;  but  he  was  fa- 
mous for  his  Obfcuricy  in  Preaching.     Sir  Benj.  f{udU 
Ard  us'd  to  fay  of  him.    That  he  vs>r,s  too  high  for  this 
fVorldy    and   too  low  for  the   next.     Mr.  Sprigs   is   the 
Chief  of  his  open  Difciples,  and  he  is  too  Well  kn>)wn 
by  a   Book  of  his  Sermons.     Sir    Harry's  O^fcurity 
was  by  fome  imputed  to  his  not  Underftanding  him- 
fclf,  but  by  others  to  Defign  ;   becaufe  he  was  able  e- 
nough  to  fpeak    plain,  when   he    pleas'd.     The  two 
Things  in  which  he  had  moft  Succefs,  and  fpake  moft 
plainly,    were  his   E^meji   Phd  f6t  UnivevlA  Liberty 
of  Confclsncc^  and  againft  the  Magiftiates  intermedling 
With  Religion,  and  his  Teaching  his  Followers  to  /c- 
vile  the  Minijiry^  calling  them  ordinarily  B'nc^   Cocts^ 
Prieftsy  and  other  Names  which  favour'd  of  Reproach^ 
"When  Cr£>wwe/ had  ferv'd  himfelfby  him  as  his  furefl 
Friend  as  long  as  he  could,  and  gone  as  far  with  hin| 
as  their  Way  lay  together,  (  Fane  being  for  a  Fmatic^ 
Democracy^    and   Cromwel  for  Mornrchy  )  at  lafl  therd 
Was  no  Remedy,    but  they  muft  part  ;    and   he  caft 
him  off  with  Difdain.    Vnne  thus  laid  by,    wrote  his 
Book  call'd.   The  [{etir'd  Man's  Mfdittt'nons  ;   whereir)| 
the  beft  Part  of  his"Opinions  are  fo  exprefs'd,  as  Will 
make  but  few  Men  his  Difciples.     His  Healing  Qj/^fti- 
on  is  written  more  plainly.     When  Croinvoel  was  aead^ 
he  got  Sir  Arthur  Hnfleriggc  to  be   His  clofe  Adherent 
on  Civil  Accounts,   and  got  the  -'vomp  fet  up  again^ 
and  a  Council  of  State,  and  got  the  Power  much  into 
nisown  Hands.     When  in  the  height  of  his  Power^  he 
fet  upon  the  Forming  a  New  Common-^Vjalth,  and  with 
feme  of  his  Adherents  dtew  tip  the  Model,  Which  wii 
for  Popular  Government  ;  but  fo  that  Men  of  his  Con- 
fidence muft  be  the  People. 

It  griev'd  fuch  a  Man  as  Mr.  Baxter  to  the  Heart,  to 
(ee  a  poorKingdom  fo  tofs'd  np  and  down  in  Unquict- 
nefs,  and  the  Mii»ftei:s  made  odious,  and  ready  to  b« 
caftout,  and  stRcformation  trodden  underfoot^  and  Par- 
ti ^  liamenta 


99 


ICO  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VI- 


liaments  and  Piety  made  a  Scorn,  and  all  the  while 
fcarce  any  one  doubted  but  he  was  the  Principal  Spring 
of  ail.  Therefore  writing  againft  the  Papifts,  and 
coming  to  Vindicate  the  ^e^orrnd  Religion  againft  them, 
when  they  impute  to  the  Proteftants  the  Blood  of  the 
King,  he  provM,  That  the  Piotcftants,  and  particularly 
the  Presbyterians^  abhor r'd  it,  and  fulFer'd  greatly  for  op- 
poling  it ;  and  that  it  was  the  A61  of  CromweCs  Army 
and  the  Sectaries^  among  which  he  nam'd  the  Vanijis  as 
one  Sort ;  and  he  Ihew'd  that  the  Fryars  and  Jefuites 
were  their  Deceivers,  and  under  feveral  Vizors  were 
difpers'd  amongft  them.  And  Mr.  'Nye  having  told 
him,  That  he  was  long  in  Italy^  he  faid,  U  was  confide- 
Table  kow  much  of  his  DoHrine  he  brot  from  thence  Z 
Whereas  it  prov'd,  That  he  was  only  in  France  and 
Sri^it:(erland,  Upon  the  Borders  of  Italy,  Upon  this 
Sir  fJarry  being  exceedingly  provok*d,  threatened  him 
much,  and  fpoke  againft  him  in  the  Houfe :  And  one 
Stubbs,  (that  had  been  whip'd  in  the  Convocation  Houfe  i.t 
Oxford  )  wrote  a  bitter  Book  in  his  Defence,  and  from 
a  Fanift  he  afterwards  turn  d  a  Conformifi,  and  after- 
wards a  Phyfician^  and  was  drown'd  in  a  fmall  Puddle 
Or  Brook,  as  he  was  riding  near  the  Bath,  Mr.  Baxter's 
Writing  againft  him  was  a  Means  to  lefTen  his  Reputa- 
tion, and  make  Men  take  him  for  what  Cromwel  (who 
better  knew  him  j  call'd  him,  vi^^^,  a  Jugler,  And  he 
wifh'd  therefore  he  had  taken  the  fame  Method  much 
fooner.  But  the  whole  Land  rang  of  his  Anger,  and 
Mr.  Baxters  Danger,  and  all  expe&ed  his  prefent  Ruin 
by  him.  Bur  to  fhew  him  that  he  was  not  about  Re- 
canting, (as  his  Agents  would  have  perfwaded  him)  he 
wrore  alfo  againft  his  Healing  Qucftion,  in  a  Preface  be- 
fore his  Holy  Common-wealth,  And  the  fpeedy  turn  of 
Affairs  t/d  up  his  Hands  from  executing  his  Wrath  up- 
on him. 

When  King  Charles  came  in,  he  was  queftion*d 
with  others  by  the  Patliament,  but  feem*d  to  have  his 
Life  fecur'd.  But  being  bro*t  to  the  Bar,  he  fpake  fo 
boldly  in  juftifyingthe  Parliament's  Caufe,  and  what 
he  had  done,  that  it  exafpcratcd  the  King,  and  made 
him  refolve  upon  his  Death.  When  he  came  to  Tower' 
-Hill  ro  die,  and  would  have  fpoken  to  the  People^ 
he  b''gan  fo  rcfolutely,  as  caus'd  the  Officers  to  found 
the  Trumpets  and   beat  the  Drums,  .^^q.  hinder  him 

from 


Chap.  VL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ,o 

from  fpeaking.  No  Man  could  die  with  greater  Ap- 
peatance  of  a  Gallant  Rcfolution,  and  Fearlefnefs  than 
he  did,  tho' before  fuppos'd  a  Timerous  Man.  Info- 
much,  that  the  Manner  of  his  Death  procur'd  him  more 
Applaufe  than  all  the  Adtions  of  his  Life.  And  when 
he  was  dead,  his  intended  Speech  was  printed,  and  af- 
terwards his  Opinions  more  plainly  exprefs'd  by  his 
Friends  than  himfelf. 

Another  Se(f^  that  then  rofe  up  were  the  Seekers,  seeJ:crs. 
They  taught,  That  the  Serif  tures  were  uncertain  ;  T/  jf 
frefent  Miracles  were  necejfary  to  Faith ;  That  our  Mini- 
ftry  is  nuUy  and  without  Authority  ;  and  our  Worfhif  and  Or- 
dinances unnecejfary  or  vain.  The  true  Church,  Miniftry, 
Scripture,  and  Ordinances  being  loft,  for  which  they 
were  feeding.  The  ?apifis  hatcht  and  a^uated  rhis 
Sedl'.  Some  of  them  were  real  Papifis^  and  others  In- 
fidels. However,  they  i'clos'd  with  the  Vanijis^  and 
fhelter'd  themfelves  under  them,  as  if  they  had  been 
the  very  fame. 

Another  Sedl  were  calFd  Ranters,  They  made  it  Ranters. 
their  Bufinefs,  as  the  former,  to  fet  up  the  Light  of  Na- 
ture, under  the  Name  of  Chrift  in  Men,  and  to  difho- 
nour  and  cry  down  the  Church,  Scriptures,  Miniftry, 
■Worlhip  and  Ordinances  ;  and  call'd  Men  to  hearken 
to  Chrift  within  them.  But  withal,  they  conjoyn 'd  a 
curfed  Dodtrine  of  Libertinifnj^  which  bro't  them  to  a- 
bominable  Filthinefs  of  Life.  They  taught,  as  the 
Familijisy  That  God  regardeth  not  the  ABions  of  the  out- 
ward Man,  hut  of  the  Heart :  And  to  the  Pure,  all  Fh  vgs 
are  Pure,  even  Things  forbidden.  And  fo  as  allow'd  by 
'God,  they  fpake  moft  hideous  Words  of  Blalphemy, 
and  many  of  them  committed  Whoredoms  comnnnJy  : 
Infomuch,  That  a  Matron  of  great  Note  for  Sobriety, 
being  perverted  by  thefe  People,  turn'd  fo  iliame'ffs  a 
Whore,  that  ftie  was  Carted  in  the  Streets  of  London, 
There  could  never  Sedt  arife  in  the  World,  ^hat  was  a 
louder  Warning  to  Profeflbrs  of  Religion,  t  jc  hum-- 
hie,  fearful  and  watchful.  Never  could  the  World  be 
told  more  loudly.  Whither  the  Spiritual  Pride  of  un- 
grounded Novices  in  Religion  tendeth,  and  whither 
they  may  be  carried  in  the  Stream  of  Sedls  ard  Fa- 
dions.  Often  would  they  vent  the  moft  horrid  Oaths, 
Curfes  and  Blafphemy,  as  the  Effed  of  Knowledge,  in 
a  Fanatick  Strain,  which  they  would  father  upon  the 

H  3  Spirit 


102  The  L  I F  n  of        Chap.  VI. 


Spirit  of  God.     But  the  horrid  Villanics  of  thij  Sec^, 
did  not  onl    fpeedily  extinguiili  it,  but  alfo  did  as  much 
as  any  Thing  ever  did  to  difgiace  all  SiB/triej^  and  to 
reftore  the  Credit  of  the  Mimftrv,  and  of  fober  Chri- 
ftians.     So  that  the  Devil  and   the  Jefuites  quickly 
found  that  this  Way  ferv'd  not  iheir  Turn,  and  there- 
fore they  fuddenly  took  anoiher,  and  turn'd  themfelves 
into 
Pk4/5«w,         Q^iakers,  who  were  but  the  I{^nters  revcisM  :  Turn'd 
frorn  hprrid  Prcfanevcjs  and  Blafphemy,  to  a  Life  of  ex- 
tream  Aufteriry.     Their  Dodlrines  were  moftly  the  fame 
with  the  I\f:nti<rs.     They  make  the  Light  which  every 
Man  hath  within  him  a  fufiicient  Ruie  j    and  confe- 
quently  the   Scripture  and   Miniftry  are  fet  light  by. 
They  fpeak  much  for  the  Dwelling  and  Working  of 
the  Spirit  in  us,   but  little  of  Juftification,  Pardon  of 
Sin,  and  Reconciliation  with  God  thro'  Jefus  Chrift. 
They  pretend  their  Dependanceon  the  Spirit's  Conduci^ 
agamft  fet  Times  of  Prayer,  and  againft  Sacraments, 
Scripture  and  Miniftry.     They  will  not  have  the  Scrip- 
tures cali'd  the  Word  of  God.     Their  Principal  Zeal 
lieth  in  railing  at  Minifters  as  Hireiirjgs^  Deceive  s  and 
Fal/e  Prophets,  and  in  refufing  to  Swear  before  a  Magi- 
ftrate,  ^c    At  hrft  they  us'd  to  fail  into  Trembling  ; 
and  fometimcs  Vomitings  in  their  Meetings,  and  pre- 
tended to   be  violently  aded  by  the  Spirit :  But  now 
•that  is  ceafed,  they  onl   meet,  and  he  that  pretendeth  to 
be  moved  by  the  Spirit,  Speaketh ;  and  fometimes  they 
fay  nothing  ;    but  lit  an  Hour  or  more  in  Silence,  and 
then  depart.     One  while  feveral  of  them  went  Naked 
thro*  many  chief  Towns  and  Cities  of  the  Land,  as  a 
Prophetical  Adt.    S,ome  of  them  having  familh'd  and 
drown'd  themfelves  in  Melancholiy,  others  have  under- 
taken by  the  Power  of  the  Spirit  to  raife  them ;  as  Sw 
fan  Picrjlyi  did  at  Clninesv\tz.v  iVorcefter,  where  they  took 
a  Man  out  of  his  Grave,  who  bad  fo  made  himfelf  a- 
way,  and  commanded  him  to  Arife  and  Live;  but  to 
their  Shame.     Their  chief  Leader  James  Nay/er^  adled 
the  Part  of  Chrift  at  BrifioJ,  according  to  much  of  the 
Hiftory  of  the  Gofpel,  and  was  long  laid  in  Bridewel 
for  it,  and  liad  his  Tongue  bar'd  as  a  BJafphemer  by  the 
parliament.     Many  F- <?;/c//c4wFryars,  and  other  Papifts 
have  been  provM  iq  he  difguis'd  Speakers  in  their  Af- 
femblies,    But  IVtlUam  ^em^  their  Modern  Leader, 


Chap.  VL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  103 


hath  undertaken  the  Reforming  the  Scd,  and  fet  up 
a  kind  of  Miniftry  among  them. 

The  Behmenifts  are  another  Se6t,    whofe  Opinions  Behmenips. 
were  much  like  the  former  ;   they  being  for  the  Suffi- 
ciency of  the  Light  of  Nature,  and  a  Dependence  on 
Revelations,  &c.  but  they  were  fewer  in  Number,  and 
of  much  greater  Meeknefs  than  the  reft.     Their  Do- 
^rine  is  to  be  feen  in  Jacob  Behnens  Books,  by  one  that 
hath  nothing  elfe  to  do,  but  to  beftow  a  great  deal  of 
Time  to  know,  that  his  bombaft  Words  do  fignify  no- 
thing more,  than  before  was  eafily  known  by  Commoii 
and  Familiar  Terms.     Dr.  Pordage  and  his  Family  were 
of  this  Se(St,  who  liv'd  together  in  Community,  and 
pretended  to  hold  viiible  and  fenfible  Communion  with 
Angels,   whom  they    fometimes  faw  and   fomctimes 
fmelt.    And  they  profefs'd  to  wait  for  fuch  a  Coming 
Down  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  upon  them,  as  ftiould  fend 
rhem  out  as  his  MifTionaries,  to  unite  and  reconcile, 
and  heal  the  Churches ;  and  do  Wonders  in  the  World. 

Another  Sec^mafter  was  Dr.  Gibhon,  who  had  taken  Gibbon. 
a  great  deal  of  Pains  to  beat  out  a  Scheme  of  Theology,  Cell,  Par- 
with  which  he  went  about  the  Country  to  make  Pro-  Ker,  4/.4 
felytes.     This  Scheme  of  his  he  recommended  as  con-  Biddie. 
raining  the  only  Terms  and  Method    to  refolve   all 
Doubts  whatever   in  Divinity,   and  unite  all  Chri- 
ftians  thro'  the  World.     His  Frame  was  the  Contri- 
vance of  a  Strong  Head  Piece,   and  was  Secretly,  and 
Cunningly  fitted  to  ulher  in  a  Socinian  Popery,  or  a 
Mixture  of  Popery,  and  half  Socinianifm.    There  were 
many  more  Sedraakers:  As  Dr.  Gcll,  well  known  by 
a  Printed  Volume  in    Folio ;    And  one  Mr.   Parl^ir, 
who  got  an  Intereft  in  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  wrote 
a  Book  agaioft  the  AjfembUes  ConfcJJion,  in  which  he 
takethupmoft  of  the  Popilh  Doarines,  and  rifeth  up 
acainft  them  with  Papal  Pride  and  Contempt    buc 
owneth  not  the  Pope  himfelf,  but  heaocth  his  Body 
of  Doctrine  with  the  Spirit,   as  the  Papifts  do  with 
the  Pope.     Many  of  thefe  tho*  they  ownd  no^  thcm- 
felves    to  be  Papifts,  did  yet   with  fubtle  Diligence 
promote  moft  of  the  Papal  Caufe,   and  get  in  with 
the  Religious  Sort,  either  upon  Pretence  of  Aujieny 
Mortification,    Angelical  Communion    «r  d^f ';,  .^'^p   ' 
t hofe  amongft  the  Cromwelians  that  he  fufpeared  for  V^- 
pifts,  were  fome  that  began  as  Strangers  a»o»|,^"^ 


I04  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VI. 

Common  Soldiers,  and  by  degrees  rofe  up  to  fome  In- 
feriour  Offices,    and    were  moft  Converfant  with  the 
Common  Soldiers ;  but  none  of  the  Superiour  Officers 
feem'd  fuch,  tbo'  feduc'd  by  ihera.     The  Socinians  alfo, 
in  thefe  Times,    made  fome  Increafe  by  the  means  of 
oneMr.  B/^^/f,    fome  time  Schoolmafter  in  Gloucefter^ 
who  wrote  againft  ih^Godhend  of  the  Holy  Ghoft^    and  af- 
terwards of  Cbrifi,    His  Followers  inclind  much  to. 
to  meer  Deifm,  and  Infidelity, 
Mr.  Bax-        To  return  to  Mt.  B/txter.     It  was  his  Endeavour  to 
ter'5  Con-   keep  his  People  in  Kjdcrminfter  as  free  from  any  Con-r 
diffi  ai  to   cern  in  the  Publick,  Changes  as  was  poffible.     He  kept. 
:Bublick      them  from  taking  the  Covenant^  as  fearing  it  might  be. 
Oaths.         a  Snare  to  their  Gonfciences  :     Nay,   he  prevented  its 
being  much  taken  in  the  County,    by  his  keeping  the 
Minifters  from  offering  it  to  their  People ;  except  in  the 
City  of  i^^crcejier,  where  he  had  no  great  Incereft.  And 
yet  where  Perfons  took  it,    he  could  not  fee  hovp  they 
could  have  a  Difpe?ifation  as  to  the  Obligation  of  it. 
He  could  never  judge  it  feemly  for  one  Believing  a 
God,   to  phyfafi  urAloofe  with  a  dreadful  Oath,   as  if 
the  Bonds  of  National  and  Perfonal  Vovps  were  as  eafily 
ihak'd  off  as  Sa?}ipfon  s  Cords.     'When  the  Engagemenf 
came  out,   he  Spake  and  Preach'd  againft  it,    and  dif- 
fwaded  Men  from  taking  it.     When  he  firft  heard  of 
it,  being  in  Company  with  fome  Gentlemen  of  li^orce- 
'  (ler-floire^    he  prefently  wrote  down  above  20  Queries 
againft  it,    intending  as  many  more  almofl  againft  the 
Obligation^    asthofe  were  about  the  Senfe  and  Circum- 
fiances.    One  that  was  prefent  got  the  Copy  of  them, 
and  fhortly  after  they  were  publifh'd   in  a  Book  of 
Mr.  Henry  Hall's  as  his  own  ;  who  was  the  fame  Perfon 
that  was   long  Imprif  n'd  for  writing  againft  Croynvoel. 
Some  Epifcopai  Divines  who  wrote  for  ir,  thus  explain'd 
it.     By  the  Commor..weahh,   they  would  n>ean  the  fort 
of  Common-weahh  that  then  was  in  being.   EfiabU/h'd, 
they  would  take  as  meant  only    de  FaBo,    and  not  de 
Jure^    and  by  mthout  a  Kjng,  &c.  they  meant,    altho* 
there  were  no  King  for  a  time  :     So  that  they  thus  ex- 
plain'd it  ;    /  w///  be  true  to  the  Government  of  England, 
tho  at  the  prefent  the  Kjng  and  the  Houfe  of  Lords  are  pttt 
out  of  the  Ex'rcife  of  their  Power.  Mr.  Baxter  cnde2L\'o\ud 
■to  convince  People,    that  this  was  meer  Juggling  and 
Jefting  .with  Mattcrs.too  great  to  Lc  jeOed  with :    Jind 

that 


Chap.  YI.       Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  105 


thai  as  it  ijiight  be  eafily  known  that  the  Impofers  had 
another  Senfe,  fo  ir  was  alfo  evident,  that  the  Words 
in  their  own  obvious  ufual  Senfe  among  Men,  were  the 
Promife  or  Engagement  of  a  Subjecit  as  fnchto  a  Form  of 
Government,  pretended  to  be  eftablilh'd  ;  and  that  the 
Subjed's  Allegiance  or  Fidelity  to  his  Rulers,  could 
not  be  acknowledg'd  and  given  in  plainer  words :  And 
that  by  fuch  Interpretations  and  Stretchings  of  Confci^ 
ence^  any  TrcafonabJe Oath  or  Promife  might  betaken; 
and  that  no  Bonds  of  Society  could  fignify  much  with 
fuch  Interpreters. 

He  had  not  been  long  return'd  to  Kederminfter  after  JiU  Vif- 
his  leaving  the  Army,  before  there  was  a  mighty  Con- pute  with 
teft  between  him  and  Mr.  Tombs.  He  was  his  Neigh- ^/r. Tombs, 
hour  at  B^W/fj',  which  was  not  above  iMilesdiftant; 
and  denying  Infant  Baptifm,  znd.  having  written  a  Book 
or  two  againft  it,  he  was  not  a  little  defirous  of  propa- 
gating his  Opinion,  and  promoting  the  Succefs  of  his 
Writings ;  and  he  tho't  Mr.  Baxter  his  Chiefeft  Hinder- 
er,  tho'  he  never  meddled  with  the  Point.  Whereup- 
on he  conftantly  attended  on  his  weekly  Lec5lure  at 
I^derminfier,  wailing  for  an  Opportunity  to  fall  upon 
that  Controverfy  in  his  Conference  with  him.  But  he 
fo  ftudioufly  avoided  it,  that  he  knew  not  how  to  be- 
gin. At  length,  he  urg'd  him  to  give  him  his  Judg- 
ment of  his  Writings,  which  he  really  tho't  unanfwera- 
ble.  Mr.  Baxter  freely  told  him.  That  they  did  not  fa- 
tisfy  him  to  be  of  his  mind;  but  went  no  farther  with 
him.  Upon  this,  he  forbore  attending  any  longer  up- 
on his  Lec3:ure,  and  unavoidably  drew  him  into  a  Con- 
troverfy with  him,  tho'  he  did  all  he  could  to  fhun  it. 
There  came  to  him  5  or  6  of  his  Chief  Profelytes,  as 
if  they  were  yet  unrefolv'd,  and  defired  him  to  give 
them  in  Writing  the  Arguments  which  fatisfy'd  him 
for  Infant  Baptifm.  He  ask'd  them,  iVoether  they  came 
not  by  M^,  TombsV  Direction  ?  Which  they  confefs'a. 
He  askM  them,  l^hether  they  had  read  the  Bo^k^s  of 
Mr,  Gobbet,  Mr,  Marlhal,  Mr,  Church,  and  Mr,  Blake, 
for  Infant-Baptifm  ?  And  they  told  him  No.  He  defi- 
led them  to  read  the  Books  that  were  already  written^  be- 
fore they  called  for  more,  and  then  to  come  to  him  again^ 
and  tell  him  what  they  had  to  fay  againfl  them.  This 
ihey  would  by  no  means  do,  but  told  him,  They  mujb 
have  fome thing  of  his  PJ^riting  upon  that  SuhjcH :     And 

that 


io6  The  L IFE  of         Chip,  VI. 

I  1 ""       - — 

that  if  he  refrnd^  and  thty  tnrnd  a^ainfi  Infant-Ba^d/m, 
they  xoeuld  lay  the  hUme  upon  him.  He  ask'd  them,  ^^/;e- 
they  would  continue  unrejolvd,  \iU  Mr,  Tombs  and  he  h/$d  -l 
done  the  H^ritings^  which  might  be  fame  Tears  ;  as  it  hnd  I 
been,  fince  Mr.  Blake  and  he  had  been  etigagd  on  that  r 
Subjeci,  without  hdving  bro't  the  Contrcverfy  to  an  IJfti^. 
But  no  Reafoning  would  fen  e  their  turn,  they  muft 
have  bis  written  Arguments.  At  laft  he  bid  them  tell 
Mr.  Tombs,  That  if  they  mufi  needs  contend^  ^twere  heji  ta 
do  it  in  the  (horteji  and  moji  fatisfaSory  way,  which  be 
tho't  would  be  by  Spending  one  whole  Dny,  in  a  Dijpute  atl 
his  own  Churchy  where  ha  would  attend  him^  that  his  Pco' 
pie  might  not  remain  unfatisfy^dy  till  they  faw  which  had  the 
iaflM'^ord:  And  that  afterwards  they  might  confidcr  of 
Writing,  Mr.  Tombes  accepting  the  Motion,  Mr.  Bax-- 
ter  went  to  Bewdly,  and  held  a  Difpute  in  his  Church 
there,  upon  a  Day  agreed  on,  from  Nine  a  Clock  in 
the  Morning,  'till  Five  at  Nighr,  in  a  crowded  Con- 
gregation. The  whole  time  was  fpenc  in  managing 
one  Argument,  From  Infants  BJght  to  Church-Member- 
fioip,  to  their  I{ight  to  Baptifm.  This  Difpute  fatisfy'd  | 
all  the  People  of  Ksdermivfier^  and  the  Country  round,  j 
v/ho  came  in  to  hear  it,  and  Mr.  Tombt*s  own  Townf-  | 
wen,  except  about  20  whom  he  had  perverted,  who 
gather *d  into  his  Church,  which  never,  as  he  could 
.Jearn,  encreasM  to  above  Two  and  Twenty. 
'An.  16 $1.  When  the  Army  was  going  againft  K.  Charles  the  Se- 
H»  OppQ'Zondj  and  the  Scots,  he  wrote  Letters  to  feveral  of  the 
fuon  to  th  Soldiers  to  tell  them  of  their  Sin,  and  defired  'em  ac 
Eump.  laft  to  begin  to  know  themfelves.  TelHng  them,  That 
yt'feemd  ftrange  that  they  who  hadfo  much  bonjled  of  Love 
to  all  the  Godly ^  and  pleaded  for  tender  dealing  with  them^ 
and  condemned  thofe  who  perfecuted  them^  or  reftraind  their 
Liberty,  fhould  at  laft  be  ready  to  imbrew  their  Hands  in 
the  Blood  of  thofe  People^  the  Piety  of  many  of  whom  they 
could  not  deny.  At  the  fame  time  the  I{iimp  made  an 
Order,  That  all  Minijiers  fhould  keep  their  Days  of  Humi^ 
liation,  toFaJi  and  Pray  for  their  Suoccfs  in  Scotland,  and 
their  Days  of  Thankfgiving  for  their  Vi&orics  there,  upon 
pain  of  Sequejiration.  Mr.  Baxter  and  his  Neighbours 
ibereupon  expefted  to  be  turn'd  out.  But  tho'  there  was 
a  general  Noncompliance  in  thofe  Pans,  all  except  one 
efcap'd.  For  his  Part,  inftead  of  Praying  and  Preach- 
ing for  them,    when  any  of  the  Commitcee  01  Soldiers 

were 


Chap.  VI.       Mr.  Richtrd  Baxter.  107 


were  his  Hearers,  he  labonr'd  to  help  them  to  undcr- 
ftand,  what  a  Crime  it  was  to  force  Men  to  pray  for 
the  Succefs  of  thofe  who  were  violating  their  Covenant, 
sind  going  in  fuch  a  Caufe  to  kill  their  Brethren  ;  And 
what  it  was  to  force  Men  to  give  God  Thanks  for  all 
theii  Bloodihed,  ard  to  make  God's  Minifters  and  Ordi- 
nances vile,  and  ferviceable  to  fuch  Crimes,  by  forcing 
Men  to  run  to  God  upon  fuch  Errands  of  Blood  and 
Ruin  :  And  whai  it  was  to  bt  fuch  Hypocrites  as  to 
perfecute  and  caft  out  thofe  that  Preach  the  GofpeJ, 
while  they  pretended  the  Advancement  of  the  Golpcl, 
and    the  Liberty    of   tender   Confciences.     His  own 
Hearers  were  fatisfy'd  with  hisDo(Strine,  but  the  Com- 
mittee Men  look'd  fower,  but  let  him  alone.     And  the 
Soldiers  laid  he  was  lb  like  to  Love^  that  he  would  ne- 
ver be  quifit  'rill  he  was  fhorter  by  the  Head.     Yet 
none  of  them  meddled  with  him  farther  than  by  the 
Tongue,    nor  was  he   by  any  of  them    in    all  thofe 
Times   forbidden  to  Preach  one  Sermon,    excepting 
only  that  when  once  the   High- Sheriff  had  fpoken  to 
him  to  Preach  at  the  Affizes,  he  afterwards  fent  hint 
Wort\  as  from  the  Committee,  to  forbear:  Saying, 
that  by  Mr   Mood's  Means,  (the  Independent  Preach- 
er at  the  Coll'-ge  at  Worcefier)  the  Committee  told  him. 
That  they  defired  he  might  forbear  Preaching  before 
the  Judges,  becaufehe  Preach'd  againft  the  State.    But 
afterward  they  excused  it,  as  done  meerly  in  Kindnefs 
to  him,  to  prevent  his  running  himfelf  into  Danger  and 
Trouble. 

When  Cromwel  had  got  the  Afcendant,  fober  Pe(»- 
ple  were  divided  about  their  CondudI:   towards  him- 
He  had  bro't  Things  to  thai  Pafs,  that  there  was  ncs 
Profpetft  of  any  Thing  but  Deftrudion,  if  be  was  not 
taken  for  Governour.     He  made  more  Ufe  of  the  wild- 
headed  Sedtaries,  than  barely  to  Fight  for  him.    They 
at  laft  ferv'd  him  as  much  by  their  Herefies,  their  En- 
mity to  Learning  and  the  Miniftry,   and  their  Perni- 
cious Demands,    which  tended  to  Confufion,  as  they 
bad  done  before  by  their  Valour  in  the  Field.     Herein 
lay  much  of  his  Art,  that  he  could  conjure  up  at  Plea- 
fure  fome   terrible  Apparition  of  Agitators,   Levellers, 
or  fuch  like,    who  as  they  affrighted  the  King  from 
Hampton-Ccurty   fo  were  they  afterwards  as  ufeful  in 
^Blighting  the  People  to  fly  to  him  for  Refuge,  that 


io8 


The  LIFE  of      Chap.  VI. 


the  Hand  that  wounded  them,  might  heal  them.'  Ac 
length  he  was  as  forward  as  any  in  exclaiming  againft 
the  Giddinefs  of  thefc  unruly  Men,  and  he  pleaded 
carncftly  for  Order  and  Government,  and  would  needs 
become  the  Patron  of  the  Miniftry,  yet  fo  as  to  fecure 
all  others  of  their  Liberty.  Some  that  faw  his  De- 
figns  cry'd  out,  We  will  rather  all  Perifh,  and  fee  both 
Tytbes  and  IJniverfities  overthrowriy  than  xve  Vfill  any  way 
fubmit  to  fuch  deceitful  Vfurpations,  Others  faid,  It  is 
the  Providence  of  God,  who  ever  be  the  Injirument,  which 
hro't  us  into  this  Necejfity^  which  we  are  unable  to  pre- 
vertt  :  And  being  in  it,  we  are  not  bound  to  cboofe  our 
own  Deftruciion*  Neceffity  therefore  requires  us  to  accept 
»f  any  one  fo  ^ule  tiSy  that  is  like  to  deliver  m.  But  the 
Generality  of  the  Minifters  went  the  middle  Way,  and 
their  Confcience.  thus  reprefented  the  State  of  their 
Duty  at  that  Time. 


7he    Con- 
du6l  of  the 

Minifers 
towards 
Cromwel 
rvhen  ^fo- 
tfClor, 


We  acknowledge,  that  God  Almighty  hath  over- 
rul'd  in  all  thefe  great  Mutations,  and  hath  permitted 
the  Perfidiou(he6  of  Men,  and  their  Succefs.  And 
the  Common  Good  being  the  End  of  all  juft  Govern- 
ment, we  may  not  do  any  Thing  againft  it,  much  lefs 
to  the  Deftrudiion  of  it,  under  Pretence  of  refifting 
an  Ufurper,  or  of  reftoring  the  Rightful  Governour  : 
if  the  Univerfities  be  overthrown,  the  Fabrick  demo- 
lifh'd,  the  Lands  alienated,  the  Miniftry  put  down, 
the  Tythes  fold  or  given  to  the  People,  to  engage  them 
all  to  be  againft  any  Means  which  tend  to  a  Recovery, 
what  ever  we  contribute  to  it,  we  do  againft  the  King 
and  Kingdom,  and  do  but  cut  his  Throat  in  Kindnefs. 
For  we  pull  down  the  Houfe  that  he  may  be  Mafter 
of  it,  and  deftroy  the  Common-wealth  that  he  may 
be  Head  of  it :  And  we  ftrengthen  his  Enemies  by 
our  imprudent  Paffions.  But  yet  we  mnft  neither  do 
nor  approve  of  Evil,  for  any  Good  End,  nor  forbear 
in  our  Places  feafonably  to  reprehend  it.  Therefore, 
it  is  unlawful  for  us  to  Confent  to  any  Governour  but 
the  King,  or  take  an  Engagement,  or  Oath  of  Alle- 
giance to  them  :  But  it  is  not  unlawful  to  fubmit  to 
them,  by  living  quietly  in  our  Places,  and  to  make 
ufe  of  the  Courts  of  Juftice  eftablilh'd  by  Law,  yea, 
and  to  demand  Protection  even  from  an  Ufurper.  For 
his  ftepping  into  the  Rulers  Place,  and  ufurpingthe  Go- 
vcmmentjobligethhimto  do  all  the  Parts  of  i;he  Govec- 

nour's 


Chap.  VI.        Afr.  Richard  Baxter.  109 


nour's  Office,  while  he  is  there  ;  and  warrantcth  us 
to  demand  it,  and  accept  of  it  from  him  :  But  it  doth 
not  at  all  oblige  us  to  Obey  him  or  Confent  to  bis  U- 
furpatiod .-  Even  as  we  may  demand  Juftice  of  a  Ge- 
neral of  Rebels,  or  a  Captain  of  Thieves ;  or  of  Py- 
rates  that  fliall  furprize  the  Ship  that  we  are  in,  but  we 
are  not  bound  to  cqnfent  to  his  Governmenc,  or  for- 
mally Obey  him  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  to  difown  his 
Villany,  and  do  all  that  we  can  againft  his  Tyranny, 
which  tendeth  not  to  the  Hurt  of  the  Society  :  So  here, 
it  is  our  Duty  to  keep  the  State  of  Things  as  entire  as 
we  can,  'till  God  be  pleas'd  to  reftore  the  King,  that  he 
may  find  it  a  Whole,  and  not  a  ruin'd  irreparable 
State. 

Agreeable  hereto  was  Mr.  Baxter's  Pradtife,  who  fea-  ^r.  Bax- 
fonably  and  moderately, by  Preaching  and  Printing,con-  f^^'i   Cat- 
demn'd  the  Vfurpation,  and  the  Deceit  which  was  the  *'"*s^    'f" 
Means  to  bring  it  to  pafs.     He  did  in  open  Conference  '^'*'"<^  ^^**^ 
declare  Cromvpel,  and  his  Adherents,  to  be  Guilty  of 
Treafon  and    B^bellion,  aggravated  with  Perfidioufnefs 
and  Hypocrify.     But  yet  he  did  not  think  it  his  Duty  to 
Rave  againft  them  in  the  Pulpit,  or  to  make  his  Inve- 
dlives  fo  unfeafonabiy  or  imprudently,  as  might  irritate 
him  to  Mifchief.     And  the  rather  becaufe  as  be  feem^d 
to  keep  up  his  Approbation  of  a  Godly  Life  in  the  Ge- 
neral, and  of  all  that  was  Good,  except  that  which  the 
Intereft  of  his  Sinful  Caufe  engag'd  him  to  be  againft  5 
fo  he  perceiv'd  it  was  his  Defign  to  do  good  m  the 
main,  and  to  promote  the  Gofpel,  and  the  Intereft  of 
Godlinefs,  more  than  any  had  done  before  him,  except 
in  thofe  Particulars  which  his  own  Intereft  was  againft. 
And  it  was  the  Principal  Means  that  after  he  was  once 
got  into  the  Saddle  hd  trufted  to  for  his  Eftablifnment, 
even  by  doing  Good  :  That  the  People  might  love  him, 
or  at  leaft  be  willing  to  have  his  Government  for  that 
Good,  who  were  againft  it  as  it  was  an  Ufurpation. 

He  once  Preach'd  before  Cromml,  after  he  was  Pro-  ^is  Trea- 
tedor,  by  Means  of  my  Lord  Broghill,  and  the  Earl  o^  chin^bcfc 
I4'armcl{,  when  he  was  in  Town,,  upon  the  Occafion  hirt,  and 
which  we  ftiallhear  of  in  the  next  Chapter.  He  knew  not  ConjercMce 
which  Way  to  provoke  him  better  to  his  Duty,  than  by  Taith  him. 
Preaching  on   i  Cor;  i.  lo.  againft  the  DivUions  and 
Diftradions  of  the  Church  ;  ftiewing  how  Mifchievous 
a  Thing  it  was  for  Politicians  to  maintain  fuch  Divifions 
~  "  for 


on 


no  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  Vi. 


for  their  own  Ends,  that  they  might  fifti  in  Troubled 
Waters,  and  keep  the  Church  by  its  Divilions  in  a  State 
of  Weaknefs,  leaft  it  (hould  be  able  to  oflfend  them.  A 
while  after,  Ctomwel  fenr  to  fpcak  with  him  ;  and  when 
he  came,  he  had  only  three  ot  his  chief  Men  with  him. 
He  begun  a  Jong  and  tedious  Speech  to  him,  of  God's 
Providence  in  the  Change  of  the  Government,  and 
how  God  had  own'd  ir,  and  what  great  Things  had  been 
done  at  Home  and  Abroad,  in  the  Peace  with  Spitin  and 
flolland^8cc.  When  he  had  continu'd  fpeaking  thus  about 
an  Hour,  tAv.  Baxter  toid  him,  It  ivai  too  great  Condefecri' 
tion  to  acquaint  him  fo  fully  tvith  all  theft  Matters  which 
were  nbove  him  :  But  that  the  Honefi  People  ef  the  Lsnd 
tool^thcir  Antient  Monarchy  to  he  a  Blejfing^  and  not  an  E" 
vil,  and  humbly  cravdhis  Patience  that  he  might  ai\hitn^ 
How  they  had  forfeited  that  Bleffinv^  and  unto  whom  the 
Forfeiture  xvaj  made  ?  Upon  that  Queftion  he  was  awa- 
kened into  feme  Paffion,  and  told  him,  There  v9as  no  For- 
feiture, but  God  had  changdit^  as  pleased  him:  And  then 
he  Jet  fly  at  the  Parliament  which  thwarted  him,  and 
efpecialiy  by  Name  at  four  or  five  Members  which  were 
Mr.  -B-*A:/fr*s  Chief  Acquaintance,  whom  he  prefum'd  to 
defend  againft  the  Proteaor's  PaHion.  And  thus  were 
four  or  five  Hours  fpent,  iho'  to  little  Purpofe. 

A  few  Days  after,  he  fent  for  him  again,  to  hear  his 
Judgment  about  Liberty  ofCo7)feience,  which  he  pretend- 
ed to  be  jnoft  Zealous  for;  and  almofl  all  the  Privy- 
Council  were  prefenr.  After  he  had  made  another  flow 
and  tedious  Speech,  be  told  him  a  little  of  his  Judgment : 
And  when  two  that  were  prefent  had  fpun  out  a  great 
deal  more  Time  in  Speeching  it,  fo  that  four  or  five 
Hours  were  fpenr,  he  told  him.  That  if  he  would  be  at  the 
labour  to  read  it^  he  could  tell  Bim  more  of  bis  Mind  in 
PVriting  in  two  Sheet s^  tbati  in  that  way  of  Speakjng  in  ma^ 
ny  Days  ;  arid  that  he  had  d  Faptr  on  that  Subyefi  by  him, 
vpritten  for  a  Friend ^  which  if  he  would  perufe^  and  allew 
for  the  Change  of  the  Perfon^  he  would  fully  kyiow  his  Senfel 
He  afterwards  fent  him  the  Paper,  but  qucftiOn'd  whe- 
ther he  ever  read  it.  For  this  was  manifeft  to  fuch  a* 
had  any  Converfation  with  him,  that  what  he  learn'd 
muft  be  from  himfelf ;  he  being  more  difpos'dto  Speak 
many  Hours  than  to  Hear  one ;  and  little  heeding  whae 
another  faid,  !^li^be  hinafelf  had  once  fpoken» 

G  H  A  P. 


Chap.  VIl.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 1 1 


CHAP.    VII. 

Hk  General  Vfefuhefj  in  the  whole  County ^ 
while  he  remain  d  in  WorceOer-lhire : 
His  Puhlkk.  Service  by  his  Pacificatory  En^ 
deavoHrs^  and  other  ways, 

IN  the  time  of  the  Civil  War,  and  afterwards,  the 
Controverfies  about  Church- Government  were  in 
moft  Mens  mouths,  and  maSe  a  great  Noife ;  being 
hotly  agitated  by  Statefmen  and  Divines,  by  Word  and 
Writings;,  which  made  Mr.  Baxter  think  it  necefiary  to 
fet  himfelf  to  the  raoft  ferious  Study  of  thofe  Points  j 
the  refult  of  which  was  his  Settlement  in  this  Judg- 
ment: That  of  the  four  Contending  Parties,  the  £r4- 
ftian,  Epifcopal,  Presbyterian,  and  Independent,  each  had 
fome  peculiar  Truths  which  the  other  overlook'd,  or 
took  little  notice  of,  and  each  their  proper  Miftakes, 
;^hich  gave  Advantage  to  their  Adverfaries;  tho'  all 
of  them  had  fo  much  Truth  in  common  among  them, 
as  would  have  made  thefe  Kingdoms  happy,  had  it  been 
unanlmoufly  and  foberly  reduc'd  to  Pradice,  by  prudent 
and  charitable  Men. 

The  Er avians  he  tho*t  alTerted  more  fully  than  others 
the  Magiftrates  Power  in  Matters  of  Religion  5  that  all 
Coercive  Power  is  only  in  their  hands ;  and  that  no 
fuch  Power  belongetb  to  the  Paftors  or  People  of  the 
Church.  He  could  not  but  approve  their  Holding  the 
Paftoral  Power  to  be  only  Perfwafive,  tho*  Authorita- 
tive and  by  Divine  Appointment :  And  that  Paftors 
were  Officers  of  God*s  Inftitution,  who  were  not  only 
to  perfwade  by  Sermons  or  General  Speeches,  but  by 
Particular  Overfight  of  their  particular  Flocks;  and 
could  as  the  Ground  of  their  Perfwafions  PJp^uce  God  $ 
Commiflion  or  Command  for  what  they  laid  and  did; 
But  that  as  Paftors  they  had  no  fecular  or  forcmg  1  ow- 
ct;  And  that  ualefs  the  Magiftrate  authonzd  themas 
his  Officers,  they  could  not  touch  Mens  Bodies  orb: 
Aates,  but  bad  to  do  with  the  Conftience  only. 

7h« 


,12  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VI I. 


The  Epifcopnl  Parcy  feem'd  to  him  thus  far  to  have 
Reafon  on  their  fide,  that  there  was  a  Superiority  in  the 
Primitive  Church  over  fix'd  Bilhops  or  Paftors,  main- 
tained by  the  Apoftles  and  Evangelilts,  and  other  general 
undx'd  Chnrch  Officers:  Tho'  he  tho*t  it  a  Queftion, 
Pf^jether  they  were  proper  GovernourSy  or  only  over^ruC d  them 
hy  the  Eminence  of  their  Gifts,  and  Priviledge  of  Infnttibi^ 
iity }  And  as  to  fixed  BiHiops  of  particular  Churches, 
Superiour  in  Degree  to  Preshyters,  tho'  there  is  nothing 
favouring  them  in  Scripture,  yet  the  Reception  of  them 
in  all  the  Churches  was  fo  early  and  io  general,  that  he 
was  free  to  admit  them,  and  refolv'd  never  to  oppofe. 

As  for  the  Presbyterians,  he  could  not  but  approve  of 
their  main  Principle  :  For  he  found  that  the  Office  of 
Preaching  Presbyters  was  allow'd  by  all :  And  that  this 
Office  did  fubferviently  to  Chrift  participate  of  the  Pro- 
phetical, the  Prieftiy,  and  the  Governing  Power,  he 
tho't  Self-evident.  It  appeared  to  him,  both  from  Scrip- 
ture, Antiquity,  and  the  Perfwafive  Nature  of  Church- 
Government,  that  all  Presbyters  were  Church -Gov  ernours 
as  well  as  Church  Teachers ',  and  that  the  Alfociation  of 
Paftors  and  Churches  for  Agreement,  and  their  Synods 
in  Cafes  of  Neceility  are  a  plain  Duty  ;  and  ordinary 
ftated  Synods  very  Convenient.  And  he  found  that 
they  who  were  of  this  Denomination  in  the  Land  were 
Men  of  eminent  Learning,  Sobriety  and  Piety ;  and  the 
Minifters  among  them  contributed  much  to  the  keeping 
up  R^ll'rion  in  the  Land. 

As  for  the  Independents,  he  found  moft  of  them  ^^ea- 
/out,  and  many  or  them /^4r«f^,  difcreet,  ^nd  pious;  ca- 
pable of  being  very  Serviceable  in  the  Church.  Search- 
ing Scripture  and  Antiquity,  he  found  that  in  the  begin- 
ning a  Govern  d  Church,  and  a  Stated  Worlhipping 
Church,  were  all  one :  That  Churches  were  at  firft  no 
bigger  than  our  Parifhcs  now  ;  That  they  were  Societies 
of  Chriftians  united  for  Perfonal  Communion,  and  not 
only  for  Communion  by  Meetings  of  Officers  and  De- 
legates in  Synods,  as  many  Churches  in  Allbciation  be. 
Alfo  he  faw  a  Commendable  Care  of  ferious  Holinefs 
and  Difcipline  in  moft  of  the  Independent  Churches. 
And  found  that  fomc  Epifcopal  Men  (Bp.  ZJ/hcr  for  one, 
as  he  had  it  from  himfelfj  held.  That  every  Bi(hop  vpoi 
Independent  m  to  Synods,  and  Synods  notfo  much  for  Govern^ 
mem  m  for  Concord, 

Other 


Chap.  VII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  112 

Other  Controverfies  alfo  in  B^eligion  were  very  hotly 
Agitaced,  and  in  all  he  was  willing  to  keep  himfelf 
and  others  fronn  Extreams.     As   for   the    Anahapti^s, 
(tho'  he  had  written  much  againft  them)  he  found  many 
of  them  fober,  godly  People,    not  differing  but  in  the 
Voinioi  Infant- Bnptifm*     And  as  to  that,  confulting 
Antiquity,  he  obferv'd,   That  the'  Infant-Baptifm  was 
held  Lawful  by  the  Church,    yet  fome,  with  HertuHjcfjy 
jaiid  N4:{ian:{ef2,  tho^t  it  moft  convenient  to  make  no 
■  haft;  and  the  reft  left  the  time  of  Baptifm 'to  every 
'•one's  Liberty,  and  forc'd  none  to  be  Baptiz  d.     So  that 
not  only  Conftantine^  Theodofim,  and  fuch  as  were  Con- 
verted at  Years  of  Difcretion,   but  Augufline  alfo,   and 
many  Children  of  Chriftian  Parents  hid  their  Baptifm 
long  deferr  d.     Nothing  more  free  than  fiaptifm  in  the 
Primitive  Times?.     T6  fome  'twas  Adiriamitred  in  Infan- 
cy, to  fome  at  ripe  Age,'  and'  to  fome  d  Jictle  before 
their  Death.    All  the  Penalty  of  a  Dela.y^   was  the  be- 
ing ftill  numbred  with  Catechumens  jor  ExfeBams, 

In  the  Dirferences  between  the  Armenians  and  Ayiti- 
Armininns,  he  foon  perceiv'd  it  hard  to  fipd  a  Man  that 
difcern'd  the  true  State  of  the  feveral  Controverfies: 
And  that  when  unreveal'd  Points  are  laid  aiide,  and 
the  Controverfies  about  Words  juftly  feparated  from 
thofe  about  Things ;  the  Differences  about  Things  which 
renaain'd,  were  fewer  and  fmaller  than  moft  of  the  Con- 
tenders would  believe.  Nay,  he  found  the  Dodrinal 
Differences  with  the  Papifts  very  much  darkned,  and 
feldom  well  ftated.  In  the  Points  of  Merit ^  Jufiifica" 
tion^  Ajfureince  of  Salvation ,  Perfeverance,  Grace,  Free^ 
Will^  8cc.  Mifunderftanding  was  common,  and  juft 
Diftindtion  and  Explication  very  rare.  Upon  the  whole, 
he  fix'd  in  this  Conclufion :  That  he  that  would  procure 
the  Welfare  of  rhe  Church,  muft  do  his  beft  to  pro- 
mote all  the  Truth  and  Good  which  was  held  by  every 
Party,  and  to  leave  out  all  their  Errors  and  their  Evili 
and  not  take  up  all  that  any  Party  bad  efpous'd  as 
their  own.  And  indeed  there  was  not  a  Party  in  which 
there  was  not  fomething  he  diflik'd  as  Erroneous  and 

Bvil.  .  ^^  . 

Three  Things  he  diOikM  in  the  Era!liavs.  Their 
Making  too  light  of  the  Power  cf  the  Mimilry  and 
Church,  and  of  Excommunication  :  Their  Making  the 
Articla  of  the  Holy  C^hQlick,  Church,    and  the  Com?numan 


114  T^f^^  LIFE  of        Chap.  Vir. 

{of  Saints^  tco  ittfignificant^  by  making  Church  Communion 
"i  'wore  common  to  the  Impenitent  than  Christ  would  have  it : 
t^And  their  Injuring  their  Brethren  in  charging  them  vpith 
claiming^  as  from  God,  a  Coercive  Power  over  Mens  Bodies 
or  Pur/es,  which  ts  what  n  di/claim'd  by  all  Temperate 
ChriHians,  who  pretend  not  to  any  Power  of  Force,  but  only 
■  to  apply  GocCs  fVord  unfo  Mens  Cot/fciences»  There  were 
many  Things  which  he  utterly  diflik'd  in  the  Diocefan 
Party,  Their  extirpating  the  true  Dilcipline  of  Cbrift, 
Tvhich  iheir  Principle's  and  Church  State  fecm  to  make 
unpradticable  and  impolTible;  while  one  Bifhop,  with 
his  Contiftory,  had  the  fole  Government  of  a  Thoufand 
or  many  Hundred  Churches,  even  over  many  Thoa- 
fands  whofe  Faces  they  were  never  like  to  iec  ;  with- 
out fetting  up  any  Parochial  Government  under  them  : 
Their  turning  Parochial  Churches  into  Chriftian  Ora- 
tories and  Schools,  while  Paftors  have  only  a  Power  of 
Teaching  and  Worlhipping,  and  not  of  Governing : 
Their  Altering  the  Ancient  Species  of  Presbyters  and 
Bilhops :  Their  Exercife  of  Church  Government  in  a 
"  Secular  way ;  and  their  vexing  honeft  Chriftians,  who 
efteem'd  their  Ceremonies  unlawful,  and  filencing  able 
godly  Preachers,  that  durft  not  Subjcribe  and  Swear  Obe- 
dience to  them,  &c.  In  the  Presbyterian  way,  he  diflik'd 
the  Order  of  Lay-Elders,    who  had  no  Ordination,  nor 

•  Power    to  Preach,     nor    to    Adminiflcr   Sacraments. 
Some  of  them  were  for  binding  the  Magiftrate  to  Con- 

•  fifcate  or  Imprifon  Men,  meerly  becaufe  they  were 
Excommunicate :  and  fo  forcing  People  to  keep  in  the 
Church  againft  their  Wills,  for  fear  of  being  undone 
in  the  World  :  Whereas  he  was  fully  fatisfy'd,  That  a 
Ji4a?t  whoje  Confcience  cannot  feel  a  juft  Excommunication^ 
unlefs  it  be  bacl(d  with  Confifcation  and  bnprifonment^  is  no 
fitter  to  be  a  Member  of  a  Chriftian  Church  in  the  Commu- 
nion  of  Saints  y  than  a  Corps  is  to  be  a  Member  of  a  Cor'- 
for  at  ion. 

Some  of  them  he  found  as  much  too  much  againft 
Liberty  as  others  were  too  much  for  it,  and  that  they 
feem'd  to  think  by  Votes  and  Number  to  do  that 
which  Love  and  Realon  (hould  have  done.  And  . 
when  the  Independents  faid,  /I  l^h/hippi'^g  Churchy  and 
A  Govern  d  Church,  is  and  mult  be  all  one,  and  the  Prr/- 
bytcrians  faid.  They  may  be  all  one^  tho  it  be  not  ncceffary  ; 
yet  in  their  Pradifc  they  would  have  fo  fettled  it,  that 

they 


Chap.  VII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  115 


'they  fhould  no  where  be  all  one,  but  i  o  or  r  2  Worfhip- 
ping  Churches  fhould  have  made  one  Govern'd  Church. 
Now  tho'  I  o  or  1 2 Churches  may  be  better  managed  than 
a  Thoufand  or  many  Hundred ;  and  tho'  it  were  better 
for  thePaftor  of  each  Church  to  have  the  Government 
of  his  own  FJock,  in  Conjundion  with  the  Presbytery 
or  Synod,  than  not  at  all,  and  fo  this  were  vaftly  pre- 
ferable to  the  Diocefan  Frame ;  yet  it  feem'd  to  prepare 
the  way  for  it.  In  the  way  of  the  Independents,  he  dif- 
lik'd  their  making  too  light  of  Ordination;  their  having 
alfo  among  them  the  Office  of  Lay-Elderlhip ;  and 
their  being  ftrider  about  the  Qualifications  of  Church 
Members,  than  Scripture,  Reafon,  or  the  Praftice  of 
the  Univerfal  Church  would  allow.  For  if  once  you 
go  beyond  the  Evidence  of  a  feriom  fober  Profefjion^  as 
a  credible  and  fufficient  Sign  of  a  Title,  you  will  never 
know  where  to  reft;  but  the  Churches  Opinion  will 
be  both  Rule  and  Judge,  and  Men  will  be  let  in  or 
kept  out,  according  to  the  various  Latitude  of  Opini- 
ons or  Charity,  in  the  feveral  Ofikers  or  Members  of 
Churches.  He  difcern'd  a  great  Tendency  in  this  way 
of  theirs,  to  Divifions  and  Subdivilions,  and  the  nou- 
rilhing  of  Herefies  and  Sedks:  And  could  not  at  all  ap- 
prove of  their  making  the  People,  by  majority  of  Votes, 
to  be  Church-Governours  in  Excommunicntions,  Abfolw 
tions,  8cc.  which  Chrift  hath  made  Ads  of  Office;  and 
Jetting  them  govern  their  Governours,  and  themfelves. 
He  alfo  dillik'd  their  too  much  exploding  Synods,  their 
over-rigidnefs  againft  the  Admiflion  of  Chriftians  of 
other  Churches,  and  their  making  a  Minifter  to  be  as 
no  Minifter  to  any  but  his  own  Flock.  In  many  of 
which  Things,  the  Moderation  of  a  Synod  of  Nevp- 
England  found  out  a  much  better  Temper  than  their 
Brethren  here  could  light  upon.  And  as  for  the  Ann- 
bnftijisy  he  knew  that  they  injurioufly  excluded  the 
Infants  of  the  Faithful  from  folemn  Entrance  into  the 
Covenant  and  Church  of  God ;  and  as  finfully  made 
their  Opinion  a  Ground  of  their  SeftirAtion  from  the 
Churches  and  Communion  of  their  Brethren  ;  and  that  a- 
mong  them  grew  up  the  Weeds  of  many  Errours  ; 
and  that  Divifions,  Subdivifions,  Reproach  of  Mini- 
fters  Fadion,  Pride,  and  Scandalous  Pradifes  were 
fomented  in  their  way. 

I  z  Having 


11 6  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VII. 

Having  made  thefc  Remarks,  he  for  fome  Years 
flood  ftill  as  a  Looker-on,  and  contented  himfelf  to 
wifh  and  pray  for  Peace,  dropping  only  now  and  then 
a  Word  towards  it  in  his  Pra6tical  Writings :  But  at 
length  the  Senfc  of  his  Duty  engagM  him  to  do  his  ut- 
moft,  in  a  way  of  Endeavour,  to  bring  all  thefe  con- 
tending Parties  to  a  Concordant  PracStice  of  fo  much 
as  they  were  all  agreed  in;  ro  fee  all  that  together 
which  was  True  and  Good  amongft  thenn  all,  and  to 
promote  that  as  far  as  he  was  able,  rejedting  the  reft; 
and  to  further  the  reviving  Chriftian  Charity,  which  Fa- 
ction and  Difputes  had  lamentably  cxtinguifhM.  And 
tho'  he  had  no  Profpedt  herein  of  any  great  Succefs,  he 
yetref^lv'd  to  do  hisbeft,  and  leave  the  Succefs  to  God. 
He  wrote  feveral  Letters  about  thefe  matters  to  Mr.  //«- 
tbony  BiirgeJSf  Mr.  B^chard  Vines,  and  Mi.  G^tal^er^  and 
motion'd  the  fetting  up  fome  Regular  Difcipline  by  A- 
greement  among  the  London  Minifters,  which  would 
make  it  more  generally  taking  than  coming  from  a  pri- 
vate Corner,  but  was  put  off  with  various  Excufes. 
But  his  own  Circumftances  forcM  him  to  feek  for  fome 
certain  Regular  Method  of  Difcipline,  (^c.  among  bis 
own  People;  and  he  withal  apprehended,  that  if  feve- 
ral Minifters  could  accord  together  in  one  way,  the 
People  would  much  more  eafily  fubmit,  than  to  the  way 
•  of  any  Minifter  that  was  Singular.  As  for  his  own  Peo- 
ple, they  were  honeft,  humble  and  traceable,  engag'd 
in  no  Party,  and  haters  of  Schifm,  which  they  per- 
ceived tended  to  the  ruin  of  Religion.  The  Minifters 
in  the  Country  round  him  were  Pious,  Serious,  Hum- 
ble Men,  that  were  alfo  difengag'd ;  which  was  a  great 
Advantage  in  his  Defign.  He  open'd  his  Mmd  to  them 
in  a  Meeting  which  he  procured,  after  a  Leciiure  at  fVor^ 
cefter.  They  all  approv'd  of  his  Motion,  and  it  was 
their  common  de(irc,  that  he  would  draw  up  the  Form 
of  an  Agreement,  that  fliould  contain  only  So  much 
Church  Order  and  Dijcipline^  di  the  Epifcopal  Presbyterian 
and  Independant  are  agreed  in^  as  belon^iny^  to  the  Payors 
of  each  Particular  Chwch.  For  it  was  intended  thai  no- 
Tl)e  VV'or-^^^"P  fhould  be  inferted  that  any  one  fhould  need  dif-. 
cefteifhire  ^^^"  •  ^^  ^^^  being  the  aim  to  difputc  each  other  into 
Agreement  a  nearer  Agreement  in  Opinions,  but  lirtt  to  agree  in 
for  Church  ^hc  Pracfl'.cc  of  what  was  own'd  by  all.  Accordingly  he 
Order    and  drew  up  fome  Articles  for  common  Conftnt,  in  order 

CoMord.  to 


Chap.  VII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  117 

to  the  reduciug  the  Churches  to  fotne  Order,  the  fa- 
tisfying  Minifters  in  Adminiftring  the  Sacraments,  and 
ftopping  the  more  Religious  from  Separation,   and  that 
without  contradicting  the  Judgment  of  either  of  the 
3  Parties  mention  d.    After  feveral  Meetings  to  conli- 
der  and  examine  them,  and  the  altering  fome  particu- 
lar PaflTages,  they  were  unanimoufly  agreed  to,  by  the 
Minifters  of  Worceflerpoifey   and  feveral  in  the  Neigh- 
bourhood ;    who  aflbciated  for  mutual  Help  and  Con- 
cord in  their  Work:  Their  Names  were  as  follows. 
"Mr,  Andrew  Trifiram,  Mini&iGT  oi  Bridgnorth,     Mr.Tho, 
Baldwin  of  Chad/ley.     Mr.  Tho,  Baldwin  of  Clenf,     Mr. 
Jofeph  Baker  of  J4^orcefier,     Mr,  Henry  Oajlmid  of  Bswd' 
ley,     Mr.  VViliiam  Spicer  of  Stone,     Mr.  J^ichard Sergeant, 
laft  Miniftcr    of    Stone,     Mr.  PVilshy    of    PVomhorne, 
Mr.  John  ^eignolds  oi  iVolverhfimfton,     Mr.  Jofeph  ^cel^e 
of  I{pwley.     Mr.  Bjchard  H'ollcy  of  Snilwarp,     Mr.  Gila 
WoUey.     Mr.  Humphrey  Wnldern   of  Broome,     Mr.Bd- 
xvtird  Bowchier  of    Church-hill,     Mr.  Ambrofe  Sparry  of 
Martley,     Mr.   fVilliam   I^mberley   of  I{jdmarhy,     Mr. 
Benjamin  Baxter  of  ZJpton  upon  Severn.     Mr.  Dowley  of 
Stoy.     Mr.  Stephen  Baxter,     Mr.  Thomas  Bromwic^.  of 
Kjnfey.     Mr.  J,  Nott  of  Sherijf hales,     Mr.  George  Hop- 
kins  of  Eve/ham,     Mr.  John  Spilsbury   of  Brotnfgrove^ 
And  Mr.  Juice  of  PVorceJier.     All  of  them  Worthy  Men, 
Eminent  for  Piety,    and  Moderation,  and  Minifterial 
Abilities.     Having  all  agreed  in  this  Aflbciation,  they 
propos*d  publickly  to  tbeir  People  fo  much  as  requii'd 
their  Confent  and  Pradice,   and  gave  every  Family  a 
Copy  in  Print,    and  a  fufficient  time  to  confider  and  un- 
derftand  it,  and  then  put  it  in  Execution.    Mr.  Baxter 
publilh'd  the  whole,    with  the  Reafons  and  Explica- 
tion of  the  feveral  Particulars,  in  a  Book  calKd  C/jr/- 
ftian  Concord.'-— 'In  their  Aflbciation  they  agreed  upon 
a  Monthly    Meeting    at   certain    Market-Towns,  for 
Conference  about  fuch  Cafes  of  Difcipline  as  rcquir'd 
Confultation  and  Confent :    And  they  were  conftant- 
ly  kept  up  at  Evefloam  and  Kjderminfter.     At  Ksder- 
minfter  there  was  once  a  Month  a  Meeting  of  ^  Jufti- 
ces  of  the  Peace,  who  livM   with  them,   and  3  or  4 
Minifters,  {for  fo  many  they  had  in  the  Parifti)^  and 
3  or  4  Deacons,    and    20   of  the  Antienc  and  Godly 
Men  of  the  Congregation,  who  pretended  to  no  Office 
as  Lay-Elders,  but  only  met  as  Trufteea  of  the  whole 

i  3  Church, 


ii8  The  LIFE  of      Chap.Vll. 


Church,    and  were  chofen  Annually  for  that  Purpofe. 
At  this  Meeting  they  admoniili'd  thofe  who  remain'd 
Impenitent  in  any  Scandalous  Sin,  after  more  Private 
Admonition  before  two  or  three  ;  they  with  all  poflible 
Tcnderncfs  perfwaded  them  to  repent,   and  labour  d 
to  convince  them  of  iheir  Sin  and  Danger  ;  and  prayed 
with  them  if  they  confented.     If  they  could   not  be 
be  prevail'd  with  to  repent,  they  requir'd  them  to  meet 
before  all  the  Minifters  at  the  other  Monthly  Meeting, 
which  was  always  the  next  Day  after  this  Parochial 
Meeting.     There  the  Admonitions  and  Exhortations 
were  renew'd,  and  fome  Minifters  of  other  Parilhes  la- 
boured to  fet  it  Home,  that  the  Offender  might  not 
think  it  was  only  the  Opinion  of  the  Minifter  of  the 
Place,  and  that  he  did  it  out  of  Ill-Will  or  Partiality. 
If  the  Offender  yielded  penitently  to  confefs  his  Sin, 
and  promife  Amendment,  (more  or  lefs  publickly  ac- 
cording to  the  Nature  of  the  Scandal )  they  then  joyn'd 
in  Prayer  for  his  true  Repentance  and  Forgivenefs,  and 
exhorted  him  farther  to  his  Duty  for  the  Future.     But 
if  he  ihJl  contiiiu'd  obftinately  Impenitent,  by  the  Con- 
icnt  of  alJ,  he  was  by  the  Paftor  of  the  Place  to  be 
pubJickJy  admonifh'd,  and  pray'd  for  by  that  Church, 
ufually  three  feveraJly  Days  together :  And  if  flill  he  re- 
mained Impenitent,  the  Church  was  requir'd  to  avoid 
him,    as  a  Perfon  untit  for  their  Commuiuon.     And 
the   like  Method  was  follow'd  by   all  the  Aflbciated 
Minifters  and  Churches At  the  fame  Time  the  Mi- 
nifters of  Cumberland  and  li^ejimorland  fell   alfo    upon 
I  he  fame  Courfe,  and  took  much  the  fame  Method  for 
the  Exercife  of  Church   Difcipline ;    and  correfponded 
with  the  Minifters  of  IVorcefierpoire  about  it  :  And  fo 
alio  did  fome  other  Counties. 
The  lonii-       Jn  thefe  Meetings  of    the  H^orcefierfhire  Minifters, 
"Daj  Le-     they  itudied  how  to  have  the  Lcdbures  they  fet  up  a- 
Oure  mthc  mojig  them  extend  to  every  Place  in  the  County  ihat 
County.        }^aj  need.     For  when  the  Parliament  purg  d  the  Mini- 
ftry,  they  caft  out  thole  v/ho  were  moft  Infafficicnt  and 
Scandalous,  as  grofs  Drunkards,  andfuch  like  ;  and  alfo 
fome  few  Civil  Men  that  had  been  againft  them  in  the 
War,  or  fet  up  Bovfin^  to  Altnrsj  with  clie  like  Innova- 
tions :    But  they  had  left  in,  near  half  the  MJiufters 
that  were  not  good  cno*  to  do  much  Service,  nor  bad 
^no  to  be  caft  jDUt  as  mtcrly  intoleiabk.    There  ^«- 


Chap.  VIL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  119 

main  d  a  Company  of  weak  Preachers,  that  had  no 
great  Skill  in  Divinity,  nor  Zeal  for  GodJinefs  ;  but 
preach'd  weakly  'that  which  was  true,  and  liv'd  in  no 
grofs  notorious  Sin.  Thefe  Men  not  being  caft  out,  their 
People  greatly  needed  Help  ;  for  their  dark  fleepy 
Preaching  did  but  little  good.  *Twas  therefore  refolv'd. 
That  fame  of  the  filler  Mlnifters  fhould  often  voluntarily 
help  them.  Mr.  Baxter  procur'd  the  30  /.  that  was  col- 
Jedted  at  the  Yearly  Feaft  of  the  Londoners  of  that  Coun- 
ty, for  the  Support  of  fuch  a  Ledure  for  one  Year,  and 
fo  the  Defign  was  covered  under  the  Name  of  The  Lon^ 
doners  Lecture ;  which  took  off"  the  Offence.  They  chofe 
four  worthy  Men,  Mr.  Andrew  Triifram,  Mr.  Henry 
Oajland,  Mr.  Thomas  Baldwin^  and  Mr.  J  of. Treble;  who 
undercook  to  go  each  Man  his  Day  once  a  Month, 
which  was  every  Lord's  Day  between  the  four,  and  to 
preach  at  thofe  Places  whjich  had  moft  need,  twice  on 
the  Lord's-Day ;  but  to  avoid  all  IllConfequences  and  O/- 
fence^  they  were  fometimes  to  go  to  abler  Men's  Con- 
gregations, and  where  ever  they  came  to  fay  fomevvhat 
to  draw  the  People,  to  the  Honour  and  fpecial  Regard 
of  their  own  Payors ;  that  how  weak  foever  they  were, 
they  might  fee  the  Defign  was  not  to  draw  away  the 
Hearts  of  the  People  from  them,  but  to  ftrengthen  their 
Hands,  and  help  them  in  their  Work.  This  Lecture 
did  a  great  deal  of  Good  ;  and  tho'  the  Londoners  gave 
their  Afliflance  but  one  Year,  yet  having  once  fet  it  on 
Foot,  they  continu'd  it  voluntarily,  Mr.  Baxter  being 
as  forward  as  any  ;  and  they  held  on  'till  they  were  fi- 
lencM,  and  had  the  Church  Doors  fhut  upon  thcra. 

But  it  was  not  eno'  to  fuch  a  Man  as  Mr.  Baxter  to  The  \Vor- 
be  ufeful  in  the  Particular  County  he  liv  d  in  ;  he  was  ceiicrfhire 
earneft  in  feeking,  and  careful  in  improving,    all  0;>- ■^"♦^'*"'' 
fortunities  of  General  Service.     In   the    Time  of    the 
B^mp  .or  Common-wealth,    the  Anahaptifts,  Seekers^  &c. 
flew   fo  high  againft  Tithes  and  the  Miniftry,  that  it 
was  much  fear'd  they  would  have  prevail'd  at  laft.   Here- 
upon ;he  drew  up  a  Petition  for  the  Miniftry,  and  got 
many  Thoufand  Hands  to  it  in  PVorcefier/hire.,  on  which 
Account  it  was  printed  with  the  Title  of  that  County's 
Petition,    it   was-prefented  by  Mr.  Thomas  Foley,  and 
Col.  John  Bridges,  and  a  kind  promi^ng  Anfwer  was 
given  to  it,    which  feem'd  to  lead  to  foajc  good  Refo- 
iutions.  The  Seftaries  greatly  rag'd  againft  the  Petition, 

I  4  ^ad 


MM«>«*^i.fc«^lfa*iai%#i 


1 20  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VII. 

and  one  wrote  a  vehement  Invedlive  againft  it,  which 
Mr.   Baxter    anfwer^d    in    a    Paper    call'd,     The   De- 
fence  of  the  Worcefterfhirc  Petiticr?^  a  Copy  of  which  he 
gave  to  each  Parliament  Man  at  the  Door :  But  within 
a  Day  or  two  after  they  were  dilTolv'd. 
The  Debate      I"  the  Injlruifient  whereby  Oliver  wa$  made  Protcftor, 
tibout  Tun-  it  was  declared.  That  ail  Jhould  have  Liberty  for  the  free 
d^mintals.  E^rcife  cf  their  B^Ugion^   who  profe/s'd  Faith  in  God  by 
Jejus  Chrifl.     This  Inftrument  being  examined  in  Parlia- 
ment, when  they  came  to  thofe  Words,  fome  honeft 
Members  afiirm'd,.  That  if  they  f pake  6e.  it,  and  not  de  no- 
mine,F'J'V^  in  God  by  Jefus  CfjrifiyCould  contain  no  le/j  than 
the  Fundamentals  of  ^ligion.     So  that  it  was  purpofed. 
That  all  (hould  have  a  due  Meafure  of  Liberty,   who 
profefs'd  the  Fundamentals.     Hereupon  the  Committee 
appointed  to  that  Bufinefs,  were  requir'd  to  nominate 
certain  Divines,  to  draw  up  in  terminis  the  Fundamen- 
tals cf  {{eligion^  to  be  as  a  Teft  in  this  Toleration.     The 
Ccmmitee  being  about  fourteen,  nam'd  every  one  his  Man. 
The  Lord  Broghill  (  afterwards  Earl  of  Orrery,  and 
Lord-Prelident  of  Munfter, )  nam'd  Arcb-Bifhop  ZJfh- 
«r;  who  rerufing  the  Service,  he  nominated  Mr.  Bax^ 
ter  in  his  Stead  ;    upon  which,  he  was  fent  for  up  to 
London^  and  drawn  into  a  difficult  Piece  of  Service,  in 
which  tho'  he  could  eafily  forefee  he  fhould  be  hampered 
by  the  Karrownefs  of  fome,  and  the  Shynefs  of  others,  he 
yet  freely  engag'd.     The  other  Perions  employed,  were 
Mr.  Mar/ha/^   Mr.  B^yner,   Dr.  Cheynely   Dr.  Goodvoin^ 
Dr.  Owfw,    Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Sydrach  Sympfon,  Mr.  Vims, 
Mr.  Mtntcn^  and  Mr.  Jacomb,     And  he  found  they  had 
begun,  and  drawn  up  fome  few  of  the  Propolitions, 
which  they  call'd  Fand.^mmtf.UhQ^ort,  hisArrivaJ.     For 
his  own  Part,  he  apprehended,  that  in  bating  fo  Nice 
a  Que  A  ion  as  that,  PPhnt  are  your  Fundament/:  Is  ?  Great 
Care  ought   to  be  taken   to   diftinguifh   between  the 
Scnfe  or   Matter,  and   the   Words  :    That  the   Senfe 
only  is  primarily   and  properly  Fundamental,  and  the 
Words  no  farther  than  as  they  are  needful  to  cxprefs 
that  Senfc.     In  Reality  therefore  he  took  no  more  to 
be   Eflential  or  Fundamental  in  Religion,    but  what 
it  contain'd   in  our  Baptifmal  Covenant,  I  believe  in 
God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Cshoj},  and  pive  up  my  felf 
in  Civenant  to  him,  renouncing  the  Flejh,  the  l^orld,  and 
cJrv'DiviL    And  as  .to  Words,  he  took  no  particular 
tr.:.  Word$ 


Chap.  VII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


121 


Words  in  the  World  to  be  ElTentials  of  our  Religion  • 
otherwife,  no  Man  could  be  fav'd  without  the  Lan- 
guage which  thofe  Words  belong  to.  And  as  to  Pub- 
lick  Profefiions  upon  Admittance  to  Communion,  he 
tho't  thus  much  might  very  well  fuffice:  In  general,  I  do 
believe  all  that  is  contain  d  in  the  Sacred  Cammcal  Scrip- 
tures, and  particularly  I  believe  all  explicit/)/  contairid  in 
the  Antient  Creeds,  and  I  defire  all  that  is  contain  d  in  the 
hordes  Prayer,  and  I  refolve  upon  Obedience  to  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, and  what  ever  elfe  I  can  learn  of  the  PVill  of 
God,  And  for  all  other  Points,  he  judg'd  it  eno'  to 
preferve  both  Truth  and  Peace,  that  Men  promife  not 
to  preach  againft  them,  or  contradict  them,  tho'  they 
do  not  fubfcribe  them.  And  therefore  he  propos'd  the 
Offering  to  the  Parliament,  the  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer^ 
and  Ten  Commandments,  as  the  Eflcntials  or  the  Fun- 
damentals of  Chriftianity,  containing  all  that  is  ne- 
cefTary  to  Salvation.  When  they  objedted,  That  this 
might  be  fubfcrib'd  by  a  Papifl  or  Socinian  ;  his  Anfwer 
was,  That  it  was  fo  much  the  better,  and  the  fitter  to  be 
the  Matter  of  Concord :  But  that  if  they  were  afraid  of 
Communion  with  Papifts  and  Socinians,  it  fhould  not  be 
avoided  by  making  a  New  B^le  or  Teji  of  Faith  which  they 
will  not  fubfcribe  tOy  or  by  forcing  others  to  fubfcribe  to  more 
than  they  can  do^  but  by  calling  them  to  Account,  when  ever 
in  Preaching  or  fi'^riting^  they  contradiB  or  abvfe  the  Truth 
to  which  they  have  fubjcrib''d.  They  refolv'd  however  to 
hold  on  in  the  Way  they  had  begun,  and  fo  all  that  he 
had  left  to  do,  was  to  ufe  his  Endeavours  to  prevent 
their  multiplying  Fundamentals  needlefly.  At  length 
this  Propofition  was  bro't  in  among  others  under  the 
Head  of  the  Scriptures,  That  no  Man  could  know  God  to 
Salvation  by  any  other  Means.  This  he  aflerted  was  nei- 
ther Fundamental  nor  Truth,  for  that  Faith  may  be 
wrought  by  the  Teaching  of  another,without  ever  know- 
ing that  there  is  a  Scripture.  He  argu'd  the  Point,  and 
afterwards  gave  them  his  Reafons  in  Writing  :  And  if 
•he  did  no  other  Service  among  them,  at  leaft  prevented 
the  running  many  Things  fo  high  as  might  otherwife 
have  been  expeded.  When  after  many  long  Debates, 
they  had  printed  Twenty  of  their  Propofitions  for  the 
Parliament,  ihax  was  diffolY'd^  and  fo  all  came  to 
jSipthjing. 

Truth 


I2X  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VII. 

Truth  and  Peace  were  the  Matter  of  this  Good 
Mans  Purfuit  all  his  Days.  He  ftu^-k  at  no  Pains  that 
might  concnbute  to  either.  He  refolv'd  to  take  fitting 
Opportunities  of  dealing  with  all  the  fevcral  Parties  in- 
to which  the  Nation  was  unhappily  divided,  hoping 
that  at  leaft  he  might  help  to  pave  the  Way  for  the 
Succefs  of  others,  when  the  happy  Jundlure  fhould 
arrive,  tho'  his  iindeavours  (hould  prove  fruitlefs  and 
abortive.  Mr.  Vines  extolling  the  Judgment  and  Learn- 
ing of  Dr.  B^alph  Brovonriyg^  Bilhop  of  Excetcr,  and  ad- 
viftng  him  to  choofc  him  as  the  fitteft  Man  to  treat  with 
for  Concord  with  the  Diccefnn  Party,  he  wrote  to  him, 
and  Tent  hina  fome  Terms  of  Concord.  He  return'd 
him  a  very  kind  Letter,  profefiing  his  WiUingnefs  to 
profecute  that  Work,  and  fending  a  particular  Anfwer 
to  his  Propofals,  granted  the  main  Matters  which  he  de- 
Cred,  and  which  would  have  united  all  Parties,  if  yield- 
ed to  when  the  King  came  in.  For  he  granted,  with 
Bifhop  Vjher^  that  every  Presbyter  is  and  muft  be  a  Go- 
vernour,  as  well  as  a  Teacher  of  his  own  Flock  ;  and 
that  fubordinare  AfTemblies,  like  Rural  Deanrics,  might 
be  fet  up  in  every  Market  Town,  or  in  certain  limited 
Divisions.  And  fome  good  A^greement  with  theEpifcopal 
Party,  might  have  been  even  then  hop'd  for,  had  not 
Olive)  y  when  he  had  the  Government  in  his  Hands,  put 
in  among  the  Scandalous  Minifters,  who  were  there- 
upon to  be  ejected  all  thro'  the  Nation,  all  thofe  who 
took  Part  with  the  King  againft  the  Parliament :  With 
which  they  were  Co  .exafperated,  as  to  lay  allde  all 
Tho'cs  of  Agreement. 
A  Vcoate  Mr.  Martin  Johti/o?:,  a  Neighbouring  Minifier  at 
concernin'r  iVoynbornc,  (afterwards  Minifter  of  Spalding  in  Lincoln- 
the  NeccjJityJhireJ  who  tho*  high  in  bis  Principles,  was  yet  a  Lover 
of  a  clear  of  all  honcft  pcaceablc  Men,  and  conftantly  at  the 
Succcjjionin  Meetings,  Ledturcs,  and  Difputations  at  KsdcnninftcTy 
the  Mini'  ^rote  to  Mr.  Bnxtcr  aboui:  the  Keccfjhy  of  Epifcfpal  Or- 
'^'  dinnticn.     He  in  Anfwcr  to  himmaintain'd,  That  there 

was  no  abfolute  Ncccifity,  That  a  Man  might  be  a 
true  Miniftcr  who  was  ordain'd  by  Presbyters  ;  and 
that  in  Cafes  of  Necelfity,  it  was  a  Duty  to  take  Ordi- 
nation from  them.  This  he  oppos'd  with  Mndefty  and 
J-udg^nent  for  a  Time,  'till  at  laft  being  convinc'd,  he 
yielded  the  Caufc. 

rii 


Chap.  VII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  123 


rU  here  fubjoyn  a  fhorc  Abftrad  of  the  Arguments 
and  Replies, 

Mr.  Johnfon  gave  Four  Reafons  why  he  was  for  being 
earneft  in  pleading  for  an  Uninterrupted  Succeffion  in 
the  Miniftry,  v^ich  Reafons  he  urg  d  as  Arguments  to 
prove  it. 

I.  He  urg*d  the  Serloufnefs  of  our  Divines  in  their  En- 
deavours to  frovdtf  That  our  Bijhops  in  the  Days  of  Kjng 
Edward  VI.  and  Queen  Elizabeth  were  Ordain  d  by  Bi- 
fi>opSy  againft  the  Calumnies  0/ Sanders,  Kellifon,  Chalm- 
ney,  and  others,  who  warmly  ajferted  an  Interruption  in  the 
Succeffion,  The  Pains  of  our  Divines  in  this  Refpedl, 
he  tho'c  might  have  been  fpar'd,  if  a  clear  Succeffion  be 
not  needful.—- 

Mr.  Baxter  in  Anfwer  told  him,  *  That  he  tho't  it 
much  more  fafe,  in  a  Cafe  of  this  Nature,  firft  to 
confider  the  Fad:,  and  prove  that  there  hath  been 
fuch  a  Succeflion,  before  the  Necefllty  of  it  is  afTert-' 
ed.      However,    fince  he  took  the  other  Way,   he 
would  follow.    This  Argument,  he  told  him  from 
the  Reformers,  when  fcann  d,  would  amount  to  this  ; 
That  what  ever  they  tho'c  neceflary  to  be  prov'd  a- 
gainft  the  Papifts,  was  really  fo  ;   But  befides  that 
there  is  no  Confequence  in  that,  where  there  is  an  ac- 
knowledged Fallibility  ;  it  is  withal  obfervable,  that 
the  EngUfh  Bilhops  might  have  other  Ends  in  endea- 
vouring to  clear  the  Succeflion,  befides  Compliance 
with  a  fuppos'd  Neceflity  :    They  might  defign  the 
confuting  their  Adverfary  on  his  own  Grounds ;  or 
they  might  aim  at  ftiewing,  that  tho'  the  Neceflity  of 
a  clear  Succeffion  were  granted,  yet  they  need  not 
grant  the  Nullity  of  their  Calling.     Nay ,  'tis  evident 
in  Fad:,  that  tho'  fuch  high  Men  as  Mouyitague  and 
Laud^  did  joyn  with  the  Papifts  in  pleading  for  the 
Neceflity  of  a  diftind  Succefllon,   yet  this  was  not 
the  Way   of   the  True  Primitive    Fathers  of  the 
Church  jof  England^  who  argu'd  upon  the  Succeflion 
againft  the  Papifts  only  ad  Hominem,  as  we  fay,  for 
their  more  efledual  Convidion  :  And  therefore  took 
fo  jnuch  Pains  to  confute  the  Fable  of  the  Naggs- 
*  Head  Ordination,  that  they  might  prove  the  Papifts 
ij  Slanderers,    And  'tis  obfervable,  that  fuch  high  Men 

as 


124 


The  LI  FE  of      Chap.  VH. 


as  thole  mention'd,    were  nigh  upon  the  Matter  as 

zealous  againit  Queen  Eli:{nbeth'*s  Epifcopai  Proceftanis 
as  againft  the  Papifts  themfelves. 

2.  Mr  Johnfons  Second  Argument  was  to  this  Purpofe. 
Without  a  clear  Succeflion,  we  that  are  now  Minifters 
cannot  be  faid  to  have  our  Authority  from  Chrift,  for 
we  muft  have  it  from  him  either  medintcly  or  immedi- 
ately. To  affert  an  immediate  Derivaiion  of  Authority 
from  Chrift,  is  extravagant.  \i  yNt\i2.\'t  it  mediately 
from  Chrift,  we  muft  have  it  by  the  Mediation  of  fome 
Perfon,who  at  length  had  it  immediately  from  him.This 
cannot  be,  if  the  Succeflion  be  interrupted.  If  it  be  faid, 
the  Authority  is  convcy'd  from  Chrift,  by  the  Media- 
tion of  the  written  Word,  he  nnfwers,  'tis  no  fit  Me- 
dium for  the  conveying  fuch  Authority  in  our  Days  : 
And  that  for  this  Reafon,  becaufe  it  meddles  not  with 
any  Particular  Perfons  of  our  Times.  For  the  written 
Word  neither  Names  any  Particular  Perfons,  nor  lays 
down  any  incommunicable  Adjundt  that  might  diftin- 
guifh  them,  nor  gives"  any  fuch  general  Defcription 
which  may  be  perfonally  and  particularly  afcrib'd  toa- 
ny  of  them.  Were  there  any  fuch  general  Defcription, 
that  could  give  Authority,  it  muft  be  in  Words  to  this 
Purpofe;  They  th^t  nrc  thus  and  thus  qualify  d,  may  he 
Minijiersofthc  Word :  Whcrcas  the  Scripture  only  fays. 
They  that  Preach  the  fVjrd  fhall  he  thu  t  and  thus  qualify' d  ; 
but  fuppofestbe  Perfons  fo  qualify'd  to  come  by  their 
Authority  fome  other  Way.  For  Authority  he  con- 
ceived to  be  far  different,  from  either  Abilities  to  un- 
dergo an  Employment,  or  a  willing  Mind  to  undertake 
it,  orConvenicncy  of  Habitation  for  the  Difcharge  of 
it,  or  the  Deiire  of  any  Perfons  inviting  a  Man  to  it.  A 
Man  may  have  all  thefe,  and  yet  want  Authority.  Tho' 
all  thefe  fiiould  concur  in  the  Cafe  of  a  Gentleman, 
yet  is  he  nota  Jnftice  of  Peace,  'till  his  Name  be  in  the 
Commiflion  from  the  Supream  Magiftrate,  and  he 
hath  taken  his  Oath  as  avStipulation  to  him  on  hisPart, 
for  his  faithful  Dillhargein  ic  :  So  neither  doth  a  Man, 
by  the  Concurrence  of  all  thele  Circumftances,  be- 
come an  Authoriz'd  Minifter,  'till  Jefiis  Chrift,  the  Su- 
preme Govcrnour  of  his  Church,  rtiall  by  the  Bifhops, 
as  his  Deputies,  put  his  Name  into  the  Gommiftion^ 
and  take  reciproc;;!  Security  from  him  for  his  faithful 
Difcharge  of  his  Duty.  T© 


Chap.  VII.        Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  125 


To  this  Mr.  Baxter  reply*d,  *  That  a  Conftitution 
may  be  from  Chrift  medintefy,  either  in  refped  to  a 
mediating  Perfon,  or  tO  forae  mediating  Sign  only  : 
And  the  mediating  Perfcn  may  be  either  the  total  fub- 
ordinate  Caufe,  having  himfelf  receiv'd  the  Power 
from  God,  and  being  as  from  himfelf  to  convey  ic 
unto  Man  ;  or  be  may  be  but  the  Accidental  Caufc  ; 
or  his  Adion  may  be  only  conditionally  requifite.  J«i?- 
mediateiy^  in  the  ablolute  Senfe,  with  the  Exclufion 
of  all  Mediating  Perfons  and  Signs,  no  Man  ever 
had  any  Right  communicated,  or  Duty  impos'd  by 
God,  unlefs  perhaps  the  immediate  Imprefs,  or  fu- 
pernatural  Revelation  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  to  fome 
Prophet  or  Apoftle,  might  be  faid  to  do  it,  God  is 
fo  abfolutely  the  Fountain  of  all  Power,  that  no 
Man  can  either  have  or  give  any  Power  but  deriva- 
tively from  him,  and  by  his  Commiffion ;  and  the 
general  Way  of  Man  s  giving  it,  muft  be  by  the  (ig- 
nification  of  God's  Will ;  and  fo  far  as  that  can  be 
fufiiciently  difcover'd,  there  needs  no  more  to  the  Con- 
.yeyance  of  Power.  Men  mediate  three  Ways  in  the 
Nomination  of  the  Perfon.  When  they  have  a  Go- 
verning Authority  over  others,  they  convey  efficient- 
ly to  inferior  Officers  the  Power  that  belongs  to  their 
Places.  This  Way  of  mediating  is  not  always,  if  at 
all,  neceffary  or  poffible  in  the  Church.  The  Papiffs 
own  their  Pope  is  authorized,  without  this  Way  of 
Efficiency  ;  for  none  have  a  Papal  Power  to  convey 
to  him.  And  it  was  the  old  Doc5lrine  of  the  Church, 
(in  St.  Cyprian  s  Time)  That  all  Biihops  were  equal, 
and  had  no  Power  one  over  another,  but  all  had 
their  Power  dire(5tly  from  Chrift.  A  Second  Way  is, 
when  Men  that  are  of  equal  Authority  have  the  No- 
mination of  the  Perfon.  In  fuch  a  Cafe  there  can  be 
no  proper  Efficiency  ;  for  they  who  are  the  Ordainers, 
have  no  particular  Government  over  ihofe  whom  they 
ordain,  or  the  Churches  to  whom  they  ordain  them. 
Their  Aciion  is  only  a  necelTary  Pieiequifire.  The 
Third  Way  of  Mediating  is  by  the  meer  Ele^iion  of 
Infenours.  As  to  the  written  Word,  that,  in  Cafe  of 
a  failing  of  Ordairers  is  a  fnfficient  Mediate  I/iJiru- 
meijt  ;  Abilities,  Willingnefs ,  and  Opportunity 
(which  are  necelfary  to  qualify  )  concurring.    The 

Coniti- 


126  The  LI  FE  of      Chap.  Vlf. 


Confticution  of  Magiftrarcs,  in  Cafe  of  a  failure  of 
Minif^ers,  is  a  farther  Medium,  diftirid  frofti  Scrip- 
ture. When  Miniftersfail,  Magiftrates  are  the  Judges  ; 
if  both  fail,  the  People  have  the  Judgment  of  Difcre- 
tion  without  any  Governing  Power  :  Their  Judgment 
of  Difcretion  hath  a  fnfficient  Difcovery  of  God's  Ef- 
ficient Conftitution,  in  the  Law  of  God,  in  the  Per- 
fonsAbiJities,  Willingnefs,  and  Opportunity,  and  the 
Willingnefs  of  the  People. 

The  Word  of  God  hath  not  left  us  at  fuch  un- 
certainty in  the  Point,  as  this  Sort  of  Arguing  would 
feem  to  intimate.     For  we  find  God  hath  there  de- 
termin'd  that  there  fhall  be  Minifters  :  He  hath  alfo 
detcrmin'd  the  Nature  of  their  Work  and  Power, 
the  Obje<5k  about  which,  and  the  End  to  which,  it  is 
to  be  eroploy'd.     The  Perfons  are  defcrib'd  from  their 
neceflary  Qualifications,  in  the  Books  of  Timothy  and 
Titus.     And  all  that  is  now  left  to  be  done,  is  but  to 
judge  and  determine  of  the  particular  Perfon  who 
is  moft  capable  ,•  and  fo  far  to  be  the  Medium  of  his 
receiving  the  Power.     This  Judging  and  Determina- 
tion muft  be  by  Signs,  from  the  Perfons  Qualificatibns 
agreeing  to  the  Rule.     And  God  hath  made  Ecclefia- 
ftical  Officers  the  Ordinary  Author  it  ative  Judges  of  this 
Queftion,  ^jo  is  the  Qunlifyd  Perfon  ^     So  that  'tis 
not  only  the  Scnfe  of  the  Word  of  God  in  the  Matter, 
That  they  thnt  Prer.ch  /hall  he  thus  and  thus  qualify*d, 
but  Men  thus  and  thus  {]ualifyd^  Ihall   he  appointed  to 
Preach  the  Wcrd.     And  the  Obligation  in  this  Refpe£l 
remains  in  Force,  tho'  the  Way  of  their  Ordination 
may  ccafe:  And  m  fuch  a  Cafe  the  Magiftrate's  Defjg- 
nation^  or  People's  llleclion,  upon  the  difcerning  the 
Qualifications,  is  a  fufficient  Nomination  of  the  Per- 
fon ;  upon  which  Nomination  the  Word  of  God  con- 
veys the  Power  to  him. 

'  God  hath  no  where  oblig'd  himfelf  in  Scripture  to 
give  all  Churches  the  Opportunity  of  li^-gular  Mi- 
nijferial  Ordination  :  Nay  in  FaCt,  in  many  Places 
there  hath  been  a  Moral  or  Natural  Impoifibility 
of  it;  as  in  the  f{om'/Jo  Church,  where  there's  no 
Ordination  to  be  had,  but  upon  finful  Terms,  by 
wicked  Oaths  or  Profelllons  r  Or  in  fome  remote 
Parrs  of  the  World,  where  there  arc  no  Minilters. 
But  ruppofc  fuch  a  Cafe  had  never  been,  'tis  ycc  pof- 

iible 


Chap.  VII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  127 


fible  for  there  to  be  fuch  a  Cafe,  where  a  Regular 
Ordination  Ihould  be  impracticable;  and  therefore 
it  cannot  be  an  indifpenfible  Duty.  Again,  the  End 
why  I  am  oblig'd  to  feek  Ordination  rather  from  an 
Ecclefiaftical  Officer  than  from  a  Magittrate,  (^c,  is 
becaufe  God  hath  appointed  him  for  Order  fake,  as 
one  that  ought  to  be  the  fitteft  to  do  it,  and  prevent 
Intrufions  and  Abufes.  Now  where  the  Regular  Or- 
dainers  prove  infufficient  or  wicked  ;  this  End  fails. 
Thus  it  was  in.  the  Time  of  the  Arrian  Defe(ftion  ; 
and  thus,  'tis  ac  this  Day  in  the  Church  of  B^me.  God 
gives  no  Men  Power  to  deftroy  the  Church,  but  to 
preferve  and  propagate  it.  And  therefore  when  Men 
will  not  ordain  to  the  Prefervation,  but  to  the  appa- 
rent Deftrudkion  of  the  Church,  we  are  not  oblig'd 
to  receive  their  Ordination. 

'  That  it  was  never  the  Will  of  God  that  there 
ftiould  be  no  Miniftry  at  all,  longer  than  Men 
might  be  regularly  ordain'd,  he  prov'd  by  feveral 
Reafons.  Becaufe  the  Office  of  the  Miniftry  is  of 
ftanding  Neceflicy  to  the  very  Being  of  a  PoHtical 
Church,  whereas  Ecclefiaftical  Authoritative  Ordi- 
nation is  but  neceffary  to  the  Well-being  of  it.  And 
therefote  the  failing  of  the  Latter,  caufeth  not  a 
failing  of  the  Former.  God  hath  oft  faffer'd  his 
Church  to  fall  into  Diforders  and  Diftempers^  when 
yet  he  hath  preferv'd  its  Being.  Withal,  God  hath 
not  infeparably  ty'd  a  neceffary  certain  End,  to  one 
only  mutable  uncertain  Mean.  The  Office  of  the 
Miniftry,  is  the  necelfary  certain  End  of  Regular 
Ecclefiaftical  Ordinntion  5  and  that  is  a  mutable  un- 
certain Mean.  Again,  God  hath  not  put  ic  into  the 
Power  of  Biftiops,  or  other  Ordainers,  to  deftroy 
his  Church  for  ever,  as  they  might  do,  if  the  Mini- 
ftry were  infeparably  annex'd  to  their  Authoritative 
Ordination.  Eafily  might  they  do  it  upon  that 
Suppofition  ;  for  that  it  is  in  the  Power  of  their 
Wills,  whether  they  will  ordain  any  other  to  luc- 
ceed  them  ;  and  if  they  (hould  not,  the  SuccefTion 
is  interrupted,  and  the  Ofiice  muft  fail.  It's  vain 
to  fay.  This  is  not  to  be  fuppos'd,  when  there  is  no 
Promife  or  Certainty  of  the  contrary  :  And  when 
'tis  fo  evident  that  Ordainers  may  turn  Hcretica[, 
and  refufe  to  ordain  any  but  what  will  be  io  too  ; 

which 


128  The  LIFE  cf        Chap.  VII. 

*  which  was  the  Cafe  in  the  Time  of  the  Arrians,     And 

*  as  for  thofe  few  that  do  not  lurn  Hereticks,  they 
'  may  clog  their  Ordinations  with  fuch  Impofitions 
'  and  Engagements,  as  that  Perfons  fearing  God  may 
'  juftly  refcife  to  fubmit  to  them.  They  may  fo  ma- 
^  nage  Matters,  as  that  the  Confcientious  muft  not  be 

*  ordained    by   them ;    and    confeqiiently    they   have 

*  Power  to  deftroy  the  Church :  Which  if  it  were  af- 

*  firm'd  but  of  the  Churches  in  one  Nation,    is  not 

*  true.     Again,   God  hath  made  it  indifpenfibly   ne- 

*  ceffary  to  his  People  to  the  Worki's   End,    to    af- 

*  femble  in   foJemn  Congregations  for  Pubiick  Wor- 

*  (hip  :  This  cannot  be  without  a  Miniftry  ;  and  there- 
'  fore  this  muft  be  had,  tho  Authoritntive  Ecclefisflicnl 

*  Ordination  fail.  Such  a  Failure  can  never  abfolve  a 
'  Country  or  People  from  God's  Pubiick  Worlhip ; 

*  without  which  Chriftianity  would  foon  dwindle  away. 

*  Again,  the  Law  of  Nature,  and  the  exprefs  unchan- 

*  geable  Written  Word  agreeing  with  it,  require  Men 

*  to  do  the  Office  of  Minifters,   who  have  a  Fitnefs  for 

*  it,  where  there  is  an  undeniable  NecelCcy  of  their 

*  Help  5    and  fuch  a  fuppos'd  Failure  can't  give  a  Dif- 

*  penfation.     That  there  is  a  Duty  in  fuch  a  Cafe  of 

*  Necelllty,  even  on  Perfons  unordain  d,  appears  hence, 
'  in  that  the  Office  of  the  Miniftry  comprehends  the 
'  greateft  Works  of  Mercy  to  Men's  Souls,  and  which 

*  are  moft  for  the  Glory  of  God,  of  which  when  there 
'  is  Ability,    Opportunity  and  Neceliicy,  to  be  fuie 

*  Obligation  cannot  be  wanting.     In  a  Place  that  is  in- 

*  f<;dled,  where  better  Help  is  not  at  Hand,    a  Man  of 

*  tolerable  Skill  is  bound  to  give  Advice,  tho  he  be 
'  not  a  Phylician.    In  an  unexpedted  Aflault  of  an  E- 

*  nemy  in  the  Camp,  if  the  Commanders  are  afleep  or 

*  abfent,  the  moft  experienc'd  Soldiers  may  fupply  their 

*  Place  :  In  fuch  Cafes,  Salus  Populi  Suprema  LeXj  the 
'  Common  Safety^  as  the  highefl  Law,  univerfally  pre- 

*  vails  ;  and  there  is  the  fame  Reafon  why  Salus  Eccle- 

*  fi-e   (hould  be  Suprema  Lex  ;    why  the  S/ifct]f  of  the 

*  Church  lliould  be  the  higheft  Law,   without  fticking  ac 

*  Formalities,   when  the  Ail  is  at  Stake.     Our  Lord 

*  hjth  raught  us,  that  Ceremonials  and  mccr  Fifjttvesdo 

*  give  Way  to  Natural  Morals  and  Suhfinntials  ;   and 

*  that  uhen   two  Duties  come  together,   and    cannot 

*  boih   be   perform'd,    the   Greater  muft  be  chofcn, 

Cncum" 


Chap.  VII.        Air.  Richard  Baxter.  129 


Circuyncificn^  that  tvas  fo  {^^(^tly  crijoyn'd,  was   di- 
fpens'd  with  for  forty  Years  logether  in  the  Wild^r- 
nefs  :  How  much  more  under  the  Gofpel  Would  God 
have  Externals  and  Modals  ftdop  to  the  Sublhnce  ? 
Again,  there  is  a  great  Parity   between  Secular  and 
Ecclefiaftical  Power.     Jf  an  Irirerruption  of  the  Succef-  ^r^ 
(ion  in  the  ordinary  Conveyance  6^  Civil  Power ^  leave 
a  Nation  without  any  true  Power  or  Authority,  then 
moft  Commoti'Vpe tilths^    this  of  England  in   particular^ 
(where  the  Line  of  Succeflion  haih  been  fo  oft  Inter- 
rupted)  had  been  long  ago  diffolv'd  :  But  this  is  a 
Cohclufion  evidently  Deftru£live  of  all  Civil  Govern- 
ment.    Now  there  is  not  a  greater  NecefUcy  of  an  un- 
interrupted SuccefTion  in  the  Conveyance  of  Ecclefia- 
fiical  Power^  than  there  is  as  to  that  which  is  Secular: 
And  therefore  Mr.  Baxter  put  Mr.  John/on  Mpoti  apply- 
ing what  he  faid  of  a  Minifter's  receiving  his  EccJe- 
fiaftical  Power  mediately  or  immedldtely  ;  and  if  me^ 
diately^  how  by  Scripture  Mediation,  which  riieddles 
not   with    particular  Perfons  ;   to  King  Charles  the 
Firlt's  Receipt  of  his  Civil  Power  or  Authority  in 
.'this  Nation  ;    wbich  he  thnnght  wciuld  help  him  to 
difcover  how  Uncle  Strength  there  Wis  in  his  Argu-. 
ment.     Again,  want  of  Authoritarive  EcclefiafticaJ 
OrdinatioHj  in  Cafe  of  Neceffity,  will  no  more  null 
-the  A(5tions  of  Church  Governonrs  now,   than  un- 
deniable Ufurpation  did  null  the  Miniifetial  Adiohs 
of  the  Priefls  before    Chriit's  Death.     And  if  their 
Adiions  aie  not  null,  their  Ordinations  are  not  null. 
That  the  Prief^s  in  our  Saviour's  Time  came  not  In 
in  God's  Wayjis  well  known,  and  univerfaliy  own'd  : 
And  that  their  Actions  were  not  null,  as  to  others,  ap- 
pears by  Chrifl's  teaching  Men  to  fubmic  to  them. 
Now  'tis  hard  to  give  a  Reafon  why  there  (hould  aoc 
be  as  great  a  Neceflity  of  an  Uninterrupted  SuccelHon 
then,  as  now.    Nay,  the  Neceflitylwas  then  on  many 
Accounts  greater,  becaufe  the  Priefthood  was  fix'd  in 
a  Family,  ^Ci    Again,  when  God  tyes  his  People  to 
Duty^  he  is  ready  to  give  them  the  Bleffing,  which  is 
its  Endj  if  tliey  obey.    Now  God  obliges  many  to 
fubmit  to  the  Minifterial  Adtions  of  fome  that  arc  ir- 
regularly Ordain'd,    nay,   even  of  Ufurpers:    And 
hath  not  obliged  the  People  narrowly  to  pry  into  a 
Miniftera  CalJj  to  whom  they  belong,  as  to  his  juf! 

K  Ordina- 


I50  The  LIFE  of       Ghap.  VII. 

Ordination,  if  they  ftnJ  him  fit  for,  and  faithful  in, 
the  Miniftcrial  Woik.  Nay,  the  People  cannot 
know  or  judge  of  ihe  Matter  of  a  clear  Succelfion* 
For  if  they  know  their  Miiiifters  wereOrdain'd,  how 
can  they  tell  how  it  was  as  to  thofc  that  ordain'd 
them,  or  as  to  many  other  Links  of  that  Chain  that 
muft  at  lafl  derive  their  Power  from  Chrift  hinifelf 
by  Perfona]  SucceiTicn.  Again,  if  the  Admii]iiftra- 
tions  even  of  Ufurpers  were  null,  ( and  fo  the  Ordi- 
nation of  fuch  )  then  innocent  Perfons  and  Churches 
would  fuffer,  nay  be  ruin'd,  meerly  thro'  other  Men's 
Faults.  If  the  Lord-Uepucy  of  Ireland^  or  the  Vice- 
Roy  of  Naples  were  dead,  and  one  ihould  fo  counter- 
feit the  King*s  Hand  and  Seal,  as  that  the  Nobles  and 
People  could  not  difcern  it,  and  Ihould  annex  this  to 
a  Grant  for  the  Place,  and  (hew  it  to  the  People,  and 
claim  the  Power  by  it ;  if  this  Man  continue  the 
Excrcife  of  this  Power  for  a  Year,  before  the  King 
difplace  him,  or  the  Deceit  be  difcover'd,  all  his 
Actions  muft  be  valid  as  to  the  Benefit  of  the  Common- 
we^iltb^  tho*  tht^y  are  Treafonablc  to  himfelf :  And  he 
conveys  Power  from  the  King  to  Inferiour  Officers, 
who  yet  never  receiv'd  any  himfclf.  And  fo  'tis  in 
the  Cafe  of  Minifters.  Again  the  Ordination  of  the 
Magiftrates  ferv'd  the  Turn  in  Cafe  of  a  Failure  in  the 
Regular  Way,  before  Chrift's  Time,  and  therefore  ic 
may  do  fo  ftill-  Thus  Solomon  put  out  Abiathar^  and 
put  in  "^ndok,  into  the  High  Priclthood  :  And  the 
power  of  Magiftrares  in  Church  Matters  was  no  Ce- 
remony, or  Tcmporjry  1  hing.  Once  more,  when 
any  OfHcrrs  of  che  Temple  were  dilcovcr'd  to  have  no 
jutt  Title,  and  thereupon  were  put  out,  yet  none  of 
their  Actions,  while  they  were  in  Place,  were  cen- 
fur'd  null.  This  appears  from  iJ^wi  2.  6z.  \ehem, 
7.  64,  65.  and  13.  29,  50.  and  iffo,  their  Ordina- ^ 
lion  was  not  null  :  Nor  can  it  b-,  upon  a  like  Sup- 
pbfifion,  in  our  Times. 

'  Further  ;  The  Individual  Perfon  to  be  the  Subject 
of  the  Miiiijierial  Powc/-^  may  be  detcrminM  of  or- 
dinarily (or  fcmctimes  at  ieaft)  by  the  People's  E-  i 
lecflion,  and  then  be  prercnicd  to  the  Minifters  for  *'' 
Ordination  ;  if  fo,  then  may  the  very  fame  Perfon, 
being  detcrniin'd  of  by  the  People,  be  prefented  ta 
Cod  immediatcjy  fcr  his  Ordination,  in  Cafe  thf jc 
'"     •  *bc 


Ghap.  VII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  j2i 


be  no  Ordainers  to  be  had.  We  fee  the  People  had 
a  Vote  at  firft  in  the  Choice  of  Church  Officers,  /ids 
6.  5.  If  tliey  were  to  choofe  Deacons  fo  and  fo  quali- 
fy'd,  and  then  prefent  them  to  the  ApolUes,  then  were 
they  competent  Difcerners  of  the  Qualifications. 
And  iri  the  Cafe  of  Minifters,  feveral  Councils 
have  decreed  Ordinations  invalid,without  the  People's 
Elediion;  yea,  if  they  were  but  affrighted,  andover- 
aw'd,  and  did  noc  ac^  freely.  The  Scripture  is  fuffi- 
cient  for  the  whole  of  the  Affair  of  feeling  Minifters, 
except  the  Nomination  of  the  Individual :  Now  in 
Cafe  tliere  be  no  Ordainer,  a  right  qualify 'd  Man  cho- 
fen  only  by  the  People,  is  jultly  nominated  as  the 
Individual,  and  the  Word  of  God  gives  Authority  to 
that  Individual  Perfon,  fo  nominated  or  determined 
of.  For  vvhen  ever  two  Parties  are  made  Con-Caufes^ 
Cas  here,  Minifters  as  Ordainers^  and  People  as  Choofers) 
or  are  to  concur  in  Determinations,  when  one  Party 
failech,  the  Power  and  Duty  is  folely  in  the  other. 
Again,  if  the  Woird  lo  far  defer ibes  the  Perfons  to 
receive  the  Power,  as  that  a  Bifhop  -^an  nominate  the 
Perfons  by  the  help  of  that  Defcnption,  then  others 
alfo  may  nominate  them  by  ihe  Help  cf  that  Defcrip- 
tion.  For  others  may  be  able  to  fee  what  a  Bilhop 
can  fee,  and  in  Cafe  of  Neceility  at  leaft  may  do  it. 
The  Word  meddles  with  none  of  the  Individuals-, 
V^hich  the  BiJtiops  decermine  of,  and  yet  conveys  the 
Power  when  ihe  Biihop  hath  derermin'd  of  the  Per- 
fon to  receive  it.  And  'tis  the  like,  when  in  Cafe  of 
Necedity  the  Perfon  to  receive  the  Power  is  another 
Way  determined  of.  The  Law  of  God  is  to  be  con- 
ceived of  in  this  Form:  i  do  Author i:{e  the  ?erfont 
that  fhall  be  jitftly  deter mirid  of^  r,ccording  to  thii  Dc" 
fcription.  And  becaufe  Minifterial  Determinations 
are  the  ordinary  regular  Way  with  the  Peopled  Cort- 
fenr,  it  is  ^.  d.  Ordinarily  J  do  /iuthori:{e  the  Fer/ons^ 
whom  Ecdejwftical  Porver  fhall  determine  cf^  according 
to  this  Defer ipt ion.  So  that  it  is  God,  by  his  Law^ 
that  gives  the  Power.  Again;  If  the  People  may^ 
by  their  Judgment  of  Difcretion,  difcern  whether 
a  Biihop  have  ordain'd  them  one  agreeable  to  rhe 
Scripture  D'/cripticn,  they  may  alfo  difcern  whether 
a  Man  be  agreeable  to  it,  tho'  unordain  d.  If  nor^ 
then  muft  they  receive  an  Heretick  or  Infidel  with- 

K  %  'oof 


i-}^  The  Lit B  of        Chap.  VII. 

outTrya!,  if  Ordain'd  their  Bifhop  ;    which  is  not 

*  true,  for  ihey  are  bovind  to  rejedi  fuch  a  one.  If  they 
"  are  not  to  Kit  with  fuch  a  one,  much  lefs  are  they 

*  to  rakehitn  for  their  Minifter  or  Bilhop.     Again;  the 

*  Caf::  may  be  fo  plain  who  the  Perfon  is  that  God 
'  Wotild  hive,  as  that  there  may  be  no  room  for  Contro^ 

^        '  '    /v  .ibjur  it.     As  when  a  Perfon  hath  all  the  vifible 

salifications  of    Abilities,   Phty,  and    a   Righteous 

'''   CorrvcrfAtion  ;    a  PVill  to   the  Work ;    Opfortunity  for 

1',  by   i  ibcrty   from  Secular  Power,  and  Vacancy 

from  Other  Engagements,    ^c.    When  ihv'j  People's 

Hearts  are  mov'd  cowards  him  ;  and  there  isnoCom- 

pcriror,  or  not  fo  many  but  allmay  be  chofen:  When 

'  nil  th'^le  concur,   there  is  no  Controverfy  who  Ihould 

'  be  the  Man.     But  then  where  thefe  Things  do  concur, 

*  Perfons  muft  feek  an  orderly  Admiflion  where  it  is 
'  poiFible  and  not  be  their  own  Judges  of  their  Fit- 
^  nefs,  where  there  are  other  Judges  of  God's  Ap- 
'  poinrmcnr.  But  if  they  are  wanting,  or  fo  difpos'd 
^*  as  that  they'll  approve  of  none,  but  upon  Terms  of 

*  their  own  devifing,  a  Formality  or  Point  of  Order  is 
'  not  to  be  preferr'd  before  the  faving  of  Men's  Souls, 

*  and  the  Publiclc  Good  and  Safety  of  the   Church. 

*  Again;  If  inCafe  of  thewantof  a  Lawful  Magiftrate, 

*  the  People  may  determine  of  an  Individual  Perfon, 

*  whom  God  (hall  Authorize,  tho*  the  Scripture  name 

*  no  Individual  of  this  Age,  then  they  may  do  fo 
f  alfo  with  regard  to   the  Miniftry.     If  this  ben't  al- 

*  low'd  as   to  Secular  Government,    we  Ihould  fcarce 

*  have  any  Magiftrates  in  the  World  but  by  violent  i»- 

*  trufwij    which   is  far   worfexthan    Popular  EletUon, 

*  Now  the  Scripture  meddles  no  more  with  Individuals 

*  for  Magifiracy  than  for  Mi?jijiry, 

Mr.  Jolmfon  at  firft  View  complaio'd,  That  he  could 
rot  fee  that  Mr.  Baxter,  by  this  R^fly^  had  anfxper^d  his 
Second  Argument ^  wherein  lay  the  Strength  of  his  Caufe  j 
but  upon  more  mature  ConCderation,  he  acknow- 
Icdg'd  to  him,  That  he  had  juggejted  that  which  enabled 
him  to  anfvQcr  it  himfelf^  and  given  him  full  SatisfaElion, 
For  that  he  had  convinced  him,  that  tho'  the  Succejfion  of 
Ordination  might  be  interrupted^  yet  we  may  draw  our 
jiuthorlty  from  Chriji  by  the  Mediation  of  the  written 
li\rd,  or  indeed  by  the  very  Law  of  Nature^  which  obii- 

gei 


Chap.  VIL       Mr.  flichard  Baxter.  195 

ges  nil  Men  to  do  voha  Good  they  can  when  they  hnve  Op^ 
per t unity ^  and  there  is  a  NeceJJity  of  their  Help,  And 
that  therefore  he  did  not  doubt  but  a  Man  ml^ht  have  a 
fufficient  Dlfcovery  of  the  iVill  of  ChriH  calling  him  out 
to  Dupy  And  by  Cc^fequence  giving  him  fufficient  Autho- 
rity for  that  PVorl{f  tho  be  might  want  the  I{?guUr  En- 
trance i/ito  it, 

3.  Mr.  Johnfons  Third  Argument  was  taken  from 
the  Encouragement  it  would  give  to  the  Invaders  and  In- 
truders upon  the  Minijlerial  Office^  to  own  that  a  clear  Suc- 
cejTion  was  not  necejfary. 

To  this  Mr.  B/:xter  reply'd  :  *  That  what  ever  En- 
couragement fuch  Perfons  might  take,  there  was  no 
juft  Encouragement  given  them.     The  beft  Things,  - 

as  God^j  Mercjfulneji,  Chrift*s  SatisfaFiion^  the  Preach- 
ing of  Free  Grace,  &c.  may  be  Occafions  of  encou- 
raging Men  in  Sin,  but  are  not  therefore  to  be  dif- 
own'd.  Becaufe  a  clear  Succeffion  is  not  necejfary^  it 
doih  not  prefently  follow,  that  Intruders  are  to  be 
erabrac'd  ;  for  they  defpife  or  negle£l  God's  Order. 
If  God  bid  them  go  and  work  in  his  Vineyard,  but 
for  Order's  fake  go  in  at  this  Door,  he  that  will  not 
go  ia  at  this  Door  is  a  Difobedient  Servant,  and  not 
to  be  own'd  'till  he  reform.  But  if  God  himfelf  do 
nail  up  this  Door,  there  needs  no  exprefs  Difpen ra- 
tion for  noit  going  in  at  it.  And  it  no  Way  follow?, 
that  becaufe  Neceflicy  may  be  pleaded  where  'lis 
not  real,  it  may  not  be  therefore  pleaded  where  it  is 
fo.  Tho*  many  Men  may  be  guided  by  Fancy,  and 
run  before  they  are  fent,  yet  other  Ways  muft  be 
found  to  ftop  them,  befides  a  Suppofition,  the  Con- 
fequences  whereof  are  fo  fatal.  Bat  -what  ever  Li- 
berty any  take  without  aWa^-rant,  that  Man  mnft 
have  a  very  hard  Heart  that  would  leave  fuch  a 
Nation  as  this,  much  more  all  the  World,  to  the  ap- 
parent Danger  of  BverUfling  Damnation,  and  God's 
publick  Worfliip  to  be  utterly  caft  out,  if  it  fhould 

*  be  prov*d.  That  the  Succeffion  of  Legitimate  Ordination 

*  is  interrupted^ 

4.  Mr.  Johnfon's  Fourch  Argument  was  taken  from 
the  Necejfity  of  Impofition  of  Hands  in  Ordination^  which 

K  3  ImpO' 


n4 


The  LI  tE  of       Chap.  VU. 


Jmpofirion  of  Hetnds  could  not  he  had  by  him  theit  fcould 
ome  immediately  into  the  Minifiry^  after  a  fuppos^d  Inter- 
uption  in  the  Succejfion, 

To  this  Mr.  Baxter  reply'd  :    '  That  he  did  not  take 
Impofition  of  Hinds  to  be  ablblutely  eflential  to  Ordi- 
nation.     He    mentions   a  Bilhop  of  H^^orcrfter  in   his 
Time,  fo  Lame  of  the  Go^.t  that  he  could  not  move 
his  Hand  to  a  Man's  Head  ;  and  yet  never  heard  a 
Nulhty  fufped^ed  in  his  Ordination.     He  fays.  That 
Impofition  of  Hands  is  required^  and  a  proper  Means,  ne- 
cejfaiy  not  to  the  Beings  Out  to  the  iVell-heing  of  Ordinal 
tion.     He  asks  him.  If  becaufe  the  Holy  Ghoft  hath 
reveal'd  it  to  be  the  Will  of   Chrift,  that  a  Bifhop 
have   Faithful  Children,   and  keep  them  in  Subje- 
ction with  all  Gravity,    it  therefore  follows  that  it 
is  Eflential  to  a   Bifiiop  to  hav?  Children  ?     How 
interrupted  muft  this  make  the  Succeflion  !  Or  be- 
caufe 'tis    the  Will  of  ChrilV,    a  Chriftian  (hould. 
not  fpeak  an  Idle  Word,  doth  it  therefore  follow, 
that  he  that  fpeaks  an  Idle  Word  is  not  a  Chriflian  ? 
Things  muft  not  be  carried  too  far.     There  may  be 
Nercii;ty  of  Ordination  without  fmp-'fjtinn  of  Haihis. 
A   Man  caft  into,  remote  Parts  of  the  World,  and 
there  plainly  called  to  the  Office  of  the  Minifiry,  if 
he  muft  Travel  over  Land  and  Sea  for  Ordination, 
his  Life  may  be  gone,  or  moft  of  it  fpent,  while  he 
is  fecking  Autlvinty  to  ufc  it  for  his  Mafter.     if  a 
few  only  of  tlie  Ordainers  were  left  in  a  Country, 
Or  in  many  Nations,   and  thofe  hnprifcn'd,  or  forced 
to  hide  rliemreives,    they  mif  })r  ordain  by  an  Inftru- 
ment  nnder  their  Hands,    when  they  could  not  do  it 
hy  Imp^fi^icn  of  JUtids.     But  befidcs,    it  is  Neryeafy 
to  fuppofe  how  Ordination  by  Imp -fit ion  of  Hands  may 
be  kept  up^  tho'  an  Epifccpal  Succfjion  fhould  beintei' 
rupted.     And  withal,    the  Neccifity  of  Impofition  of 
Hands  in  Ordination,  is  much  iels  clear  than  the  Nc- 
celHty  of  Ordination  it  felf,  canvafs'd  under  the  Se- 
cond Argument.     Upon  the  Whole  he  told  him,  his 
main  Strengrh  lay   here  ;    T'ont  Chrift  or  his  /Ip^ftles 
have  mention'd    no  ether  H^ay  of  con^eyirg   Miniflertal 
pox^er  but  by  Ordination  and  Impofition  of  Hands ,  and 
therefore  there  is  no  other  l^ay,   and  this  m  neccffary  to  the 

Being  cf  the  Ojfice,    Now  we  may  as  ftrongly  argue 

for 


Ghap.  VIL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  135 

for  any  Mode  or  Convenient  Circumftance  fo  re- 
quir'd  or  us'd.     j^s  Chrift  or  his  Apcftles  mention  no 
H^ay  of  Ordination^  hut  X9ith  Vrnyerconjimcl^  or  hutvpith 
Impofitionef  Hunds  on  the  bare  Head,  or  but  in  the  Sy- 
riacl^j,  Hebrew,  Greeks  or  Latin  Tongues,  or  but  on  a  Man 
that:  IS  Vigilant^  Sober  and  of  good  Behaviour  :  And  there- 
fore there  is  no  other  XVay  ;  hut  this  is  of  abfchite  Necef- 
fity  to  the  Being  of  the  OJfce,     But  as  this  is  no  good 
Arguing,  no  more  is  the  other.     It  is  as  bad  as  if  one 
had  thu^  srgu'd  with  the  Tfraelites  in   the  WiJder- 
nefs ;  God  hath  mention'd  no  other  Way  of  Cove- 
nant Engagement,  or  Church  Entrance,  but  by  Cir- 
cumcifion  j  and  therefore  there  is  no  other,  but  this 
is  neceflary  to  a  Church  State  and  an  Interelt  in  the 
Covenant.     No  Divines  but  acknowledge  foire  Cafes 
muft  be  judg'd,  and  fome  Laws  interpreted,  >'a'»="^e<- 
iuinvy  which  yet  is  but  according  to  the  True  Senfe  of 
the  Law,  as  Chrift  taught  the  Pharifees  in  the  Cafe  of 
David,  the  Priefts,  and  his  DIfciples  rubbing  the  Ears 
of  Corn. 

*  As  it  feems  "Matthias  and  the  other  Apoftles  were 
Ofdain'd  without  Impofition  of  Hands,  fo  Gregori^ 
Thaumaturgus  was  ordain'dby  Ph.rdimus,  both  againft 
his  Will,  and  when  he  was  diftant  three  Days  Jour- 
ney. Gregory  Kyjfcn  mentions  it,  in  his  Orat,  de  Vit, 
ThaUtnat  j  and  tells  us,  Tija't  vohcn  Gregory  avoided  the 
Hands  of  the  iBipdoP,  he  by  Prayer  andjolemn  fpWds  fets 
him  apart ^  tho"^  ahfijit^  to  the  Priefthocd.  Nyjfen  fpeaks 
of  it  as  true  Ordination,  and  the  Form  us'd  fhews 
that  it  was  Cdnftinuing  him  in  Office  as  Bilhop  of 

Nercsfarca. 

*  And  it  really  was  an  Authoritative  Confecration 
to  God  as  a  Bifliop,  and  a  Confticnting  him  over 
that  Church  by  Pra)  er,  and  folemn  Words  of  Con- 
fecration.. 

Their  Debate  ran  upon  many  other  Particulars,  lefs 
momentous  than  thefe,  which  are  therefore  omitted. 

At  another  1  ime,  he  v/as  dealing  with  the  Anabap-  His  treat- 
tifts  in  order  to  Peace,   and  that  upon  this  Occafion,  »>^    w»/> 
Mr.  Lamb  and   Mr.  Allen,  two  very  fober  Men,  were  ^he  jiwt- 
Paftors  of  an  Anabaptift  feparated  Church  in  London,  baptlfi. 
Mr.  Lamb*s  Wife,  who  was  a  good  undcrftanding  Wo- 
man, wroie  Mr.  Bixter  Word,   That  her  Husband  was 

K  4  under 


1:^6  Ihe  L  i  t^  c.  of       Chap.  Vll. 

under  [ome  Dijlurhancc  in  his  Mindy  not  vpith  any  I{efe- 
rence  tolnfant-B^ftifm^  hut  r.hcut  Separation  tipon  the  Ac- 
count of  it  •  atid  that  a  Lettn  from  him  upon  that  Sub^ 
jecl  r^oiild  he  very  feafouaule.  Hereupon  Mr.  Baxter 
wrote  to  him  ;  and  prov'd  by  i'cveral  Argomenrs,  *  That 

*  tho'  he  Ihoiild  continue  in  his  Opinion  about  Infant- 

*  Baptifm,   yet  he  ought  not  to  make  it  a  Reafonof  de- 

*  ny  ing  Communion  with  his  Brethren  of  another  Mind :' 
His  Arguments  fo  wi^bught  upon  him,  as  to  faiisfy  him. 
Afterwards,  he  propounded  the  fame  Confideracions  to 
Mr.  Ailen^  v-ho  was  alfo  fatisfy'd  :  And  thereupon  they 
with  joynt  Confent  diflblv'd  their  Church,  and  werp 
very  zealous  for  the  Redudlion  of  their  Brethren  of  the 
ytnahaptifis  Wzy,  and  to  thai  End  they  had  a  Meet- 
ing with  divers  of  the  moft  moderate  Paftor§  of  the 
Re  baptiz'd  Churches :  Mr.  Baxter  fent  them  Terins 
on  whic|i  they  might  have  Peace  and  Communion 
with  their  Brethren  ;  and  they  confulted  about  the«5^ 
and  were  in  a  likely  Way  of  Agreement,  had  not  the 
Broils  of  the  Army,  and  the  Confu(ion  attending  the 
pulling  dqwn  of  Richard  Cromvel  prevented  it. 

jfV'A  ffje  He  treated  alf^  with  Mr.  Philip  Nye  about  an  Agree- 
Jndepen-  ment  with  the  Independents  :  Two  Things  Mr.  Nye  de- 
denu.  manded  as  NccelTary  Concefl'ions  in  Cafe  of  an  Union 

That  they  might  have  Liberty  to  take  Church  Mem- 
bers out  of  other  Parilhes  :  And  that  they  might  have 
'  all  Church  Power  within  themfelves  in  their  feveral 
Congregations.'     Both  which  were  comply'd  with  in 
Mr.  Baxter's  Propofals   in  a  Meafure.     According  t() 
which,  they  were  to  be  Members  of  conftant  Alfocia- 
tions,  and  meet  in  Synods,  tho'  not  as  fubie«5l  to  their 
Govcrnmeur,  yet  in  order   to   Concord:     And  before 
they  took  Members  from  other  Churches,  it  was  to  b^ 
debated  in  thefe  AfTemblics,  H^hether  there  vons  fufficient 
Caufe  for  a  ii^moval.     But  the  grcatcft  Difference  was 
npon  the  Point  of  Ordination,     For  whereas  'twas  of- 
fcr'd,   *  That  in  Cafe  any  of  their  Paflors  removed  or 
dy'd,  if  the  fucceeding  Paftor  wercprdain'd,  either  by 
'  any  remaining  PaHor  of  that  Church,   or  by  any  Pa- 
'  ftors  of  other  Churches,   their  own  or  others,  they 
*  iliould   be  own'd   as  Paftors  :'    It  was  rcquir'd  they 
Ih'^uld  be  arknowledg'd  as  Paftors,  tho'  never  prdain'd 
fey  any  Paftor  of  their    own    Church,   or  any  other. 
^Vfaich  pup  a  Stop  "to  tjic  Proceeding.'    A  little  before 


Chap.  Vll.       Mr.  Richard  bixter.  127 


King  Charles's  Return,  fome  Papers  pafs'd  between  him  l^'ith  tht 
and  Dr.  Hammond^  about  an  Agreement  with  the  £;>//^£;j//coj74/ 
C0pal  Party,  which  went  thro'  the  Hands  of  Sir  I(alph  -Partj. 
Clare.     He  propos'd,   in  order  to  a  Brotherly  Agree- 
ment,, That  private  Chriftians  might  have  Liberty  to 
manage  the  Concerns  of  Religion  as  they  pjeas'd,  in 
their  Family,  without  MoJeftation  ;  Profanenefs  might 
be  urtiyerfaj/ly   Difcountenanc'd  and   Punifh'd  ;    That 
great  Care  might  be  taken  as  to  the  Abilities  and  Piety 
of  the  Paftorsof  the  Church  ;  That  no  Paftofs  be  forc'd 
on  the  Flocks  without  their  Confent ;  That  the  Mini- 
vers be  urg'd  to  Perfonal  Catechizations  ;  That  there 
bean  open  ProfeiTion  of  Faith  and  Holinefs,  upon  the 
puffing  out  of  the  State  of  Infant  into  that  of  Adult 
Church  Members  ;  That  Symbolical  Miftical  Ceremo- 
nies be  not  forc'd  upon  Perfons  againft  their  Con- 
fciences,  or  a  Form  of  Prayer  fo  impos'd,  as  to  reftrain 
a  Freedom  of  Praying  according  to  the  Variety  of  Cir- 
cumftances  and  Occafions ;    That  the  Paftors  of  each 
Parifli  Church  have  Liberty  to  hear  Accufations  of  He- 
refy  or  Scandal,  publickly  to  admonilh  Offenders  upon 
Occafion,  and  call  them  to  Repentance,  to  abfolve  the 
Penitent  and  rejecf^  the  Impenitent :  That  the  Neigh- 
bouring Paftors  aiTociating  for  Union  and  Communion, 
may  hold  Monthly  Synods  in  every  Market  Town,  ha- 
ving a  ftated  Prefident ;   that  all  Paftors  be  here  Re- 
fponfible  for  their  Conduct:,  and  the  more  weighty  Af- 
fairs of  Particular  Churches  here  decided  :  That  eve-  ^ 
ry  Quarter  there  be  a  Synod  of  all  the  Paftors  of  each  ^ 
County,  with  a  ftated  Prefident ;  to  receive  Appeals, 
■wjthovit  deftroyiog  the  Power  of  particular  Paftors,  or 
lelTer  Synods,  and  that  no  Prefident  ordain,  deprive, 
fufpend,   or  excommunicate,  without  the  Confent  of 
the  Synod  :  That  National   Councils  confift   of  the 
Prefidencs  of  both  the  Diocefan  and  Inferjour  Synods  ; 
or  elfe  of  the  Diocefan,  and  two  out  of  each  County, 
freely  chofen   by  the  major  Vote  of  all  the  Paftors :         [ 
That  no  Subfcription  be  requir'd  of  the  Paftors,  but  to 
the  Holy  Scripture,  and  the  Ancient  Creeds,  and  to 
the  necelTary  Articles  of  Faith  and  Pradfcice  exprefs'd  in 
Scripture  Terms,  and  to  the  Renunciation  of  all  He- 
refijss  contrary  thereto  :   That  no  Paftor  be  difplaced 
unlefs  for  Infufficiency,  Negligence  or  Scandal,  com- 
mitted within  two  Years  before  the  Accufacion,    And 

th^t 


»?8  The  LIFE  of      Chap.VIF. 

that  Perfons  Excommunicate  might  not  be  pwiiftrd 
upon  rhat  Acconnt  with  Corporal  Punilhments,  nn- 
kfs  it  be  by  Disfranchifing.  -Dr.  Hammond^  in  Kisr 

Reply,   caft  nH  the  Alterations  or  Abatements  npon 
King  and  Parliament,  without  any  particular  Promi- 
fes  of  Endeavours  to  accomplifti  them :  Tho*  his  Death, 
'A'hich  was   juft    upon  the  King's  coming  in,  was  st 
Great  and  General  Lofs  ;   it  being  highly  probable  that 
his  Piety,  and  Wifdom,  and  Intereft,  might  have  had  a 
ronliderable  Influence  for  the  better,  had  it  pleas*d  God 
to  fpare  his  Life. 
Ui<  T>ir-         Beiides  all  thefe,  and  a  great  many   more  Endea- 
futesrvith  votirs  of  his  for  Peace  among^  Proteftants,  he  was  of- 
the  Tafijis.'^^^  engag'd  againft  the  Papifts.     He  firft  wrote  three  • 
Difputations^  ngainft  them  :    One  to  prove  tbt  Prote^' 
jinnt  I{eligion  J^afe  *  another  tO  (hew  their  B^iigihn  urT'" 
fttfe  I  and  a   Third  to  prove,    tb/ii  they  overthrexv  the 
F^tl\  by  the  ill  B^folution  of  their  Faith,     He  rext  wrote 
AH^inding-Sheet  fcrr  Popery^  containing  a  S^ummary  of 
Moderai:e  and  Effedtual  Rcafons  againft  ^  their  Reli^'^ 
gion-     And  afterwards  publidi'd  his  Kfy  for  Catholicl^^, 
to  open  the  Jugling  of  the  Jefuites^'  and  fatisfy  ail  that 
are  but  truly  willing  to  underftand,  whether  the  Caufe^ 
of  die  i^'?wr«  or  B^f armed  Chvchcs  be  of  God.     Befidel 
which,    lie    managed  fome   particular    Debates  with  • 
leveral  Rbmanifts,    as  H^.  Jhhn(ort^  alias  Terrot^   and 
others.     And  let  but  all  this  be  added   to  his  Labori- 
ons  Diligence  among  his  own  particular  Flock  :  And 
''lis   many  Practical  Writings  that   he  publifli'd,    ani 
it  will  amaze  atiy  Man  to  conceive,  how  one  of  ((^ 
iTUTcli  Weaknefs,    who  wa's  conHantly  folIow*d    with 
divers  Intiimities,  fhould  be  capable  of  To  much  Scr- 
vikre :    But  an  Heart  full  of  Love  to  God,  afid  flam- 
ing with  Zeal  for  his   Honour,   carried  him  thro*  all, 
and  made  Ir.m  for  Vigour  and  AcSlivity  the  Wonder 
of  his  Age.  ^ 


CHAP. 


Chap.  VIII.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  159 


CHAP.     VIII. 

The  Tratjfa&foffs  in  Order  I0  the  Healing 
pafj'd  Breaches^  after  King  Charles  his 
Reflauraiion  :  The  Savoy  Conftrence  5 
and  its  frnitlefs  Iffne, 

WHEN  the  King  was  receiv'd  with  the  ge- ^«.  j66o. 
neral  Acclamations  of  his  People,  the  Ex- 
pe6tations  of  Men  were  various,  according 
to  their  feveral  Interefts  and  Inducements.    Some  plain 
and  moderate  Epifcopal  Men  tho't  of  Reconciliation  and 
Vnion  with  the  Preshyteriar.s,    The  more  Politick  Pare 
of  them  knew  that  all  their  Ancient  Power,  and  Ho- 
nour, and  Revenues  would  be  reftor'd  to  them,    and 
none  fufferM  to  fliare  with  them,   but  fuch  as  were 
entirely  of  their  Mind  and  Way.    But  many  of  the 
Presbyterinns  were  in  great   Hopes  of  Favour  *.    To  7^/^,  ^-^^^^ , 
cherifh  which  Hopes,  Mr.  Calamy,  Dr.  Retinoids,    Mr.  mentnfthe 
Jifh,  Dr.  Spurftow^  Dr,  iVdlis,  Dr.  Bntes^  Dr.  hUnton,  Fresbyte- 
Mr.  C/ife,   Mr.  Biix.'er,  &c.   to  the  Number  of  Ten  or  W^w  M«;'- 
Twelve  of  them  were  made  the  King's  Chaplains  in  Or-  y?er<    at 
dinary  :    Tho'  none  of  them  ever  Preach'd,  except  ^'oun, 
Mt.CaUwy^  Dr.  lieignolds,    Mr.   Baxter,    Dr.  Spurftovpy 
and  Mr.  Woodbri.dge^  each  once  a  piece.     By  this  Means 
they  had  eafy  accefs  to  hisMajefty,  and  intending  to 
improve  it  to  the  Common  Good,   waited  upon  ivim 
with  my    Lord  Mtnchefier^  recommending  to  his  fe- 
rious  ConFideration,  the  Union  of  his  Subjeds  in  Re- 
ligious Matters,  which  if  he  would   pleafe    to  inter- 
pofe,   he  had  now  a  moft  Happy  Juncture  for  effeding ;  - 
and  begging  that  only  Things  neceffary  might  be  the 

Terms « 


*  BefidesTarticuUr  Tnmifis  from  Men  inTort^er,  they  had  an  Afurance 
fromKinr  Charles  hMlf,  in  his  DecUrati art  from  Breda,  to  all  IvsLo- 
yinr  Subjeas,  April  4.  ^660^  in  rahich  ^ere  thefe  Words  :  We  do  declare 
a  Liberty  to  tender  Confdences,  and  tlut  no  Man  Ihall  be  difquieted,  or 
caird  in  Q^ueftion,  for  Differences  of  Opinion,  whicli  do  not  difturb  the 
Peace  of _ the  Kingdom. 


140 


The  LIFE  of      Chap.  Vni. 


An  i6(5o.  Terms  of  Union;  that  the  true  Exercife  of  Church 
Pifcipline  might  be  allow'd  ;  and  rh^t  the  faithful 
Minifters  that  would  Exercife  it  might  not  be  caft  our, 
nor  unworthy  Men  obtruded  on  the  People.  Tlie 
King  declared  hinnfelf  highly  pleasM  with  their  Tncii- 
nations  to  Agreement,  and  refolv'd  to  do  ins  Pirt  to- 
wards the  promoting  of  it :  But  told  them,  *  Thai  this 
Agreement  could  not  be  expededro  be  ccmpals'd  by 
bringing  one  Party  over  co  the  other,  but  by  abating 
fomething  on  both  Sides,  and  meeting  in  the  Midway. 
That  if  it  >vere  not  effedted  it  ftiou^d  be  long  of 
themfelvcs,  and  not  of  hinj :  N^^,  That  he  was  re- 
folv'd to  compafs  Union,  and  that  he  would  draw 
thetwodiftant  Parties  together,  himfelf,  t3c.  yiM 
thereupon  he  defird  them^^o  oflfer  him  fome  Propofals 
in  order  to  an  Agreement  about  Church  Govenment, 
which  being  the  main  Difference,  if  it  could  be  ami- 
cably adjufted,  there  would  be  little  Danger  of  dif- 
fering in  other  Things.  And  voithal,  he  defired  th?m  ^ 
to  jet  down  the  moft  that  they  ct)uld  yield  to.  They  told 
him,  They  were  but  few,  and  had  no  Commiflion 
from  their  Brethren  to  exprefs  their  Minds  ;  and 
therefore  beggM  leave  to  acquaint  their  Brethren  in 
the  Country,  that  they  might  know  their  Scnfe. 
The  Kjng  faid.  That  would  be  too  long,  and  make 
too  much  Noife,  and  therefore  he  had  rather  have 
the  Propofals  from  ihem,  who  might  take  fuch  as  were 
in  the  City  with  them  as  they  tbo't  good.  Hereupon 
they  declared.  That  theycould  not  pretend  tofpeak  for, 
or  oblige  others ;  and  that  therefore  what  they  did, 
muft  fignify  but  the  Minds  of  fo  many  Mm  as 
were  prefenr.  The  fQing  told  them.  It  ihould  be  fo  ta- 
ken ;  and  that  he  intended  not  to  call  an  Aflembly 
of  the  other  Party,  but  would  bring  a  few,  fuch  as 
he  tho't  meet  :  And  that  if  he  tho't  good  to  advife 
with  a  few  on  each  Side,  for  his  own  Satisfa(flion, 
none  had  Caufe  to  be  offended  at  it.  They  alfo  be^^gd 
of  the  Kjn^,  That  at  the  fame  Time  that  they  offered 
their  Conccifions  to  his  Majefty,  the  Brethren  on  the 
other  Side  might  ajfo  bring  in  theirs,  containing  the 
utmoft  that  they  could  abate  and  yield  on  their  Side, 
in  order  to  Concord  ;  that  fo  when  both  were  fecn 
*  and  compar'd  together,  a  Judgment  might  be  the 

t  better 


Chap.  Vlil.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  141 

*  better  formed,  as  to  the  Probability  of  Succcefs.     And 
*.  the  Kjng  fromisd  them  it  fhould  be  fo. 

After  this,  the  Minifters  met  from  Day  to  Day  at 
Slcn  CoUedge^  to   Confuk  Openly  with   any  of  their 
Brethren  that  would  joyn  with  them  ;  that  none  might 
lay  they  were  excluded.    Many  of  the  City  Minifters 
came  to  them  ;    and  many  Country  Minifters,   who 
were  then  in  Town,  joyn'd  alfo  with  them  ;  as  Dr. 
iVorth^  (  afterwards  a  Bilhop  in  Ireland)  Mr.  Fulwood^ 
afterwards  Arch-Deacon  of  Totnefs   and  others ;    but 
Mr.  Matthev  Newcomen  was  the  moft  conftant.     In  about 
three  Weeks  Time,  they  agreed  to  a  Paper  of  Propofals, 
(  which  was  drawn  up  for  the  moft  Part  by  Mr.  Calnmy, 
Dr.  F{e:gnolds  and  Dr.  fVorth)  in  which,  "  after  anHum- 
*'  ble  Addrefs  to  His  Majefty,  and  four  Preliminary  7-/,^,-,.  p^,, 
**  Requefts,  viz.     That  ferious  Gcdlinefs  might  be  Counte-  p^j-^i^  ^^  ^^ 
**  nnnc'd  ;  a  Learned  and  Pious  Minifter  in  each  Parifh  King^about 
**  encQUraged  ;  that  a  Perfonal  Publicly  owning  the  Bnptifmal  Church  Go- 
**  Covenant  might  precede  an  admiffio?!  to  the  Lord's  Table irernment. 
**  and  that  the  Lord^s  Day  might  be  ftriBly  fanHified : 
*^  they  offer  to  allow  of  the  True  Ancient  Primitive  Pre- 
"  fidency  in  the  Church  with  a  due  Mixture  of  Presby 
**  ters^  in  order  to  the  avoiding  the  Corrruptions,  Par-- 
tiality.  Tyranny  and  other  Evils,  which  are  incident 
to  the  Admiftration  of  a  fmgle  Perfon.   The  Things 
which  they  principally  blam'd  in  the  Englifh  Frame^ 
*'  were  the  great  Extent  of  the  Bi/hops  Diocefs^  their  de- 
*'  puting  Commijjaries^  Chancellors^  and  Officials  to  Aft  in 
"  their  flead;  their  ajjuming  the  fole  Power  cfO'dinavion 
"  and  JurifdiHion  ;    and  aHing  fo  -arbitrarily  in  Vifita^ 
'*  tion  Articles-   bringing  in   New  Ceremonies,    and 
"  fufpending  Minifters  at  Pleafure  :  And  for  reform- 
*'  ing  thefe  Evils  they  propofed,  that  Bijhop^VjhersF^- 
**  diitlion    of  Epifcopacy  unto  the   Form  of  Synodical  Go- 
**  vernment  received  in  the  Ancient  Churchy    (hould  be 
**  the  Ground- Work  of  an  Accommodation;  and  that 
"  Suffragans  (hould   be  chofen  by  the  refpedive  Sy- 
"  nods  ;  the  Affociations  be  of  a  moderate  Extent,  the 
"  Minifters  be  under  no  Oaths,   or  Promifes,  of  Obe- 
"  dience  to  their  Biihops,  as   being  Refponfible   for 
*'  any  Tranfgreflion  of  the  Law  j  and  that  the  Biihops 
'•  Govern  not  by  Will  and  Pleafure,  but  according 
"  to  Rules,  Canons  and  Conftitutions  that  ihould  be 
*Jl  gAtify'd  and  EftabUfli'd  by  Ad  of  Parliament.^ — 

As 


<c 


it 


142  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VI!I. 

Aa.  I  jdo.  **  As  to  the  Liturgy,  they  own'd  the  Lawfulnefs  of  a 
**  prefcribcd  Form  of  Publick  Worfhip;  but  defjr'd ^ 
**  that  feme  Learned  and  Pious,  and  Moderate  Di- 
**  vines  ot  both  lores,  tDight  be  employ'd  either  to 
"  Compile  a  NewLj///r^,  or  to  Reform  the  Old,  ad- 
**  ding  fome  other  Varying  Forms  in  Scripture  Phrafe, 

**  to  be  us'd  at  the  Minifters  Choice. As   to  the 

*'  Ceremonies  they  Humbly  Reprcrcnted,  chat  the 
*'  Worlhip  of  God  was  perftid:  wirhour  them ;  that 
"  God  hath  DeclarM  himfelf  in  Matters  of  Woithip 
*'  a  Jealous  Godj  that  the  Reform'd  Churches  Abroad, 
''  itloft  of  them  reje<fted  the  Ceremonies  that  wei?e 
^^  rerain'd  here;  that  here  in  England^  they  had  ever 
''  fince  the  Reformation  been  Matter  of  Contention 
"  and  Difpute;  that  they  had  occaiiond  the  filen- 
'*  cing  of  marly  Pious  and  Ufeful  Minifters,  and  given 
rife  to  many  Separations  from  the  Church :  That 
they  were  at  bcft  but  indifferent,  and  in  their  oWn 
Nature  Mutable;  and  therefore  they  begg'd,  that 
Kneeling  at  the  Saci*ament  might  not  be  impofed,  and 
that  the  Surplice,  and  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  and  the 
*'  Bovving  at  the  Name  of  Jefus  rather  than  Chrijl  or 
"  Emanuel  might  be  abolidiM ;  and  that  Care  might  be 
**  taken  to  prevent  future  Innovations  contrary  to  Lavv; 
"  that  fo  the  Publick  Worlhip  might  be  free,  not  only 
"  from  Blame  but  Sufpicion. 

Quickly  aftbr  the  King's  Return, 
*  M4ny  of.thefe  after  their  many  Hundreds  of  worthy  Minifters 
Betn^  turn'd  out  of  the  Se^efira-  were  difplac'd,  and  caft  out  of 
tions,  were  foon  fetled  again  in  their  Charges,  becaufe  they  were  in 
•thcT  yacant  Places,  xfhence  they  Sequeftrations  where othcrshad  been 
«;.re  afteri^ards  eje^ed  hy  the  ^^^  ^^^  ^  ^^e  Parliament.  The 
An  of  Un^formuy:  And  a.  for      j^^^^^..^   ^^^j^j  j^-g  y^^- 

fuch  (IS  were  not  Jo  fnon  proytdcd      ,.  •  u     l    ■      rT         r  \       r       r  »j 

for,  they  had  wJJt  much  ./#-      '  >'  .  "^'f,  '^'''   Propofals,  hgnify  d 

cuhy  cjick/y  got  Lirings  or  L  ^-^^^'^  J"'  ,  ^,"''^'^1^°"  '^^'  ^^^ 
aurcfljips.i'fthatAahadHnin-  fiich  fhonld  be  Caft  out,  as  were 
capacitated  them  ;  on  which  Ac-  m  any  Benefice  belonging  former- 
count  it  it  much  tire  fame  Thing,  ly  to  Onc  that  Was  not  grofly  «n- 
04  if  that  A^i  had  frfidifplacd  fiifficient  or  Debauch'd  ;  but  hnm- 
them,  biy  Bcgg'd,   that  rdl  who  had  fuc- 

ceeded  fc.tndaloui  Perfcnj,  might 
hold  their  Places.  They  further  dcfircd,  that  the 
Broad-Seal  might  be  revok'd  which  had  been  granted 

to 


(C 


Qiap.  VlII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  145 

to  ieveral,  for  thole  Livings  that  had  been  formerly  An.  i66v. 
fequeftred,  where  the  Old  Incumbents  were  fince 
Dead ;  by  which  Grants  many  worthy  Pofleflbrs 
were  ejedted,  tho'  there  were  none  before  that  could 
pretend  any  Right ;  And  chat  his  Majefty  would  be 
pleas'd  to  Publiih  his  Pleafure  tliat  no  Oath  or  Sub- 
fcriptiojis,  nor  no  Renunciation  of  Orders  might  be  re- 
quired of  any,  till  it  was  feen  what  was  the  lifne  of 
the  defired  Agreement.  The  King  treated  thera  very 
Refpe.difully,  and  renewed  his  Profeilians  of  his  earned 
deiires  of  an  Accommodation  of  the  Differences,  told 
them  he  was  well  pleas'd  that  they  were  for  a  JLirurgy, 
and  yielded  to  the  Eflence  of  Epifcopacy,  and  promis'd 
them  that  the  Places  where  the  Old  Uicumbents  were 
Dead,  fhould  according  to  their  Defire,  be  contirm'd 
to  the  Poffeflbrs. 

Whereas  it  had  been  promis'd  them  by   his  Majefty , 
that  they  fhould  meet  with  fome  Divines  of  the  other 
fide,    and   fee  their  Propofals,   it  much  difappointed 
them  to  find  •none  of  them  appear.    Bur,  they  were 
fearful  of  giving  Difguft,    by  Expoftulating  or  Com-  The  An- 
plaining.     After  fome  time  of  waiting  for  the  Conde-/Ver  of  th 
fceniions  and  Compliances  of  the   Epifcopal  Divines  f/^y^^/''?' 
in  Order  to  Peace,    they  at  length  receiv'd  a  biting  2?*>m:. 
Anfwer ;  by   way  of  Refledtion  on  the  Propofals  they 
had    made    to    his    Majefty.    In   this  their  Anfwcr, 
they  Declare  as  to  their  Preliminary  I{equsslj,    "'  That 
**  they  don*t  perceive  any   farther   Security    can    be 
"  given,  than  is  provided  by  the  Laws  of  the  Realm  ' 
**  already  eftablilh'd.     As  for  private  Religious  Liber-  ' 
*'  ty  that  they  are  free  to  it,  fo  a  Gap  be  not  opened 
**  to  Sed:arys  for  private  Conventicles,  for  the  Confe- 
'*  quences  of  which   none  can  be  refponfibie   to  the 
*'  State :    That  they  are  for  a  Godly  Minifter  in  each 
"  Pariih,    but  know   not  what    is  meant  by  his  re- 
**  fiding  in  his  Cure,     *  nor  how  far  that  Word  may  be 
'*  extended,  nor  what  farther  Provifion  can  be  made 

"  for 


^  Thefe  Gentlemen  it  feems  were  of  Arch-Blfhop  WhitgiftV  Mind,  rsho  in 
<t  Letter  to  ^mn  Elizabeth,  teils  her  the  Church  must  fall,  if  the  Bill 
a^ninfi  "Pluralities  (then  brought  into  the  Houfe  of  Common<)  (})Ould  tale 
iUce.    See  Fullers  Church  Hhloiy,  Book  9.  Fa^.  igt. 


144  ^/j^  L  I  Jr  E  of     Ctiap.  WIL 


4( 


An.  j66c'  '*  for  it.     As  for  Confirmation^    and  the  keeping  Scaft- 
*'  dalous  Perfons  from   Communion,    rhey  tho'c  the 
"  Church  had  fufflciently  provided  :    And  as  for  the 
**  Obfervation  of  the  Lord's  Day^   they  declare  the  Laws 
*'  of  the  Land  were  ftri6ler  than  the  Laws  of  any  Fo- 
*'  reign  Reforoied  Church  whatfoever.     As  to  Church 
*'  Governmsnt,    they  declare  for  the  former  Hierarchy 
**  without   any  Akeration  ;     and    invidioufly    infintH 
**"  ate.  That  their   Retleiiions  on  the  Confequences  of 
*'  a  fingJe  Perfon's  Adminiftration  in  the  Church  waa 
as  applicable  to  the  Civil  State.     The  Extent  of  D/- 
ocejfes^  they  declare  fuitable  eno'  to  the  Bifhop's  Of- 
fice:   And   the  Adminijiration   of  EccleJiaJUcat  Jurif- 
difiion  by   Chancellours,  ^c.    Regular  in  the  main* 
"  Bp.  V/her's  f^edutlion,-    they    rejeft    as   Inconfiftenc 
"  with  Two  other  of  his  Difcourfes,   and  as  being  at 
**  beft  but  a  Heap  of  private  Conceptions.     The  Litur- 
**  gy  they    applaud   as  unexceptionable,    and  think  it 
**  can't  be  faid  to  be   too  Rigoroufly  impos'd,   when 
*'  Minifters  are  not  deny'd  the  Exercife  of  their  Gifts 
(^p^  '*  in  Praying  before  and  after  Sermon.     Which  fort 
"  of  Praying,  they  declare  however,   is  but  the  conti- 
**  nuance  of   a   Cuftom   of  no   great  Authority,   and 
grown  into  Common  Ufe  by  Sufferance  only,  with- 
out any  other  Foundation  in  the  Laws  and  Canons. 
The  revifing  the  Liturgy  neverthelefs  they  yield  to^ 
if  His   Majefty  thinks  fit.     As   for  the  Ceremonies^ 
**  they  could  not  part  with  one ;   not  being  able  to 
think  that  the  Satisfa(ftion  of  fome  private  Perfons, 
*'  was  to  be  laid  in  the  Ballance  againft  the  Publick 
**  Peace,  and  Uniformity  of  the  Church.     Nay,  were 
*'  any  Abatements  made,   they  are  fatisfy'd,    unquiet 
**  Spirits  would  but  be  thereby  encouraged  to  make  far- 
*J  ther  Demands. 

Bifhop  Vfijer's  Model  of  Government  being  the  Scheme 
which  the  Presbyterian  Minifters  now  prefented  to  the 
King,  I  ihall  here  annex  a  Copy  of  it,  that  every  one 
may  know  what  it  was  patticulariy  chat  the  Biihops 
refus'd. 


-Xh 


ct 

U 


Chap.  Vllf.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  145 

The  RedtiBion  of  Epijcopacy  unto  the  Form  of  Syno- 
dical  Government  received  in  the  Antient  Churchy 
proposal  in  the  Tear  16^1^  as  an  Expedient  for  the 
Prevention  of  thofe  Troubles  which  afterwards  did 
arife^  about  the  Matter  of  Church  Qovsrnment. 

Epifcopal  and  Presbyterian  Government  covjoynd, 

BY  the  Order  of  the  Church  of  England,    all  Prcs. 
byters  are  charged  to  {a)  Minifter  the  Doctrine  and     (a)  The 
Sacraments  and  the  Difcipline  of  Chriil:  as  the  Lord  J^ortn  of  or^ 
hath  commanded,    and  as  this  Reahn  hath  recelv'd  ^er;«j^ 
the  faaie.     And  that  we  might  the  better  under/land  Fne/is. 
what  the  Lord  had  commanded  therein,    che  Exhor- 
tation of  St.  Pnulio  the  Elders  (b)  of  the  Church  of  £-    {b)  Ibid. 
f  he/us,  is  appointed  to  be  read  unto  them  ar  the  time -^'^■^^i 0.17, 
of  their  Ordination  :    Take  heed  jinto  yourfches,    and  to  ^  ^• 
alt  the  Flocks  among  whom  the  Holy  Gho[t   hath  made  you 
Overfeers  to  *  rule  the  Congregation  of  God,    rvhich  he  hath 
purcha/ed  with  his  Blood. 

Of  the  many  Elders,  who  in  common  thus  Rul'd 
the  Church  of  EphefuSy    there  was  one  Prefident  whom 
our  Saviour  in  his  Epiftle  to  the  Church,   in  a  pecu- 
liar manner,    ftileth  r^^e  (c)  Jmel  of  the  CLitrch  c/Kphe-  (c)  Eeve/., 
fus.     And   Ignatius,  in  another  Epiftle  written  about  z.  i. 
twelve  Years  after  to  the  fame  Church,    callcth  the  Bi- 
(hof  thereof.     Betwixt  which  HiJhop  and  the  Presbytery 
of  that  Church,    what  an  Harmonious  Confent  there 
was   in  the   ordering   the  Church    Governmenr,    the 
fame  Ignatius  doth  fully  there  declare.     By  the  l^  re  shy- 
tery  (with  St.  Paul  (d)  )  underftanding  the  Company  fd)  i  Tim, 
of  the  refl  of  the  Presbytery  or  Elders,    who  then  had  a  4-  M* 
Hand,  not  only  in  the  Delivery  of  the  Doctrine  and 
Sacraments,    but  alio    in   the  Adininiftration    of  the 
Difcipline  rf  Chrift.     For  farther  Proof  whereof,  we 
have  that  known  Teftimony  of  Tertullian  in  his  gene- 

L  ral 


*  ^TQifJiMw,  fo  tahn  Mat.  2.  6.  and  Rev.  ij.  5.   and  i^.  is- 


146  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  VIIL 

(c)  Ibidem  ral  Apology  for  Chriftians.  In  (e)  the  Church  are  us'd 
etnm  Ex-  Exhortaticns,  Chtrftifcments^  and  Divine  Cenfures;  for 
hortitio-  Judgment  is  given  with  great  Advice,  as  among  chofe 
nt?,  CiCxi-  ^jjQ  ^j.g  certain  they  are  in  the  Si^ht  of  God,  and  it 
gauones,  -.  ^^^  Chieftfft  forelhcwing  of  tlie  Judgment  which  is  to 
Divfn'L  ""  ^o^"^^  ^^  ^"y  ^^"  ^'^^^  ^^  offended  that  he  be  banifti'd 
n:j*m  "&  ju-  ^^°'^  ^^^^  Communion  of  Prayer,  and  of  the  AlTembly, 
dicaciir  an^  ^f  2ili  ^o^y  Fellowlhip. 
m:igno 

cum  pondere,  ut  apud  certos  dc  Dti  confpe£lu,  fumraumq^  futuri  Ju- 
dicii  Picjudicmm  tit,  fi  quis  in  deliquerit,  ut  a  Communione  Orati- 
onis,  &  Convtntus,  &  omnis  San£^i  Commercii  relegatur.  Pisefidenc  pro- 
bati  quique  Seniores.  Honorem  iflum  non  piecio,  fed  Teftimonio  adepti. 
Tert.  Apol.  Cap.  39. 

The  Prefidents  that  bear  Rule  therein,   are  certain 
approved  Elders  who  have  obtained  this  Honour,  not 
by   Reward,    but  by   good   Report.     Who  were  no 
other  (as  he  himfelf  elfewhere  intimateth)  than  thofe 
(f)  Nee  (/)  from  whofe  Hands  they  us'd  to  receive  the  Sacra- 
dealiorum  ment  of  the  Eucharift. 
manibu.s 
quam  Pr.ielidentium  fumiraus.     Idem  de  Corona  Militis,  Cap.  3. 

For  with  the  Bifiiop,  who  was  the  Chief  Prefident 
Tand  therefore  ftifd  by  the  fame  TertuUian  in  another 
(g)  Dandi  pJace  Summiis  (g)  Sacerdos  for  diftindiion  fake)  the  reft 
quidera  of  the  Difpenfers  of  the  Word  and  Sacramenis  were 
Biptifmi  joyn'd  in  the  common  Government  of  the  Church, 
habct  jus  And  therefore,  in  Matters  of  Ecclefiaftical  Judicature, 
Summus  Cornelim  Biftiop  oi l{ome  us'd  the  received  Form  of  (JO 
Sacerdos     gathering  together  the  Fresbytery. 

pifcopus, 

de  hinc  Presbyteii  &  Dinconi.  Idem  de  Baptifmo  Cap.  17.  (Ji)  Omni 
A£^u  ad  me  perhto  placuit  contiahi  Presbyitrium.  Cornel,  apud  Cypri- 
anura.  Epif.  46.  i. 

Of  what  Pcrfons  that  did  confifl,  Cyprian  fufHcient- 
ly  declareth,     when  he  wifh'd  him  to  read  his  Letters 
py  riorcn- ro  (•)  the  flourilhmg  Clergy  that  there  did  rcfiJc,   or 
tifllmo  illi  Rule  with  him. 
Clero,    fe- 
ciiai  Prafidenti,  Cypiiin.  Ep.  $$.  ad  CoirneL 

The 


Chap.  VIIL      Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  147 


Art.  i66q. 
The  Prefence  of  tbe  Ckrgy  being  tho't  to  be  fo  rCf 
quifite  in  Matters  of  Epifcopal  Audience,  that  in  the 
4th  Council  of  Carcha^^e  it  was  concluded  ft),  that  the  .,  .^  ^  .- 
Bilhop  might  hear  no  Mans  Caufe  without  the  Pre- ^    us      I 
fence  of  the  Clergy,    which  we  find  ajfo  to  be  inferted  [usCaufarn 
in  the  Canons  of\K^i'er^  f/),  who  was  Arch-bifhop  of  amiiatabrq- 
Tork^  in  the  Saxon  Times,   and  afterwards  into  the  Body  PrrEfentU  ' 
of  the  (w)  Canon  Law  itfelf.  .  Ckrico- 

rum  SiiQ- 
Tumj  alioquin  irrita  eric  fententia  Epifcopi  nifi  Ciericorum  PrtfentiAcon- 
iirmetur.  Concil.  Carthag.  4.  cap.  23.  (/)  Excerptiones  Hgberti.  C3i).  43, 
Qn)  15.  Qji.  7.  cap.  Ni^Uns. 

True  it  is,  that  in  our  Church  this  kind  of  Preshy-r 
?m4^  Government  hath  been  long  difus'd, yet  fee- 
ing it  ftiJl  profefleth  that  every  Paftor  hath  a  Right  to 
Rule  the  Church  (from  whence  the  name  of  ^^or3.U 
fo  was  given  at  firft  to  him)  and  to  adminifter  the 
Difciphne  of  Chriil,  as  well  as  to  difpenfe  the  Do- 
(Strine  and  Sacraments,  and  the  Reftrainc  of  the  Ex- 
ercife  of  that  Right  proceedeth  only  from  the  Cuflom 
now  receiv'd  in  this  Realm  :•  No  Man  can  doubt,  but 
by  another  Law  of  the  Land,  this  Hindrance  may  be 
well  remov'd.  And  how  eafily  this  Ancient  Form  of 
Government  by  the  united  Suffrages  of  the  Clergy 
rnight  be  reviv'd  again,  and  with  what  little  fliew  of 
Alteration  the  Synodical  Conventions  of  the  Pafiors  of 
every  Parifli  might  be  accorded  with  the  Prefidency  of 
the  Bifhops  of  each  Diocefs  and  Province,  the  Indiffe- 
rent Reader  may  quickly  perceive  by  theperufalof  tha 
^nfuing  Propofitions, 

L 

In  every  Fari(h  the  Redlor,  or  the  Incumbent  Paftor,  the  Pare* 
together  with  the  Church- Warden  and  Sides-men,  may  fhU!  Co- 
every  Week  take  notice  of  fuch  as  live  Scandaloufly  in-'*'^''"'"^"^  ^ 
that  Congregation  ;  who  are  to  receive  fnch  feveral  Ad-  ^njv?erabi9 
monitions  and  Reproofs,   as  the  Quality  of  their  Of- ^^  * "^ 
fer^ce  (hall  deferve  ;   and  if  by  this  means  they  cannot  ^^^'^^ '  .^ 
be  reclaimed,    they  may  be  prefented  unro  the  "^^ct /'^'^j^j^  .^ 
Monthly  Synod,  and  in  the  mean  time  be  dej^rr'd  by 
t{ie  Paftor  from  accefs  unto  the  Lord's  Tabl^. 


1^8  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VIII. 


ui)i»  1660. 

II. 

The  Month-      Whercas  by  a  Statute  in  the  16,  of  Hen.S,  (revived 
iy   Synods   in  the  iftof  Q-  Eli:(,)  SutFragans  are  appointed  to  be 
anfwrerable  erc£led  in  Twenty  fix  feveral  Places  of  this  Kingdom, 
to  the  Scot-  iiiQ  number  of  them  might  very  well  be  conformed  unto 
tifh  Presby-  ^jjg  number  of  the  feveral  Rural  Deanries,  into  which 
^7r  "^n-  ^/'  c^^'y  Diocefs  is  fubdivided ;   which  being  *done,  the 
eUfiafiic^l  guffj-^gan  (fupplying  the  place  of  thofe  who  in  the  An- 
meetin^.     ^.^^^    Church    were    call'd  Chorepifcopi)  might   every 
Month  aflemble  a  Synod  of  all  the  Rectors,  or  Incum- 
bent Paftors,    within  the  Prccindt,    and  according  to 
the  major  part  of  their  Voices  conclude  all  Matters  that 
ftiould  be  bro*c  into»Debate  before  them.     To  this  Synod 
the  Redor  and  Church- Wardens  might  prefent  fuch 
Impenitent  Perfons,   as  by  Admonition  and  Sufpenlion 
from  the  Sacrament  would  not  be  reform'd;  who,  if 
they  would  ftill  remain  Contumacious  and  Incorrigi- 
ble, the  Sentence  of  Excommunication  might  be  decreed 
againft  them  by  the  Synod,  and  accordingly  be  Execu- 
ted in  the  Parilh  where  they  liv*d.     Hitherto  alfo  all 
things  that  concerned  the  Parochial  Minifters  might  be 
referred,  whether  they  did  touch  their  Dodtrine  or  their 
Converfation :   As  alfo  the  Cenfure  of  all  New  Opini- 
ons, Herefies  and  Schifms,    which  did  arife  within  that 
Circuit,  with  Liberty  of  Appeal  if  need  fo  require  unto 
the  Diocefan  Synod. 

HI. 

Diocefan      The  Diocefan  Synod  might  be  held  once  or  twice  in 
Synods  an-  the  Year,  as  it  ihould  be  tho^t  molt  convenient ;   there- 
fvferahle  to  yi  all  the  Suffragans,   and  the  reft  of  the  Redtors  or  In- 
th  Froytn-  cCimbent  Paftors,  or  a  certnin  Sele^  K umber  out  cf  every 
\'^^Sy»<^^  Dennry  mthin  that  Diocefi  might  meet;  with  whofe  con- 
»»bcotiana.  Cgj^j^  ^^  jjjg  major  part  of  them,  all  things  might  be  con- 
cluded by  the  Biftiop  or  *■  Superintendent,   (call  him 
which  you  will)  or  in  his  Abfencc  by  one  of  the  Suffra- 
gans, whom  be  fliould  depute  in  his  ftead  to  be  Moderator 

of 


*  'H^ffMWKVTif,  I.  e.  SuperintendenteSj  unde  &  nomcn  Epifcopi  traOum 
eft.     HierQtu  Bpifi,d^.  aa  Er atrium. 


Chap.  VII L       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  149 


of  that  Aflembly.  Here  all  Matters  of  greater  Mo- A».  1662. 
ment  rnighc  be  taken  into  Conlideration,  and  the  Or- 
ders of  the  Monthly  Synods  levis'd,  and  (if  need  be)  re- 
form'd.  And  if  here  alfo  any  Matter  of  Difficulty 
could  not  receive  a  full  Determination,  it  might  be  re- 
ferr'd  to  the  next  Provincial  or  National  Synod. 

IV. 

The  Provincial  Synod  might  confift  of  all  the  Bi-  The  JPro- 
fhops  and  Suffragans,  and  fuch  of  the  Clergy  as  fhould  "V'^fW  and 
be  Elcded  out  of  every  Diocefs  within  the  Province.  ^'^^''"^'^^ 
The  Primate""  of  either  Province,   might  be  the  Mode-  p^^^  '*^' 
ratorof  this  Meeting,  (or  in  his  room  fome  one  of  the^f^'jf      ^^ 
Bilhops  appointed  by  him)    and  all  Matters  be  order'd  ^^^^"/7„ 
therein  by  common  Confent,  as  in  the  former  Aflem-Scod^nd." 
blies.     This  Synod  might  be  held  every  third  Year, 
and  if  the  Parliament  do  then  fit,  both  the  Primates 
and  Provincial  Synods  of  the  Land  might  joyn  together, 
and  make  up  a  National  Council ;    wherein  ail  Appeals 
from  Inferiour  Synods  might  be  received,  ^Zf  their  Adts  exa- 
min'd,  and  4^  Ecclellaftical  Conftitutions  which  concern 
the  State  of  the  Church  of  the  whole  Nation  eftablifti'd. 

Shortly  after,  inftead  of  the  Dlocefans  Concejfions^  the  The  Kin^^s 
Minifters  were  told,  chat  the  King  would  put  all  that  Declaration 
he  tho't  meet  to  grant  them  into  the  Form  of  a  De-  concerning 
claration,  and  they  (hould  See  it  before  it  was  Publifti'd,  Ecdefaftt- 
and  have  Liberty  to  give  Notice  of  what  they  dif-  ^^^  Affairu 
lik'd,  as  not  Confiftent  with  the  defir'd  Concord:  And 
a  Copy  of  the  faid  Declaration  was  accordingly  fent 
them  by  the  Lord  Chancellor.     Having  perus'd  ir,  they 
drew  up  a  Petition  to  the  King,    and  join'd  with  it 
fome  Remarks  on  the  Declaration  :  But  being  deliver'd 
to  the  Lord  Chancellor,   he  dropd  it,   and  never  call'd 
them  to  Prefent  it  to  the  King ;  but  defired  the  Particu- 
lars of  what  Alterations  they  would  infift  on.  They  de- 
livered him  a  Breviate  of  the  Particulars  as  he  dcfir'd, 
which  he  took  time  to  Confider  of.     And  after  all,  a 
Day  was  appointed  for  his  Majefty  to  Perufe  the  De- 
claration as  the  Lord  Chancellor  had  drawn  it  up,   and 
to  allow  what  he  lik*d,  and  alter  fhe  reft,    upon  the 
hearing  of  both  fides.     At  the  time  appointed,  the  King 
came  to  the  Lord  Chancellor's,  with  the  Dukes  of 

L  3  Al-: 


ISO  The  LIRE  of      Chap.  VIIL 


»in.  i66q.  Albermarle  and  OrmonJ'^    the   E.'of  MancheHer,  the  E^ 
of  Anglefea^   and   Lord  HoU,  &c.    and  Dr.  Sheldcn  Bi- 
ihop  of  Lovdon,   Dr.  Morley   Biihop  of  iVorceiler,    Dr. 
Hinchnjan  Bifhop  of  Snlttbury^  Dr.  C^fms  Biihop  of  Dur- 
ham^ Dr.  GVr/</L72  Bifhop  of  Exeter^  Dr.  Hackct,  Dr.  Bar- 
n»/c^',  and  Dr.  Gunnings  &c.  on  one  fide:  On  the  other 
Part  flood  Dr.  I{rigmlds,  Mr.C^/nw^,  Mr.  /ifk.Dt.lVal- 
/^,    Dr.  'Mntitori^    Dr.  Spinjiovp,    Mr.  Baxter,   and  fome 
others.     The  Bufincfs  of  rhe  Day  was  nor  ro  Difpute, 
but  as  the  Lord  Chancellor  tead  dver  the  Declaration, 
feach  Party  was  to  fpeak  to  what  they  diiliked,  and  the 
King  to  Determine  how  it  ihoM  be  as  he  liked  himfelf. 
There  were  various  altercations  aboiitPrehcyand  Rcor- 
dination,  and  the  Particulars  of  the  Declaration  i   and 
when  the   whole  was   Perus'd,   the  Lord  Chancellor 
drew  out  another  Paper,   intimating  that  the  King  had 
alfo  bsen  Petitioned  by  the  Independents  and  Annbr.ptirrs 
for  Liberty,  and  therefore  he  Read  an  Additional  Part 
of  the  Declaration,   to  this  purpofe,    chat  others  alfo  he 
permitted  to  Meet  for  B^iigioui  H^orjhip^   fo  be  ;>,    thy  do 
it  not  to  the  difiurbnnce  cf  the  Peace;    and  thnt  no  Jujlice 
x>f  Peace  or  Officer  drfturb  them.     This  being  defign'd  to 
feture  Liberty  to  the  Papisls,  there  was  a  general  filcnce 
upon  the  Reading  it.    The  Bifliops  tho't  it  a  nice  Point, 
and  therefore  faid  nothing  :    The  Preslyterians  were  a- 
fraid  to  fpeak  againft  ir,    Icalt  all  the  Scd:s  and  Parties 
ihould  look  upon  them  as  the  Caufers  of  their  Suffer- 
ings; and  they  fliould  be  reprefented  as  groily  Partial, 
in  de/iring  Liberty  themfelves,   while  they  would  have 
no  others  have  it  with  them.     At  length,   Mr.  Baxter 
fearing  their  filencc  might  be  milinterpreted,   fpake  to 
this  purpofe.     Th^t  Dr.  Gunning  n  little  before  jpenkjtig^ 
■AgainH  ScBs^  i:ad  nnm  d  the  Papifis  and  Socinians :  That 
for  their  Pnrts^    thiy  did  net  defire  Favour  to  thetnfeives  n- 
ionei  end  rigorous  ^averity  ngainst  none :    But  as  they  Hnm- 
l!ythanl(d  his  M^jcHy  for  his  d^chir'd  Indulgence  to  them- 
feheSj  fo  they  diftinguifJo'd  the  tolerable  Parly  frcrn  the  in- 
iolernble  :    for  the  forvicr,    they  humbly  crnv'd  fdf  Leni- 
fJ  and  Favour:    But  for  the  Liitjr^   fttch  ,is  the  two  forts 
tncntton'd^  for  their  Pa^ts,    they  could  not  rtiakc  their  Tole- 
rntict}  their  I^equeft.    ,To  which  hJAMajefly  faid,    that 
there  were  Laves  fufficifnt  ttg<^injl  the  P/ipifis :  And  Mr.  B/rJt- 
^er  rcpjy'd,  that  they  under jhad  the  Qufjlion  to  be^  whether 
^bofe  Law;  Ihould  b(&xepmedor  mt  ^  ijppn  which  the  Matter 

was 


Chap.  VIIL      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 5  j 


was  drop'd.     Bin  before  the  brea:king  np  of  the  Meet-  An.  1660. 
ing,  the  King,  having  Decermin  d  what  he  would  have 
ftand  indie  Declaration  as  to  the  Senfe  of  it,  nam'd  four 
Divines  to  Determine  of  any  Words  in  the  Alterations^ 
if  there  were  any  Difference ;  vi^.  Bp.  Morky,  Bp.  Hind:- 
man,   Dr,I{eignolds  and  Mr.  C^/<jwj :   And  if  they  difa- 
greed,  the  Earl  of  Anglefe/i^   and  the  Lord  Hollis  were  to 
decide  them.     And  at  length  it  came  out  fo  amended, 
with  fuch  a  Paftoral  perfwafive  Power  of  Governing 
left  to  the  Minifters  with  the  Rural  Deans,  as  that  it 
"was  fitted  to  be  an  Inftrument  of  Concord  and  Peace, 
•if  fetled  by  a  Law  ;  and  fo  the  Divifion  might  have  been 
heafd,  upon  the  Alteration  of  the  Liturgy,  as  the  De- 
claration promised.     Several  of  the  Minifters  were  off^-t'd 
Preferments:    Mr.  Calamy  had  the  Biftop  of  Coventiy 
and  Litchfield  ofFer'd  him,    Dr.  B^igrwlds  the  Bifhoprick 
of  Norrvicf^  and  Mr.  Baxter  that  of  Hereford.  Dr.  Aiirj- 
ton  was  offer'd  the  Deanery  of  {(ocbeftsr,   Dr.  Bates  tlie 
Deanry  of  Coventry  and  Li tchfie Id,  3,nd.  Mr.  Edward  Bowles 
the  Deanry  oi.Tork^-^  bur  all  refus'd,   on  the  Account 
of  the  uncertainty  of  the  Continuance  of  the  Terms  in 
the  Declaration,    except  Dr.  I{eignolds,    who  declar'd 
when  he  accepted  the  Bifhoprick  of , Norwich,  that  he  did 
it  upon  the  Terms  laid  down  in  the  Declaration,  and 
not  as  Epifcopacy  ftood  before  in  England  •    and  that  he 
would  no  longer  hold  or  exercife  it,  than  he  could  do 
it  on  thofe  Terms. 

In  the  Declaration  which  was  dated  O^cberi'^^  1660. 
The  King  thus  Exprelfes  himfelf,     '  V/hcn  we  were  in 

*  H)lland,  we  were  attended  by  many  Grave  andLearn- 

*  ed  Minifters  from  hence,  who  were  look'd  upon  as  the 

*  moft  Able  and  Principal  AfTertors  of  Presbyterian  Opi- 
'  nions,  with  whom  we  had  as  much  Conference,  as  the 

*  multitude  of  Affairswhicb  were  then  upon  us,  would 

*  permit  us  to  have .-  And  to  our  great  Saiisfadion  and 
'  Comfort,  found  them  Perfons  full  of  Affedioji  to  us,  of 

*  Zeal  for  the  Peace  of  the  Church  and  State,  and  neither 

*  Enemies  (as  they  have  been  given  out  to  be)  of  Epifcopa- 

*  cy  or  Liturgy ;  but  modeftly  to  defire  fuch  Alterations  in 

*  either,  as  without  fhaking  Foundations,  mighcbeft  allay 

*  the  prefent  Diftempers,  which  the  indifpofition  of  times, 

*  and  the  tendernefs  of  fome  Mens  Confciences  had  con- 

*  traded.  For  the  better  doing  whereof,  we  intended  upon 
!  ourfiift  arrival  in  thefe  Kingdoms  to  call  a  Synod  of  Di- 

E  4  '  vinaat 


152 


The  LIFE  of       Chap.  Vin. 


An.  i66^. 


vines  :  And  in  the  mean  Time  publiOi'd  in  our  Decla- 
raiion  from  Bredn  a  Liberty  to  tender  Confciences. 
We  need  not  profefs  the  high  Efteem  and  Affedtion  we 
have  for  the  Church  of  EnglayiH,  as  it  is  eftablilh'd  by 
Law.  Nor  do  we  think  that  Reverence  in  the  leaft  De- 
gree diminifhM  by  our  Gondefcentions,  not  Perempto- 
rily to  infift  upon  fome  Particulars  of  Ceremony,  which 
however  introdacd  by  the  Piety,  Devotion,  and  Order 
of  former  Times,  may  not  be  fo  agreeable  to  the  pre- 
fent ;  but  may  even  ielTen  that  Piety  and  Devotion  for 
the  Improvement  wliereof  they  might  be  firft  intro- 
duc'd,  and  confequently  may  well  be  difpens'd  with. 
And  we  have  not  the  Jeaft  doubt,  but  the  prefent  Bi- 
lliops  will  think  the  prefent  Conceffions  now  made  by 
us,  to  allay  the  prefent  Diftempers,  very  juft  and  rea- 
fonabJe,  and  will  very  chearfully  Conform  themfelves 
thereunto.*     Of  thefe  Concefllons,  this  was  the  Sub- 

ftance  :  '  The  King  declar'd  his  RefoKnion  to  pro- 
mote the  Power  of  Godlinefs,  to  encourage  theExer- 
cifes  of  Religion  both  in  Publick  and  in  rrivate,  to 
take  Care  that  the  Lord's  Day  fhould  be  applied  to 
Holy  Exercifes,  without  unncceffary  Divertifements; 
and  that  infufiicient,  negligent,  and  (candalous  Mini- 
fters,  fhould  not  be  permitted  in  the  Church.  That 
no  Bidiops  (hould  ordain,  or  Exercife  any  Part  of  }u- 
rifdidion,  which  appertains  to  the  Cenfures  of  the 
Church,  without  the  Advice  and  Affiflance  of  tbePref- 
"byters,  and  neither  do,  nor  impofe  any  Thing,  but 
v^'hat  was  according  to  the  known  Laws  of  the  land  ; 
that  Chancellors,  CommiflTaries,  and  Officials  lliould 
be  excluded  from  Acfls  of  Jurifdi(5tion,  the  Power  of 
the  Paflorsin  their  feveral  Congregations  reftor'd,  and 
a  Liberty  granted  to  all  the  Minifters  to  affcmble 
Monthly,  for  the  Exercife  of  the  Paftoral  Perfwafive 
Power,  to  the  promoting  of  Knowledge  and  Godlinefs 
in  their  Flocks.  That  the  Minifters  (hould  be  freed 
from  the  Subfcription  requirM  by  the  Canon,  and  the 
Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience,  andreceiveOrdination, 
Inditution  and  Induction,  and  exercife  their  Fun- 
(flion,  and  enjoy  the  Profits  of  their  Livings,  without 
being  oblig'd  to  it:  And  that  the  Ufe  of  the  Cere- 
monies (houJd  be  difpcns'd  with,  where  they  were 
fcrupled/    Thefe  Conceflions  were  fo  highly  pleafing, 

that'  an  Addrefs  of  Thanks  was  drawn  up,  and  fign'd 


Chap.  VIIL      Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  152 

by  many  of  the  Minifters  in  and  about  London  ;  which  ^«.  i66o. 
Addrefs  was  Gracioufly  receiv'd. 

Biu  after  all,  this  Declaration  had  no  EfFe(5t,  fave 
only  a  Years  fufpenfion  of  the  Law  ihac  afterwards 
took  Place.  Ac  a  Diftance  in  the  Country  fome  Men 
were  fo  violent,  that  they  indidted  Minifters  at  the 
Aflizes  and  Seflions,  notwithftanding  the  Declaration, 
taking  it  for  no  Sufpenfion  of  the 

the  King  and  the  Lord  Chancellor     „f  tins  Kind,  r»ay  be  reeni„  the 

on  their  Behalt,  they  were  general-     Conformift's   Fourth  Piea  for 

ly  delivered.     But  as  to  the  Matter     the  Nonconformias. 

of  Church  Government,  none  of  the 

Concefiions  in  vhe  Declaration,  were  put  in  Execution. 

However  it  being  promis'd  in  the  Declaration,  That  rhe  Confe- 
the   Liturgy  fhould  he  reviewed  and  reform  d,    and  New  rence  at  the 
Terms  drawn  up  in  Scripture  Phrafe^  fuited  to  the  feveral  Savoy. 
Parts  of  TV^rfhip^  that  Mm  might  ufe  which  of  them  they 
pleas'*d,  a  Commifllon  was  at  length  granted   to  cer- 
tain Pei-fons  nominated,  to  meet  for  that  Purpofe.  The 
Commiflioners  on  one  Side,  were  the  Arch-bi(hop  of 
Tork,  the  Biihops  of  London,    Durham,   I{ocheJier,  Chi- 
chefler,  Sarum,   M^orcejier^    Lincoln^  Peterborough,  Che- 
fter^  CarlJfie^    and    Exceter;   and   on  the   other  Side, 
Dr.  I{eignolds  now  Bi(hop  of  Norwich^  Di,Tuckny,  Dr.  Co- 
nant^  Dr.  Spurjiow,   Dr.  PVallis,  Dr.  Manton,  Mr.  Ca~ 
limy,  Mr.  Baxter,   Mr.  Jackfon,  Mr.  Cafe,  Mr.  Ciarl^^ 
Mr.   Newcomen :   The    AfTiftants   on    one  Side    were 
Dr.  Earles,  Dr.  Heylin,  Dr.  Hncket,  Dr.  Barwick,  Dr.  Gun- 
ning, Dr.  Pierfon,  Dr.  Pierce^  Dr.  Sparrow,    and   Mr. 
Thorndike ;  and  on  the  other  Side,  Dr.  Horton,  Dr.  Ja- 
comb,  Dr.  Bates,  Mr.  Kjiwlinfon,  Mr.  Cooper,  Dr.  Light- 
foot^  Dr.  Collins,  Mr.  PVoodbridge,  and  Dr.  Drake^ 

The  Savoy,  and  the  Bilhop  of  London  s  Lodgings 
there  was  appointed  as  the  Place  of  Meeting.  When 
they  were  met  there,  the  Bifhop  of  London  told  the 
Minifters,  That  they,  and  not  the  Bijhops,  had  been  Seek^- 
ers  of  the  Conference,  being  defirous  of  Alterations  in  the 
Liturgy  :  And  that,  therefore,  there  was  nothing  to  he  done 
*tiU  they  had  hro't  in  all  that  they  had  to  fay  againji  it  in 
H^ritingy  and  all  the  Additional  Forms  and  Alterations 
which  they  defir'^d.  The  Minifters  moved  for  an  Arnica- 
hie  Conference,  according  to  the  Commiflion,  as  think- 
ing it  more  likely  to  contribute  to  Difpatch,  and  to 

the 


154  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  Vllf. 


Ah.  i55o.theanfwering  the  Great  End:  Whereas,  Writing  would 
be  a  tedious  endlefs  Bufinefs,   and  prevent  that  Fanri- 
liarity  and  Acquaintance  with  each  others  Minds,  which 
might  facilitate  Concord.     But  the  Bilhop  of  London 
abfolutely  infifted  upon  it,   That  nothing  jhould  be  dwQ 
'till  rtll  Exceptions,  Alterations /:w<^  Additions,  rv^re  hro^t 
in  at  once.     And  after  fonic  Debate,   it  was  agreed, 
That  they  fhould  brhig  ."'^^  their  Exceptions^  at  one  Time, 
and  all  their  Addiiions  at  anotherTime.     Exceptions  were 
accordingly  drawn  up  by   Dr.  I{eignolds,   Dr.  iVallis, 
Mr.  Calamy,    Mr.   Kewcomen,    Dr.   Bctcs^    Mr.  Clarl^ 
Dr.  Jacomh,8<c.  and  in  fome  Time  ofier'd  to  the  Biihops, 
Vropofah        ^^^  ^^^^  Paper  they  propos'd,    *  That  the  Prayers  and 
about  the    *  'Materials  of  the  Liturgy  might  have  nothing  in  them 
LituTTj,      '  doubtful,  or  quTfliond  annongft  Pious,    Learn  d,  and 

*  Orthodox  Perfons.   \_  *  That  as  the  Reformers  at  firfi  fo 

*  compofed  the  Liturgy^    as  might  he    mofi  lil^ely  to  rvir^ 

*  upon  the  Papifts,  r.nd  dravp  them  into  their  Church  Com^ 
'  tnunion  hi  varying  as  little  as  veell  they  could  from  the 
*'  Romirh  Forms  before  in  ufe  ;   fo  it  mighty  according  to 

*  the  fame  ^ule  of  Prudence^  be  then  fo  compos* d,  at  to 

*  gain  upon  the  Judgments  and  AffcEiirn  of  nil  thofe,  voho 

*  in  the  Subftantials  of  r/jf  Proteftant  Religion  are  of  the 
*■  fame  Perfvoafion.']  That  the  Repetitions  and  F^fponfals 
'  of  Clerk  and  People  might  be  omitted.     That  the  Pc- 

*  titions  of  the  Litany  might  be  caft  into  One  Solemn 

*  Prayer,  to  be  ofFer'd  up  by  the  Minifter,  and  not  fo 

*  as  that  the  Precatory  Part  fiiould  be  uttered  only  by 
'  the  People.  That  there  be  nothing  in  the  Liturgy 
'  countenancing  the  Obfervation  of  Lent  as  a  P^Hgious 
'  Fafl.     That  the  Religious  Obfervation  of  5/i/w^/D^;'j 

*  and  Vigils  be  omitted.     That  the  Liturgyht  not  fo  im- 

*  pos'd,  as  totally  to  exclude  the  Gift  of  Prayer  in  any 
'   Partof  Publick  Worfhip.     That  the  New  Tranflation 

*  of  the  Scriptures  be  us'd  inftcad  of  the  old  Verfion, 
'  which  in  many  Places  is  juf^ly  exceptionable.     That 

*  Apo- 


*  It  is  not  wiKiorthy  Obfcrvatio/i.^  that  this  Material  Frnpofiiort  is  wholly 
emitted  by  our  late  Hiftorian^  in  the  Third  Folume  af  the  Complete  Hiftoiy 
of  EnglTid,  in  Vol.  p.j^.  255.  tho'  it  4<  niuch  defery'^d  to  be  taken  Notice  of  as 
the  othit;.  I'll  leave  the  Reader  to  guefs  at  the  Beafon  why  that  fjiould  be 
faf,'d  by,  when  what  went  before  and  followi,  is  particularlyrecited.  ThUis 
more  likely  to  hayc  been  a  def^nad  than  an  accidental  Thing. 


Chap.  Vill.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i^- 


*  Apocryphal  Lcjfons  might  be  omitted.     That  the  Mini-  An.  1660. 
^  fter  be  not  required  to  Rehearfe   the  Liturgy  at  the 

^  Communion  Table.  That  the  Word  Pricft  and  Curate 
'  throughout  the  Book  be  turnd  into  that  of  Minifler^ 
'  and  Sunday  into  Lord's  Day,  That  Oblolete  Words 
^  be  changed  into  Words  generally  receiv'd,  and  better 

*  underftood.  That  no  Portions  of  the  Old  Trjlamenf 
^  or  of  the  Book  of  the  AHs^  be  ftil'd  or  read  as  Epi- 
^  ftles.     That  the  Phrafe  which  fuppofes  ali  in  Commu- 

*  nion  to  be  Regenerated  (while  due  Care  is  not  taken 

*  about  the  Exercife  of  Difcipline)  might  be  Reform- 
'  ed  ;  And  that  the  Petitions  in  the  Prayers  might  have 

*  a  more  orderly  Connexion^  and  the  Forms  be  of  a 

*  more  competent  length,  which  would  be  more  to  E- 

*  dification,  and  tend  to  gain  the  Reverence  of  the 
'  People.     That  the  Liturgy  might  be  fo  contriv'd,  as 

*  to  comprehend  the  Sum  of  all  fuch  Sins  as  are  or- 
^  dinarily  to  be  confefs'd  in  Prayer  by  the  Church',  and 
^  of  fuch  Petitions  and  Thankfgivings  as  are  ordinarily 

*  to  be  put  up  to  God;  and  the  Catechifm   annexed, 

*  might  fummarily  comprehend  ali  fuch  Dodirines  as 

*  are  neceffary  to  be  belie v'd,  and  thcfe  exphcitejy  fee 

*  down.  That  Ceremonies  not  neceifary  in  them- 
'  ioivts^  and  that  had  for  above  an  Hundred  Years, 
'  caus'd  fad  Divifions  and  been  the  Fountain  of  mani- 
'  fold  Evils,  might  not  be  impos'd  by  the  Liturgy,  but 

*  left  at  Liberty.'  After  which  General  Propofals,  a 
great  many  particular  Exceptions  were  added  as  to  the 
feveral  Parts  of  the  Liturgy,  and  Paflages  in  it  j  of 
which  thcfe  that  follow  are  the  Chief.  — —  *  As  to  the 
'  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer,  they  excepted  againft 

*  that  Part  of  the  Rubrick,  which  fpeaking  of  Orna- 

*  ments  to  be  us'd  in  the  Church, left  room  to  bring  back 
^  the  Cope,  Aibe,  and  other  Veftments  :  Againft  the 
'  leaving  out  the  Doxology  at  the  End  of  the  Lord's 

*  Prayer,  the  frequent  Repetition  oi  Glory  be  to  the  Fa- 
^  tber,  S<.c,  lihe  finging  of  the  Leffons,  Epiftles,  and  Go- 

*  fpels  ;  and  againft  the  ufing  of  the  Benedicite^  rather 

*  than  a  Pfalm  or  Scripture  Hymn.  —In  the  Litany  they 
'  excepted  againft  the.  Exprellion  deadly  S/w,and  mov'd  ic 

*  rcii^t  he  c\i2in^ di  into  heinous  01  grievous :  Againft  the 
^  Exprellion  fudden  Death,  which  they  mov'd  to 
<  be  chang'd  into  dying  Juddenly  and  unpreparedly  :  And 
«  againft  pr&ying   for    fill  that   travail  by  Land  and 

'       "  '  ilVater^ 


155 


The  LI  FE  of      Chap.  VIII. 


A».  1660. 


Heater,    &c.    fo  univerfally,  which  they  defir'd   to 
»:3ve  put  indefinitely,  tho/e  that  Travel,  &c.     In  the 
Collect  for  Chrijimns-Dajf,  they  excepted  againft  the 
Word  this  Day^  us'd  two  or  three  Days  fucceiUvely  ; 
and  they    excepted    againft   feveral    Expreflions   in 
divers   other    Colle(as  for   Feftival  Times.    In  the 
Order  for  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's-Supper, 
they  excepted   againft  the  Time  adign'd  for  giving 
Notice  to  the  Minifter,   as  too  Ihort,  when  confin'd 
to  over  Night  or  in  the  Morning,  as  to  Perfons  who  de- 
fign'd  to  Communicate.     They  excepted  againft  the 
Kubrick  about  the  Minifters  keeping  unqualified  Per- 
fons from  the  Lord's  Table,  as  not  fufticiently^ear 
and  ftrong  :    As  to  the  rehearfing  the  Ten  Command- 
ments there,  they  excepted  againft  leaving  out  the 
Preface  to  them ;   againft  the  Way  of  reading  the 
Fourth  Commandment  ;    againft   Kneeling   at  the 
reading  of  this,  more  than  other  Parts  of  Scripture  ; 
and  againft  the  ihort  intermix'd  Prayers  of  the  Peo- 
ple, when  the  Minifter's  concluding  with  one  fuita- 
bie  Prayer  would  be  much  better.     As  to  the  Exhor- 
tations, they  excepted  againft  fome  of  them,  as  un- 
feafonable  to   be  read  at    the   Communion.      And 
whereas  'tis  faid,  'tis  requifite  that  no  Mnn  (loould  come 
but  with  a  full  triij}^  they  excepted  againft  it,  as  tend- 
ing to  difcourage   Perfons  under  Trouble  of  Mind. 
They  excepted  againft  the  Prayer  at  the  Confecration, 
as  not  fufficiently  explicite  and  diftinc^,   the  breaking 
the  Bread  not  being  fo  much  as  mention  d  ;  and  a- 
gainft  requiring  the  Minifter  to  deliver  the  Bread  and 
Wine  into  every   particular  Communicant's   Hand 
with  diftindk  Words  to  each  ;  and  againft  the  oblig- 
ing all  to  Kneel  ;   and  every  Parilhioner   to  receive 
three  Times  in  the  Year.     As  to  Baptifm  ;  they  ob- 
jected againft  being  oblig'd  to  Baptize  the  Children 
of  all  Comers ;    againft  the  (hortnefs  of  the  Warning 
mention'd  when  a  Child  was  to  be  baptiz* d  ;   againft 
covenanting  Sureties,  to  the  overlooking  of  Parents 
in  whofe  Right  the  Child  is  baptizd  ;  againft  con- 
fining Baptilm  to  the  Font;  againft  that  Expredlon 
in  the  firft  Prayer,   of  fanHifying  Jordan  and  nil  Wa- 
ters,  by  Cbrift's  Baptifm :   Againft  the  promifing  and 
anfwcring  of  Sureties  in  the  Name  of  the  Infant ; 
againft  the  Exprelfipn  in  the  fecond  Prayer  of  receiving 

!\emijJion 


Chap.  Vni.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  157 


J^emiJJton  of  Sins  by  Spiritual  Regeneration;  againft -d>f.  i66a 
that  Expreflion  in  the  Prayer  afier  Baptifm,  \A/hich 
infmuates  as  if  every  Child  that  is  baptiz'd,  was  re- 
generated by  God's  Holy  Spirit ;  and  againft  the 
Crofs.  In  the  Catechifm,  they  excepted  againft  the 
mentioning  God-fathers  and  God-mothers  as  giving 
the  Name  5  againft  the  intimation  of  Regeneration  as 
univerfally  attending  Baptifm  ;  againft  rehearfing  the 
Commandments  any  otherwife  than  according  to  the 
New  Tranllation ;  againft  the  mentioning  two  Sacra- 
ments only  as  generally  ncceflary  to  Salvation,  when 
there  are  Two  only ;  Againft  Teeming  to  found  Bap- 
tifm upon  A(ftual  Faith  and  Repentance,  and  that 
efpecially  as  perform'd  by  the  Promife  of  the  Sure- 
ties ;  and  againft  the  omitting  a  particular  Explica- 
tion of  Faith,  Repentance,  the  two  Covenants,  Ju- 
ftification,  San£lification,  Adoption^  and  Regenera- 
tion. Againft  the  Rubrick  afferting  the  certain  un- 
doubted  Salvation  of  baptized  Infants,  without  Ex- 
ception. Againft  the  flight  Ufe  of  Confirmation. 
Againft  the  Suppofition  in  the  Prayer,  that  all  that 
come  to  be  Confirm'd,  have  the  Spirit  of  Chrift, 
and  the  Forgivenefs  of  all  their  Sins.  Againft  the 
founding  Confirmation  upon  Apoftolical  Pradice,  in 
the  Prayer  after  Impofition  of  Hands :  and  againft 
making  the  Receipt  of  Confirmation  abfolutely  necef- 
fary  to  the  Holy  Communion.  In  Matrimony ,  they 
excepted  againft  the  necelTary  Ufe  of  the  Ring ;  a- 
gainft  that  Expreflion,  vpith  my  Body  Ithee  vporfhip^  Sec. 
In  the  Order  for  the  Vifitation  of  the  Sicl^j  they  ex- 
cepted againft  the  Form  for  Abfoiution,  as  not  fufti- 
ciently  Declarative  and  Conditional  ;  and  againft  in- 
joining  the  Minifter  to  give  the  Sacrament  to  every 
iick  Perfon  that  defires  it.  In  the  Office  of  Burial^ 
they  excepted  againft  the  Minifters  being  oblig'd  to 
meet  the  Corps  ;  againft  the  common  tlfe  of  that 
ExprefTion  of  God's  taking  to  himfelf  the  Souls  of  all 
that  are  offer'd  to  Burial,  which  is  not  true  of  Perfons 
living  and  dying  in  open  and  notorious  Sins.  Againft 
giving  God  hearty  Thanks  for  delivering  ail  that  are 
ofFer'd  1:0  Burial,  out  of  the  Miferies  of  this  finfu! 
World,  ^c.  which  may  harden  the  Wicked,  and  is 
inconfiftent  with  the  largeft  Rational  Charity  :  And 
agaijift  hoping  that  thofe  reft  in  God,  who  have  not  by 

'  their 


158  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  Vjir. 


An.  1 66c.*  their  Adual  Repenrance  given  any 
!  Hope  of  their  BleffedEftace,  G^c. 


Ground  for  the 


The  drawing  up  of  the  Additions  or  New  Forms  was 

undertaken  by  Mr.  Baxter  alone,  who   f^il'd  it,  The 

Reformed  Liturp^    which  when  read  by  the  Minifters 

was  generally  approved  of.     And  that  the  World  may 

judge  what  fort  of  Forms  they  were,  which  the   Mi- 

■**  The  Com-  nifters  defir'd  to  have  Liberty  to  ufe  inftead  of  the 

filer  of  the  Forms  that  were  in  Ufe  before,  or  inftead  of  fome  of 

Third  Vo'    them  where  they  fcrupled  any  Fart  of  the  Service-Book, 

lumer^frht  this  Reform  d  Liturgy  is  here  added  attheClofe  of  this 

Complete   Volume  at  large,  as  it  v^^as  then  drawn  up.  * 

Hifiory  of  TA     • 

Enghnd,  ^"^"g 

in  Folio,  p.  235.  here  pajfes  th!s  Cenfure.     When  the  drawing  up  the  Addi- 
tionsor  New  Supplements  to  be  made  to  the  Liturgy,  was  by  his  Brethren 
committed  to  him  alonCjhe  drew  up  an  abfohite  Form  of  his  own,and  ftil'd 
it  the  Reformed  Li tr4r^y  •  as  if  he  had  the  Modefty  to  think  that  the  Old 
Liturgy  compird  by  a  JSIumberof  very  Learned  Confeflbrs  and  Martyrs,  muft 
now  give  Place  to  a  New  Form,  compofed  by  a  Tingle  Man,  and  he  by  E-' 
ducation  much  inferior  to  many  of  his  Brethren.'    But  had  this  Gentleman 
veen  fojufi,  as  to  have  read  the  'Reafons  tphlch  Mr.  Baxter  g;4-p(?,  for  his  doing 
that  -Kfhich  he  refrefms  as  fo  ajfuminq;^  he'd  hare  feen  little   Occafion  for 
his  Fcfie^tion.     Tor  the  Def^n  of  this  Liturgy  rffas  not  to  juTlle  out  the  Old  one, 
vhere PerfonstPere  fat i<fed with  itf  but  to  relieye  fuch  as  durft  not  ufe  the  Old 
one  as  it  vpas.,  by  helping  the?n  to  Forms  taken  out  of  the  Word  of  Cod.     Or  fup' 
fofe  xpe,  that  the  Old  Liturgy  had  in  tlie  Opinion  of  many  fallen  fhort  of  this 
1^'ew  one  ;  others  are  at  a  L')fs  to  di foyer  %phy  this  fhnuld  appear  fo  prepo/ierotesy 
unlefs  it  be  unaccountable  fir  Perfons  to  prefer  a  Liturgy  iutirely  Scriptural,  to 
one  that  is  made  up  of  Humane  finafes.^    and  fome   of  ti)em  'jufily  enou'^h 
exceptionable.     It  muft  be  cv?n^d  that    the   Old  Litur<:y   was     framed     by 
Sundry  ConfefTors  and  Martyr?,    and  upon  that  Account  it  deferves  vefpeCir  : 
And  it  vpos  a  great  Step  for  them    to  caji   fo  many  Corruptions  out    of  the 
TublicK  Service  as  tijey  did.,   at  that  Time,  vplien  this  Liturgy  was  drawn  out 
of  the  fercral  Forms  that  were  in  Ufe  in  this  Kingdom  before.     But  it  was  but 
ft  Purfuit  of  their  Dcftgn,  to  render  the  Public k  Service  yet  more  Scriptural.' 
And  had  they  rifen  frcm  tife  Dead,  there's  gr.od  Keafon  to  bcUeye  that  they 
would  generally  have  approved  uf  it -^  aitd  been  fo  far  from  looking  upon  it  as 
a  detracting  from  them,  that  they  would  have  applauded  it  4s  a  good  Super- 
firuClure  uporl  their  Foundations.     Suppofe  then  he  that  drew  up  this  Ke formed 
Liturgy  was  by  Education  much  inferior  to  many  of  liis  Brethren, it  ;tc/t/;er 
follows    from    thence,  :hat  he  mufl  really  be  fo  far  injerior  to  them  in  ufe- 
ful  Knowledge  and  valuable Abillties^as  this  Author  would  ftem  to  intimate-^ 
nor  can  it  jufily  be  ilimcp  ar^u'd  that  i>is  Performahce  wa--  C'r.itejnpti'jle-^    nor 
that  therewas  any  want  of  Mode/iy  neither,  when  hii  Bretlne::  put  him  upon 
the  Undertaking.     And  bejides,  they  giving  their  Approbation  when  they  pe- 
Tuftd  itf  and  joyhing  in  the  prefentingiity  made  it  in  FjfUt  tinir  own,  as  fuj- 

ficlently 


Chap.  VIII.      Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  159 

During  this^  Interval,  the  Convocaticn  was  chofen,^^«.  i6<5i. 
iivhich  was  PoUtickly  defen'd  'till  now*.    Had  it  been 
caird  when  the  King  came  in,  the 

inferiour  Clergy  would  have  been  ¥  rhe  Author  of  the  Confor. 
againft  the  Diocefans.  But  after-  wifis  Plea  for  the  Nonconformifis^ 
wards  many  Hundreds  were  turned  fays^  great  Fains  and  Care  K>ere 
out,  that  the  old  fequeftred  Mini-     ufed  to  frame  this  Conyocation  to 

fters,  how  meanly  foever  qualify'd,    the  Mind  oj  the  High  Prelatical 
might  come  in.     And  the  Opinion     ^^^'>  h  ^^f/"«<C  fo»^e  out,  ani 
of  Reordination  being  fet  on  foot,    S:''''»S  ''hers  in,  by  yety  undue: 
all  thofe  Minifters,  who  for  Twenty     Proceedings.    Part  i .  Pag.  57. 
Years  together,  while  Biihops  were 
laid  afide,  had  been  ordain'd  without  Diocefansi  were 
in  many  Countries  denied  any  Voices  in  the  Election  of 
Clerks  for  the  Convocation.    By  which  Means,  and  a 
great  many  Minifters  Scruple,  who  tho't  it  unlawful  to 
have  any  Thing  to  do  in  choofing  fuch  a  kind  of  Af- 
fembly,   the  Diocefan  Party  wholly  carry 'd  it  in  the 
Choice.     The  Eledlion  was  in  London^  May  2.  166 1. 
Mr.  Calamy  and  Mr.  Baxter  were  chofen  by  a  Majority 
of  three  Voices.     But  the  Biihop  of  London,  having  the 
Power  of  choofing  two  out  of  four,  or  four  out  of  fix:, 
that  are  chofen  by  the  Minifters  in  a  certain  Circuit, 
was  fo  kind  as  to  excufe  them  by  pitching  on  others  : 
And  fo  the  City  of  London  had  no  Clerk  in  the  Convo- 
cation t*     Mrf^  the  4tb,  the  Paper  of  Exceptions  was 
given  in  at  a  Meeting  with  the  Biihops,  M^y  the  7th, 
there  was  a  Meeting  at  Sion-CoUedge  of  the  Minifters  of 

London 


fciently  appears  from  the  Preface  prefixed  :  And  fome  of  them  (it  is  well 
known  )  had  Academical  Education^  and  great  Applaufe  in  the  World  too^ 
and  yet  tho't  not  Mr.  Baxter  at  all  their  Inferior,  'Nay  fome  Verfms  that 
tffere  not  yery  Uhely  to  be  prejudic'd  in  Mr.  Baxter'^  Favour,  haye  tho't  this 
Performance  of  his,  to  be  the  bejj  of  the  kind  that  they  ever  faw. 

t  Dr.  Allen  of  Huntingdonlhire,  Clerk  in  this  Convocation,  eamefily  la- 
boured tPith  Dr.  Sheldon  then  Bifhop  of  London,  (  afterrsfards  Arth-Biffy^p  ) 
that  they  might  fo  Reform  the  Liturgy,  a*  that  no  fober  Man  might  make  Ex- 
ception :  But  was  wi(l}ed  to  forbear-,  for  that  what  fijould  be,  was  concluded 

on,  orrefolvd. See  Conformifts  Plea  for  the  Nonconforraifis,  Part  i. 

pag.  gi.  So  very  Nice  and  ExaCl  were  the  high  Party,  that  they  would 
not  yield  fo  much  as  to  forbear  the  Lejfons  of  the  Apocrypha  :  Infomuch,  that 
after  a  long  tugg.  at  the  Convocation- Houfe  about  that  Matter,  a  go-)d  DoUor 
came  out  at  lafi  with  great  Joy^  that  they  had  carried  it  for  Bell  and  the 
Dragon. 


i6o  7he  LIFE  of       Chap.  VIIT. 


An.  1 66 1. London ^  for  the  Ghoice  of  a  Prefident  and  Afliftants 

for  the  next  Year.     Some  of  the  Presbyterians  upon  a 

pettilli   Scruple    abfenting  thcmfelvcs,    the    Diocefan 

Party  carried  it,  and  got  the  PofTciiion  and  Rule  of 

4f  ^        the  Colledge.     May  the  8th,  the  New  Parliament  and 

time  aftn   Co«z;or/j^;o«  fat  down,  being  conftituted  of  Men  fitted 

an    AH:     ^"'^  devoted  to  the  Diocefan  Intereft.     May  the  iith, 

tafs'il  for    by  Order  of  Parliament,   the  National  Vow  and  Cove^ 

Confir/rJtto-  nant  was  burnt  in  the  Street,  by  the  Hands  of  the  Com- 

and  Re-     mon  Hangman*. 

fiorin^  of 

Minifiers',  by  which  it  was  €nafied<,  That  eyery  Ecclefiajllcal }'Perfon  or 
Minijier^  bein^  orda'tiid  by  any  EcctefafiUaL  Perjlns^  before  the  2')th  Day  of 
December  laji  f receding^  being  of  the  Age  of  i\  TearS)  and  having  not  re 
9tounc''d  bis  Ordination,  vho  had  been  formerly  fine e  the  Tear  of  our  Lord  1^42. 
nominated  to,  or  placed  in,  and  in  aClual  Poffeffon,  and  taking  the  Profits  of 
any  Ecclefiafiical  Benefice,  Rechry,  Farfonage,  Ficatidge,  Church,  Chappe/j 
Cure,  or  other  Ecclefiafiical  Promotion  with  Cure  of  Souls,  within  this  Realm 
of  England,  &c.  which  hath  been  become  void  either  by  Death,  voluntary  Re- 
fignation,  or  Surrender,  or  other  Avoidance  to  the  Patron,  or  any  other  Pcrfon 
pretending  to  have  Title  to  accept  of  Refignations,  fince  the  faid  \fi  Day  of 
January,  and  before  the  faid  i^th  of  December  lafi  preceding,  and  was  on 
the  faid  2  Sth  Day  of  December,  in  Pojfeffion,  and  received  the  Profits  thereof j 
being  in  the  Gift,  Donation,  Prefentation,  Collation  or  T^omination  of  the 
King's  Majcfiy,  or  of  his  Royal  Father,  in  Right  of  the  Crown,  or  by  Reafon  of 
Wardfijip  or  any  other  Title,  or  of  any  Archbifhop,  Bifhop,  Dean  and  Chapter^ 
prebendary,  Archdeacon,  Body-Politick  or  Corporate;  fhould  be,  and  was 
thereby  declared,  adjudged,  and  enaCied,  to  have  been,  be,  continue,  the  real 
and  lawful.  Incumbent,  Parfon,  Re^or,  Vicar,  and  Pojfejfor  of  the  faid  Ec- 
clefiasiical  Benefices,  Livings  and  Promotions  refpeElively,  to  all  Intentf  and 
Purpofei  whatfoever,  as  if  he  or  they  had  been  nominated,  prefented,  collated, 
admitted,  infiituted  and  induced  thereunto,  or  plac'd  therein  in  due  Form  of 
Law,  and  h.td  read  and  fubfcrib'd  the  Articles  according  to  the  Statute  in 
that  Cafe  made  and  provided  ;  and  notwithfianding  any  other  Matter  or  Thing 
by  him  or  them  done,  or  omitted  to  be  done. 

Sometime  after,  the  fame  Tear  an  Afi  alfo  pafi,  for  the  well  Governing 
and  Re"-ulating  Corporations,  in  which  among  other  Things  it  was  enaSled^ 
That  none  P}ould  be  in  Office  in  any  Corp',ration,  that  fhould  not  within  a  Tear 
before  hi s  Ele(}ionjhave  taken  the  Sacrament  according  to  the  Rites  of  the  Church 
of  England. 

A  Petition  was  by  the  Common  Confent  of  the  Mi- 
niCters  drawn  up,  to  be  prefented  to  the  Bifhops  at  the 
fame  Time  with  the  Reformed  Liturgy  -,  which  were 
both  prefented  accordingly.  In  this  Petition  they, 
with  great  Humility  and  Earneftnefs,  begg'd  their  A-- 

bntin?^ 


Chap.  Vllf.       Mr.  R^ichard  Baxter.  i6i 

hating  their  Impofitions  in  Order  to  the  Peace  of  the^»-  i^^**! 
Church  ;  and  very  pathetically  urg'd  many  moving  Ar- 
y^uments  to  induce  them  to  a  Compliance ;  and  in  the 
End  "they  addrefs  themfelves  to  them  in  thefe  Words. 
'  Grant  us  but  the  Freedom  which  Chrift  and  his  Apo- 

*  ftles  left  unto  the  Churches :  Ufe  necefTary  Things  as 

*  neceflary,  and  unnecefTary  Things  as  unnecefTary  ; 
'  and"  charitably  bear  with  the  Infirmities  of  the  Weak, 

*  and  the  Tolerable  while  they  live  peaceably,  and  then 

*  you  will  know  when  you  have  done,  and  for  the  In- 
'  tolerable,  we  beg  not  your  Toleration,  &c. 

The  Bilhops  after  fome  Delay,  fent  them  a  Paper  of 
Reafonings  againft  their  Exceptions,  without  anyA- 
batemencs  or  Alterations  at  all,  that  are  worth  the  nam- 
ing.    An  Anfwerto  which  was  alfo  drawn  up. 

AtJaft,  the  Commifflon  being  near  upon  expiring,and 
there  being  but  ten  Days  left,  the  MiniAers  fent  to  the 
Bifliops  to  deflre  fomc  Perfonal  Conference  upon  the 
Subjecft  Matter  of  the  Papers ;  which  was  yielded  to : 
And  at  the  Meeting  the  Anfwer  to  their  laft  Paper  was 
deliver'd  them.     And  the  MiniAers  earneftly  prefs'd  them 
to  fpend  the  little  Time  that  was  remaining,  infuch  pa- 
cifying Conference  as  tended  to  the  Ends  mentioned  in 
the  King's  Declaration   and.  Commiffion  :    And  told 
them,  That  fuch  Difputes  as  they  by  their  Treatment 
had  engag'd  them  in,  were  not  the  Thing  defir'd,  or 
what  moft  conduc'd  to  thofe  Ends.     There  is  fome  Rea-* 
fon  to  think,  that  the  Generality  of  the  Bilhops  and 
Dodtors  who  were  prefent  at  thefe  Meetings,  did  not 
read  the  ^•formsd  L'twgy^  or,  The  [{eplyof  the  Mln'ifteri    - 
to  their  R^nfons  flgninji  the  Excoptions  they  had  given  in. 
For  they  were  haftily  put  up,  and  carried  away  without 
particular  PeruGl,  unlefs  in   private  ;    which  may  be 
doubted  of  as  to   moft  of  them,  (except  their  parti- 
cular Anfv/erers)  becaufe  that  when  in  the  laft  Difpu- 
lation,   Ml'-  Baxter  drew  out  the  lliort  Preface  to  their 
Reply,  (which  was  written  by  Mr.  CaUmy^  to  enume- 
rate in  the  Beginning  before  their  Eyes,  many  of  the: 
grolTeft  Corruptions  which  they  ftifly  defended,   and 
refus'd  to  reform)  the  Company  feem'd  aihamVl  and 
was  (ilcnt,  by  which  he  perceived  they  had  not  read  it; 
Nay,  the  Chief  of  them  confefs'd,  when  they  bid  him 
read  that  Preface,  that  they  knew  of  no  fuch  Thing. 
So  that  it  feems,  before  they  knew  what  was  in  them^ 

M  they 


i62  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  VIII. 

-In.  i.6i.  tbey  refolv'dto  rcjed  thcPapcrsof  the  Minifters,  right 
or  wrong,  and  to  deliver  them  up  to  their  Contradidtors. 
When  they  came  to  Debates,  the  Minifters  dcfir'd  the 
Bilhops  to  give  their  Animadverfions  on  the  Additions 
and  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy.  And  that  they  would 
declare  what  they  allow'd  or  difallow*d  in  them,  that 
they  might  have  the  Ufe  of  thecn,  according  to  the 
Words  in  the  King's  Declaration  and  Commiflion.  But 
they  would  not  by  any  Importunity  be  prevailM  witfl 
to  debate  that  Matter,  or  give  their  Opinions  about 
thofe  Papers.  Being  re je£^ed  there,  it  was  mov'd.  That 
tbey  would  go  over  xhc  Particulars  excepted  againft^ 
ani-declare  hoxv  much  they  could  abate,  and  what  Al- 
terations they  could  yield  to.  But  they  declar'd.  They 
had  nothing  to  fay  upon  that  Head,  Vill  a  NecefTity  of 
an  Alteration  in  the  General  was  prov'd,  which  it  had 
not  as  yet  been:  They  would  yield  to  all  that  was 
prov'd  Neceflary,  but  look'd  upon  none  as  Neceffary. 
The  Minifters  urg'd  them  again  and  again  with  the 
Words  of  the  King^s  Declaration  and  Commiffion. 
They  told  them  the  Ends  exprefs'd  were,  '  For  the  Re- 
-  moval  of  all  Exceptions,  and  Occafions  of  Excep- 
f  tions,  and  Differences  from  among  our  good  Sub jedls; 
*'  and  for  giving  SatisfacSlion  to  tender  Gonfciences,  and 

*  the  reftoring  and  continuance  of  Peace  and  Unity  in 

*  the  Churches :  y^nd  that  the  Means  xvere.  To  make  fuch 
.  *  reafonable  and  neceftary  Alterations  and  Amendments, 

*  as  (hall  be  agreed  upon  to  be  Needful  and  Expedient 

*  for  the  giving  Satitifad^ion  to  tender  Gonfciences,  8cc.' 
Which  fnppofeth  that  fome  Alterations  muft  be  made. 
The  Bifhops  infifted  on  two  Words,  Nccejfary  Altera- 
//dwj,and  fuch  /is/houldhe  agreed  on.  The  Minifters  told 
them,The  Word  Necejfary  referred  to  the  Ends  exprefs'd; 
tbefntisfying  tetiderConfcienccs,  8cc.  and  was  join'd  with 
Expedient  :  And  that  it  was  ftrange,  that  when  the 
King  had  fo  long  and  publickly  detcrmin'd  of  the  End, 
and  call'd  them  to  Confult  of  the  Means  they  (hould  at 
laft  prcfume  to  Contradi(5l  him,  and  determine  the  End 
it  felt  unneccffary,  and  confequently  no  Means  necef^ 
fary ;  And  that  therefore  all  their  Meetings  had  been 
but  trifling.  And  that  when  they  were  cail'd  to  Agree 
on  fucli  neccflary  Means,  if  they  would  take  Advan- 
tage of  the  Word,  to  agree  on  nothing,  that  fo  all  En- 
deavours might  be  fruftrated  for  want  of  their  Agree- 
ment; 


Chap.  Vni.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  16:5 


mem,  God  and  the  World  woilld  judge  between  them,  ^.  i65i» 
who  it  was  thatfruftrated  the  King'$Cotnmi{rion,and  the 
Hopes  of  a  divided  Bleeding  Church.  They  reply 'd, 
they  muft  prove  Alterations  necpjfary :  The  Minifters  an- 
fwered,  they  were  necejfary  to  Peace  Ind  Unity,  which 
without  them  would  not  be  actain'd.  Which  they 
would  by  no  Means  yield. 

This  was  to  draw  on  a  Difpute,  before  the  End  of 
which,  the  Time  of  the  Codimiflion  was  like  to  ex- 
pire ',  they  told  the  Biftiops,  that  that  Method  could 
hot  poflibly  tiEhd  to  any  Accommodatioh  ;  and  that  to 
keep  off  from  Perfonal  Coriference,   till  within  a  fevv 
pays  of  the  Expiration  of  the  CommiiTion,  and  then 
to  refolve  to  do  nothing  but  wrangle  but  the  Time  in  a 
Difpute,  as  if  they  were  between  Jeft  and  Earneft  in 
the  Schools,  was  too  Vilibly  in  the  Sight  of  all  the 
World,  to  defeat  the  King's  Commiflion,  and  the  Ex- 
i)ed:atioiis  of  many  Thoufands,  v(^ho  long'd  for  Unity      . 
and  Peace.     But  nothing  elfe  would  be  yielded  to,  and  ,      ^/"^^ 
fo  a  Diifpute  was  agreed  on,  to  arcue  the  Neceflitv,  oi  ^  ^j     , 
no  Necefiity  of  altering  the  Liturgy.  ^j^^^  ^.^ 

After  this  was  agreed  on,  many  Hours  were  fpenr  Sanderroa 
in  fettling  the  Order  of  the  Difputaiion.    The  Minifters  ^/;o  ^^s 
Offered  to  oppofe  one  half  of  the  Time,  if  they  would /rrcyiwt  at 
do  it  the  other  half  of  the  Time^   that  fo  the  Difputa-  tins  Debate ^ 
tion  might  be  on  equal  Terms :  They  refus'd  it ;  and  an- y7^W^  not 
ifwer'd,  that  it  belong'd  to  them  only  to  Argue,  who  were  ^^^^  ^^""^ 
the  Accufers,  and  not  at  all  to  them  who  were  on  the  Opportunit;;^ 
Defence.     The   Minifters  reply'd,  that  they  vverc  i\\ef^'' ^learani 
Pefenders  againft  their  Impofitions  :  For  thus  was  the  y»^^^^^^ 
Cafe ;  They  commanded  them  to  do  fuch  arid  fuch  ^/^^  ^«f"^- 
Things,  or  elfe  they  (hould  be  excommunicated,  filenc'd,^y^^^^    ^'^ 
imprifon'd   and   undone:  Againft  this  they  defended  ,^^^J^^    ^ 
themfelves,  by  calling  upon  them  to  Ihew  their  Autho-  f^j^^^y^^-, 
rity  from  God,  for  fuch  Impofitions.    They  call'd  up-  cal.    it 
on  them  therefore,  to  ptQve  that  God  had  authorized  may  he  thi 
them  to  any  fiich  Thing  ;  and  told  them,  Hh^t  if  they  rather 
refuid  they  gave  Up  their  Cnufe*,     At  laft,   ( after  two  rvonderd 

caufein  his  warm  Preface  before  his  $ermons,  which  nvas  written  in  i6^ji 
(hut  five  Tears  before  this  Conference)  he  thus  fums  up  the  Controverfy^  between 
the  Impofers  and  theRefufersof  Ceremonies.  This,  fays  he'y  is  the  plain  Cafe 
in  fliorc.  The  Bifliops  require  Obedience  to  the  Laws  EaClefiaftical  :  Thefc 
M^ri  refufe  to  give  it,  fo  began  the  Qiiarrel  at  firft  ^  ahd  upon  the  lame 

M  %  (aftct 


1 64  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VIII- 

Teims  it  Days  Debate  about  the  Matter)  Dr.  Pier/on  alone  un- 
continued.  dertook  that  he  would  difpute  on  their  Side,  when  the 
Ifth^tO-  Minifters  had  difcharged  the  Opponents  Province; 
bedicnce  which  was  accepted.  Three  of  a  Party  were  chofen 
challenged,  on  each  Side  to  manage  the  Difpute.  The  BiHiops 
were  in-  chofe.  Dr.  Pierfon,  Dr.  Gunnings  and  Dv,Sp.irroxv  ;  the 
deed  due  Minifters  chofe.  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Jacomh,  and  Mr.  Bax^ 
^L  ,  'er  •  And  ihcy  n:\et  to  difpute  accordingly.  But  there 
aws,  t  en  ^^j.^  (-^  ni^ny  Speakers,  and  fo  many  Interruptions,  and 
did     our    r  I-    I  r       1  o         »        ^i       •  r^ 

Brethren     ^^  "^^"7  htcje  perfonal  orangles,  that  it  was  to  very  ht- 

fays  he,  '   ^le  Purpofe. 
both  begin 

the  Quarrel  and  hold  it  on  ;  if  it  were  not,  then  mafb  the  whole  Blame 
lie  upon  thofe  that  Ciaimed  it  unjiiftly,  and  not  upon  them  :  So  that  upon 
the  winding  up  of  the  Bifinefs,  the  whole  Con  troverfy  will  devolve  upon 
this  Point,  whethei-  to  the  Laws  Ecclefiaftical,  Obedience  is  due  or  not  ? 
Uhat  ]?ity  'f  i^as,  that  this  fingle  Toint  was  not  no%9  cawvafs'd^  when  there 
was  fo  faif  »<«  Opportunity  !  Let  any  Man  judge  where  the  Blame  lies^  when 
the  Mini fie^^  t^ere  fo  forward^  and  the  Biffi^ps  fo  backward. 

At  length  Bi[hop  Cofins  produces  a  Paper  as  from  a 
Confiderabie  Perfon,  containing  a  Method  to  end  the 
t^infulTm-  ControverTie.     The  main  Thing  in  this  Paper,  was, 
po/ttifins  in    <*  Motion  to  put  the  CompUiners  upon  Difiin!^ui[hing  between 
the  Church,  thff  Things  they  chargd  as  fjnful,  and  thofe  which  they  op- 
posed as  Inexpedient  only.    The  three  Difputants  on  the 
•  Minifters  Side,  were  defir'd  to  draw  up  an  Anfwer  to 
it  againft  the  next  Morning  ;  and  they  did  fo,  and  de- 
liver'd  it,    but  it  was  in  their  own  Names  only.     Eight 
Things  they  in  this  their  Reply  charg'd  as  flatly  Sinful, 
and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,    That  no  Minifler 
be  admitted  to  bapti:!^e  without  the  prefcribed  Vfe  of  the 
tranjji-nt  Inmge  cf  the  Crcfs  :   That  no  Minifler  be  permit^ 
ted  to  B^ad  or  Pray^  or  Excrcife  the    other  Parts  of  bis 
office,  that  dare  not  wear  a  Surplice.     That  none  be  ad' 
fnitted  to  Comrntmion  in  the  Lord'^s  Supper,  that  dare  not 
receive  it  Kneeling  ;  and  that  all  Minifters  be  enjoined  to 
deny  it  to  fuch.     That  Minifters  be  forcd  to  Pronounce  all 
bctpti'^d  Infants  Regenerate  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  whether 
Children  of  Chrifiians  or  not.     That  Minifiers  be  forc'd  ta 
deliver  the  Sacrament  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift^  Uti^  . 
to  the  Vnfit  both  in  Health  and  Sickjiefs,  and  that  with 
Perfonal  Application^  putting  it  into  their  Hands  i  And 
that  fuch  are  forc'd  to  receive  it^  tbo"  againft  their  own 

mils. 


Chap.  VIIL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  165 

Wills,  in  the  Confcience  of  their  Impenitency  :  That  JMini* 
flers  he  forc'd   to  abfolve  the  'Unfit,  nnd  that   in  r.hfolute 
ExpreJJicns:  That  they   are  forc'd  to  ^iveThnnkj  for  all 
vthom  they  Bury^  as  Brethren  whom  God  hath  deliver'd 
and  taken  to  himrelf :  And  thnt  none  m^ty  he  a  Pre/jcher^ 
that  dare  not  fubfcribe,  Tl.at  therc^  is  nothing  in  the  Com- 
mon-Prayet  Bool^,  the  Book  of  Ordination,    and  the  Nine 
and  Thirty  Articles,  that  is  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,      *  Our 
And  they  undertook  to  prove  as  much.*    After  a  great  ^f^^  Hifio. 
deal  of  wandering  Difcourfe,  they  came  at  length  to  ^**'*» '"  '^'^ 
the  Difpute,  which  was  manag'd  in  Writing  :  The  fole  pj??"^^^^^ 
Argument  handled  was,  The  Sinfulnefs  of  enjoyning  Mi-    n  ^^^^ 
niflers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  aS  that  dire  not  l\neel i  11  p°     : 
and  it  was  drawn  out  to  a  coniiderable  Length.  .  p.  22$  fays 

it  feems 
very  rtrange  tliat  thefc  Men  fhould  undertake  to  mention  Eight  unlawful 
Things  in  the  Liturgy,  when  they  could  not  affirm  any  one  of  thofeThings 
tobf;  in  it  felf  unlawrul,  but  argu'd  altogether  upon  the  unlawful  Impoli- 
tion  of  them,  which  they  might  as  well  have  done  by  the  fame  Argu- 
ment in  Eight  Hundred  of  ather  indifferent  and  moft  innocent  Matters  : 
And  he  adds,  it  muft  be  confefs'd  to  be  ftranger  fljll,  that  of  the  Eight 
/jnful  Things  which  they  here  enumerate,  Two  of  them,  the  Fifth  and  the 
Sixth,  are  pofitiveiy  falfe  in  the  Suppofition  of  them  ;  For  by  the  Li- 
turgy the  Minifter  was  not  forc'd  eitiicr  to  adminifter  the  Sacrament,  or 
the  Abfolution  to  unfit  Pcrfons.  Had  this  Gentleman  confderd  that  the 
unKv arrant ablenefs    of   kecking    fuch    Impoftiuns    in    the   Church    wai   the 

Thing    that  Mr.   B and  his  Brethren   ofered  to    proye,    in  oppoftion  to 

th'yfe  vfho  ja?ere  zealous  fur  retaining  them,  and  how  little  in  this  Cafe  di- 
pends  upon  the  fimp/e  unlarvfulnef  of  the  Things  imposd  ( abJlvaCling  from 
ail  Cir  cum  fiances  in  a  Metaphy/ical  Senfe)  the  Jirangenefs  of  their  Troceed- 
inr  v?ouid  have  difappeard.  for  tho  tije  fame  Argument  would  haye  done 
in  Ei:ht  Hundred  indiferent  Things  (had  there  been  fo  many  fo  imposed,) 
yet  it  does  not  folLw  but  that  it  would  he  good  and  valid  in  tl}e  Eight  Things 
mentioned,  in  which  they  tho' t  they  p)ould  be  bound  up  by  the  LccUfaflical  Con- 
fitution,  (if  they  really  muft  have  been  fo  conjindj  while  they  could  not  dif- 
€orer  their  Compliance  to  be  lawful.  And  thn  this  Author  declares  that  the 
Ufth  and  Sixth  Things  mention  d  were  pofitively  falfe  in  the  Suppofition 
of  them,  yet  he  muft  allow  it  to  appear  flrangs  to  othcn,  he  fhould  mtntion 
this  with  fo  much  Ajfurance,  when  he  hirr. felf  cannot  be  infenfible  that  there 
has  ail  along  been  a  Party  in  the  Church,  that  hare  reprefented  Minivers 
as  under  an  Obligation  to  adtninifier  the  Sacrament,  and  Abfolution,  to  all 
that  defire  either,  without  ViftinClion,  and  that  this  Farty  has  not  wanted 
Tower  to  run  down  thnfc^  whofe  Afprehenfom  haye  herein  been  different 
from  theirs.  • 

Ma  'J'he 


i66 


The  LIB  t.  of      Chap.  VII  I. 


*  See  the  Argument  for  Tor- 
hearance  in  "Rulers  to  intpofe 
Thinrs  ujinecejfary,  (irenuoujly 
ur^ed  from  tJyis  I  i\th  to  tlte  Ro- 
mans, in  the  Proteftant  Recon- 
ciler, JBart  I .  chap.  4. 


^H.  i66i-      The  moft  remarkable  Things  in  this  Difpute  were 
thefe  Two. 

The  Difpw     Firft,  The  warm  Debate  there  was  among  them  as  rq 
tation    at  the  Senfe  of  that  noted  Text,  l^m.  14.  i,  2,  3.  Him 
the  Savoy,    that  is   weak,  in  the   Paiib  receive  you,  hut  not  to  doubtful 
Difputntions,     For  One  helieveth,    that    he  may  eat   all 
Things:   Another^  who  is  iVeak.^  eatethHerbs,     Let  not  him 
that  eateth^  dej^ife  him  that  eateth  not  ;    And  let  not  him 
which  eateth  not^  jf^^g^  ^'^  ^^^^^  ^^f' 
eth^  for  God  hath  receiv'd  him*.     The 
Debate  about  this  Text  was  thu$ 
ocafion'd  :  The  Presbyterian  Difpu^ 
tants  had  argu'd  againft  the  enjoyn- 
ing  Minifters  to  deny  the  Commu- 
nion to  all  that  dare  not  receive  it 
Kneeling  as  a  finful  Irapofition,  in 
that  it  was  an    cnjoyning  them  to  deny  the  Com- 
munion to  fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghcft  had  required   them 
to    receive  to  it  :    He    having  required  rhem  to  re- 
ceive to  it  fuch  as  were  weak,  in  the  Faith,   who  are 
charg'd  with  no  greater  Fault  than  erronecujly  refufir.g 
Things  Lawful  ds  unlawful.     And  for  this  they  urg'd  this 
Text.     The  Bifhops  Difputants  replied,    *  There  was 
a  Difference  between  Things  fo  Lawful  as  that  they 
may  be  done,  and  Things  Lawful  that  are  requir'd  by 
a  Lawful  Power,   for  both  may  be  call'd  fuch.    The 
others  fiill  urgd  that  Text  ;    pleading.  That  tho*  the 
the  ApoftJe  fpake  there  of  Things  Lawful,  and  not 
commanded,  yet  being  himfelf  a  Church  Governour 
he  commanded  them  not;  nay,  requir'd  even  Church 
Governours,  as  well  as  others,  to  receive  the  Diffen- 
ters  and  forbear  ihem,  and  not  make  fuch  Things 
the  Matter  of  their  Cenfure  or  Contempt.     Thry  an^ 
fwerd.  That  that  Text  was  not  to  the  Purpofe,  both 
becaufe  it  fpeaks  of  Things  Lawful  and   not  Com- 
manded, whereas  the  Debate  was  about  Things  Law- 
ful and  alfc  Commanded;  and,  withal,  becaufe  the 
receiving  them  there  mentioned,  is  not  to  be  undcr- 
ftood  of   immediately  receiving   them  to  the  Holy 
Communion.     The  Presbyterian  Difputants  anf«>er''d^ 
That  tho'  it  was  true  the  Text  fpake  about  Things 
Lawful  and  not  Commanded,   yet  when  they  were 
debating  the  Lawfulnefs  of  a  particular  Command, 

*  viz. 


r^ 


Chap.  VIIL      Mr.  Richard  Bixter.  167 


(viz.  The  enjoyning  Minijiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  An.  \66i, 
fuch  as   durst  ?iot  receive  it  Kneeling)  it  was  very  pro- 
perly urg'd  ;  becaufe  the  Text  forbids  any  fuch  Com- 
mands of  Things  Lawful,  as  are  not  confiftent  with 
receivi7tg  and  forbearing.     And  they  added.  That  that 
Text  muft  necefiarily  take  in  receiving  Perfons  to  the 
Holy  Communion,  becaufe  it  requires  the  receiving 
Men  to  that  Church  Communion  in  the  generaJ,   and 
without  exception,of  which  the  Communion  in  theHo- 
ly  Sacrament  is  a  moft  eminent  Parr.  Nay^  they  farther 
ur^d  the  Point  clofely  thus.     The  Text  fpeaks  indeed  of 
Things  Lawful,  as  fuch,  abftradting   from  Commands 
But  of  Things  which  materially  were  partly  not  Com- 
mandedy   and  partly   Commanded,     h  was  not   Com- 
mnnded  to  Eat  or  not  Eat  the  Meats  in  Queftion,  to 
keep  the  Days  or  not  keep  them  :  In  thefe  they  virent 
againft  no  Law.     But  to  be  Weak^  in  the  Faith^  and 
erroneoully  to  take  Things  Lawful  to  be  VnUwful^ 
and  Things  Indifferent  to  be  Neceffary,  and  to  offend 
a  Brother  by  the  Ufe  of  Liberty  on  the  other  Side, 
were  againft  the  Commands  of  God.    But  as  for  the 
Things  about  which  there  was  to  be  a  Forbearance, 
the  Text  intimates,  that  they  ought  not  to  be  com- 
manded by  any  under  a  Penalty  that  is  not  confiftent 
with  that  Forbearance;  for  that  no  Governourshave  any 
Warrant  to  rejedt  fuch  as  are  only  weak  in  the  Faith : 
they  ought  to  receive  them,  and  to  farther  their  Re- 
ception ;  and  cannot  do  any  Thing  towards  their  Re- 
jcdlion  upon  the  Account  of  any  fuch  Weaknefs  with- 
out flat  Sin,  without  breaking  the  Laws  of  God, 
who  hath   required  that  fuch  Perfons,  lliould  not  be 
rejetSted  on  the  Account  of  Things  in  themfelves  In- 
different.    For  the  Things  fpoken  of  by  the  Apoftle, 
were  not  only  not  Commanded,  but  forbidden  to  be 
Commanded,  any  farther  than  may  ftand  with  the 
Reception   and  Indulgence  mentioned.'    And   they 
bro't  the  Matter  clofe  to  the  Cafe  before  them  thus. 
They  of  whom  St.  Paul  fpeaks  were  to  be  receiv'd  and 
forborn,  altho'  they  finn'd  in  their  Weaknefs,  in  refu- 
ting that  as  (infui  which  was  not  fo.    So  tho'  it  Ihould 
be  own'd  that  it  were  unwarrantable  to  refufe  Kneel- 
ing as  flatly  finful,  yet  were  the  Scrupulous  to  be  re- 
ceived and  forborn.    And  that  the  rather,  becaufe  they 
that  refufe  Kneeling,  at  worft,  break  but  the  Com- 
"  M  4  mand 


i68  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  VIII. 

An.  \66\'  mand  of  Man  ;  whereas  they  of  whom  Sc.  Paul  fpeaks 
broke  the  Commands  of  God,  and  yet  were  to  be 
forborn  :  And  then,  That  the  Text  was  to  be  under- 
Itood  of  Church  Commit nion,  they  prov'd  from  the 
Circiimftances  of  the  Words,  from  Parallel  Texts, 
and  from  the  Teitimony  of  the  moil  celebrated  Expo- 
licors,  Hammond  and  Grotius, 

Sccondlv,  In  the  other  Part  of  the  Difpute,  when 
the  Epifcopal  Divines  were  the  Opponents,  they  bro'c 
an  Argument  of  which  this  was  the  Major  Propolition  : 
"Jhiit  CQinmnnd,  which  commit ndeth  only  an  Act  in  it   feif 
Lawful,  is  not  Sinful.     This  Mr.  Baxter  denied.     The 
Opponents  back'd  it  wi;h  another  Syllogifm,  of  which 
this  was  the  Major  :  That  Command,  w/Jch  commandeth 
An  Ac}  in  ic  feif  Lnveful^  and  no  other  Ad  or  Cicumjlance 
Z'nlnvpful,  is  net  Si>ful.     This  alfo  Mr.  jB^jcf^r  denied ; 
giving  this  double  Reafon  :  Both  becaufe  that  may  be 
accidentally  a  Sin  which  is  not  fo  in  it  feif,  and  may  be 
unlawfuHy    commanded,    the'  that   Accident    be  not 
in  the    Command:   And  alio  becaufe  it  may  be  com- 
nianded  under  an  unjuft  Penalty,     the  Opponents  there- 
fore urg'd  farther  thus  :   *  That  Command  which  com- 
'  mandech  an  Adt  in  it  felf  Lawful,  and  no  other  Acl: 
^  whereby  any  unjLift  Penalty's  enjoyn'd,  nor  any  Cir- 
'  cumltance  whence  direcflly,  or  per  Accidens^  any  Sin  is 
-  Confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to  provide 
'  againlt  is  not  Sinful.*     MT.Bitxrcr  itiil  pfrlilted  in  his 
Denial,  and  gave  this  Reafon  :  Beraufe  the  iirft  Adi 
commanded    may  be  accidentally   Unlawful,    and   be 
commanded  by  an    nnjuft  Penaltv,    tho'  nooiherAdl 
or  Circumitance   be    luch.     The  Oj>pnnents   therefore 
pnce  more  advanc'd  this  Propofition:  '  That  Command 

*  which  commandeth  an  Adt  in  it  felf  Lawful,  and  no 

*  other  Adi:  whereby  any  unjuft  Peniky  is  enioin'd, 
'  nor  any  Circumitancc  whence  djredtlv,  or  f^er  Acci- 
*■  dens,  any  Sin  is  Cofifequenc,  which  the  Commander 
f  ouphr  to   provide  againlt,  haih  in  ic  all  things  requi- 

-  lire  to  the  Lawfuinefs  of  aComm.md,  and  particularly 

*  cannot  be  guilty  of  commanding  an   Act  per  Acci' 

-  ^.v/j  unlawful,  nor  of  C('mmini!ing  an  A£lunder  an 
^  unini)"  Penalty.'  Which  Proportion  alio  he  denied 
for  the  foregoing  Reafons  :  Litimating  that  fuc]!  a  Com- 
piajid  hath  not  iiecelfariJy  ail  Things  in  it  tequifite  to 

the 


Chap.  VIII.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 6^ 


the  Lawfulnefs  of  a  Command  j  becaufe  tho*  no  other  j^B  An.  i^^f 
be  commanded  whereby  an  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoyn'd, 
yet  ftill  tjie  firft  AB  may  be  commanded,  under  an  unjuft 
Penalty  :  And  the*  no  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  be . 
commanded,  that  is  a  Sin  fer  AccUens,  yet  the  firft  if 
felf  commanded  may  be  a  Sin  fer  Accidens.  h  may  be 
finful  privativei'y,  by  omiflion  of  fomething  neceffary, 
fome  Mode  or  Circumftance.  It  may  finfuJIy  reftraitj, 
tho'  it  finfully  command  not.  It  may  be  finful  in  Mo-r 
dis  ;  commanding  that  univerfally^  or  indefinitely,  parti- 
cularly,  or  fingularly,  that  fhould  be  otherwife  y  tho'  in 
the  Circumftances  (properly  fo  cali'd)  of  the  A(ft,  no- 
thing were  commanded  that  is  linful.  It  may  thro*  cul- 
pable Ignorance  be  apply 'd  to  undue  Suhjetli^  who  are 
not  Circumftances.  As  if  a  People  that  have  the  Plague 
be  commanded  to  keep  Publick  AlTembJies  for  Worihip, 
the  Lawgiver  being  culpably  ignorant  that  they  had 
the  Plague,  ^c.  This  repeated  Denial  put  them  fo 
hard  to  it,  that  they  could  proceed  no  farther.  And 
being  ftop'd  in  Arguing,  they  have  fince  made  it  up 
in  unhandfome  Refle£tions.  Biftiop  Morley  particularly 
in  Print  aiferted,  That  this  Aflertion  of  Mr.  Baxter's 
was  not  only  Falfe,  but  Deftruftive  of  all  Authority, 
Humane  and  Divine,  as  not  only  denying  all  Power 
to  the  Church  of  making  Canons  Eccleliaftical  for  the 
better  Ordering  and  Governing  the  Church,  but  alfo 
taking  away  all  Legillative  Power  from  the  King  and 
parliament,  and  even  from  God  himfelf.  For  that 
no  A£l  can  be  fo  good  of  it  felf,  but  it  may  prove  by 
accident  a  Sin  :  And  if  to  Command  fuch  an  A(5l  may 
be  a  Sin,  then  every  Command  muft  b?  a  Sin.  And  if 
to  Command  be  a  Sin,  then  God  can  command  no- 
thing, becaufe  he  cannot  Sin  :  And  Kings,  Parliaments 
and  Churches  ought  not  to  command  any  Thing,  be- 
caufe they  ought  not  to  Sin. 

Upon  this  the  whole  Nation  almoft  was  fiU'd  with 
Tragical  Exclamations  againft  the  abominable  Affertion 
of  one  of  the  Difputants  at  the  Savoy*.    As  if,  be- 
caufe 

■^  He  that  vpould  fee  a  dt^inCi  Account  of  this  Matter,  may  read  Mr.  Bax- 
Xtx's  Letter  to  his  Belored  "People  of  Kederminfter,  of  the  Caufes  of  his  beinr 
forbidden  by  the  Biffjop  of  WorcefJer  to  Preach  within  his  Diocefs  ;  with  the 
Bifhofs  Letter  in  Anfvffer  to  it  ;  and  fome  fbort  Animadverfons  upon  the 
Bifhop's  letter.     Printed  in  1662. 


I70  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  VriL 

An.  i65i.caufe  'twas  aflerced  that  Things  not  evil  of  themfelves, 

may  have  Accidents  fo  evil  as  may  make  it  a  Sin  to  him 

that  (ball  command  them,   it  (hould  therefore  follow 

that  nothing  may  be  commanded  for  fear  of  thofe  evil 

Accidents,  in  Cafes  where  the  Commander  cannot  be 

chargeable  with  any  Hand  in  them.    Whereas  'tis  a 

*  Owr/<rf«  Truth  eafily  defenfible;  That  whenfoever  the  CommMnd" 

hi  (tori  an     i^g  or  Forbidding  of  a  Thing  Indifferent  is  like  to  occafion 

(in   the      more  hurt  than  good,  and  this  may  be  forefeeny   the  Com" 

Complete   manding  or  Forbidding  it  is  a  Sin*, 

Hiftory  of 

England,  FoL  3.  p.l'i$)  might  if  he  had  pleas  d  have  conjider^d  thiiy  before 
he  grac'd  his  Margin  with  the  Dif-ingenuity  of  Mr.  Baxter.  He  /hould 
have  tryd  to  difprove  this,  leafi  his  Readers  (hould  be  tempted  to  retort  the 
iharze. 

He  wants  Eye-fight  that  cannot  difcern  that  there 
may  be  feverai  Accidents,  that  may  make  the  Impofi- 
tion  even  of  a  Lawful  Thing  Sinful.  For  to  take  on- 
ly the  Inftance  that  was  under  the  Confideration  of 
thefe  Difputants :  Suppofe  it  ever  fo  Lawful  of  it  felf 
to  Kneel  in  Receiving  the  Lord's  Supper,  if  it  be  im- 
posed by  a  Penalty  that  is  incomparably  beyond  the  Pro- 
portion of  the  Offence,  that  Penalty  is  an  Accident 
of  the  Command,  and  maketh  it  by  Accident  Sinful  in 
the  Commander. 

^  Our  late'  And  thus  ended  the  Difpute  ztth^Savoy^,  and  all 
hiforian  Endeavours  for  Reconciliation  upon  the  Warrant  of 
(See  Com-  the  King's  Commiflion.  But  it  may  not  be  amifs  to 
plete  Hi-    ^^j^j  (-Qj^g  Remarks  upon  the  Temper  and  Carriage  of 

^'""'y  «J    theCommiflloners. 

tngland, 

p.  2^6.)  when  he  mentions  the  F.nd  of  thin  frwtlefs  Conference,  fays,  That 
Che  Presbyterian  Divines  depended  too  much  on  the  Encouragement  rhey 
had  rcceiv'd  from  the  King,  and  his  Chief  Miniflcrs  ;  and  on  the  Af- 
furances  given  them  by  fome  of  the  leading  Members  of  Parliament  ^  in 
which  he  is  yery  likely  to  be  in  the  Right  :  But  when  he  adds^  they  were 
miftaken  in  the  Merits  of  their  Caufe,  he  triumphs  before  a  yiflory  ;  un- 
iefs  he  had  made  a  fuitahle  Reply  to  their  Petition  for  Peace,  which  was  the 
inly  Caufe  they  efpousd  or  pleaded  for* 


Bilhop 


Chap.  Vlll.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i^i 

_     ^ 1— 

Bifliop  Sheldon*  o£  London,  (afterwards  Arch-Biftiop -^.  1661, 
of  Canterbury)  did  not  appear  often,  and  engagd  not  at 
all  in  the  Difputation,  and  yet  was  well  known  to  have     ^'«^^  h 
a  Principal  Hand  in  difpofing  of  all  fuch  Affairs.     He  '^^y  ^Z^'^'*- 

died  .^«.  1677.  ]feElif 

Avch'Biihop  Frewen  of  Torl{  was  a  peaceable  Man,  ^,V  ^T*^ 
came  not  often  to  the  Meeting  among  them,  *nd  ^  •z;-^^^^^'^" 
fpake  only  at  the  firft  opening  of  the  Commiffion,  and 
then  declared  openly  his  unacquaintednefs  with  what 
was  defign'djand  therefore  referr'd  himfelf  to  Bi[hopSheU 
ilcvy  as  fully  inftrucfted  by  the  King.  He  died  /^w.  1664. 
Bi(hop  Morley  -f  of  P^orcefter^  afterwards  of  PVinche^ 

fter. 


*  Twa  Tajfagei  concerning  him  defene  a  Remark.  The  firfi  is  related  By 
T)r.  Bates  in  his  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mr.  Baxter  ;  ^ti$  this  :  When  the  Lord 
Chamberlain  Manchefter  told  the  King,  while  the  ACh  of  Uniformity  was  un- 
der debate.  That  he  was  afraid  the  Terms  of  it  were  fo  rigid  chat  many 
of  the  Minifters  would  not  comply  with  it  5  he  ref>lyd,  I  am  afraid  they 
will.  Nay,  ^tis  credibly  reported  he  fijould  fay,  Now  we  know  their  Minds, 
we'll  make  them  all  Knaves  if  they  Conform.  Whether  his  Temper  was  af- 
terwards any  Thing  cooler,  let  others  judge.  Jt  looks  a  little  that  Way,  that 
when  his  Nephew,  Sir  Jofeph  Sheldon,  whowas  Lord- Mayor  of  London  in  1676, 
dejired  his  Advice  about  his  ConduCl  in  the  Tear  of  his  Mayoralty-,  he  fl)oul<£ 
make  him  no  other  Anfwer  than  this  :  Confider,  Coufin,  that  as  I  am 
Arch-Bifliop  of  Canterbury,  fo  you  are  Lord-Mayor  of  London. 

t  The  Spirit  of  this  Prelate  maybe  eafily  judg'^d  of  by  any  one  that  will  Be 
at  tl)e  Pains  to  read  his  Warm  and  Faffionate  InyeUiye  again/l  A/r.Baxter,  and 
his  Account  to  his  People  of  Kedcrminfter,  of  the  Caufe  of  his  EjeHrment : 
In  which  Invefiive,  among  many  other  Things,  he  with  the  utmofi  Warmth 
aferts,  That  Monarchy  cannot  confift  without  Epifcopacy  :  That  he,  at 
Blfhop  of  Worcefler,  was  file  and  immediate  Pafior  of  all  the  People  in  his 
Diocefs  :  And  that  he  who  tho"*  lawfully  ordain  d  jhnuld  preach  to  any  Con- 
gregation without  the  Blff)ops  Llcenfe,  came  not  in  by  the  Door,  and 
therefore  was  a  Thief  and  a  Robber,  ^c.  But  that  he  might  afterwards^ 
upon  feeing  the  fmall  Succefs  of  the  Eigours  usd,  grow  fnmewhat  more  tem- 
perate, I  have  fome  Reafon  to  believe,  from  a  particular  Pajfage  convey  d 
to  me  in  fifch  a  Way,  as  that  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  Truth  of  it  •  which  was 
this  :  Being  confulted  by  the  Mayor  of  a  Country  Corporation,  whofe  Zeal  was 
far  beyond  either  his  Wifdom  or  his  Charity,  what  Method  he  ftiould  take,  ef- 
feftualiy  to  root  out  the  Fanaticks  in  the  Year  of  his  Mayoralty  -,  the  Bi- 
fhop  now  grswn  old,  firft  preached  Friendlinefs  to  liim,  by  ordering  him  a 
Glafs  of  Canary,  as  oft  as  he  ftarced  his  Queftion  in  Company  ;  and  next 
admoniflyd  him  when  alone^  To  let  thofe  People  live  quicciy,  in  many  of 
whom  he  was  fatisfy'd  there  was  the  true  fear  of  God  j  and  who  wei'C 
not  likely  to  be  gain'd  by  Rigoui*  and  Severity, 


172  The  LI  F  E   of       Chap.VIIL 

— ft 1 !L_ 

An.  i66i.Jler^  was  a  frequent  Attendant  and  the  chief  Speaker 
of  all  the  Bilhops,  always  delivering  bis  Mind  with 
great  Earneftnefs  and  Zeal,  and  often  interrupt- 
ing; thofe  of  the  other  Side  in  their  Difcourfe.  He  was 
a  Prime  Manager  of  the  whole  Affair ;  and  unwilling 
to  yield  to  any  Thing  that  might  Jook  like  Modera- 
tion. He  was  the  longeft  Liver  of  any.  He  died 
j4n.  16S4. 

Bilhop  Cofmsof  Durham  metconftantly  among  them, 

and  was  for  Two  Things  very  remarkable. 

"^Dr.Bues      ^^^^'  ^°^  ^^^  being  lb  excellently  vers'd  in  the  C4* 

i'«  hilvum-  ^''"■''  Councils  and   Fathers,  which  he  appear* d  to  re- 

ra/ Sermon  rnemb?r  Very  readily,  when  there  was  Occafion  for  Ci- 

/or^/r.Bax-  tations.     And 

ter  rrffrtf,       Secondly  for  his  Opennefs.     For  as  he  was  of  a  Ru- 
7 hat  in  the  ftick  Wir  and  Carriage,  fo  he  would  endure  more  Free- 
Conference     dom  of  Difconrfe,  and  was  more  Affable  ajid  familiar 
at  Wovze.   than  the  reft  of  (he  feiO^opi.*. 
fter-Hoiife     V 

^^'wM/lc  Kinor's  Declaration,  when  the  Mimfters  deftred  that  the  Bijhops 
fhouUexerctie  their  ihunh  Torrer  with  the  Counfel  and  Confent  of  Fresby 
^^ MI  yt"  ^'-^^^'^  ^^^^"^  prefent/y  rcply'd,  If  Youv  Majefty  grant  this,  You 
will  Unbiniop  Your  Bi[l\op5,^But' remarkable  is  a  Fafage  in  his  Uft  Hill 
and  Teflamtnr,  primed  b'^^th  tn  Enjjlifh  and  Latin  vfith  his  Funeral  Sermon 
and  Life.  It  defen-es  tyuii/cribin<;  from  pa<r.  I  26.  I  take  it  to  be  my  Duty, 
and  of  all  my  Brechrtti,  tfpecially  the  Bilhops  and  Miniftersof  theCliurch 
of  God,  to  da  our  iitmolt  Endeavours,  according  to  the  Meaturc  of 
Grace  which. is  given  to  every  one  of  us,  that  at  U\\  an  End  may  be  pu: 
ro  the  Differences  of   Religion,  or  ar  leall  ihey  may  be  lelTen'd,  &c. 

Bifir.)p  Jiir.chman^    then   of  Salisbury,   afterwards  of 
LnNdon.  had  alfo  a  good  Iniight  into  Fathers  and  Coun^ 
cils  :    Ht  fpake  calmly  and  flowly,    and   not  very  of- 
ten, but  was  as  high  in  his  Principles  and  Refolutious 
as  any  of  them  :  And  he  with  Bilhop  Sheldon  and  Bilhop 
t    Mr.    Morley^    manag'd   all  Things. 
Pierce,  in       Bp  Snndnfon  f  oiLincoln  was  there  now  and  then,  but 
hii    frj}     fpake  not  often.His  great  Learning  andWorth  aj e  known 

-P/erf,/'.  ^$. 

faysy  That  he  was  feyere,    and  troubled  long  with  a  ff)arp  Difeafe,  which 

might  exafpcrate  his  Mind  :   And  that  he   had  a  Roll  of  Minijiers  under  hii 

Jlngrj  Eye,  defignd  for  Difipline  ^    but  when  he  drew  nigh  to   hii   latter 

End,    he  commanded  that    Roll  to  be   burnt,    and  faid  he  would  die  in 

Feace. 

hi 


Chap.  VIII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 7^ 

by hisLabours:K;^.His  PreUHiones  deOhligatione  Confcieti-  An.  i66i 
'/^,and  De  'Juramento ;  and  his  Sermons.     He  was  very 
Old  at  the  Time  of  this  Snvoy  Conference,and  partly  thro' 
Age,and  partly  thro*  the  remainingExafperation  on  the  ac- 
count of  his  Su{lerings,was  a  Jittle  Peevilh.  Afterwards  ac 
hisDeath,he  made  it  bis  Requeft,  That  the  Ejeded  Mi- 
nifters  might  be  us'd  again  :  But  his  Requeft  wasreje£led 
by  them  that  had  outwitted  him,  as  being  too  late.     Bi- 
Ihop  Gauden  was  never  abfent,  and  often  fided  with  the 
Minifters,  and  tho'  he  had  a  bitter  Pen,  he  was  the  only 
Moderator  of  all  the  Bilhops,  except  Bifiiop  F{eignolds, 
He  meddled  not  in  any  Difpute  or  Point  of  Learning, 
but  had  a  calm,  fluent,  rhetorical  Tongue,  and  if  all  had 
been  of  his  Mind,  there  had  been  an  Accommodation  ef- 
fet^ed.     But  when  by  many  Days  Conference  in  the  Be- 
ginning, the  Minifters  had  got  fome  moderating  Concef- 
fions  from  him,  ( and  from  Bilhcp  Cofms  by  his  Means  ) 
the  reft  came  in  the  End,  and  broke  them  all.  Bifliop 
Lucy  of  St.  David's,  fpake  once  or  twice  a  few  Words 
calmly,  and  fo  did  Bifliop  Nicbolfon  of  Gloucefter^  and  Bi- 
(hop  Griffythsoi  St.  ^japh,  tho*  no  Commiflioners.  Bilhop 
King  of  Chichefter  did  not  appear  ;  nor  Bilhop  I4^arner  of 
J^chefier^  except  once  or  twice,  and  that  without  fpeak- 
ing.  Bilhop  Laney*  0^  Pff^^^^o/o//^/^  was  fometimes  there, 
but  did  not  fpeak  much.     Once,  however,  he  fpake  too 
much.  For  Mr.  B^jcfcr  charging  the  Epifcopal  Impofitions 
as  Sinful,  was  accus'd  of  uncharitabJenefs  and  BolJnefs, 
in  that  he  thereby  charg'd  all  theChurches  of  Chrift  with 
Sin.  Mr.  Baxter  aiferted,  That  there  were  many  reform- 
ed Churches  free  from  fuch  Inipcfitions  :  but  if  there 
were  not,  he  tho't   it  no  Arrogance  or  UncharitabJe- 
nefs ro  charge  all  the  Church  and  World  with  Sin. 
For  that  in  many  Things  we  offend  all  :  And  Freedom 
from  Sin,  is  the  Priviledge  of  the  Church  Triumphant. 
Biiliop  Laney  hereupon  cry'd  cut,  ThrJ  jultify'd  Perjons 

havs 


*  Mr,  Piei'ce,  In  his  firfi  F/ea^  par.  ^  5.  fay<^  Tliat  tins  Blfhop  Laney 
was  very  Moderate  in  his  Government.  In  his  Prime  Fijitation  before  Bir- 
tholomew-Day,  he  in  his  Chamber  told  of  fome  hi^Cler^  what  he  came  about  5 
and  as  thfp  he  could  tPipe  his  Hands^  f'^'d,  t^'x.  iyvu.KXA\ijut.(^,  Not  I,  but  the 
Law.  And  he  could  ( to  ufe  his  ov?n  Thrafe  to  a  Scrupulous  Terfon)  look 
thro'  his  Tinkers-,  and  f ufe r  a  worthy  Nonconformill  to  Preach  fublkkly  -very 
jfeat  htm,  for  Jo  me  Tear:;  together,  after  his  Remore  to  another  Bifhoprick. 


174  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  VIII. 

— -_.  I       -^       -  -  11  ■-■       ■  1       I-  — ■  -      --      -  -I  .11  — 

An,  l66i'  haveno  Sin^  nnd  are  no  Sinners  ^  hecaufejuftificationta- 
keth  it  avpay.  The  Arguing  of  which,  left  him  in  no 
fmall  Confuflon. 

Bifhop  irulton  ofCheJier^  (the  Publiflier  of  the  Pol;^ 
glot  Bible)  was  there  now  and  then,  but  fpake  but  fel- 
dom.  Bifhop  Stern  oiCarliJIe^  afterwaj-ds  Arch-Bilhop 
of  Torky  was  of  a  moft  fober,  honeft,  mortify'd  Afpe^k, 
but  wanted  Charity.  For  when  Mr.  Baxter  was  en- 
treating the  Bifhops  not  to  caft  out  fo  many  in  the  Na- 
tion^ as  fcrupled  a  Ceremony  which  they  confefs'd  In- 
different, he  turn'd  to  the  reft,  and  noted  him  for  fayr 
ing  in  the  Nation:  He  will  not  fay  in  the  Kingdom,  faitli 
he,  leFf  be  own  a  Kjng»  Mr.  Baher  made  him  no  other 
Reply  but  this:  That  half  the  Charity  which  became 
fo  Grave  a  Bi(hop,  might  have  fuffic  d  to  have  help'd 
him  to  a  better  Expofition  of  the  word  Kation^  fp 
commonly  us'd  by  Monarchical  "Writers.  ,  And  that 
their  Cafe  was  fad,  if  after  the  taking  the  Oaths,  and 
being  Honour'd  by  the  King  with  fuch  Teftimonies 
as  they  had  had,  they  muft  when  treating  for  Accom- 
modation ftand  expos'd  to  fuch  invidious  Refiec^ionl 
as  Traytors,  without  the  leaft  Ground.  So  that  he 
declares  he  was  never  more  deceiv'd  by  a  Man's  Face  in 
his  Life. 

Bp.  ^ignolds  *  fpakc  much  the  firft  Day,  for  bring- 
:  ing  the  reft  to  Abatements  and  Moderation;  and  af- 
jj^^^^^J^  terwards  he  fate  with  the  reft  of  the  Bifhops,  and  fpake 
Tl  a  par  "^^  ^^^  ^^^"  ^  qualifying  and  foftning  Word.  He 
__  'y^f^'  was  a  confiderable  Man,  and  of  great  Integrity  ;  but 
That  Bp!  ^^^^^  Mildnefs,  and  excefs  of  timerous  Reverence  to 
jLeigwlds  great  Men,  altogether  unfit  to  contend  with  them.  He 
carry 'd  Dy'd  An,  l6y6. 
the  woundf 

of  the  church  in  his  Heart  and  Bowels  to  his  Grave  with  him  j  as  is  well 
known  to  many  that  knew  him. 

*  Mr.         Dri  Earle  *,    who  was  afterwards  Bifhop  of  Salis" 
Pierce        l,ury,      Mt>  Baxter    remembers    not    to    have    feed 
fbid.glyei    there. 
him     this 

Chara^er:  That  lie  was  a  Man  could  do  Good  againft  Evil,  Forgive 
much,  and  of  a  Charitable  Heart ;  and  who  Dy'd  to  the  no  great  Sorrow 
of  them,  who  rcckon'd  his  Death  was  Juft,  for  Labouring  With  all  his 
Wight  againft  the  Oxfari  5  jMile  Aft,  quicldy  after  it^ 

Mr; 


Chap.  VIII.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 75 

Mr.  Thorndike  fpake  once  a  few  Paflionate  Words, -4«.  1661. 
confuting  the  Opinion  which  ihe  Minlfters  had  received 
of  him  from  his  firft  W'ritings,  and  con&iming  that 
which  his  fecond  and  laft  Writings  had  given  them  of 
him.  Dr.  HejHn  and  Dr.  Barwkk^  did  not  appear. 
Dr.  Hacket  (afterwards  Bilhop  of  Coventry  and  Lich- 
field) faid  little.  Neither  did  Dr,  Sparrovp  (afterwards 
Biftiop  of  Norwich)  fay  much  •'  But  what  he  did  fpeak 
was  with  Spirit  enough  for  the  Impofing  and  Dividing 
Caufe, 

Dr.  Pierfon  f afterwards  Bifhop  of  C^e^erJ  difputcd 
accurately,  foberly,  and  calmly,  and  procur  d  himfelf 
a  great  deal  of  Refpec^:  from  the  Minifters;  and  a  Per- 
fwafion,  That  if  he  had  been  Independent  he  would  ' 

have  been  for  Peace:  And  that  if  all  had  been  in  his 
Power,  it  would  have  gone  well.  He  was  the  Strength 
and  Honour  of  the  Bifhops  Caufe;  but  Mr.  Baxter  tho't 
it  dubious,  whether  he  heartily  maintain  d  it. 

Dr,  Gunning  (afterwards  Bi(bop  of  £/r)  was  their  for- 
wardeft  and  greateft  Speaker.  He  f^uck  at  nothing. 
When  Dr.  Bates  urg'd  it  upon  him,  that  on  the  fame 
Reafons  as  they  imposM  the  Crofs  and  Surplice,  they 
might  bring  in  Holy  Water,  and  Lights,  and  abun- 
dance of  fuch  Ceremonies  of  i^fl??;c,  which  we  havecaft 
out :  He  anfwer'd  Tes ;  and  fo  I  think  we  ought  to  have 
more  and  not  fewer,  if  we  do  well.  He  feem'd  a  Man 
of  greater  Study  and  Induftry  than  any  of  them ;  was 
well  read  in  Fathers  and  Councils,  and  of  a  ready 
Tongue:  But  fo  vehement  for  high  impofing  Principles, 
and  Church  Pomp,  and  fo  very  eager  and  fervent  in 
his  Difcourfe,  that  he  often  over-run  himfelf.  As  for 
the  Commiffioners  on  the  other  fide,  their  Charader 
may  be  feen  in  the  other  Volume. 

At  the  Clofe  of  the  laft  Day  it  was  agreed  between 
them,  that  nothing  fhould  be  given  in  on  either  Side 
to  the  King,  as  charg'd  on  the  other  fide,  but  what 
fiiould  be  deliver'd  in  Writing :  And  that  the  Account 
they  (hould  on  each  fide  give  Ihould  be  this;  that  they 
were  all  agreed  upon  the  Ends,  the  Churches  Welfare, 
Unity  and  Peace,  and  his  Majefty*s  Happinefs  and 
Contentment ;  but  after  all  their  Debates  were  difa- 
ereed  of  the  Means  5  and  this  was  the  End  of  the  Aflem- 
&y  and  Commii^on, 

Jhe 


176 


7he  L IFE  of       Chap.  VIII. 


An.  1 55 1.      The  Difpute  being  ended,  all  the  Minifl-eys  that  were 

.       .  .     CommifTioners  met  by  themfclves,  and  rcfolv*d  to  draw 

/?'^     '"/>   "P  ^ri  Account  of  their  Endeavours,    and  Prefentit  to 

on  the  Ktnr  ^'^  Majefty,   with  a  Petition  for  his  promised  help  for 

after 


the 
Conference. 


thofe  Alterations  and  Abatements,    which  they  could 
not  procure  of  the  Biftiops.     They  6rft  applyM  them- 
felves  to  the  [Lord  Chancellor,   and  crav'd  his  Favour 
to  procure  the  King's  Declaration  yet  to  be  pafs'd  into 
an  Adt,  and  his  Advice  how  they  fhould  proceed.     He 
confented  to  their  giving  his  Majefty  an  Account  of 
their  Proceedings  in  an  Addrefs,   and  when  they  had 
drawn  it  up,  Perus'd  it ;    and  after  fome  Alterations  it 
was  Prefented  to  his  Majefty,   by  Bp.  I{eignolds,  Dr. 
Bares,  Dr.  Manton,  and  Mr.  Baxter,    Mr.  Calamy  being 
at  this  time  indifpos  d. In  this  Addrefs,   after  a  Par- 
ticular  Account  of  their  Proceedings,    they  thus  ex- 
prefs'd  ihemfelves.   — — • '  And  tho*  we  feem  to  have  la- 
bour'd  in  Vain,  we  fhall  yet  lay  this  "Work  of  Recon- 
ciliation and  Peace  at  the  Feet  of  your  Majefty,  Bc- 
feeching  you  to  Profecute  fuch  a  Blelfed  Refolution 
till  it  attain  Succefs.    We  muft   needs  Believe  that 
when  your  Majefty  took  our  Confent  to  a  Liturgy,  to 
be  a  Foundation  that  would  infer  our  Concord,   you 
meant  not  that  we  fhould  have  no  Concord  but  by  Con- 
fenting  to  this  Liturgy,    without  any  condderable  Al- 
teration.    And  when  you  Comforted  us  with  your 
Refolution  to  draw  us  together,  by  yielding  on  both 
'  Sides  what  we  could,   you  meant  not  that  we  fhould 
be  the  Boat,    and  they  the  Bank  that  muft  not  ftir. 
And  when  your  Majefty  Commanded  us  by  Letters 
Patents  to  Treat  about  the  needful  Alterations,  we  reft 
alTured  that  it  was  not  your  Senfe,    ihat  tender  Con- 
fcicnces  were  to  be  forc'd  to  Pradtice  all  which  they 
judg'd  Unlawful,  aini  not  have  fo  much  as  a  Cere- 
mony abated  them :    Or  that  our   Treaty  was  only 
to  Convert  cither  Part  to  the  Opinion  of  the  others; 
and  that  all  our  Hopes  of  Concord  or  Liberty  conlifted 
only  in  Difputing  the  Bilhops  into  Nonconformity, 

or  coming  in  every  Ceremony  to  their  Minds. As 

your  Majefty  under  God,  is  the  Protection  whereto 
your  People  fly,  and  as  the  fame  Neceflities  ftill  re- 
main, which  drew  forth  your  Gracious  Declaration, 
we  moft  humbly  and  earneftly  Befeech  your  Majefty, 
that  the  Benefits  of  the  faid  Declaration  may  be  con- 

ciou'd 


Chap.  VIll.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  177 

*  tinu'd  to  your  People,   and  in  Particular,  that  the^«.  i^^i^ 

*  Additions  may   be  made  to  the  Liturgy,   that  are 

*  therein  Exprefled. We  fha]l  wait  in  Hope,  that  fo 

*  great  a  Calamity  of  your  People,  as  would  follow  the 

*  lofs  of  fo  many  Able  Faithful  Minifters  as  rigorous 

*  Impofitions  would  caft  out,   fliall  never  be  Recorded 

*  in  the'  Hiftory  of  your  Reign :    But  that  thefe  Impedi- 

*  menrs  of  Concord  being  forborn.   Your  Kingdoms 

*  may  F  our  ih  in  Piety  and  Peace,  c^r. 

But  ail  their  entreaties  avaiPd  nothing  to  ward  off 
one  of  the  grateft  Calamities  fom  a  (inful  land  and 
Pe'  p  e.  The\  fou^ihr  Peace  with  the  utnioft  Earneft- 
nefs,  but  were  generally  ente?tain'd  with  Reproach. 
They  were  all  Branded  as  ^igid  Prabyte  iavs^  tho'they 
ne  <r par  up  one  Petition  for  Presbytery,  but  pl','aded 
for  Prim  tive  Epifcopacv.  Tbc\  wert'  reprefented  in 
the  Comm  n  Talk  of  thofe  who  tho't  it  their  Intereft 
to  be  their  Adverfa^ies,  as  the  moft:  fe  -itious  People  in 
the  World,  unworthy  to  be  '-s'd  like  Men,  or  to  enjoy 
any  Liberty.  They  coald  not  eo  Abroad,  b  t  they 
met  with  daily  Reproaches  and  falfcSt  ries  rais'd  upon 
them.  'Twas  the  conftant  Cr-  rha^  they  were  Plot- 
ting,  or  fetrmg  the  People  apainft  the  Governrrent. 
For  there  were  a  MuUirude  of  Students  at  that  time 
who  gap'd  for  Preferment,  and  many  Gentlemen  that 
aim'd  at  tifing  in  the  World,  who  quickly  found  out 
what  was  moft  pleafing  to  thole  whofe  Favonr  they 
muft  rife  by,  and  fo  fet  themfelves  Induftrioufly  to  Re- 
viling, Calummating,  and  Cruelty  againft  all  thofe 
who  n  the  perceived  to  be  Odious.  And  he  that  can 
but  Convince  a  World  y  Geherarion  of  any  Thin^  that 
is  the  readv  w^v  to  their  Prefermer^t,  fliall  be  fure  to 
have  it  clofely  follow'd,  and  thro'iy  done  with  all  their 
mipht ! 

Many  Worthy  Minifters,    and  fo!^er  Gentlemen  and     Vhe)'. 
others,  were  imprifon'd  in  Divers  Coanties  throughout p^m  P/ofi. 
the  Land,    under  a  pretence  of  Plotting,   in  the  latter    •'^  He  that 
part   of  this  Year  *.     In  November^    one  Mr.  Ambrofe  would  pafs 

•  a     Right 

Judgment  concerning  the  AlI  of  Uniformity^  ought  fedately  to  conlider, 
both  the  Scandalous  Arts  that  were  iis'd  for  obtaining  it,  and  the  bitter 
Fruits  and  Confequences  which  i.producd.  Of  the  latter,  we  fhall  hear 
eno'  in  the  fequel  of  this  Hiftory  :  But  the  former  are  not  commonly, 
known  or  minded.     And  therefore  VI!  add  fome  few  Hints  that  are  welt 


173  The  LI  tE  of      Chap.  VllL 

ji».  i66t' sparry  (a  Sober  Learned  Minifter  that  had  never  own'd 
J,  .  the  Parliaments  Caufe  or  Wars,  and  was  in  his  Judg- 
C  int:iin  ^^^^  ^^^  Moderate  Epifcopacy)  had  a  wicked  Neigh- 
TaninrtoH  ^^^^  whom  he  reprov'd  for  Adultery,  who  bearing  hita 
(a  Man  of  ^  ^^rudge,  tho'c  he  had  now  a  time  to  be  reveng'd.  He 
an  ef!a-  (or  his  Confederates  for  him)  framed  a  Letter,  as  from 
blilh'd  Ke-  a  Namelefs  Perlon,  directed  to  Mr.  Sparry^  Toat  he  and 
piitatianj  Captain  Y SLinngton  floould  he  ready  with  Mo)icy  and  Arms 
did      in 

i68r,  publifh  a  full  Difcovery  of  the  firft  Presbyterian  Sham  Plot:  In 
which  Difcovery  he  declares  he  related  nothing  but  what  he  could  prove 
by  Lct:erR,  and  many  living  WitntlTes^    and  his  Account  was  never  pub- 

lickiy   contradiacd He  lays,    That   many,   both  of  the   Cleigy  and 

Laity,  difliking  the  King's  Declaration  concsmtng  Eqckfiaftical  Affairs, 
rtfolv'd  to  run  Thincrs  to  the  utmoft  hti^hc:  And  that  ibmeof  the  Lead- 
ing  Church-iVlen  were  heard  to  lay.  They  would  have  an  AEh  fo  framda- 
vccuU  reach  every  Furitan  in  the  Kingdo?n:  And  that  if  they  thot  any  o: 
them  rvould  fo  stretch  their  Confciences  tvi  to  be  eomprcheKded  by  it^  they 
.  ffftuld  infert  yH  other  Conditions  and  Subfcriptions^  Jo  as  that  they  fbould 
have  no  Benefit  by  it.  To  pave  the  way  for  it,  they  contrive  a  Presbyterian 
Flot^  which  was  laid  in  about  56  feveral  Counties.  As  to  Worcejierfhire^ 
he  gives  a  like  Account  with  Mr.  Baxter,  only  with  the  Addition  of  ma- 
ny l^jrticulars.     He  fays,  Several  Letters  were  drawn  up  and  delivcr'd  by 

Sir  yohn  2 10  one  Rich.  Ti his  Neiglibour,    to  convey  them   to 

One  Cole  of  Martley,  who  with  one  Churn^    brings  them  again  to  Sir  John 

•P ■  from  wliom  they  came,  making  Affidavit,  That  he  found  the  Tackec 

left  by  a  Scotch  Pedlar  under  a  Hedge.  In  this  Packet,  when  itwasopcn'd, 
there  were  .found  feveral  Letters,  difcovering  a  Confpiracy  to  raiiea  Re- 
bellion. There  were  feveral  Letters  to  the  Captain;  one  from  Mr.  Baxter 
ot  hidermin/hr^  iniimatjjig,  That  he  had  provid.d  a  confiderable  Body  of 
Men  Well  arm'd,  wliich  fhould  be  ready  againft  the  time  appointed  And 
another  from  Mr.  Sparry,  indmating,  He  had  order'd  him  500/  lodg'd  in 
a  Fritnd's  hand,  &c.  Upon  this,  the  Miliiia  of  the  County  was  rais'd 
immediately,  and  the  City  of  Worccfier  fill'd  witJi  them  the  very  Night 
after  tlie  P.icket  was  open'd.  The  next  Morning  the  Captain  was  feiz'd 
by  a  Troop  of  Hoife,  and  bro't  Prifoncr  to  Worcefler;  and  fo  alfo  were 
Mr  Sparry^  Mr  OJland,  Mr.  Afoor, and  Mr. Brian,  Minifters,  together  with  ibme 
Scoito  of  others  They  were  allkept  cloie  Priionersfor  10  Days;  by  which 
time  the  Tiainfd  Binds  being  weary,  moft  of  them  were  diftharg'd  paying 
their  Fees  But  the  Captain,  Mr.  Sparry,  and  the  two  OJlands,  were  ftill 
kept  c'o  e  Prifoners  in  the  Geor^e-lnn,  tlie  Dignitaries  of  the  Cathedral 
taking  care,  when  the  Trained  B-inds  retired,  to  raife  60  Foot  Soldiers 
(wlv»  liad  double  Pay,  and  were  cnlled  the  Clergy-Band)  to  fccure  thefe 
Criminals.  And  belides  the  Sendnels  upon  each  of  die  Prifoners,  they 
had  A  Court  of  Guard  at  the  Town-Hall  of  WorceTler.  There  tiiey  ptr- 
form'd  one  remarkable  Adt  of  Chivalry :   A  I'oor  Man  coming  dut  of  the 

4i 


Chap.  V[I[.      Mr.  Richard  Baxitr.  ^     179 

at   the  Time   appoint. ■:'d^    avd  that   they   fhould   acquaint  Country 

iV/ .  Olbnd    and  Air.  Baxter    with.  it.      This    Letter  fo  enquire 

he  pretended  a  Man  lefc  behind  hin-i  under  a  Hedge,  s^^i' th- 

■vvho  far  down  and  puIFd  out  many  Letters,  and  put  ^"^^if-ie 

all  up  again  except  this,  and  went  awiy.     He  carried  ^^  ^'-^'■^<^^' 

the    Letter   to    Sir   Jnhi   Prjc'-jngton    (who  was   one  p  ^^f 

that  hotly   foilow'd  luch   Work)  Wno  fciit  Mr.  S/^^tn^  |||^^.^^'^''* 

Mr,  OJIand.  and  Captain  Tr.rnn^ton  to  Priion.     Mr.  Of-  r,^'\  ^" 
*  •»  ■'    JUcaKing 

CO    one 

of   the   So'dier.s,    hi  told  him   tiiai  Mr.  Ofland  v;z?  a  Trayror  and  a  Re- 
bel, ^c.     The  Poor  Man  flood  up  for  his  Miniikr,  and  vindicated  him  ; 
whereupon  he  was  with  great  Zeql  carried  to  the  Court  of  Guard.     He 
that  then  pvefided  there,    (  who  was  no  meanrr  Man  tlian  an   Appari- 
tor )    commanded  the  Old   Man  to  be  ty'd   Neck  and  Heels,    cliaig'd 
him  with  having  a  Hand   in  the  Presbvterian  Plot,  and  threatiied  him 
with  feveie   Ufage  if   he   would  not  confefs.     The  Old  Man   bore  hi?, 
Wrath  with  great  Patience,  and  gave  liim  not  a  Word  in  AniV/er  :  Upoa 
which  the  Man  in  Authority  was  fo  enrag'd,  that  he  put  lighted  Mitci^ts 
between  his  Fingers,  and  burnt  them   to  the  very  Bone,   to  make  V'lm 
confefs.     The  Man   was  alive  .when  the  Captain  wro.e  his  Narrative,  hv 
Names  him,    and    fays,    T/j^f   Multitudes  rpere    Witneffes    nf  the    R^<f?,  to 
ipphom  he  appsatd.     At  length    Mrs.    Tarrington   dilcovering    tiie    Sham 
Intrigue,  by  the  Acknowledgment  which  the  Perfon  employed  by  Sir  jf.P. 
to  carry  the  Packet  to  Ode  of  Martley^  made  to  his  Brother,    flie  gives 
Notice  of  it  ro  her  Husband  in  his  Confinement,  who  immtdiattly  tn  tr3 
Aftions  againll  thofe    that  imprifon'd  him.     Being  at  iaft  difcharg'd,  lie 
comes  up   to  London^    and  prevaiPd  wi-h  the  Lord  of  triftol  fn  acquaint 
the  King,    how  his  Minifters  irapos'd  upon  him  Uich  S  iam  Plot-?,  ^c. 
Upon  this  tlie  Deputy-Lieutenants  v/erc  ordered  to  appear  at  the  Councii- 
Board.     They  endeavoured  to  clear  rhemfelves,  and  delir'd  to  confult  ihofe 
in   the  Country.     But  afterwards    Sir  /.  W.  (  who  was  one  of  them  ) 
Arrerts  the  Captain  for  High-Treafon,     He  was  again  releas'd  upon  the 
Earl  of  Bri/iol'^  procuring  the  King's  Privy-Seal :  And  going  dawn  inro 
the  Country  lie  profecutes  his  Profecutors.     ^az  within  Six  Months,  Per- 
fons  were  fuborn'd  to   Swear  againft  lum,    That  he  had  ffohen  Trenfona- 
hle  Words  aga'mfi  the  Kih^  and  Gorefnment.     For  this  he  was  try'd  at  the 
Allizes  at  WoTcejicr  before  Judge  Trvifden^   and  upon  a   full  Heaing  was 
prefendy  Acquitted  by  the  jury.     And  one  of  the  WitnciTes  (whom  he 
names)  afterwards  cdnfefs'd  he  had   5/.   given  him  for  being  an  Evi- 
dence, 

This  feigned  Plot  was  on  foot  in  Oxfordp^lrc^  at  the  fame  Time.  A 
Stranger  came  one  Evening  to  Mr.  Matthevr  Martin^  the  Town-Clerk, 
with  a  Letter,  and  when  he  liad  deliver'd  it  withdrevr.  As  foon  as  he 
had  open'd  and  confider'd  it,  he  prefently  carried  it  to  the  Mayor.  The 
ietLSr  ran  thus.     Mf.  Martin  I  pray  you  warn  alt  thcje  Men  to  be  in  their 

K  i  land 


i8o  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  VIII. 

Arms  on  Innd  was  fuppofed  therefore  to  have  been  bro'c  in,  bc- 
Wednef-  caufe  he  had  offended  Sir  t{alph  Clare,  in  being  a- 
diy  ntxt  gainft  his  Eledion  as  Burgefs  in  Parliament  for  the 
tn  the  Town  of  Bexvdlci^  where,  he  liv'd.  Many  upon  this 
^^|^'^.>'^Occafion,  cfpecially  Mv.  Spnrry^  Jay  long  in  Prifon: 
mj  a '  ^j^^j  when  the  Forgerv  and  Injury  was  detedled, 
J^*^^  -^^^^ !f  ^  they  had  much  Difficulty  in  obtaining  a  Releafe. 
mcH.  There'^^^^  ^^*  ^'^^^^^  "^vas  nam' J  there,  yet  he  was  then 

TOPI  I  I  ome 

to  Oxford  Two  Hundred  Men  all  in  their  Arfns  ;  you  hmvf  who  doth  Cont' 
mand  them.  Dr.  Greenwood  hath  fent  to  Mr.  Combs  the  Barber^  to  get  his 
Tarty  of  Scholars  nady  that  TiJijht.  And  I  hare  fent  to  Mr.  Hickman  t» 
get  his  Men  ready  at  the  fame  Time,  And  Dr  C:3win  has  fent  to  Mr.  Cor- 
nifh  to  i^et  hi<  Men  ready  at  the  fame  Time.  And  I  have  fent  toDr.  Cori- 
nanghi  to  <^et  his  Men  ready.  And  all  the  Sch'ilars  are  to  meet  In  Dr.  Ro- 
gers'* Garden,  1  pray  fend  the  B /under bujffs  thither.,  for  I  intend  to  be  there 
vnyfelf.  And  I  pray  ^ire  the  Bearer  hereof  $  1,  out  of  the  Stock  .•  And  I  pray 
remomher  me  to  the  Six  Men  unnam'd.  Fire  Counties  are  to  rife  that  Night 
vithout  fail  I  need  rprite  no  more  to  you.  The  Word  is^  God  is  the 
Word,  and  pray  teil  them  all  fo.  In  this  Letter  there  was  a  great  Lift 
o'l  Nimts  includtd.  The  Mayor  of  Oxford  prefently  difpatch  d  a  Mef- 
fcn^er  with  a  Letter  to  the  Lord  Vaulkland  liien  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  :  And  fent  another  Letter  with  the  like  Accoimt  to  the  Recorder 
of  Oxford ,  one  of  their  Members  in  Parliament,  Crc.  The  next  Day 
two  of  the  Deputy-Lieutcnr-nts  ftnt  for  Mr.  Martin,  and  threatned  at  firft 
to  commit  him  :  But  upvin  ftcond  Thoughts  difmilTed  him.  And  that 
very  Night  many  of  the  Mili  ia  came  into  the  Town,  and  kept  Guard 
for  two  Days  in  the  City.  So  that  had  not  Mr.  Martin  taken  fo  prudent 
a  Method,  had  he  tarried  a  Nighr,  the  Letter  might  have  been  found  a- 
boiit  him,  and  Oxford  had  quickly  been  as  full  or  fuller  of  Plotters  and 
Piifoners  than   Uocefier.  At  the  fame  Time  Mr.  Andrerv  Parfons 

wns  us'd  witii  great  Severity,  and  Try'd  for  preaching  Treafon  in  Shrcp' 
/Z»«>f,  and  bro't  in  Guilty  :  But  by  lb  violent  a  wrtfting  of  Words,  that 
all  the  World  crif  d  out  Shame  ;  and  the  Lord  NetPpvrt  interpofing,  pro- 
cured the  King-s  Pardon  for  him.  See  Conformifls  Fourth  Plea  for  the  Nm- 
conf.  pag.  -^c.  &c.  There  was  fomething  of  a. like  Sham  Plot  in  Lei ce/let' 
[hire  and  Tori/hire,  Ibid.  pa^.  59,  40.  The  Great  Defign  aim'd  at  by  all 
thcfc  Me. hods,  was  to  pofTefs  the  Parliament,  that  it  was  abiolutcly  ne- 
celTary  to  make  a  ^evere  A(fV  againft  fucb  a  reftlcfs  Sort  of  Men,  who  nor 
contented  with  the  King's  Pardon,  were  always  Plotting  to  difturb  the 
Government.  And  they  reached  their  End.  Thcfe  Plots  and  Stirs  in  fe- 
vf.ral  Couniies  of  the  Land,  were  in  Ofhbcr  and  Korember  i66t.  And 
on  the  20th  of  November  the  King  appearing  in  the  Houfe  after  an  Ad-  , 
journment,  made  a  Speech  wherein  are  thcfe  Words.  — — —I  am  forry 
fo   find  that_  the  General  Temper  and  Afeflion  of  tin:  Nation  are:  not  fo  well 


m 


Chap.  IX.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i8i 

in  London,  and  had  been  fo  for  foir.e  Time,  by  which  cnmpDs\i  as 
he  efcap'd  ;  And  yet  where  Men  were  taken  up  and  ^  '•"'/' "^  ^^>9 
imprifon'd  in  diftant  Counties,  ic  was  fiid  to  be  for  ^^uUlbaye 

B.I ATf^/'s  Plot.  heenyt^ter 

jo  ft  nal 
BlejfiHgs  of 
Cod  Almighty  upon  m  all,  and  after  fo  great  Indulgence  and  Condcfcer.tiom 
from  me  forwards   all  Interefis  ;    there  are  many  wicked  Injlruments  flill  ns 
ulCliye' as  e\er^    who    labour  Night  and   Day  to  aifturb  tie  Fubllck  Teace, 
and  to  make  People  jealous  of  each  other  :  It  may  be  worthy  your  Care  and 
Vigilance  to   provide  proper  Remedies  for  Dijeafes  of  that  Kind  :   And  if  you 
find  new  Difeafes^  yf'U  mufi  find  new   Remedies,  die     When  the  Houie  of 
Commons  after  this  Speech  came  to  their  Debates,  tip  flands  Sir  /.  P. 
one  of  the  Knights  for  Wone/terfhire^  and  with  open  Mou:h  informs  them 
of  a  Dangerous  Presbyterian  Plot  on  foot  ;  and  that  many  of  the  Chief 
■  Confpirators  were  now  in  Prifon  at  W'orcejierjhire-     1  he  like-  Informaiioa 
was  given  by    fome  Members   who    ferv'd  for   Oxfordjhire,  Herefordjhire^ 
Staford/hire^  and  other  Places.     Nay  this  was  the  General  Cry  ;   this  all 
the  Pamphlets  printed  at  that  Time  ran  upon.     And  'twas  in  this  very 
Seffions  that  this  Bill  of  Uniformity  pafs'd  the  Houfe.     And  that  the  Gene- 
ral Cry  occafion'd  by  thefe  Sham  Plots  much  promoted  ir,  will  eafily  be 
be  judg'd  by  any  one,  that  will  but  be  at  the  Pains  to  perufe  Tarringtons 
Narrative,  to  which  the  Reader  is  referr'd  for  Satisfattion. 


C  H  A  P.     IX. 

The  rM  of  Vniformiiy  ^  and  Re&Miouf  tw-  ."^[-^''^^ 

A      if       C-    '-^-  i     1/         .        ^   .fpcakinr  of 

.     Ohf  It  :    ^nf!cl  the  njccting  dn;i  :nkncj?7g  oj  this  DecU- 
many  won  by  P erf 0/2 s  by  It.  *"'*^"'«  ''» 

"  hli  Sermo^ 

^  "^  Ocwithftanding  alkheirDifcouragements  Mr.  Cc-  \^^^^'j:  ^^" 
j^^  /^is-^jy  and  fooie  other  Minilters,  ftiJl  made  ufe  ^^Z  Z*"^' 
^  of  what  Interelt  they  had  10  Men  of  Note  and  jl\t  /j,' 

Figure,  co  get  the  Paiiiainenc  to  pafs  the  Kings  DscU-  ,^ranted 
r.^tlon  into  a  Law;    aiid  lometimes  the  Lord  C  ha  n- y^f /;  4  frcc- 
ceJloar  and  ethers  ga'  e  them  fome  Hope  :    But  when  dom  to  Con- 
ic  came  to  the  Tryal  chey  were  difappointed  ;  it  was  fdentious 
rejecfted  *.     And  fo  the  Declaration  did  nbc  only  die  Minifiers 

that  were 
unfatisfyd  with  the  Old  Conformity^  that  if  it  had  been  obfcry'd,  ;>  had  pre- 
rented  the  doleful  Vlvifon  ihut  fucceedccl  afterward.  But  when  there  was  a 
Motion  made  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons  that  it  might  pafsintoan  Ail,  it  wa^ 
oppos'd  by  one  of  the  Secretartes  of  S^tate^  which  was  reckon'd  a  fvffcimt  Indi- 
Ciition  of  the  Kjng''s  Ay^rfenffs  to  ii, 

N  3  before 


i82  li,e  Llbh  of      Chap.  IX. 

before  It  came  to  Hxecution,  but  ail  Attempts  for  U- 

nion  and  Peace  "were   at  an  End.     Nay,   a  rigorous 

A(5l  was  bro't  in  for  Uniformiiy,  clogg'd  on  Dcfign 

to  make  the  Weighi  of  Conif'rmicy  heavier  than  e- 

ver.     Reafoning,  Petitions  and  Hntreaties  back'd  with 

ever  {o  many  weighty  Confidcrations,  were  dilVegard- 

ed  as  vain   Things.     It  fecmM    to  be  accounted  the 

One  Thing  Neceflai^'  by  thofe  who  had  gotten  the 

Reins  in  their  Hands ;  a  Thing  fo  necelfary  that  no 

Realon  muft    be  heard  againft    it,    that    thofe   call'd 

Piesbyrciir.ns  *muft  be  forc'd  to  do 

^*    A  JXpthary  of  the  Church    that  which  they   accounted    pub- 

^j/^.n.^ud,  a  Man  of  Note  and    ji^-jj   Perjury,    or  be  caft    out  of 

^ure   ^hen  a   jUcr  Gcntlc:r.a.n      Xrufl    and  Office,  boib    in  Church 

fh.^dfo-^.'Re^^rn  that  the  l>oor     and  Common-wealth.     While  this 

vai     '^n  ffratt-,  tlMt    many     cber       a  o  ,  j-  ^\,     xt-    -n 

Af'iifjfforc  ^.  u  ^..  '  ..  a'!i  t  -^^l  was  depending,  the  Minifters 
/f-tni/ters  eouia  not  pave  Admih      n  li  •  r  t  i      i    y-v 

/"^  repUed,  It  was  no  Pity  at  ^'^^  mterpufing  as  they  had  Op- 
aH;  if  we  had  tho'c  fo  mnnv  pommity,  bad  peremptory  Pro- 
^''th<»ni  uroald  have  ConfomVd  "^^^^^  guen  them  by  feme  in  great 
w?  vyould  have  made  ic  ilia;ter.     Piaccs,  that  the  King  would  grant: 

that  by  Way  of  Indulgence,  which 

had  been  denied  them  in  the  Way  they  moft  delir'd  it ; 

and  that  Care  ihould  be  taken  before  the  Acl:  pafs'd, 

that  the  King  Ih^uld  have  Power  referv'd  to  him,  to 

difpenfe  with  it  as  to  fjch  as  deferv'd  well  of  him  at 

his  Reftoration,  or  whom  he  pleas'd.     But  at  length  the 

AQi  pafs'd  the  Houfe  t>    and  ali 

i  It's  generally /aid  it  n^as  car-     their  great  Friends  left  them  in  the 

*ifd  but  byyery  fevfFotes :  And    Lurch.      And     when     afterwards 

t'nat  fome  yvhovPere a;:atnj} Itvere      they,   upon    the  Utmofl  EncOUrage- 

ii'p^^from  the  Hoiifc by  Stratagem,     incnc   from  Men  in  Power,    had 

drawn  up  a  Petition  to  prefent  to 
his    Majefty    for    Indulgence,    they     were  grievnufly 
thrcaten'd   with  incurring  a  Pra:mnnire  by  fo  bold  an 
Aftempr,  tho'  they  had  worked  their  Pcririon  fo  Caiire- 
louily  that  it  extended  not  to  the  Papifts.     This  Rigo- 
rous Adl  X^  when  it  paffed,  gave 
.i  Dr.  Bates  in  his  Sermon  at     ail  the  Minifteis,    who  could  not 
^jr.  B;ixcer'j  FiA^era/,  fpeakin'rof    conform,  no  longer  TitTie  than  'till 
thi4  4^1  f:y<^  That  theo/dc/er.'y      J^^yti^oloymrv   D/rr,   Augufi    the  24th 
jromHrahandK..en::e    andthe       j  ^^         ^^en     they     Were    all    Caft 
ViUn'T  Gentry     rom    their  Jtrvi/e  \i  1  u    r\         «  •>  u     • 

Co.np)ia.,er.iththeiounjre.ery     ^"^-      ^/^^^  V'      ^  '   '     c''' ' 

^cliy.t'^i^rryon^ndcomt^U.uit.       "^"^^  Gladnefs  to  fomc,  and  Sor- 
'^  '  row  to  others,  and  occauon  d  many, 

»p4 


Chap.  IX.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i8^ 


and  thofe  very  different  Refledlions.     Among  the  reft,  ^«.  i<55i. 
there  was  a  Remark  made  by  a  Man  of  Note,  which  I 
cannot   pafs  by  :     Had  nil  the  Miniftcrs  (faid  he)  Con- 
form d^  People   would  have  thot  there  was  nothing  in  I{e^ 
ligion  ;  dnd  that  it  was  only  a  Thing  to  he  tailed  of  in  the 
Pulpit^  and  fervs    a   State  Defign  ;    while   the  Minifters 
turnd  and  Chang'd  any  H^ay  with  the  State  :  But  th»fe 
Js/len  ghing   up  their  Livings^    and   expofing   themfelvcs 
and  Familiei'  to  outward  Evils,  rather  than   they   would 
conform  to  Things  imposed ^  not  agreeable  (as  they  apprehend- 
ed )     to   the  Go/pel  "they  preach"* dy    have  convinci   Men^ 
there  k  a  Ideality  in  I^ligion^  and  given  a  Check,  to  Atheifm. 
This  Acl  of  Vniforniity  which  made  fuch  an   Altera- 
tion in  all  Parts  of  the  Land,  by  ejedting  fo  many  va- 
luable and  afefulPerfons,  (of  whom  a  more  particular 
and  diftin(5l  Account  is  now  given   in  a  feparate  Vo- 
lume) was  paft  in  an  Heat,  but  its  EffecSls  have  been 
lading.     Perfonal   Piques  too  mu  h  influenced  feverai     ^c  ^],^ 
of  the  moft  zealous  Promoters  of  it:    But  ^o{\ti\iy,con:pilerof 
when  Pafiion  and  Prejudice  come  once  to  be  worn  out,  the  -^dJol. 
will  rue  the  Confequence.     Some  have  applauded  it  as  of   the 
Heroical :  But  it  was  a  Prologue  to  a  Tragedy,  that  Complete 
has  not  yet  reach'd   its  final  Period.     Others  have  a^-  Hiftory  of 
tempted  to  vindicate  it*:  But  it  would  be  hard  to  do  England, 

^  236. 

freaking  of  the  Aft  for  Uniformity,   fays^  it  was  found  neceflavy  for  the 

Peace    and  Safety  of   the  State,  as   well  as  for  the  Good  and  Glory  of 

the  Church.     As  for  the  Peace  and  Safety  of  the  Stale,  Hok?  did  thefe  Mi- 

nijien  indanger  it  ?  Many  of  them  had  fujfer'd  for  the  King^  and  ontxibuicd 

all  that  in  them  lay  to  his  Refauration  :    They  <renerally  received  him  vrnh 

great  Joy-,    and  center  d  in  him  ^    and  rcanted  hut  Lib'  rty  of  Confcicnce, 

to  make  them^  and  all  that  they  could  influence  as  chearful  and  dutiful  Sub- 

\eth  as  any  in  the  Land.     Had  it  not  been  for  fufb  fhame  Tlot>^  a^   tJ/ut  of 

Captain  Y2.rnngton.  mentioned  before.^    there  had  been  no  tho^t  of  Danger^  to 

the  Pubiick  Peace  or  Safety;  fuch  an  Awe  and  Reftraint  ai  he  fpenhs   of, 

could  not  hare  appeared  upon  any  Account  Expedient.     J^ut  its  hard  when 

Men  fet  their  Wits  on  Work  to  make  Necejjities^  that  they  may  hare  fomething 

of  an  Excufe  to  bear  hard  on  others  whom  they  bear  lll-tvill  unto,  to  anjrver 

thofe  NeceJJities.    And  as  for  the  Church  »f  t/^/i  w^J  for  its  Good,!  knovf  not 

what  would  have  been  to  its  Damage  :  if  this  were  for  its  Glory,  It  would 

he  hard  to  fay  what  would  ha-ve  been  a  Vi [grace  to  it.     To  his  Judgment^ 

til  oppofe  that  of  Mr.  Pierce  (which  is  not  the  lefs  to  be  rez^arded  for  his  not 

hein'r  a  Dignitary)  who  fays,    I  think  that  common  Chriftiani:y  hath  fuf- 

fer'd  much",by  their  Silencing  and  Difparagemenc.  Preface  to  theConformiJi's 

J^lea  for  the  Nonconformi/is^  Part  i, 

N  4  it 


184  The  LI  Ft  of        Chap.  IX. 

it  upon  Scripcural  Principles.  Having  Reafon  ro  reckon 
my  lelf  a  Confiderablc  SufFtre^  by  it,  tho*  not  ihen 
to'"n,  I  hope  1  may  without  Offence,  drop  a  Tear, 
upon  the  Remembrance  of  the  Funerals  of  fo  many 
VVo:ihics  in  nur  I/faei\  who  were  buried  at  once  in  a 
common  Grave. 

Tbc'v  wrrc  not  a  poor  inconfiderable  Handful,  a  few 
Scores  only  of  ac  eprable  and  ufcful  Minifters,  who 
wcjc  by  this  Adt  caft  ou:  of  the  Church,  but  many 
Hundreds.  They  did  not  throw  themfelvesout  of  Scr- 
^  vice,  but  were  forcibly  ejc^l-'d.  They  begg'd  for  Con- 
tiniiancc  with  all  imaginable  Earneftneis,  and  urg'd 
uranfwerable  Ar^u;nents  m  their  Petition  for  Peace,  but 
were  repuls'd.  They  were  not  caft  out  becaufe  not 
needed  ro  carry  on  the  Work  of  the  Gofpel  in  the 
Land  :  For  there  were,  and  ftill  are  among  us  many 
defolaie  Quartets,  that  are  over-run  with  Ignorance 
and  Pri  fanenefs :  And  there  was  more  to  be  done  in 
Order  to  general  Inftrudtion,  Excitation  and  Reforma- 
tion, than  all  their  joint  Labours  would  have  fully  fuf- 
fic'd  for ;  and  yet  they  were  eje£led.  This  was  an 
A6lion  without  a  Precedent  ;  the  like  to  which  the  Re- 
formed Church,  nay  the  Chriftian  World  ne\er  fa\y 
before. 

In  the  Ancient  Adrian  Perfccutions  many  Scores  of 
faidifiii  Orthodox  Publifhers  of  the  S^erlafting  Gof- 
pel wer«  Slain  atid  Baniflrd  :  In  this  Cafe  Two  Thou- 
ifand  at  once  had  their  Mouths  ftopp'd  even  whilft  they 
were  alive,  and  were  doonvd  to  Silence  in  their  own 
Na'i  e  Country,  and  thar  by,  their  Brethren,  tho' 
thrir  Labours  were  call'd  for,  and  earnelHy  defir'd. 
*Twas  heretofore  rcckon'd  a  moft  horrid  Thing,  and 
drew  Tragical  Exclarnations  from  fucceeding  Hifto- 
rians,  rhar  between  Three  and  Four  Score  Bilhops 
(h  uld  be  fent  at  once  into  the  Ifle  of  S^ndinia  by  the 
/ifiicnn  V<^njnli  :  And  fo  it  really  was,  becaufe  they 
wne  hereby  banifli'd  from  their  Flocks,  which  was  an 
alTed:ing  ^  hin^,  notwithftan<ling  thev  had  the  Liberty 
of  their  Tongnts  and  Pens  ftill  hfr  them  :  But  in  this 
CiCc  Thirty  Times  as  many  were  feparated  from  their 
JovinR  and  beloved  Flocks,  and  that  by  thofe  with 
whom  ihpy  join'd  in  Profellinej  the  fame  Orthodo:^: 
Fi  th  ;  and  tho'  they  were  fnffer'd  to  remain  in  the 
Land  where  they  w^re  born  and  bred,  they  were  yet 

turned 


Chap.  IX.       Mr  Richard  Baxter.      /  185 


turnM   into  fo  many  Mutes,   and  laid  afide  as  ufeL-fs 
Perfons.    I  have  read  of  Two  Hundred  Minifters  who 
j^nm  1549,  were  ban  Ih'd  by  Ferdinand   King  of  Bo-.. 
hernia  ;  and  of  gnat  Havock  made  am  ng  the  Mini- 
fters of  Germany  a  few  Years  afrer  bv  the  Imperial  In- 
terim:  But  both  pur  together  fej-  far  fliort  of  this  Cele- 
brated Ad:,  not  onl\  as  to  the  Number  of  Perfons  con- 
cern'd,  but  alf"  as  to  the  fucceeding  Hard  (hips  which  the 
Minilters  fell  under.     For  in  both  thefe  Cafes  they  had 
Liberty  to  preach  ihe  G  fpel  elfewhere.     But  here  was 
one  Clog  added  to  another,   that  the  Embanafmenc 
might  be  rhe  greater :  So  f  hat  rhe  filencM  Mini'^.ers  had 
no  room  left  for  any  Sort  of  Uf  fulnefs  any  where,  but 
were  buried  alive.     There  was  a  Gap  made  in  this  our 
Land,  upon  the  Settlement  of  the  Pr  Jteftanr  Religion, 
in  the  room  of  the  Papal  Superftition  :  But  it  was  no- 
thing comparable  to  that  which  was  made  among  us 
upon  the  refettling  of  Diocefan  Epifcopacy.     Formerly 
tnere  were  Eighty  Rectors  of  Churches,  Fift  y  Preben- 
daries, Fifteen   Matters  of  Colledges,    Twelve  Arch- 
Deacons,  Twelve  Deans,  and  Six  Abbots  and  Abbefles 
ejedted     Bur  how  much  better  were  they  fpar'd,  than 
Two  Thoufand   preaching  Minifters,  who  were   un- 
wearied in  their    Endeavours  to  fpread  Knowledge, 
Faith  and  Holinefs?     The  Tendernefs  us'd  towards 
thofe  of  the  former  Sort,  to  remove  all  Grounds  of  Scru- 
ple or  Difguft,   that  they  might  be  tempted  into  the  Na- 
tional Eflabliniment,  is  evident  and  obvious  :    But  I 
need  not  ask  whether  the  poor  Nonconformifts  met 
with  the  like  Treatment.     Upon  the  obftinate  Refufal 
of  the  Former  to  comply,  they  were  ejedied,  and  the 
Safety  of  the  State  required  it,  becaufe  they  own'd  a 
Foreign  Head.     But  the  latter  were  cart  out  by  Men  of 
the  fame  Faith,  meerly  becaufe  they  differed  in  Things 
own  d  to  be  Extra-elTentiaJ,  and  deftitute  of  any  In- 
trinfick  Goodnefs.    After  all,  the  former  were  treated 
with  great  Lenity  and  Mildnefs,  as  long  as  they  liv'd 
quietly,  and  aim*d  no  higher  than  the  Private  Liberty 
of  their  Sentiment  and  Way  ;  But  were  the  Noncon- 
fornaifts  worthy  of  any  fuch  Favour  ?   or  rather  were 
they  not  opprefs'd  to  the  utmoft,  on  Purpofe  that  they 
might  be  driven  to  make  an  Intereft  for  fuch  a  Tolera- 
tion, as  fcould  open  a  Door  to  the  common  Enemy  ? 


1 86  Ihe  LILE  of      Chap.  IX. 

I  know  it  has  been  pleaded  that  the  PuricanicaJ  Party 
fet  the  Partem,  by  bearing  fo  hard  on  the  Seqiieftrei 
MiniOers  in  the  Parliament  Times.  But  whatever  that 
Patern  was,  we  muft  go  father  backward  for  the  Ori- 
ginal ;  and  yet  neither  would  I  thence  pretend  to  jufti- 
^  he  any  rigorous  Methods,  which  Chriftianity  does  nei- 

^  ,'^.  tlier  require  nor  al'ow.  But  certainly  they  who  fo 
'  ^  0  he  "^"^^  exclaimed  againft  them,  llioujd  better  have  knovon 
is  taken  ^^'^  Hat  of  a  Stranger^  than  to  have  imitated,  much 
from  the  '^^^  ^^^  doDQ  them,  in  Ej^ding  a  Number  fo  very 
Ordinance  ^^^  Superiour  ;  without  any  Allowance  towards  their 
of  Farlia-  Support  out  of  the  Lfvings  whence  rhey  were  eje- 
jwcKto/Au-c!iled,  when  as  the  Pashamen:  allotred  a  FifthPart  to 
gaft  2g.  rhofe  who  were  fequeftred,  whatever  were  the  Caufe  ; 
J645.  /oj-Yea,  tho'  it  were  Infufficiency  or  Scandal.  Many 
ffcewioreef-Xhings  were  done  in  the  Parliament-Times,  which 
/ft-?»4//'Mt-j.jjQjg  ^Yio  were  Agents  in  them,  liv'd  afterwards  long 
tin^  '"^^'^'eno'  to  fee  Reafon  to  wifh  undone  :  but  yet  when  Mat- 
ly  •'^ft  '^  ^^^^  v^erc  at  the  utrnoft  Heigbth,  many  Epifcopai  Pej- 
forPullick  ^'^"^  ^^P^  ''^^^^'^  Places ;  Things  in  their  own  Nature  in- 
iitrfhip  dirfcrent,  and  acknowledged  to  be  fuch,  were  not 
&c  the*  Grounds  of  iilencing  and  driving  into  Corners ;  nor 
Tuifortof  were  the  ftifFeft  of  the  high  Church  Party ^  (  Gunning 
j>tPrt5,tW  and  others  of  his  ftamp)  denied  their  Liberty,  provided 
jW»/4«>they  gave  the  Publick,  Security  of  their  good  Beha- 
Terfon  or    viour  *  '.  The  fame  Treatment  as  they  had  given  to  q- 

Trrforts 

vhatjheyer^  fhould  at  any  Time  or  Times  aftpvwards^  iifc  the  Book  of  Com- 
jnon  prayer,  or  caufc  it  to  be  usd^  in  any  Churchy  Chappel^  or  Fublick  Tlace 
of  a  orffjtp^  or  in  any  priratc  jP/ace  or  Van:ily  -^  that  eyery  Ferfon  fo  of  endings 
fljould  for  the  firf  Of ence  forfeit  and  pay  the  Sum  of  5  1.  of  Lav^ful  Englifh 
Money  ^  for  hU  fecond  Offence  the  Sum  0/  I  o  1 ;  and  for  the  Third  Offence  fljou/d 
fifff'er  me  j^ho/eTcara  Imprifonmcnt,  without  Bail  or  Mainprife.  Er^fy  Mini- 
fcr  that  did  not  ufc  the  Dir^rtoiy,  n-a^  for  erery  Time  that  he  did  offend,  to 
forfeit  the  Sum  of  40  S.  ^nd  any  that  fljould  Preach,  Write,  ox  Print,  or 
caufe  to  be  Uritten  or  Printed,  any  Thing  in  the  Derogation  or  Vepraying  of  the 
tU  fuid  Book,  fhould  forfeit  for  eyery  fuch  Offence,  fuch  a  Sum  of  liloney, 
as  p)ould  at  the  Time  of  his  Conyifli"n  be  t})Ou;rht  fit  to  be  imposed  up- 
OP  him,  by  thoje  before  whom  he  was  tryd  ;,  Proyidcd  it  WM  not  lefs  than  J  I. 
and  mt  excefdinr^  the  Sum  of  «;o  I.  And  all  fuch  Tines  were  ordered  to  go  to 
the  Ufc  ^f  the  Poor.  Ti/is  Ordinance  is  1  confefs  an  Eyidence,  of  what  is  too 
plain  to  be  denied,  that  all  Parties  when  they  have  been  uppermojl,  hayc  been 
too  apt  to  bear  hard  on  thofe  tUat  haye  been  under  them.  But  it  deferyes  a 
V'-marl^  that  <■>•?>?  by  thii  Qrdintnce  as  ferere  as  it  was,  no  Encouragement 

thefs 


Chap.  IX.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  187 


others,  would  by  many  who  liv'd  in  thofe  Times  have  was  giyen 
been  reckon'd    highly    favourable,    if  compared   with  ^^    werce- 
what  they  actually  met  with  .     And  whereas  fome  have  ^/^O  ^"' 
urg  d   the  Treatment  of  the  Epifcopal  Party  in  Scotland,  ^'""^^"  •* , 
after  King  ff^illiani's  happy  Afcent  to  the  Throne,  in  a  f^    ^'^^ 
Way  of   Vindication  of  their  Carriage  to  thofe  of  the^-p^'^" 
oppofite  Stamp  after  Kine  C/;/:?7ej"s  Reft  an  ration,  it  b  j  \.r!  ^^'% 
Jett  t(i  any   rerlons  to  judge,    whether  there  be  any  accordinr 
Thing  Parallel  in  the  Two  Cafes,  if  it  be  but  confiderM  to  this  Or- 
that  notwithftanding  Presbytery  is  thi^  Government  efta-  dinance 
blilh'd  by  Law  in  kotlnnd^  as  much  as  Epijcnpncy  is  in  were  yery 
EngUnd,  yet  upon  their  late  Settlement,  the  Epifcopal /^w'  ••   I 
Minifters  there   ( excepting  fuch  as  were  notorioufly  wip)    / 
Scandalous,  or  had  Livings  from  which  Presbyteriar.  Mi  ^^i^^d  fay 
nifters    who  were  then  Living  had  been  ejedted)  were     .^'^^^ 
allow'd  the  Enjoyment  of  their  Places  during  Life,  up  *"^^'»'''y?'^ 
on  no  harder  a  Condition  than  that  of  taking  the  Oaths  J  ^f  ."^ 
to  the  Civil  Government.     And  many  fuch  are  conti-  ^-^  "^-[j^' 
nu'd  in  their  Livings  there  without  Moleltarion,  to  t^is Fiye\ni/e 
very  Day;  Aa,' and 

the  ACl  a- 
^aifift  Coftvettticles,  which  were  pafsd  againfi  the  Nonconformijis  after  tlic 
Keftauration. 

But  to  Return;  had  thefe  ejedled  Minifters,  who 
were  fo  hardly  dealt  with,  been  either  univerfally  or 
generally.  Enemies  of  all  Order  and  Regularity,  it  had 
been  much  more  tolerable  :  "When  as  there  was  fo  far 
from  any  juft  Ground  for  fuch  an  Infinuation,  that 
a  Regular  Difcipline  was  what  they  pleaded  for,  and 
moderate  Epifcopacy  was  what  moft  of  them  would 
have  freely  fubmitted  to.  Whofoever  have  charged 
them  as  fond  of  Anarchy  and  Confufion,  knew  not  the 
Men  or  their  Communication,  Arch-Bifhop  V/her's 
Platform  (befoi'e  exhibited,  Pag,  145.)  they  would  have 
rejolc'd  in  ;  with  a  due  Indulgence  to  thofe  of  their  Bre- 
thren, whofe  Latitude  was  not  fo  great  as  theirs.  Had 
they  however  been  loofe  in  their  Morals,  or  fcandalous 
in  their  Lives,  their  Treatment  it  mufl:  be  own'd  might 
have  been  fairly  juftify'd  :  But  fo  far  were  they  from  that, 
that  they  were  as  Exemplary  for  ftridnefs  as  any  in  the 
Land.  Had  they  been  meanly  qualify'd  for  the  Minifte- 
lial  Work,  the  Church  might  have  much  the  better 
fpaj:*d  them :  But  inftead  of  that,  we  may  fafely  de- 

iie 


'i88  '    The  L  I F  E  of      Chap.  IX. 

iie  their  grcateft   Enemies  to  produce  in  any  Age  or 
Country,    Two   Tbouiand   Men   barter  quaiif .'d  for 
Publick  Minifterial  Work,    and    more    oiligent    and 
laborious  in  it,  more  accepted  anci  n.  re  ufefuj,  than 
thefe  very  Perfons  who  were  Cloarh'd  w   h  fo  much 
Contempt.     Few   Ages  has   tr^iluc't^    moie  Eminent, 
Ufefuj,  Succefsful,  Preachers,   than  Mr.  8^.xt:.r  pf  l^e* 
derminftcr^    lAv.Bjvohs  oiToli,    Mr.  a.ivcjw?  of   Vfin- 
chffilsr^  tAr.  I{syner  of  Lincoln,    Mr.  EtkandJj  ll'nlcs^  Mr. 
Hleron  of  Brsadftl^  Mr.  An^ier  of  Derttnr,^    Mr.  H.ghtS 
of  Plymouth^    Mr.  Ben  of  Dn^cheslc^    Dr.  Mtnton  of 
London^yix.  All?n  o^Tnuntov^    with  rtiany  ^  ihcrs.     Bvii; 
perhaps  ihey   were    intolerably    Humourfome.    This 
i  know  hath  been  faid  by  fi  me.     But  <vhy  flioulu  it  be 
imagin'd,   that  for  Humourfake  they  (hojld  Sacrifice 
their   all,    part   with    their  Livelvhood,    and  expofe 
themfelves  and  their  Families  to  Wane  and  Beggary? 
Was  not  a   comfortable    I  ife    as   de(ir;.abje  to  them 
as  to  others?    Can  it  be  fuppos'd,   thcv   were  fo  Blind 
as  not  to  be  able  to  fee  where  their  own  Intereft  lay^ 
whi  h  is  too  powerful  a  Charm  for  th**  moft  to  be  able 
to  make  Reliftance?  Were  they  no-   as  capable  of  Pre- 
ferments as  their  Neighbours  ?    AnJ  why  rhen  (hould 
they  baulk  them,  and  rather  embrace  '  o-erty  and  Dif- 
grace,  and  expofe  themfelves  to  Hardlhips  and  Severi- 
ties, Things  that  could  not  m  themft-lves  appear  Eligi- 
ble ro  any  Man?    Can  any  Account  be  given  of  this,  if 
C^nfcience  did  n  )t  fway  them?    And  lliojld  they  not 
then  have  been  confider'd  ? 

Or  fuppofe,  that  fome  in  fo  great  a  Number  were 
weak,  and  of  buc  mean  Endowments,  there  yet  were 
others  of  conliderable  Parts  and  Learning;  Witnefs 
Dr.  Bntes^  Dr.  Qwew,  Mr.  Corbet^  Mr.  PVoodbridge^ 
ls\v.  Charmck^y  Mr.  FnifaXy  lAx- Pool,  Mr.  CAjr/^pw, 
Mr.  Trutmr:^  and  many  others.  If  fop:^e  had  been  too 
rigorous  and  fevere  in  former  Times,  ihere  were  others 
who  had  all  along  managed  themfelves  with  great  Tem- 
per and  lenity;  as  Dr.  G/';?/w,  Dr.  Gr^ip,  Mr.  fa;?- 
clough.  Father  and  Sons,  Mr.  lVa>ren,  Mr.  Ventrk  of 
Canterbury,  Mr.  Philip  Henry^  and  many  others.  And 
tho'  fome  it  muft  be  own*d,  were  againft  the  Royal 
Family,  there  yet  were  others  who  fuifcr'd  for  adhering 
to  it ;  as  the  Lancafhire  Minifters  who  wetc  many  of 
them  Ejedtd  for  refufing  tnd  writing  agai^ift  the  En^ 

gngmcnt^ 


Chsp,  IX.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  189 


gagcwenty  even  when  many  of  the  Epifcopal  Party 
took  it;  and  Mr. CojA.,  Mr.  Kjrbyy  and  Mr.Ha-.rifov^ 
8cc.  who  hazarded  their  Lives  in  Order  to  the  bring- 
ing in  King  Charles  II.  And  yet  this  Ad:  made  no 
Difference.  It  fpar'd  neiiher  Age  nor  Parts,  nor  con- 
(iderM  any  Service  done,  but  levell'd  all  that  lay  in  its 
way;  and  fpake  no  other  Language  than  either  bow 
or  break.  Had  it  ain\'d  at  hindring  the  doing  Mif- 
chief  only,  it  might  have  been  Vindicated:  But  under 
pretence  of  that,  ithindred  the  doing  Good,  and  that 
to  many ;  to  Hundreds  and  Thoufands  of  Souls;  by 
Men  whofe  Hearts  were  earneftly  bent  that  way,  and 
defir'd  not  to  live  for  any  lower  Purpofe.  Mult  we  not 
think  that  Piety  was  little  fet  by,  when  grave  and  ex- 
pericnc'd  Guides  muft  be  forc'd  to  quit  the  Churches, 
to  make  way  for  Raw  unfurniOi'd  Novices ;  when  Men 
full  of  Love  to  God,  and  the  Souls  of  their  People, 
muft  yield  to  fuch  as  minded  Preferment  more  than 
real  Religion  ?  God  forbid,  this  (hould  have  been  tht* 
Cafe  generally :  But  that  it  was  fo  in  many  Particular 
Inftances  is  too  notorious  to  be  deny'd.  Muft  we  nor 
fay,  that  Mercy  forfook  the  Earth,  when  fo  many  of 
Liberal  Education,  were  put  to  Dig,  orBep,  or  Starve? 
Were  cafl  out  of  their  Freeholds  to  Fence  againft  Fu- 
ture Crimes.^  Were  turn'd  inio  the  wide  World  with- 
out any  Vifiblc  Way  of  Subfiftcnce?  Any  Thing  that 
might  have  tended  to  their  Relief  or  Ea'fe  was  rejected 
as  unfufferable.  They  were  not  only  excluded  Prefer- 
tnems,  but  cut  off  from  all  hope  of  a  Lively-hood,  as 
far  as  the  InduOry  and  Craft  of  iheir  Adverfaries  could 
reach.  Not  fo  much  as  a  Poor  Vicarid^e,  not  a  Blind 
Chapel,  not  a  Schod  was  left  them  :  Nay,  tho'  they 
offer'd  (as  feme  of  them  did)  to  Preach  for  nothing, 
it  muft  not  be  allowed  them.  They  only  beg'd  I  iberiy 
of  Confcience,  to  Preach  and  Woifliip  God,  according 
to  the  Primitive  Rule  and  Simplicity,  and  that  they 
m.ight  not  be  Ejeded  and  Excommunicared,  and  forced 
to  beg  their  Bread,  becaufe  they  could  not  confcnt  to 
what  they  could  not  Believe,  nor  Vow  againft  their 
Duty.  But  they  they  were  caft  off  with  Difdain. 
And  what  was  all  this  for,  but  to  promote  Vniformiry  ^ 
A  charming  PVord!  ^  For  the  Thing  itfelf  is  yet  to  be 
fo'c  for,  even  among  themfelves,  by  any  one  that  know? 
the  Difference  between  Cathedrals  and  Parilh  Churches) 

A 


1 90  The  Lift  of      Chap,  i  X. 

A  iVord  tliar  muft  necelTariJy  ha' e  a  peculiar  Force, 
when  it  coulJ  have  fo  ftrange  an  Infiuence  !  Bur  ccr-- 
tainly,  'cis  an  odd  Meihod  to  ^o  about  to  make  all  of 
one  Mina,  and  Mode,  and  Way,  by  rending,  divi- 
ding, md  tearing  Mmiftefsand  Peoplel  Its  but  an  Ov  d 
foTX.0^  Vniform.ty^  that  hinders 'L'/i;Vy,  by  turning  the 
Church  into  a  Party  1  ,  What  was  the  Aim  of  all,  bnc 
to  fettle  l'?ip(fitlons  r  Which  in  all  Ages  have  been  gree- 
dily fwallow'd  by  Mea  of  loofer  Principles,  while  they 
have  been  fnares  to  the  moft  Confcicntioiis;  wlio  will 
look  carefully  about  them,  and  arc  not  for  wr  ggling 
themfelves  either  in  or  out  by  Diftindlions  and  Evali- 
ons,  (which  yet  they  were  as  able  to  have  fraoa'd  as  their 
Neighbours)  but  would  do  all  in  Siniplicity  and  Godly 
Sincerity,  without  Equivocations  or  Referves  There- 
by endeavouring  to  maintain  and  fpread  a  Principle  of' 
Honefty  in  the  World. 

The  Publick  Settlement  not  being   closed  with,    a 
general  Clamour  was  rals'd   againft  thefe   good  Men, 
■whole  Defire  itwastoferve  God  faithfully,    and  Live 
quietly  by  their  Neighbours,    as  if  they  were  hoc  to  be 
fuffer'd  to  live  upon  the  Earth.     What  was  their  Crime? 
Surely  nothing  that  God  had  declared  to  be  Sin ;    no- 
thing but  what  was  made  a  Crime  by  the  Law  of  the 
State;   and  would  therefore  ceafe  to  be  fuch   at  auy 
Time,    when    that   Law  was  rcmo.M:    Nothing  but 
what  might  have  been  fafely  tolerated,    without  Da- 
mage or  Danger  to  Church  or  Commonwealth,   as  ap- 
pears by  the  Event  lince  a  Legal  Indulgence  hath  been 
granted  them.     But  if  refuting  to  Conform  to  ^jch  Im- 
pofirions  as  d'd  not  appear  to  be  within  the  Compafs  of 
rhe  Commilfion  of  the   Impofers  was  really  Criminal, 
it  could  not  be  fo  in  a  very  high  Degree  .-    And  where- 
fore then  was  the  Punifhment  lo  great  ?    Would  it  be 
Wifdom  in  the  Government  to  threaten  all  thole  that 
would  not  eat  Rye-bread,   all  that  would  not  Ccnfonn 
lo  any  Common  Falhion,    with  being  Impiifond  or  Ba- 
nifhedJ    Should  Mens  Brains  be  knock'd  out  to  kill  a 
Flie  on  their  Fore- head  ?    Is  this  agreeable  to  the  Rules 
of  Proportion?     h  it  equitable,  that  for  fuch  Th'ngs  as 
however  Faulty  they  may  be,    may  yet  leave  a  Man  a 
good  Chriftian,    and  one   of  the  belt  of  Su^jedls,   he 
fliO''ld  be  treated  as  if  he  had  forfeited  the  Priviledges 
of  his  Birth,  aqd  his  Imerefl  in  the  Rights  of  Chriftiani-. 


Chap.  [K.      A/r.  K  chara  Bixc  r. 


>' 


ty,  nay,  and  H  manity  too?  But  inftead  of  yielding 
their  Practice  to  be  at  all  Crimnal,  it  appear'd  to  rhem 
CO  be  their  Duty.  They  thought  witnelling  againft  Hu- 
mane Ufurpations  in  Divine  Things  was  a  piece  of  nc- 
ceirary  Fidelity  to  God.  They  apprehended  the  Law 
of  God  obiig'd  them  to  prcfervc  the  Purity  of  Cfariftian 
"Worfhip.  Suppofe  they  were  miftaken  in  the  Particu- 
lar Application  of  this  General  Principle,  did  they  there- 
upon deferve  to  be  puniflVd,  as  if  they  had  raz'd  and 
deny'd  the  moft  Fundamental  Articles  of  Faith  ?  Was 
Poverty  and  Contempt,  Confifcation  and  Impnfonment, 
Kipour  and  Severity,  the  fitteft,  or  likelieit  Means  for 
cheu-  Conviction,  or  not  rather  a  Snare  to  betray  them 
to  A  (ft  againft  their  Confcience?  Did  the  Chriftian 
Doctrine  obtain  in  the  World  by  thofe  Ways  and  Me- 
thods which  were  pitcht  on  for  the  fixing  and  feeling  of 
Vniformity  r*  Was  it  agreeable  to  Chriftian  Charity  to 
make  the  Terms  ftrait  on  Purpofe  that  they  might  be 
fcrupled,  and  then  blame  Men  for  their  Non  compliance? 
Or  to  cafl  them  out  of  the  Church,  and  then  Excom- 
municate them  for  their  Abfence  ?  Was  it  good  Policy 
in  a  New  Settlement  after  Confuiion,  to  difoblige  and 
exafperate  a  Body  of  as  fober  Perfons  as  any  in  the  Land, 
who  are  really  its  Strength,  in  order  to  the  gratifying 
the  loofer  Sort,  whofe  Principles  and  Practices  weaken 
the  Bands  of  Government,  and  open  a  gap  for  Confu- 
iion ?  Or  was  it  the  moft  likely  Way  to  keep  ov;t  Po- 
peiy^  to  weaken  the  Hands  of  a  Number  of  its  hearty 
confcientious  Adverfaries,  and  Sacrifice  them  to  the  Kage 
of  the  Emiflaries  of  ^mc^  who  therefore  fet  themfehes 
moft  againft  them,  becaiife  they  had  no  hopes  of  ever 
inducing  them  to  any  Thing  that  Ihould  look  like  an 
Advance  towards  the  I{omnn  See,  or  a  Revolt  to  a  Fo- 
reign Jurifdidion ;  to  which  fome  of  their  Brethren  ap- 
pear'd much  more  inclineable ?  Again;  did  the  Adors 
in  this  Affair  do  as  they  would  be  done  by  ?  Did  they 
not  bitterly  complain  in  the  Time  of  the  Interregnum 
of  the  Severity  of  their  Treatment;  and  that  when 
they  could  not  but  be  confcious  to  themfelves  of  much 
greater  Severity  on  their  Part  towards  their  Brethren 
formerly,  in  the  High  Commiffion  Court,  C?c.  when 
they  bad  the  Power  in  their  Hands  ?  h  is  but  Uks  for 
/%,  was  a  Plea  in  the  Mouth  of  all  forward  Peifons? 
But  was  not  the  Score  paid  before-hand  by  the  Rigor  of 


192  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  IX. 

King  Charles  the  Firft's  Reign  (to  look  no  farther  back) 
in  Ecclefiaftical  Matters?  And  is  it  a  becoming  Thing, 
to  have  fo  many  ufeful  Perfons  avowedly  facrific'd  to 
Re  enge  r  Is  this  Paflion  fo  riveted, as  to  be  become  He- 
red  itary  ?  Does  it  run  in  the  Blood,  and  defcend  with 
the  Patrimony,  as  a  necelTary  Attendant  of  that  clear 
And  uninterrupted  Ecclefiafiical  S uccjfion,  thzt  is,  by  feme  fo 
much  Celebrated  ?  It  cannot  indeed  be  deny'd,  but  that 
all  Parties  among  us  when  they  have  had  the  Afcendanc^ 
have  born  too  hard  upon  tbofe  who  lay  at  their  Mer- 
cy :  And  it  is  much  to  be  lamenteJ.  But  is  fuch  Here- 
ditary Revenge  as  H-'innibal's,  who  was  fworn  at  the 
Altar  never  to  be  Reconcil'd.  a  Thing  agreeable  to  Chri- 
ftian  Principles,  or  becoming  any  Embafladors  of  the 
Prince  of  Ptace? 

But  I  cannot  yet  leave  thefe  Confejjors,  I  move  it  to 
the  Reader  to  view  the  Lift  of  them,  obferving  what 
manner  of  Men  they  were,  who  were  the  Triumphs  and 
Spoils  cf  Vniformity.  They  were  Men  that  would  have 
been  highly  efteem'd  and  honour'd  in  the  Primitive 
Church,  for  which  they  who  bore  fo  hard  upon  them 
profefs  fo  great  a  Veneration.  They  were  Men  of  great 
Faith  and  Truft  in  God,  and  by  their  Integrity  (ilenc'd 
many  that  apprehended  Religion  a  Fancy.  They  re- 
joic'd  in  theUfefolnefs  of  their  Brethren,  while  they 
themfelves  were  Difcountenanc'd.  They  Prayed  hear- 
.  tily  for  their  Civil  Governours,  and  all  in  Authori'^^y, 
while  treated  as  Seditious  Perfons,  and  unworthy  of  any 
Favour.  They  were  own'd  of  God  in  all  their  Trou- 
ble*, carry'd  rhrough  a  great  many  Difficulties,  gained 
upon  many  of.  heir  Enemies  by  their  Patience  and  Quiet- 
nefs,  and  at  laft  were  taken  under  the  Prote(^ion  of  the 
Government. 

The  Generality  of  them  were  Ejected  in  the  moft 
nfefnl  Part  ( f  their  Lives,  when  they  were  fitteft  for 
Service;  betweenrhe  Age  of  Thirty  and  Fifty.  In  their 
Private  Mmirtration*;  they  did  good  to  the  Sonls  of  ma- 
ny ;  this  (Blrlfed  be  God)  is  too  evident  to  be  deny'd  : 
How  much  good  then  might  they  have  done,  if  they 
had  but  been  kept  within  the  Publick  National  Efta- 
blilhment?  And  to  whom  muft  the  Land  afcnbethe  Jofs  . 
of  their  valuable  Labours,  but  to  the  eager  Efpoufers 
,of  Rites  and  Ceremonies?  What  was  the  IlTue  of  the 
heat  ot  tliele  Zealots?    Did  they  gam  their  Point,  and 


Chap.  iK.       Mr  Kichard  Baxter.  195 


fix  Uniformity  ?  Or  did  they  not  rather  run  Things  to 
that  heighthj  that  Prophancnefs  had  at  length  over-run 
us,  and  All  that  was  dear  and  val  able  to  us  was  in 
Danger,  when  bare-fac'd  l-'opery  afc^-nded  the  Throne^ 
trampling  at  once  on  our  Religion  c^nd  Liberties  ?"  And 
was  ic  not  then  freely  own'd..  that  Papifts  in  Difguifc 
harl  all  along  blow'd  the  Gals,  and  done  he  hotteft 
Part  of  the  Service?  Can  rhisever  be  forgot?'  Who 
can  bragg  or  boaft  of  their  Gain  in  the  Strife  for  Uni- 
formity ?  Were  the  b'-^fie  Informer shtlovdi  and  advanced? 
Or  were  they  not  generally  infamous .  And  did  not 
many  of  them  come  to  a  Tragical  End  ?  Or  will  it  be 
found  that  thev  who  were  herceft  when  in  Commiflion 
of  the  Peace,  in  profecuting  the  Poor  Dijjeniers,  have 
profper'd  moft  in  their  Families  and  Eftaces?  Or  is  the 
Mf-mory  of  thofe  Statefmen  who  wee  moft  Adtive  in 
this  Service,  moft  grateful  to  true  hearted  Bngh'/hmen? 
Doth  the  Providence  of  God  in  this  RefpecSfc  deferve  no 
Remarks  ? 

Did  God  difown  thefe.  Worthies,  when  the  great 
Ones  caft  them  off?  Let  any  Perfons  obferve  and  judge. 
They  and  their  Families  were  fupply'd,  by  an  invifible 
Hand.  A  noted  Man  among  them,  (who  himfelf  had 
a  good  Eftate)  reckon'd  up  as  many  who  were  Ejected 
within  a  few  Miles  round  him,  as  with  their  Wives 
and  Children  made  up  above  a  Hundred,  who  were 
all  turn  d  out  to  the  wide  World,  and  Liv'd  upon  Pro- 
vidence :  Concerning  whom  he  oblerv'd,  that  though 
they  were  oft  in  ftraits,  yet  they  were  not  forfaken* 
Nay  the  fame  Perfon  (when  he  had  been  Youn^,  and 
then  was  Old)  obferv'd,  that  tho*  many  of  the  Ejedted 
Minifters  were  brought  very  Low,  had  many  Children^ 
were  greatly  harrafs'd  by  Perfecution,  and  their  Friends 
generally  Poor,  and  unable  to  Support  them,  yet  in  all 
his  Acquaintance  he  never  knew,  nor  could  remember 
to  have  heard  of  any  Nonconform} ft  Minifter  that  was 
in  Prifon  for  Debt.  Providence  was  inftead  of  Livings 
to  thofe,  who  left  their  Livings  for  the  fake  of  their 
Confciences.  They  were  driven  firft  out  of  their  Free- 
holds, and  afterwards  from  all  Corporations,  on  Pur- 
pofe  that  they  might  befeparated  from  their  kind  Neigh- 
bours. Cautions  were  emred  againft  them,  in  all  ways 
of  Lively -hood  they  were  capable  off;  and  yet  they 
Liv'd  comfortably ,  and  maintained  iheirFamilics  credibly  3 

O  many 


-a|h^ 


1 94  The  LI tB  of      Chap.  IX . 

many  of  them  bred  up  their  Sons  to  the  Miniftry,  in 
which  they  arc  now  ufetul ;  ami  the ,  Dy'd  at  laft  in 
Peace,  and  were  laid  in  their  Graves  with  Honour, 

Did  Kjticonformity  Die  with  them  ?  Would  to  God  it 
had,  provided  the  Caafes  of  it  had  been  remov'd,  by  a 
Cordial  Comprehertfiiyn:   Would  to  God  it  had,  if  there 
Were  nothing  in  it  but  Humour  and  Fancy,    and  Preju- 
dice, as  lome  will  have  it.     But  as  lon^  as  \z  ts  bottom 'd 
upon  fuch  Stable  Principles,   as  the  fucce<?ding  Chapter 
will  give  an  Account  of;    as  long  as  fuch  sl  Model  it' 
mains  among  us,    as  makes  more  necefTary  to  enter  into' 
the  Church,  than  is  requifite  to  come  within  the  Gates 
of  Heaven,    it  muft  be  expedled  that  Nonconformity  will 
continue.     And  if  there  be  fome  who  through  Diflatif- 
faction,  cannot  fall  in  with  the  National  Eftabliihment^ 
and  will  continue  Nonconform ifts,  they  muft  have  fome 
ro  Minifter  to  them  in  Holy  Things.    And  if  they  have 
not  fonne  to  Officiate  as  Minifters  among  them  that  have 
a  Learned  Education,  and  take  Pains  to  Acquire  the 
Tieceflary  Qualifications  in  order  to  ity    they  will  be 
likely  to  choofe  fome  that  arc  not  fo  well  qualified, 
from  among  themfelves  for  that  Purpofe.    And  if  thofe 
among  the  DiiTenters  whom  God  bath  inclin'd  to  tbte 
IVliniftry,    and  qualified  for  it,    Ihould  have  turn'd  to 
other  Employments,    the  Diflenters  wOuld  have  been 
worfe  provided,   and  the  Common  Intereft  of  Religion 
would  have  fu&r'd  in  the  I  flue.     And  tho*  We,  who 
tome  after  thofe  who  were  Ejected  in  the  Miniltry, 
iiave  our  Call  and  Authority  cali'd  into  Qucftion  by 
fome,  yet  if  we  can  approve  ourfelves  to  God,  we  need 
not  be  uneafie.     If  we,    who  rife  up  in  the  Room  of 
thofe  who  in  fo  noble   a  Manner  adhered  to  that  Old  Pu- 
ritannicnl  Principle  (  which  was  indeed  that  of  the  firft 
Reformers)    of  the  NeceJJity  of  a  farther  ^Reformation  in 
the  Churchy    in  order  to   the  more  General  Mttd  EffeHual 
reaching  of  the  great  Ends  of  Christianity  j  if  we  (I  fay^ 
xvho  rife  up  in  the  room  of  thofe  who  ventur'd  All 
that  was  dear  to  thfem  in  bearing  their  Teftimony  to 
this  Principle,    rather  than  they  would  do  violence  to 
their  Confcicnces ;    do  but  imitate  their  Faith  and  Pa- 
tience,   Piety  and  Purity  ;   do  but  partake  of  the  fame 
Divme  Spirit  whereby  they  were  Aded;   and  have  but 
the  fume  Prelcnrc  "f  G(  d  with  us,    to  Guide  and  Ailift 
us;  to  Profper  and  Succeed  us,  and  to  Comfo«  and  Sup- 
port 


Chap,  X.      Mr.  Flichard  Baxter.  lo*- 


porcus^  wemay  befearlefs  of  thelflTue;  wenetdnpt 
envy  any  their  Preferments,  we  may  be  fatisfied  ,of 
the  Goocfnefs  of  our  Caufe ;  we  need  nor  fear  ojr  bc- 
ipg  able  to  approve  ourfelves  to  God,  Our  Sovereign, 
our ,  Parliament,  the  Chriftun  World,  and  our  own 
Confciencesj  and  to  all  Impartial  Judges. 


C  H  A  P.     X. 

The  Grounds  of  the  NONCONFORMITY 

of  the  Minjjlers  who  were  Ejeffed.  Their 
Vindication  of  themfelves^  and  fuch  as 
adherd  to  them. 

IT  is  not  to  be  fuppos'd  that  Two  Tboufand  Mcn^ 
pick  tfiem  where  you  will,  fliould  be  all  of  a  Mind. 
Aniong  the  excluded  Minifters  there  was  a  diverlity 
of  Sentiments.  Sorpe, could  have  gone  much  farther 
than  others  in  Compliance  with  Authority  :  But  a*^ 
the  Terms  of  Cow/orwji>7  were  fettled,  they  durft  not 
yield,  fome  upon  one  Account,  others  upon  another, 
and  feveral  ^pon  many  fleafons  at  once,  fearing  they, 
ihould  thereby  have  offended  GocJ.  Many  Eyes  were 
upon  them;  their  Refufal  was  Publick  ;  the  Gap  made 
by  their  Ejection  wide  and  great ;  and  the.Conlequen- 
ces  very  confider^bje.  ,  The  Cenfures  which  were  after- 
wards pafs'd  upon  them  were  harJli  and  fevere;  and  at 
length  it  became  Modilh  to  run  them  all  down,  as  a 
Pack  of  unreafonable  and  humourfome  Complainants, 
jfofterity  muft  an^,  will  Judge  in.th^  Cafe,,  when  Plain- 
tiffs aiid  Defendants  are  all  in  their  Graves.  For  their 
Help  and  Affiftance,  I  have  here  drawn  up  the  Plea, 
pf  thofe  who  were  the  Sufferers,  which  compar'd  wiih 

gie  Arguments  and  Replies  of  the  Aggreffours,  may 
elp  in  parting  an  impartial  Judgment,  1  defire  only  it 
may  be  obferv'd,  that  the  following  Abftra£l,  contains 
the  Reafon^  p^  thpfe  who  were  the  moft  Moderate, 
and  leaft  fond  of  Separation.  .    , 

I   The  Things  impos'd    upon  them,   if^  they  would 
Aeeb  theit  livingis  oi  tedurefhips,  or  any  Poft  of  Ser- 

0  2,  Vied 


196  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 

vice  in  the  EftablifliM  Church  were  thefe  Five.  They 
muft  be  I{e-ordaind^  if  not  Epifcopally  Ordain'd  before. 
They  muft  declare  ihcir  unfeignd  /iffcnt  and  Confent  to 
all,  flnd  every  Thing  contain  d  and  prefcrib'd  in  /ind  by  the 
Boof^  of  Common  Prayer^  and  Adminiftration  of  the  Sacra-' 
mentSy  and  other  I{ites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church  of 
England ;  together  xvitb  the  Pfaher^  and  the  Form  or 
Manner  of  Makings  Ordaining  and Cofifecrating  (f  Bifhops, 
Priejis,  and  Deacons,  &c.  to  which  was  fuperadded  an 
equivalent  Subfcription.  They  muft  take  the  Oath  of 
Canonical  Obedience^  and  fwear  Subjedtion  to  their  Ordi- 
nary^ according  to  the  Canons  of  the  Church.  They  muft 
Abjure  the  foiemn  League  and  Covenant,  And  they  muft 
alfo  Abjure  the  takjng  Arms  upon  tiny  Pretence  whatfoever^ 
a^ainlf  th£  K}ng,  or  any  Commiffionated  by  Him.  Thefe 
Things  were  all  flraitly  enjoin'd,  without  any  Thing  to 
qualifie  or  foften  them,  or  room  for  a  Difpenfation.  So 
that  if  any  Man  fcrupled  but  one  Point,  and  could 
have  complv'd  in  all  the  reft,  he  was  as  certainly  Ejed- 
cd,  as  if  he  had  fcrupled  all.  And  all  of  them  were  indeed 
fcrupled  by  many,  who  weighing  them  maturely,  could 
4c  ifljouid  ^^^  regard  them  (as  Circumftances  ftood)  as  Things  in- 
haye  that  different,  or  barely  inconvenient;  but  refus'd  them  as 
thai  my  flatly  finful,  according  tothebeft  Light  they  could  gain 
hare r  hear- by  their  utmoft  Enquiries.  I'll  view  them  diftindly,  in 
fing  theRea-  the  Order  in  which  1  have  roeniion'd  them*. 

fons  that 

had  betn  ghen  by  others^  had  been  no  fign  of  my  Approbation  of  all  that  IFc 
hearfe  ^  notwithflanding  that  I  am  one  of  thofe  who  dare  not  Conform  :  But 
it  feems  it  has  been  taken  otherwlfe  by  thofe  that  haye  Written  againji  this 
Chapter.     And  how  jufily^  let  the  World  Judge, 

I.  They  muft  be  ^e-ordaind^   if  not  Epifcopally  On 
dain'd  before.     This  was  plain  in  the  AFi  of  Vniformity^ 
by  which  it  was  Enadled ;    *  That  from  and  after  the 
Feaft  of  St.  Bartholomew  i66i,  no  Incumbent,  in  Pol- 
feflion  of  any  Parfonage,  Vicarage,   or  Benefice,  that 
was   not  in  Holy  Orders  by  Epifcopal  Ordination, 
Ihould  enjoy  the  fame,  but  be  tpfo  faHo,  depriv'd  j  his 
Ecclefiaftical  Promotions  being  void  as  if  he  were  na- 
turally Dead,  G^c'    Room  indeed  was  lefc  for  re- 
ceiving Epifcopal  Orders  (if  till  then  wanting)  be- 
tween the  Time  in  which  the  A<St  pafs'd,   and  Bartho- 

hmex9 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  197 


lomevo  Day,   AuguH  the  14th.     But    tho*  there  could 
have  been  a  Compliance  in  all  other  Refpgds,  if  Epif- 
copal  Ordination  were  then  found  wanting,  they  were 
by  the  A(^,  iffo  faSio  Ejeded.    This  afFeded  the  fat 
greateft  Part  of  thofe  who  came  into  the  Miniftry,  af- 
ter that  Diocefam  were  put  down  ia  England  by  the 
Power  of  the  Parliament.     For  they  5yere  Ordain'd  by 
an  Aflembly  of  Senior  Paftors,   who  \yere  then  in  Pof- 
feilion  of  that  Power  :  And  tho*  after  due  Examination 
as  t  i  their  Qualifications,  they  were  folemnly  fet  apart 
to  the  Sacred  Miniftry  by  Fading,  and  Prayer,  and  Im^ 
pofition  of  Hands,    and  had  the  Blelling  of  Heaven  for 
many  Years  attending  their  facred  Miniftrations,5  they 
muft  yet  now  be  doom'd  to  Silence,  unlefs  B^-ordaind  by 
Diocefans, 

This  was  what  they  could  not  fubmit  to,  becaufe 
it  would   in  their  Apprehenfion,    be  a  nullifying  theic 
pafs'd  Ordination.    This  feem'd  not  to  them  alight 
Matter,  but  very  Momentous:  In  as  much  asthePeacq 
of  their  own  Confciences,    the  Credit  of  the  Reform- 
ed Churches  Abroad,     and  the  good  and  welfare  of 
the  People  among  whom  they  had  laboured,  were  all 
very  nearly  concern  d  in  it.     Their  Confciences  would 
not  allow  them  to  play  with  Holy  Things ;  in  pretend- 
ing to  be  movd  by  the  Holy  Ghoit^    to  take  upon  them  the 
Office  of  a  Deacon,   when  they  knew  themfelves  already 
iix'd  fufficientiy  in  the  higher  Office  of  Presbyters.     It 
appeared  to  them  a  taking  Gods  Name  in  Vain,  folemn- 
ly  to  Pray  to  him  for  what  they  were  affur'd  they  had 
already ;    and  to  feem  to  be  firft  invefted  with  a  facred 
Authority,    which    they    had    receivM     long    before. 
Neither  durft  they    pour  fuch  Conrempc  upon  the  Re- 
form'd  Churches   Abroad,   as  their  SubmiHion  in  this 
Particular  would  in  their  efl-ecm  have  carry'd  in  it: 
By  difowning  them  and  their  Minifters,   who  had  no 
other  Ordination,    than  fuch  as  that  which  they  had 
before  receiv'd.     And  withal  they  durft  not  invalidate 
their  own  paft  Miniftrations,   to  the  raifing  of  endlefs 
Scruples  in  fuch   as  had  been  under  their  Miniftry.     It 
was  indeed  urg'd  by  Heme  for  their  Satisfadion,   that 
the  requir'd  Epifcopal  Ordination    was  not  intended 
to  invalidate  their  paft  Miniftrations,   but  to  qualifie 
them  for  Service  in  .the  National,   EftabliOi'd  BngU/h 
Church  s   That  the  Ordinances  they  had  before  admi- 
. , -       ^  ^  niftred 


198  --    The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X. 

fiiftrcd  were  allowed  to  ftand  Good ;   for  that  they  10 
whom  they  had  apply'd  the  Seal  of  the  Covenant  in 
Baptifm,    were  not  requir'd  to  be  RebaptizM."    And 
that  the  prefcribed  Ceremony,    by  Irnpofuion  of  Epif- 
topal  Hands,  might  be  regatded  rather  as  a  Recogni- 
tion of  their  Minifteriai  Authority,   and  Inveftiture  in 
it  under  the  National  Ei^abhfhment,    than  a  Re-ordi- 
nation.    To  which  they  ealily  anfwer'd  j  that  as  for  the 
forbearing  to  Rcbaptize  fuch  as  they  had  Baptized  be- 
fore, it  was  no  more  than  they  would  have  done,  where 
Children  had  in  Extremity  been  Baptiz'd  by  meer  Lay- 
mep,    nay,  by  any    Dreaming  Midwife,    and   there- 
fore this  was  far  from   any  Security  with  Reference 
to  the  Validity  of  their  foregoing  A6lions  as  Mini- 
sters,  which  refeir'd  to  other  Ordinances  as  well  as 
that  of  Baptifm.     And  as   to  the  other  Infmuation, 
that  their  Subraiflion  in  this  Particular  might  rather  be 
regarded  as  a  Recognition  of   their    Minifterial  Au- 
thority than  a  Re-ordination,  they  anfwer'd  it  look'd 
like  double  Dealing:     Inafmuch  as  the  iignifying  f6 
nnuch  in  exprefs  Words  was  fo  perempcorily  refus'd  j 
the  fame  F^rm  muft  be  us'd  in  their  Cafe,   as  if  they 
were  then  to  be  firft  entred  into  the  Miniftry,   with- 
out the  leaft  Variation;    and  their  being  then  Ordain'd 
in  the  fame  Manner,    as  if  to  be  firft  entred  into  the 
Winlfterial  Office,    was  requird  by  thofe,   who  upon 
all  Occafions  decJarM  the  being  twice  Ordain  d  flatly 
unwarrantable.     Whereupon   they   pref^^d   them  with 
this  Argument:    Either  they  were  tru6  Minifters  be- 
fore in  their  Efteem  or  not.    If  not,  how  could  they 
venture  upon  a  Recognition  ?     And  acknowledge  their 
Antecedent  Kight,   by  conftrqiing  it  with  an  additional 
Formalit-,  ?    If  they  did  own  them  for  Minifters  be- 
fore,   V  hy  fhould  ihey  be  for  Ordaining  them  in  the 
fame  Manner  as  they  would  have  done  if  they  had  beea 
no  Minifters,    and  fo  contradidt  their  own  profcfs'd 
Principle  of  the  unwarrantablenefs  of  a  double  Ordi- 
nation     Biit  in  forhe  Cafes,   to  put  the  Matter  beyond 
a'l  Dilpure,    an   exprefs  Renunciation  of  the  forego- 
ing  Ordirtarion    by    P'esbyters    was  requir'd,     before 
Erilc!opal  Ordination  couJd  be  had.     To  make  it  ap- 
pear,   this  is  no  groundlefs  Affertion,  I  have  annexed 
A    formal   Renunciation,    that  was   requir'd    in  the 
Diocefs  of  Chciier^   before  Epifcopal  Orders  could  be 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  199 

obtain'd''?    And  'tis  reafonable  to 

believe  that  this  one  Bifliop  had  not  *  E^o  A.  B  pretenfa-s  weas  Or- 

a  different  Senfe  from  the  reft,  tho*  dinationU  Literal    a  (ju'hufdam 

he  adled  more  openly,  while  others  Presbyteris    dim  obtentas,  jam. 

were  more  upon  the  referve.     Be-  /'««'f«*  renuncio,   f^  dimlttn  pro 

ine   therefore   Convinc'd  that  the  '>'^»^'-->  Hi*^'^'[erSupplicans^un- 

•   ■         ^i„        ^     u      t:    T         11         tenus  Rev.  in  Chrifio  Pater  rirDo' 

jequmne  them   to  be  Epilcopally        .         ^^  V       •      -n 

r\y       .J        ui_jr  -         rj      minus,    Dommw  GeorPius   Tcr- 

Ordain  d    who  had  been  m  a  reg-a.    ^^^^^  ^^^.^^  (^^,^,.  ^    ,^^  ^^ 

lar  way  Ordain  d  by  Presbyters  be-     ^^  5^,,^^  vUconatus  oUlnem 

fore,   tended  (and  indeed  was  by    j^xta  Motem   &  rUu4  Ecdefis^ 

the  generality   DeflgnM)  to  nullifie      Angllcanx^  dignaretur  admiitersi. 

their  pafs*ci  Orders,  and  invalidate 

their  Conf^q'^ent  Miniftrations,   and  at  the  fame  Time 

to  re(ic&  on  Foreign  Churches,  who  have  no  Epifcopal  i  ^^  qi 

Orders,  as  deftitute  of  vaLd  Gofpel  Miniftrations,  the)  lyffe,  «,/,/ 

durft  nor  fabmit  to  it  f.  frj} '  wrote 

againfi  this 
Tenth  Chapter,  vm  at  prft  for  laying  ajtde  the  Con/tderation  of  thU  Re-ordi- 
nation :  Def.  of  Min.  Conf  p.  4.  Bwf  upon  Second  Thots  added  an  Appen- 
dix to  prore  it  Lawful,  f/om  Scripture  PraBice,  and  the  Reafonof  the  Thinr. 
Which  Fojifcript  lanfwef'd,  Def.  of  Mod.Nonc.  Tart  i.f.  56.  Mr.  Hoadlv 
alfo  declares  for  Re-ordination,  Reafon  of  Conf.  p.  6.  &c.  He  gi-^es  thlt 
Grand  Keafon  I  becaufe  Epifcopal  Ordination  is  the  Regular,  Orderly  Ordina- 
tion in  the  Church  ofCbrifi-j  and  the  departing  from  it  tends  to  the  Overthror^ 
of  all  Order.  And  he  AJferts  that  Perfons  dre  wholly  unqualified  to  Aff  as 
Minifiers  without  it,  &c.  In  return  to  him,  I  in  Def.  o/Mod.  None.  Part  r. 
f.  $4.  &c.  Plead  that  he  takes  that  for  granted  in  this  Cafe  which  is  the 
main  Thin^  in  Queflion:  And  declare  that  his  Way  of  Reafoning  the  le/s  af- 
feShsus,  becaufe' tis  Hike  the  Reafoning  of  thePapifts  againfl  the  Proteftancsi  it 
refleHs  on  many  of  the  Suffering  Witneffes  of  Chrifi,  vho  hare  /food  up  in 
Defence  of  the  Truth  and  Purity  of  the  Gofpel,  and  on  moft  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  now  in  being ;  it  lays  more  flrefs  upon  a  Hicety  than  on  the  main  Sub- 
fiance ',  and  is  fuch  that  it  woi^ld  not  be  born  with,  if  retorted^.  After  tphichy 
I  from  Scripture  and  Reafon,  ju/lifie  Presbyterian  QrdinatloM,  and  f^jew  the 
Infujficiency  of  what  is  ufuaUy  alledg'd  from  the  Fathers,  to  invalidate  it,  c»« 
wake  Re-ordination  needful.  Mr.  Hoadly  on  the  other  Side,  in  Ij/s  Defence: 
«/  Epifcopal  Ordination,  argues  thus.  He  fays  that  JBilhops  liave  the  Solts 
Power:  They  have  had  it  in  PofTeflion  for  i  $50  Years,  tiiey  iiavc  all  the 
Right  that  Prefcription  can  give.  But  it  does  not  follow^  they  hayc  a  Scrip- 
tural Right  to  any  fuch  Exclufiye  Power:  And  meer  Pajfeffton  tho'  rf  never 
fo  long  a  Continuance, gives  noRight  properly  fo  calld.  He  adds.  That  therc*s 
ho  Inftance  in  the  New  Teflament  of  Ordination  performed  by  Pref«bycers  j  or 
i^ithout  fome  Church  Officers  Superiour  to.  them  :  But  though  there  K?«rc  in 
the  beginning -t  wlien  Ordination  was  managed  by  the  JPresbytery,  fome  Church 
Oncers  concernd  who  were  Superiour  to  Presbyters^  yet  is  there  m  hint  in  the 

O  4  flVw 


200  The  L  I F  t  of         Chap,  X, 

J\^e%P  Tefl anient  of  the  rtecefftty  of  the  Continuance  of  fttch  Svperiour  Officers  in 
the  church.     He  further  adds.  That  all  Sc.  P^m/'s  Raics   for   Ordination 
are  dired>ed  to  Superiour  Church  Officers.     But  it  no   more  follows  from 
thence^  that  in  after  A^es  none  hut  Superiour  Officers  mi  ht  Lr.v^^uUy  Ordain^ 
than  it  does,  that  none  but  fuch,  migh!  Lawfully  Admini[t<r  the  Lords  Sup' 
fer,  or  perform  any  other  Part  of  the  Minijicrial  Off.ce,    becau,e  the  Minifie' 
rial  CotnmilJion  was  giyen  to  fuch  direff-fy.     He  goes  on,    and  fays.   That  the 
Apoftlis  fueled  Bifliops  in  the  Churches  of  Chrift,    and  lett  the  Power  of 
Oidiiniiig  Pi tsbyters  in  their  Hand's,    which  is  proVd  by  the  Teftimony 
of  Writers  in  that  and  the  following  Ages,    which  Te{!imony  is  as  Uni- 
verfal  and  Unanimous  as  can    reafonably  be   expefted    or  defir'd.     AH 
that  can  be  clearly  prov'd,  is.  That  the  Apojtles  and  their  Affiftants  fetled  Con- 
^rcgational  Bifhops.     This  is  Okwix    by   the  Learned  Blondel  at  large:  And 
tr.ore  lately  by  the  Ingenious  Author   of  tiJe   Con"il:itution  and  Difcipline  of 
%ht  Primitive  Church  ^    Chap.  2,  iir  ^.     And  if  they  did  not  fettle  fuch  as 
cur  Modern  Bijhops,  they  could  not  leave  the  Power  of  the  Ordination  in  fuch 
Hands,    txt  the  Exclufon  of  others.     And  the   I  aft  Link  in  his  Chain  is  this^ 
That  this  Evidence  ought  the  rather  to  be  accounted  fufficient  upon  the 
Head  of  Epifcopacy,    becaufe  'tis  generally  own  d  fuch,  upon  the  Head  of 
the  Scriptures  of  the  New  Teftament,    which  cannot  be  prov'd  to  have 
been  extant  from  the  Days  of  the  Apoftles,    and  to  have  been  Written  by 
the  Apoftles,  or  by  Perfons  approved  of  by  them,   by  any  other  Evidence. 
J  "Reply.,  That  the   Teftimony  giren   by  the  Ancients  with  Reference    to  fuch 
Epifcpacy  as  our  Debate  runs  upon,    and   with  Reference   to  the  \\  ritings  of 
the  New  Teftament,    is  very  different,    as   to  Earlinefs,   and  Unanimity,  and 
Uniyerfality,  and  Collateral  Eyidence.      The   Teftimony  they  give  to  the  Scrip- 
tures is  a  bare  Matter  of  Tafh,   the   credibil  ty  of  which  depends  upon  their 
Integrity  :  But  the  Teftimony  any  of  them  gire  to  the  Apoftolical  Inftitut'ton  of 
Epifcopacy,  relates  to   a  matter  of  Tafh  with  their  Judgment,    the  Credibility 
cf  which   depends  on   the    Proof  they  produce,    ,7'hey  generally  refohe  their 
Proof  into  Scripture  i,  but  as  lon<r  ns  we  cant  ftnd  it  there,    we  are  rather  to 
follow  our  '>wn    fudgment  than  theirs,    and  that  efpecinily  when  feme  among 
them  plainly  rcprefeut  it  as  a  meer   prudential  Inftitution,    defignd  to  prevent 
Divi  ons  and    Schifms.     Whereas,    if  we  refufe    to  credit  t))eir  Report   as  to 
the  Writits  of  the  ]\'ew  Teftament,    we  refufe  the   bcft  Evidence  of  the  Kind, 
that  the    -.'attcr  will  bear.     . — Mr.  Hoadly  afterwads  tales  a  great  deal  of 
fains    to    Stren':then  and  Support   the    Teftimony  from  the  lathers  upoi:  this 
H(ad,  in  Oppofition  to  my  ObjeCiions:,    And  I  have  a  particular  Reply  by  me^ 
Vfhich  had  long  fince  feen   the  Light,    but  that    J  was   unwilling   to  divert 
him  from  his  better  Imphymcnt.      Bw^  having  wcigHd  all  that   he  ha<  faid, 
J  am  fiill  10  feek  for  Proof,    that   Diocefan    Epifcopacy,    or  the  Cfjnpnement  of 
Ordination  to  Superiour  Biftxips,    to  the  Jlxclufiun  of  Presbyters,   was  of  Apo- 
ftolical Inflitution      And  if  not,  then  PresbytciS  may  warrantably  Qrdain,  at 
well  as  Preach  and  Ad  mini  ft  er  Sacraments  •,    and  qualified  Perfons  Ordain*  d 
by  fuch  have  no  Occafion  to  be  Re ■  ordain  d. 

IL  Tbcy 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  201 


-rr 


II.  '  They  were  re^uird  to  Declare  their  Unfeigned  Af-  ^Uutherii 

*  fent  and  Confcnt  to  all,and  every  Thing  contain  d  and  (  »•  e. 

*  prefcrib'd  in  and  by  the  Book,  Inticled,    The  Book  ^ickman- 

*  of  Common  Prayer,  and  Adminiftration  of  the  Sa-  "* )  ^;"'- 

*  craments,    and  other  Rites  and   Ceremonies   of  the  ^°^"*   f ''^ 

*  Church,  together  with  the  Pfalter  or  Pfalms  of  David -^f^'^^'': 

*  and  the  Form  or  Manner  of  making,   or  ordaining, '^^^^^^^^ 

*  and   confecrating  of   Bifhops,   Priefts  and  Deacons,  f^jj^.^^^ 

*  And  they  tnuft   alfo  (and  ttjat  ex  Animo)  ■  Suhfcribe  Pa<re  ia 

*  thefe  l^'ords :  That  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  1  jf    gax- 

*  and  of  ordaining  Bilhops,  Priefts  and  Deacons,  con-  terV  vUa, 

*  taineth  in  it  nothing  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  ;for  Peace, 

*  and  that  it  may  lawfully  be  us'd  :    And  that  they  Page  207. 

*  themfei\  es  would  ;  fe  the  Form  in  the  faid  Books  pre-  ^'^  Eng- 

*  fciib'd  in  Publick  Prayer,  and  Adminiftration  of  the^^Non- 

*  Sacraments,  and  no  other.  conformi- 

ty Stated 
and  At- 
gul    Page   13.     Ulnd  Troughton's  Apology  for  the    Nonc»nfoimifts. 

The  kiSt  of  Uniformity  requir'd  that  this  Decla- 
ration fho' Id  be  publxkly  made  by  Word  of  Mouth 
by  all  that  would  keep  their  Places,  on  fome  Lords 
Day  before  Auguji  the  14th  i66i.  And  by  all  that 
afterwards  were  prefented  to  any  Eccl^^fiaftical  Bene- 
fice, within  Two  Months  after  they  were  in  Adlual 
PofTellion  of  it.  And  the  Subfcription  was  as  peremp- 
torily requir'd,  as  the  Declaration.  But  they  could  not 
herein  concur  for  Two  Grand  Reafons. 

I.  Becaufe  very  few  of  them  could  fee  the  Book, 
to  all  Things  in  which  they  were  to  declare  their  At 
fent  and  Confent,  before  the  Time  limited  by  the 
A6t  was  expir'd.  For  the  Common  Prayer  Book  with 
the  Alterations  and  Amendments,  (forfo  they  arecall'd 
how  defervcdly  I  inquire  not)  made  by  the  Convoca- 
tion, did  not  come  out  of  the  Prefs  till  a  few  Days  be- 
fore the  24th  of  Augvfi.  So  that  of  the  Seven  Thou- 
fand  Minifters  in  England  who  kept  their  Livings,  few 
except  thofe  who  were  in  or  near  London,  could 
poflibly  have  a  (ight  of  the  Book  with  its  Alterations, 
till  after  they  bad  dsclar'd  their  AiTcnt  and  Confent  to 

^  i£*v 


'202  The  LIFE  of       Chan.  X. 

*Afr.01-^^*'  This  was  what  honeft  Mr.  Steely  and  many  orhet 
lifFe  f« /jM  of  the  Nonconfoitn  fls  warmly  complained  of  in  theit 
Def.  of  parting  Sermons,  when  they  took  their  Farewcl  of  theit 
Min.  Conf.  People  at  the  T  me  of  their  Ejecfjion.  And  whatever 
f-  5i  ^'  it  might  fceni  then,  when  Perfons  were  lo  a  manife(^ 
faji^  That  Hear,  at  a  Diftance  it  appears  foch  a  Hardihip,  a  that 
he  and  his  j^  jg  rather  to  be  wonHered,  that  fo  many  coulH  Ac^  in 
brethren  art^^  weighty  a  Ma  ter,  upon  an  implicite  Faith,  than  that 
TUJT^     fuch  a  Number  fljouid  in  fuch  Gircumftancea  ftand  out. 

thU,Buttho^^^h 
they  are 

awr,  *tfffM  a  Hard/hip  ntofi  certainly^  vhereyer  thU  was  the  Cafe.  To  take 
it  cffyhe  reports  from  an  a^ed  Mlnifter.in  their  Parts^  that  he  and  hit  Nei'^hboun 
fent  to  London,  and  had  the  Amendments  and  Alterations  co  ted  out  .*  And 
4iddsy  that  it  is  to  he  hoped,  thai  the  Chdrgehere  brought  is  groundlefs  acainjl 
fa  many  Thoufand  Miniflers^  &c.  To  this^  my  "Return  Def  of  Mod.  Non- 
conf.Ptfrt  2.f.  loo,  loi,  is  this,  that  perhaps  that  might  Be  a  peculiar  Va- 
your,  becaufe  I  ha'pe  it  under  the  Hand  of  another  worthy  eje^ied  Minifitr 
(vffho  is  fince  dead)  that  this  rvas  true  Vn  Ta^  ;  ana  that  fever  at  Minivers 
erven  in  London,  r.eyer  read  it  before  they  gave  their  affent  and  Confent  -^  and 
that  in  Middlefex,  few  JParifhe:  had  ttx  Book,  till  a  Weeh^  Fortnight ^  Three 
ii'eehor  a  Month  after.  But  as  for  wrfttin  Copies  of  the  Amendments,  they 
vferefo  liable  toAhufe  and  Mi/iakes,  that  'tis  dubious  how  far  they  might' be 
fafely  depended  on.  And  being  he  is  fo  willing  to  fuppofe  there  might  be  a 
Alifahe,  til  give  him  him.  one  of  his  own  Church  for  a  Confirming  Witnefs  • 
viz.  the  wortlyy  ALuthor  of  the  Confoimifts  Plea  for  the  Nonconformifts, 
who,  Plea  2.  p-  55.  fays,  that  a  Divine  of  Tears  and  Learning  in  the  Diocefs 
of  Lincoln,  'gave  this  for  one  Reafon  in  his  farewel  Sermon^  that  he  was  to 
le  flenc'd  by  Law,  for  not  fubfcribing  and  aJfentinT  to,  a  Book  which  he  had 
Tict  feen  :  And  he  adds,  that  it  was  the  Cafe  of  many  more  in  that  Diocefs  :■ 
And  that  Mr.  B.  of  W.  in  the  County  of  L.  wot  e)elhd  by  Sir  EdWardi 
Lake,  altho  he  gave  that  Reafon,  that  the  Booh  was  not  brought  him  before 
the  2^th  of  Augufl,  tm  before  he  was  d,ecUr'd  depriy'd  by  the  Lommtffaty^ 

4.  When  they  had  Opportunity  to  perufe  the  Book,' 
they  met  with  feveral  Things  there,  which  after  the 
ftri6lcft  fearch  they  could  make,  appear'd  to  them  not 
agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God  :  For  them  under  this 
Apprehenfion  (which  it  was  not  in  their  Power  to  alter) 
to  have  gone  to  declare  their  Satisfadiion  that  there  was 
nothing  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  nothing 
but  what  they  could  both  Affent  to  (as  true)  and  Con- 
fent  to,  Tas  good  and  to  be  us'd)  and  to  have  fubfcrib'd 
this  with  their  Hands,  had  been  doing  Violence  to  theic 
Confciences,  and  acLcmpting  at  once  10  impofe  upoa 
God  ind  Man.  They,' 


Chap.  X*       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  203 

They  could  not  but  obferve  the  Comprehenlivenefs 

of  the  required  Declaration :  There  muft  be  not  only 

€cnfcnt  h\M^]fent  too  ;  and  that  not  only  to  nU  in  General ; 

but  to  e'very  Thing  in  l^ articular  contain  d  in  and  prefer ib*d 

hy  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,    Words  could  fcarce  be 

devis*d  by  the  Wit  of  Man,  more  full ;  and  more  fig- 

nificantf,  whereby  they  might  teftifie  their  highcft  ]u-   i  A  Letter 

ftification  and  Commendation  of  every  Point  and  SyUf^omaMi- 

lable,  every   Rite  and  Ceremony,    every  Matter  and  "'V^^'' ^^  <» 

Thing  contain'd  in   the   whole  Book,  and   in    every  ^^'Z^'?  <!f 

Page  and  Line  of  it.     A  Man  might  almoft  be  tempt-  ■>    .  CTt 

fed  to  imagine  that  the  Framersof  this  impos'd  Decla-^^*^'^ 

ration  and  Subfcnption,  had  had  this  B^ok  of  ^^^^^J^fo^s^forV' 

Prayer  dropping  down  among  them  immediately  from  Noncon- 

Heaven,  and  that  they  lookM  upon  it  as  nothing  elfe  formity.  ^ 

but  a  continued  Oracle  from  Firft  to  Laft  :  And  that  /oofe  sheet. 

they  were  of  the  Mind  of  the  famous  Dr.  Swadlin^]^2gQ  i. 

who  fpeaking  of  the  Publick.  Service'  very  roundly  Af- 

ferts  *,  That  there  xvas  not  a  Tittle  of  it,  but  it  vpas  by 

the  Diaate  of  the  Holy  Ghoji  ±.     That  Gentleman  was  ^    f  "  5** 
'  Anniverfa" 

9y  Sermons  on  the  ^oth  of  January  ;  Particularly  that  An.  16 $6' 

J  Mr.  OllyfTe  Def.  o/Min.  Conf  p.   ig,  14,  feems  not  a  little  difpleas'd 

at  my  here  mentioning  Dr.  Swadlin,  w/i*,  he  fays,  it  reprefented  by  Mr.  Wood 

rf^  in  a  Manner  diftraCled  :  And  feems  to  vfonder  that  J  fhould  fpeak  of  Per- 

fons  Idolizing  the  Common  Prayer  Book.     Mr.  Hoadly  alfo  exprejfes  himfelf 

-itffith  fome  Heat,    he  owns  it  in  fo  many  Words,  Reafon.of  Conf.  p.  ^^,  that 

I  (hould  cite  this  PaJJage  of  the  Common  Prayer  Book's  being  diliated  by  the 

Holy  Ghoft  :  And  both  of  them  alfo  touch  upon  it  afterwards.     If  it  may 

therefore  be  to  their  Satisfaihion^  I  have  found  better  Authority  to  the  fame 

Purpofe.     For  when  the  liturgy  was  firfi  framed  in  the  Days  of  Edward  Vf. 

it  was  by  the  King  fent  to  the  Lords  and  Commons  ajfcmbled  in  Parliament^ 

who  upon  Perufal  of  the  Book,  declared  in  their  Afh  of  Thanks,  that  it  was 

donejhy  Aid  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  An.  2.  Edw.  VI.  i.     And  as  much  as  thefe 

Gentlemen  contemn  poor  Dr.  Swadlin,  ^et  I  hope  they'll  ownBi/hbp  Sanderfon 

to  have  been  a  great  Man.     Now  Biffjop  Walton  in  the  Account  of  his  Life^ 

that  is  prefixed  to  his  Sermons,  with  a  great  dealt  of  Gravity  ajfures  us,  that 

he  told  him  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  feenned  to  afBft  the  Compofers  of  the 

Common  Prayisr.     There  was  owe  Abbot,  who  wrote  of  Church  forfakers,  who 

iryd  up  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  Engfand  to  that  heighth,  as  mt  to  be 

afham'd  to  fay  that  the  Wit  of  Men  and  Angels  could  mt  mend  it,  and  that 

it  is  a   fuffcient  Difcharge  of   the  Minjjiers  Duty   but  to  read  it.     And 

Afy.Pierce  (Conformifts  firft  Plea  for  the  Nonconformifts,  p*  20.)  fays.  That 

he  has  known  fome  that  tho*t  no  Worflnp  Divine,  without  the  Common  Vrayer. 

Hr  m^  San  2  famot  help  counfiif^  thii  an  idolizing  o/f/»  Cow wff»  Prayer. 

not 


2  04  rhe  LIFE   of        Chap.  X. 


not  only  plras'd  to  alTert  this,  but  he  tho't  fit  to  prove 
it  too.  His  argument  is  fo  admirable  for  its  Peculiari- 
ty, that  I  cannot  forbear  tranfcribing  it.  Of  all  Offices 
in  that  Book,  he  faftens  on  that  of  Matrimony ,  and  par* 
ticularly  on  the  tirlt  Prayer  in  that  Office  ;  which  be- 
feeches  Almighty  God  to  blc-fs  the  Coapk  co  be  mar- 
ried,   as  Jfaac  and  ^bxca.     Whence  he  thi^a  Argues, 

*  This  Prayer  was  diitated  by  the  Holy  Ghoft  to  the 
Compolers  ot   the  Common  Prayers,   or  maoe  by 

*  thole  Coinpofers  Wiiboiu  the  Uicitare  of  the  Hv^ly 
'  Ghcft  :  Bi.t  not  by  them  withov-t  his  Didlaie  ;  there- 

*  fore  by  his  Didaie  ro  them,     if  by^them,  witho'it 

*  him,  rhen  they  would  have  made  it  according  to  Hu- 

*  mane  Reafon,  and  fo  have  faid,  Blei's  them^  O  Lord, 

*  as  thou  did  it  blefs  Ahrahayn  and  Sarah^  or  as  chcc.  didft 
'  blefs  Jtfct;/;  and  ^%ehel ;  and  they  had  humane  Reafon 

*  for  it.  For  Abraham  was  God's  firft  Friend,  "^jficoh  was 
'  God's  great  Favourite  But  fays  rhe  h-oly  Ghoft,  not 
'  fo,  nor  fo  :  But  let  it  be,  b'.efs  their*  as  Ifaac  and  B^bec- 

*  c/T.     And  there  is  no  Humane  Reafon  for  this,  but  a 

*  Divine  Reafon  there  is,  and  that  is  thisj  Abraham 
'  had  his  Hngar  in  Sarab*s  Time,  and  his  I^eturahzket'- 
'  wards.     Jacob  had  his  Leah^  his  T^ilpah,  and  his  Bil- 

*  hah ;   But  Ifaac  had  none  but  his  Hebecca.     And  ther^ 

*  fore  fays  the  Holy  Ghoft,  let  it  not  be,  blefs  them  as 

*  Abraham  and  Sarah^  blefs  them  as  Jacob  and  l{achel  z 
'  *  For  then  People  may  be  apt  to  think  they  may  have 

'  many  Wives  at  once,  if  not  fome  Concubines:  But 
'  But  let  it  be,  blefs  them  as  thou  did  blefs  Tfa/ic  and 

*  Bi^ebeccn.  Let  them  know,  one  Mao  (hould  have  but 
'  one  Wife,  efpecially  at  one  Time.      A  little  after,  he 

*  adds,  certainly  therefore,  blelfed  are  they  which  die 

*  in  maintaining  that  Service- Book,  which  can  without 
'  Contradi61ion,  Father  the  Ceremonies  of  it  upon  the 

*  Holy  Ghoft.'  This  it  muft  be  own'd  is  plain  Deahng, 
But  the  poor  Nonconforynifts  had  not  that  Spirit  of  dif- 
cerning,  which  fach  clear  lighted  Gentlemen  were  fa- 
voured with.  If  they  muft  have  Forms  of  Prayer,  they 
defir'd  they  might  be  according  to  Humane  Reafon,  and 
liOt  fatber'd  upon  the  Holy  Ghoft  without  better  Pre- 
tence to  Infpiration.  Their  feeing  fome  make  a  plain 
Idol  of  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  rendrcd  them  the  lefs 
fond  of  it.     Such  a  Declaration  as  was  required  of  them 

•,  con- 


Chap.  X.  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  205 


•concerning  it,  was  in  their  Apprehenfion  as  much  as  could 
be  defir'd  or  don  ,  concerning  the  Book  of  God,  the 
Bible  it  felf.     Yea  they  qneltion  d,  Whether  many  a 
fober  Man  might  not  have  fcrupled  to  declare  fo  nnuch 
concerning  any  Copy  of  the  Bible  now  Extant  in  the 
World,    there    being   hardly   any  one    to  be  found,  ^^'■;^^'' 
but  what  may  have  fch  Faults  and   Slips,   as  "^aynlf'of 
make  an  unfeigned  AiT^nt  and  Confent  to  every  Tittle,  ^^^  ^^^^-^ 
a  Matter  of  rational  Scruple*.    But  as  for  the  Book  of  j,  ^o.  &c.* 

Jays,  rh^t 
Affent  and  Confent  are  Law  Terms,  and  may  be  tahn  either  ahfoluteiy  nt 
comparatively  ^  and  intimates  that  it  is  enough,  if  being  perfwaded  of  the 
Lawfulnefs  of  the  Things  enjoined^  they  unfeigredly  Ajfem  and  Confent 
thereunto,  and  judge  it  ttuch  better  and  more  eligible  to  ^fe  it,,  than  by  Re- 
fufal  to  lofethe  Legal  OpportunUy  of  exercifng  their  Minijiry.  He  fay>,  the 
Aflent  and  Conient  U  only  to  be  undevflood  of  all  Things  enjclnd  to  be  i*>'d 
und  fraClisd.  Mr  Hoadly  alfo  fays  mmh  the  fame  ^  Reafon.  of  Cont: 
|>.  g6.  &c.  declaring  that  AflTtnt  and  Conient  is  to  be  cnnfind  to  the  Ufe  of 
what  U  contained  and  prefcrib'd  in  the  Bool:,  and  f.  59,  he  fays,  that  it  is  ab' 
folutely  determined  by  the  very  Farliament  tJ^at  made  the  Afl,  that  it  iff  as 
meant  fo.  And  the  Nature,  Manner,  and  Torm  of  all  Lav?  Deeds  and  Fuh- 
lick  Declarations,  he  fays,  rehire  this  Way  of  Interpretation,  and  condemn 
the  other  :  Whereas  on  the  Contrary,  I  hare  giycn  as  good  Eridence  as  need  to 
be  defired  in  2d  Def.  of  Mod.  None  p.  119,  that  the  legijlators  have  gi-ven 
their  Senfe  to  the  fame  Fwpofe  veith  the  ejcded  Minifiers  in  this  Cafe.  The 
Lords  and  Commons  agreed  that  to  under/land  the  Declaration  of  AfTent  ar.d 
Confent  only  as  to  the  Ufe  of  vphat  was  prefcrib'd,  was  not  enough  to  mh- 
fwer  the  Law.  Tor  from  the  -very  Journal  of  the  Lords,  I  hare  gheif  4 
true  Accout  of  the  State  cf  the  Cafe  thus: 

On  July  the  \^th,  166^.  A  Bill  was  fent  up  from  the  Commons  to  thi 
Lords,  intituled.  An  Aft  for  Relief  of  fuch  Perfons  as  by  Sicknefs  or 
other  Irapedimenr,  are  difabled  from  fubfcvibing  the  Dechvation  in  th6 
Aft  of  Uniformity,  and  Explanation  of  Part  ol  the  faid  Ait.  At  the 
Second  Reading  in  the  Houieof  Lords  it  was  committed.  Some  Altera- 
tions and  Amendments  were  made  by  the  Committee,  and  a  Ciaufeaddt-d 
of  this  Tenor  :  And  be  it  enafted  and  declared  by  the  Authority  afoae- 
faid,  That  the  Declaration  and  Subfcription  of  Aff:nt  and  Confent  in  the 
faid  Aft  mentioned,  fliall  be  underftood  only  as  to  the  Piaftice  and  Obe- 
dience to  the  faid  Aft,  and  not  otherwife,  Tliis  Additional  ClaiUe  \va3 
agreed  to  by  a  Majority  :  But  Twelve  Lords  protcftcd  againft  it,  as  de- 
ftruftive  to  the  Church  of  England  as  now  eltablifli'd.  When  the  Bill 
was  fent  back  to  the  Commons,  they  defir'd  a  Conference,  which  ^vas 
yielded  to  by  the  Lords.  The  Commons  vehemently  declared  againft  the 
Amendments  and  Alterations  of  the  Lords  and  t\^':^  Additional  Caufe  5 
^nd  it  was  openly  dcclav'd  by  one  of  the  Managers  on  tiie  Part  of  tlie 

Common 


2o6  The  LIFE  of      Chap,  X. 


Commons,  Common  Prayer,  ^e.    They  found  fuch  Marks  of. 

that  what  Humane  Infirmity,  in  the  Frame  and  Contexture,  andi 

was  fent  x\^^  particular  Offices  of  it,  that  they  durft  not  make 

down  to  jfjg   Subfcriprion  and  Declaration  requir'd,    iiJl  they, 

them^  could  receive  Satisfaction,    with  Reference  to  fundry, 

toucmng  gx(-eptiQns  they  had  to  brine  in,  which  appeared  to  them 

this  Bill,  c           xiTr.-   d^      J  n     r 

Jiad  nfi-  of  gr^^t  Weight  and  Conlequcnce. 

ther  Ju-  *  . 

6ice  nor  Prudence  in  ft.  W|ien  the  Conference  was  ovei:,  the  Lords 
voted  an  Agreement  with  the  Commons,  and  dropp'd  the  Adiilional 
Claufp  before  recited.  ; 

nothing  treed  he  defifd  more  plainly  and  fully  ^o  gire  the  Senfe  of  t1}e  Zf- 
t'ljlaton  in  the  Cafe^  than  this  of  which  Mr.  Baxter  had  giyen  an  Hint  before. 
This  I  tho*t  might  hare  been  allots  d  to  determine  this  "Bart  of  the  Controverfy. 
iut  Mr.  Ollyffe  id  Def.  of  Win.  Conf.  p.  io6.  will  fuppofe  that  I  had  it 
from  fame  Ancient  Gentleman,  And  that  it  mdies  not  fo  much  to  my  Fut- 
fofe  as  I  reprefent  :  And  Mr.  Hoadly  in  Def.  0/  f/^  Reafon.  of  Conf.  p.  j. 
faysy  he  has  heard  the  Truth  of  my  Aciount  much  conteffed.  Itf  the  mean 
Time  I  quoted  the  journal  of  the  Lords  for  my  Vouchers,  and  referred  theift 
4ind  others  thither  for  Satisfafilon  :  And  it  is  no  difficult  Thing  for  any  Gen: 
tleman  to  get  a  Sight  of  it.  if  any  one  will  be  at  the  Pains  to  take  a  Vieiif 
«if  that^  and  flill  remdins  dubious  as  to  the  Senfe  and  Intention  of  the  Legi' 
haters,  I  P^all  wonder  at  it,  and  defpair  that  drgulng  will  anfwer  any  En4» 
The  Lords  aim^d  at  declaring,  that  a  bare  Ufe  was  intended,  that  a  Num.- 
her  might  be  that  V^ay  easd  ',  and  tlte  Matter  had  been  clear  on  that  Side  had 
the  Commons  concurr'd  :  But  they  refufing  to  allow  of  bare  Ufe  as  fufficient^ 
and  dratPing  oyer  a  Majority  of  the  Lords,  in  Eff'efh  determined,  that  they 
jpho  put  that  Senfe  upon  the  Declaration  of  Aflent  and  Confent,  that  it  was 
to  the  bare  Ufe  and  no  more,  leading  Perfons  (iill  room  for  difapproring  any 
Thing  contain  d  or  prefcrib^d  in  the  Common  Prayer  Book^  wretchedly  mif-in- 
terfret  it-,  and  ajjume  to  themfelres  a  Powet  of  interpreting  contrary  to  the 
tegijlators  themfehes, 

I.  The  Subfcription  and  Declaration  requir'd,  they 
found  would  take  in  the  Do£lrine  of  F{eal  Baptifmal  [{e- 
generation,  and  certain  Salvation^  Confequciit  thereupon. 
And  that  whether  the  Perfons  baptiz'd,  were  qua- 
lify'd  Subjedls  of  Baptifm,  yea  or  not.  Ic  would! 
be  an  Approbation  ot  the  Rubrick  at  the  End  of  the 
Publick  Office  for  Baptifm,  where  'tis  faid^  It  k  certain 
hy  Goefs  UP^ordy  that  Children  which  are  hnpti:(dy  dying  h" 
fore  thry  commit  a^ual  Sin,  are  undoubtedly  fav*d,  Ic 
would  have  been  well  if  they  had  quoted  the  Place; 
for  the  Diffenting  Minifters  freely  confefs'd  their  Jgnp- 
^a'nce^  that  ibey  knew  of  no  fuch  Word  in  Scripture^ 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  207 

h  would  alfo  be  an  Agreement,  to  ufe  conftantly  iiftor 
E^aptifm   that    Tbankfgiung  5    I4^e    yield  thee    hearty 
Thanks^  moft  merciful  Father^    that  it  hath  fleaid  thee 
to  [Regenerate  thit   I.fant   vfith  thy  Holy  Spirit.     Now 
when  they  fhould  be  obliged  to  baptize  all  Comers, 
without  a  Liberty  of  refufing  the  Children  of  InfideJs, 
or  the  moft  Scandalous  Sinners,  (provided  they  had 
but  Sponfours)   to  blcfs  God  prefently  as  foon  as  the 
Office  was  over,  for  Regenerating  them  by  his  Spirit; 
and  lav  it  down  as  undoubtedly  certain  that  they  were 
fav'd  iF  thry  died,   this  was  what  their  Light  would 
not  fuflice  for  j  and  therefore  till  then  'twas  their  un- 
doubted Duty  to  avoid  Concurrence.    For  who  can  fo 
much  as  queftion  whether  or  no  it  would  have  been  2 
Sin  in  them,   to  blefs  God  with  Confidence  for  what 
they  did  not  believe  was  real ;  and  to  lay  that  down  as 
undoubtedly  certain  from  Scripture,  of  which  they  faw 
not  there  the  leaft  Foundation*    They  found  the  Chil- 
dren of  the  wickedeft  Parents  (of  Whores  and  Adul- 
terers living  openly  in  all  notorious  Sin.  and  wholly 
withcnt  God  in  the  World)  baptized  without  Scruple  ; 
and  many  of  them  died  foon  after  Baptifm :  Now  how 
Could  tbev  pretend  to  be  Cure  by  the  Word  of  God,  and 
paft  all  doubt  that  all  fuch  went  to  Heaven,  when  God 
fo  pofitively  deckr'd  in  the  Second  Commandmcnc^ 
that  he  VQould  punifh  the  Iniquities  of  the  Fathers  upon  the 
Children,  unto  the  Third  and  Fourth  Generation  *?    This  at 
leaft  might  make  the  Matter  dubious  to  them.    Sup-    ^ 
^ofe  a  Chriftian  King  fhould  conquer  a  Country  of „    .^^  . 
Pagans,    or    Mahumetans,    or    Jews,    or   compel  ^^^(;^^at^^^ 

if  I  pro- 
due' d  thit  Text  fot  the  Damnation  of  Infants ',  Reafon.  ofConf.  p.  46.  and 
eften  harps  upon  it  afterwards  :  Whereas  I  really  had  it  not  in  my  Tho'tSy 
and  I  helieve  the  fame  as  to  the  ejefled  Mtnljier  from  tphom  I  took  it.  For 
my  Part  Im  Hot  for  pofitively  damnin^^  without  good  warrant  \  and  leaft  of 
all  fhould  I  he  for  being  fey  ere  towards  Infants:  But  yet  fending  all  Infants 
undoubtedly  to  Heaten  that  are  bapti&'d  ii  certainly  too  lax.  God's  "vifitin^ 
ihe  Sins  of  the  Fathers  upon  the  Children-,  is  not  here  produc'd  as  an  Argument 
that  he  dooms  Infants  to  Hell  for  the  Sins  of  their  Parents  •,  but  as  a  Proofs 
that  it  becomei  us  to  be  more  wary  than  to  talk  of  undoubted  Salvation,  in 
the  Cafe  of  all  baptiikd  5  for  that  where  God  yifits  for  Sin,  (tho  he'll  take 
Care  to  do  it  confiftently  with  his  Juftice)  there  may  not  be  that  Eridence  of 
^aly4tm^  as  can  in  an^  tolerable  Senfe  be  called  undoubted^ 

their 


2o8  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  X. 

their  Infants  forthwith  to  be  Baptiz'd,  and  fome  of 
them  immediately  expire,  at  leaft  before  the  Commif- 
(ion  of  a(^uaj  Sin,  is  the  Salvation  of  all  fuch  fure,  and 
paft  all  doubr,  and  this  to  be  made  out,  and  cleared  by 
the  Word  of  God  ?  Is  it  in  the  Power  of  Man  to  make 
Infants  fure  and  certain  of  Salvation  ?  It  is  in  the  Pow- 
er of  Man  to  kill  t  poor  Infant,  and  to  choofe  his  time 
for  doing  it.  Many  Whores  murder  their  Babes  before 
Baptifm,  and  they  might  as  well  do  it  immediately  af- 
ter, and  fo  affuredly  (upon  this  Hypothelis)  fend  thena 
to  Heaven,  whither  they  (hall  never  come  themfejves, 
without  bitter  and  forrowful  Repentance.  And  fo  might 
the  aforefaid  King  and  Conqueror,  (after  he  by  Baptifm 
had  given  them  their  fure  and  unqueftionaHle  Paffport 
for  raradifej  even  in  Charity  and  Kindnefs  immedi- 
ately cut  the  poor  Infants  off,  and  fo  without  any  far- 
ther hazard,  give  them  Poffeflion  of  eternal  Blifs.  But 
our  Minifters  could  not  tell  how  to  apprehend  that 
any  Mortals  had  fuch  Power  over  Souls,  as  this  would 
amount  to.  , 
¥  7/,e  It  hath  been  pleaded  by  fome  in  this  Cafe  to  mollifie 
tl[!)op  and  the  Objedfcion,  that  the  aflcrting  of  a  Baptifmal  B^genc 
Vhineiwho ration,   was  what  was  mainly  intended  ;  *  and  that 

met  in  the 

Jerufakm  Chamber^  tn  164.1^  vpere  for  leaying  out  the  Words  undoubtedly 
fav'd,  out  of  the  lafi  Kubrick  of  the  Office  for  Confirmation^  from  whence  it 
tffas  remrrv'd  into  the  Office  for  Baptifm  in  the  ISew  Common  Trayer  Book. 
Jlnd  Mr.  Baxter  tells  w,  (fee  his  Life  in  Vol.  p.  ^1%.)  that  when  in  the 
Tublick  Debate  with  the  Bifh9ps,  he  infiancd  in  one  of  hii  Varijhoners  that 
wai  a  Vrofefid  Infdel^  and  yet  faid  he  would  come  and  mahe  the  Common 
frnfejjion  for  his  Child  for  Cuftom  fake-^  even  Dr.  Sanderfoh  Bipjop  of  Lin- 
coln, rtn/werf/ ^4«^  none  of  the  Bifhops  contradicted)  that  if  there  were 
Godfathers  it  had  a  fufficient  Title,  and  Bi/hop  Motley  and  others  confirm'd 
it.  Now  thefe  Godfathers  (fays  Mf.  Baxtcrj  being  not  Adopters,  nor  Owners, 
4re  cannot  fee  it  certain  in  Gods  Word,  that  all  thofe  are  fay^d  whom  they 
prefcnt  to  Ba\)tifm  ^  no,  nnr  whom  Ungodly  and  Hypocritical  Chrijiians  prefent. 
for  how  can  the  Covenant  fave  the  Chiid^  as  the  Child  of  a  Believer,  which  fa- 
veth  not  the  Tarent  as  a  Believer  himfelf^  And  fw  era  I  Gentlemen  even  in 
th:  Houfe  of  Commons.,  who  were  of  the  Church  Tarty,  declared  that  they  could 
not  have  fubfcrib'd  this  Kubrick,  as  to  the  certain  and  undoubted  Salvation  of 
Baptized  Infant^;  and  Sir 'Uincclox.  LikG,  Knight  of  thr  Shire  for  Middle- 
fcx,  Son  to  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  King  Charles  the  Vlrji-,  wJ/o  had  bad  Bi* 
fhop  Andrews  and  Bijhop  Lake  for  his  Godfathers  was  one  of  them.  But 
Mr.  Oilyffc,  fay^,  ("Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  p.  i5.  drc.)  that  this  Kubrick  is  no 
Part  nf  -nhat  is  prefcrib'd  for  Ufe  j  and  yet  thinks  to  molUfi  the  Matter  by 

here- 


Chap.  X.         Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  209 


herein  they  bad  the  Concurrence  of  many  of  the  moft  r.jfeytin<^  a, 
celebrated,  Refdrmed  Divines,  and  of  many  even  o^BapufmaL 
our  owfi  moft  admired  Writers;    to  which  they  had^f^e^ter^. 
this  obvious  reply:  That  the  Thankfgiving  afer  Bap-^^""-    Mr. 
tifm,  mentions  ^geveratingvoith the  Holy  Spirit  ;  which  "oadly  ^Z- 
carries  the  Matter  farther  than  the  Sign,  and  feems  to^^^^^fon. 
dehote  the  Th'ng  fignify'd,  as  adtually  given  to  each^^     ^^h  ^ 
baptized  Perfon.   Befides  the  Senfe  of  the  Church  in  this  v^.j'^'^^J" 
toint  is  fi^fiiciently  clear'd  by  the  Ofiice  for  Q^-'^fi''^^^-  this  ref^rl 
tion^  m  which  the  Bifliop  who  officiates,  in  his  firft  Ad-  ^^t  to  ths 
drefs  to  God,  exprefies  himfelf  thus.     Almighty  and  e-  Uicnjfentcd. 
verliving  God;  who  hafl  vouchjafed  to, Regenerate  thefe  thy andconfent* 
Servants  by  i^Vnter,    n7id  the  Holy  Ghofi^  and  haji   giv:riedto:  But 
unto  them   Forgivenefs  of  all  their  Sins,  ^C.     This  (diidpleads  that 
with  Reference  to  all  Comers,   (as  to  which  'tis  well  Baptlfm 
known  there  is  very  Hrtle  Care)  gives  ground  to  all^^'*^''^ 
concerned  to  think  themfelves  fufficiently  Regenerated  ■^^''/^''^ ''*" 
ailready,  and  to  apprehend  that  the  Church  doth  not  ^^.'1'^^'*^^ 
think  their  aiming  at  any  farther  Regeneration  needful,^.  .^^''"** 
when  once  they  are  baptiz'd  and  confirm'd.    This  was ^.J^^'^^  V 
a  Thing  that  appeared  to  our  Minifters  of  fuchdarge-^/      ^.^  *- 
rbus  Confequence,  that  they  durft  not  concur  in  it  or  ^/^/^gj^^;^^^ 
any  Way  approve  it,  for  fear  of  Contributing  to  the  ying  done  ' 

dny  Thing 
to  put  them  out  of  thisState^  they  J?)aE  he  fayed.  And  to  theObjeillon  taken 
from  the  admitting  all  Comers^  he  anftvers,  that  he  kwivs  n  t  thc.t  Bdptifm 
may  not  be  dented, to  the  Children  of  Athei/is,  /(?«?<,  and  Infidels  :  For  the  Of- 
fice fuppofes  a  Chriftian  Country^  and  Chriftian  Parents,  6Zc.  My  l^eium^ 
Dt(.  of  Mod.  None.  Part.  2.  f>.  134,  &c.  is  this:  That  take  the  Kubrick  at 
the  End  of  the  Office  for  Baptifm,  the  Thankf'hin^  In  the  Office  immediately 
after  Baptifm,  and  the  Office  of  Confirmation^  as  referring,  to  Baptifm  prcieed- 
in^,  all  together^  and  they  difcover  that  Laxnefs  upon  the  Head  oj  Baptifm^  as 
a  Regenerating  Ordinance,  as  may  prore  a  Temptation  to  many,  to  think  that 
Ordinance  a  fuffic'.ent  Pafport  for  Hearen  ;  and  that  the  bare  receiving  it,  is. 
an  abundant  Eyidence  that  Perfons  are  the  Children  of  God,  as  much  as 
they  need  defit.e  to  he  fo.  And  for  my  Part  I  mufi  confers,  I  think  that  the. 
eje^ied  Minifter<i  an  to  be  commended  rather  than  blam'd,  for  refufing  to  f«- 
courage  fuch  a  That,  as  if  Children  are  therefore  undoubtedly  fav'd,  becaufe 
baptizd,  and  that  the  Cafe  of  all  Children  is  alike,  if  but  baptized  :  and  for, 
being  deftrous  to  make  a  Difference,  between  the  Application  of  the  outward, 
Si<in,and  the  reaching  the  Bleffings  Jignified:  And  for  being  afraid  of  encourage 
ing  this  Notion,  that  real  Regeneration  is  a  needle fs  Thing  in  the  Cafe  of  bap- 
ttz^d  Perfons.  He  that  would  fee  more  of  this  Matter,  may  confult^DtL  of 
Mod. None.  P.2.  p.  i^'y.ld  Def.  of  Min.  Conf  p.  129.  Def. of  t/;e  Reafon. 
ofConf.  p.  34.  and  Def  of  Mod.  None.  P.  3.  f.  517,  384,  ^<r. 

f  hardeMng 


2IO  The  LltE  of       Chap.  X- 

hardening  of  a  Multitude  of  vain,  loofe,  carelefs,  fe- 
cure  Creatures  in  a  fatal  Miftake  about  the  Safety  of 
their  State  ;  neither  could  they  fee  how  they  could  An-' 
t  The  Letter  fwcr  for  it  to  God  another  Day  t. 

from  a 

Minifter  to  a  Tirfon  of  Quality  Jljeyping  fame  'Reafnm  far  his  Nonconformity^ 
fa<re  ;,  A.  Corbsts  Remains,  />«i,;e  154.  Short  Suryei^h  of  the  Grand  Cafe  r>f 
the  Prefent  Mm'ftry^  fage  15.  Baxter'i  nonconformity  Stated  and  argued;- 
paire  4S.  His  Pica  for  Peace ^  fage  169.  His  Defence  of  the  flea  for  Peace, 
fage  1 6  ar.d  1^7,  &C.   at  Large. 

^  Mr.Ol'      1,  This  AfTent,   Confent,  and  Subfcription,  was  a- 
lyffe,  Def.  mong  other  Things  to  the  Ufe  of  Godfathers  and  God' 
of  Min.      mothers  in  Baptifn),  to  the  Exclufion  of  Parents*. 
Conff.g^. 

&c.  denies  that    Parents  are   excluded  or  yuflled  eut  by  thelJfe  of  Godfathers-, 
and  fays.  That  their  Ri^ht  is  fecured,    and  their  Benefit  (onfulted  thro'  the 
Uho/e.     Artd  tho  he  ovpns  the  too  common  Carelefnefs  of  Godfathers,  yet  wont 
allow  that  the  Ajfent  and  Confent  "couired,  at  ail  encourages  it.     And  he  ap* 
f  lands  the  Care  taken  hy  fome  to  pre'vent  Abufcs^  of.  K>hich  he  declares  his  own 
Abhorrence.     Afr.Hoadly,Reafon.  ofConf.  f,  ^1,  ^z.  fays.  That  Parents  are 
to  pro-vide  the  Sponfors,  and  that  the  devoting  their  Children  by  them  to  God,  is 
a^  much  their  o:z^n  AO:  and  Deed,  as  if  they  had  no  Sponfors  <?    and   hat  tf?e 
^r^Jfe/l  Abufe  of  an  Inflitution,  is  not  a  fuff.cicnt  Argument  againfl  that  Jn^ 
(titution  It  felf.     He  cant  fee  how  the  Method  of  the  Church  tends  to  the  pro- 
plfaning  this  Ordinance.     And  tho'  he  bewails   the  little  Regard  many  (god- 
fathers have  to  the  ferious  Part  of  their  Office,   he  yet  hopes  there  are  fome  f» 
fenfible  of  their  Obligations,  that  they  omit  no  Opportunity  of  doing  their  Du'y^ 
6iQ.     In  rdturn,  I  fay,   Def.    of  Mod.  None   Part  2.  p.  i  50,  &c.  That  the 
Grievance  here  is,  7hat  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  according  to  the  Meth'id  of 
the  church,   are  taken  in  as  Parties  in  the  T<ederal  Stipulittion  between  God  and 
the  Baj'tizd,  which  Parents  mufi  not  be  admitted    to,  ihu  it    is  their  proper 
Uork.     If  Parents  may  not  be  allowed  this  (which  U  noioriotts)  then  they  are 
excluded.     And  where  the  Right  to  devote  or  bind  lies  in  the  Parent,  he  cannot 
tran<fer  it.     And  when  Subfiitutes  are  pitched  on  to  bind  the  Children  of  others 
to  be  the  lords,     tho'  t])cy  have  no  Rig})t  to  bind  them,  and  they  Covenant  for 
them,  and  the- Children  as  they  grow  up  are  taugljt  that  they  are  bound  by  their 
Tromife  ;  and  this  Promife  and  Vow  of  theirs  in  their  Jiame,  is  in  the  Office 
reprrjented,  as  that  on  which  t};eir  Intere/i  in  the  Blefjings  of  the  Covenant  ii 
fufpendcd,  I  can't  fee  that  this  Affair  /lands  upon  a  right  Bottom.     A  Divine 
In/it tutif>ni<  not  to  be  fet  afide  when  abufed  ;   but  its  otherwife  an  to  a  purely 
Humane  Infiitution,  efpeci.illy  when   it  is  in  it  felf  liable  to  jufi  Obje^lions^ 
as  this  is,  t^hich  has  been  ju/ily  complain  d  of  by  many  (both  in  the  Church  and 
out  of  it)  as   a    great  Occ a/ton  of    the  general  Prophanation  of  this    Ordi-^ 
nance.     And  therefore  while  thefc  Gentlemen  bewail   the  little  Regard  many' 
Godfathers  lave  to  tlje  ferioTts  Part  df  their  Office,  (which  as  far  as  it  goes  is 
Well)  I  beg  leave  (in  ConjunClion  with  the  felled  Minifiers)  to  bewail  tJje 

This 


Chip.  X.       Mr,  Richard  Baxfer.  2H 


This  they  eftt  emM  finful,  not  only  becaufe  it  }\}{\]ed;;rofi  Cor- 
out  the  Parents  Right  to  devote  iheir  Children  to  God^'^P'ion 
in  Paptifin, which  is  the  Thing  vpon  which  the  Admini-  ^^''<^ff  *i 
ftracion  of  rhaiOrdinancetolMfar.cs  was  primarily  Found-'''**  ^^'^y 
edjbuc  alfo  becaufe  it  r.pen'd  a  wideDoor  to  thcProfaning'^!''^/''  '/* '" 
of  one  of  the  moft  awful  Solemnities  of  our  Holy  ^eii- Jj^'^£'^^^'^.. 
gion.  In  as  much  as  G>^dfa'Hers  and  Godmothers  are  nei-  n^^i^iT^*^ 
ther  requir'dto  be  chofen  with  due  Care  and  Caurion  •  ^lidac^ 
(and  in  the  Cafe  of  many  Perfons,  *tis  really  impoffiblccor^.w  t9 
to  procure  any  ferious  Undertakers :;  nor  are  they  tied  the  Ecclc 
CO  bring  the  Children  of  Chriitians  o:dy,  nor  only  (uch /laflicalCott' 
as  they  take  for  their  own,  but  without  any  Difference /?'>«'^"j», 
may  bring  the  Children  of  any  Atheifts  or  Seducers, '^^''«'/'?f>*^ 
Jews  or  Infidels,  at  Pleafure,   without  taking  any  fur- '^'^'^  ^^  ^'^'^^ 
therTho't  or  Care  about  them.     Withal  thefe  God-'"*"^''"'*^ 
fathers  and  Godmothers  pcrfonate  the  Child,  as  be-?'"^.'^*^ 
lieving  in  Chrift,  and  renouncing  Sin  ;  and  that  with-'^/f/f'*^*^^' 
out  any  Authority  for  it,  either  from  any  Natural  Right, "^^J^^^'^j^^  . 
or  Pofitive  Law.     And  the  Ordinance  of  Baptifm  wiiJ^/,^^*^,.^ 
feem  to  be  put  upon  that  inf'fficient  Bottom,  by  2Lny  fomeGod' 
one  who  fedately  cotiipares  the  Ofiice  for  that  PuTpofe,/rff/,er5  bat 
with  the  Church  Catechifm.     For  the  Promife  of  the  mind  that 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  in  the  Child'sName,  is  in  rvhlch  is 
both  repiefentfd  as  the  Foundation  of  Baptifmal  Dedi-  ^'^f'"''  P«fj» 
cation,  and  the  Ground  of  the  Claim  of  the  Benefits  ^^^c^o^^^^ 
and  Bleffings  thence  arifing.     Now  our  Minifters  fenfi-  ^""y  ,^f, 
bly  found  that  this  would  not  bear  Sc§nning.     In  the '*'*^^"    ^^' 
Church  Way  this  Ordinance  is  fo  managM,  as    if  thej!!^  '/y'*'^* 
Godfathers  Faith   were  Beneficial   to  the    Child,  ^^^  (^f^/theve'i 
not  the  Parents:  When  as  God  requires  no  Faith  or  Re-  //^^/^  ^^^^ 
pentance  of  Infants,  but  only  that  they  be  the  Seed  o^  ^^  ;)^^tters 
Penitent  Believers,  and  devoted  to  him  as  Rch,  thisal-  fland^  that 
fo  was  an  Offence  to  many.     And  then  they  found,  that  it  vfiU  he  o- 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers  were  generally  bro't  to  thn-wife ) 

that  it 
won't  be  rery  likely  they  (hould  much  credit  the  Inflitution.  The  Queftions  al- 
fo in  the  Bapifmal  Office  are  }i*ftly  exceptionable.  Murciilus/.i7.<,  That  the 
Cuflom  of  interrogating  Infants  is  fo  abfurd  that  it  canmt  be  defended.  And 
the  Learned  Spanheim  fays^  that  this  mimical  Vrofejjinn  of  the  Sponfr.f^ 
Tfhich  is  afcribd  to  the  Infant ^vpi II  fear ce  be  found  to  haretahen  Place  before 
ihe^i^h  and  Ninth  Age ^  when  Superjiition  prevailed.  Thefe  Interro<^atoriei 
(hould be  referred  for  grown  Perfons,  who  have  no  Need  of  Sp  nfors,  which  the 
church  officioujly  provides  for  them.  He  that  would  fee  more  of  this  Matter^ 
may  fonfult  Mr.  OilyfTe'i  2</ Def  of  Mm.  ConLp.  141.  Mr.  Hoadly'5  Def. 
A/f/;e JR,eafon.o/ Conf.f.  ^(^.  And myDd.ofMod.Nonc. Part.  ^.f. 3l8,&: 387, 

P  2  the 


XI 2  The  L  1  Fh  of         Chap.  X. 

the  Font,  'O  avo  cb  a  great  Untvuih,  and  makethem- 
felves  oHnoxioMS  to   Lying  and  Perjury   intheFaceof 
God  and   the  Church.     For  Expertenre  Iheweth,  that 
what  Appearance  (never  there  is  o^  Solemnity  at  the 
Ergaging  in  fuch  a   Promife,  yet  ihcy  never  (or  very 
rarely)  pviformir.     Some  of  them  never  fee  the  Child 
more,  after  the  Chrif^ning  Day,  n  t  ever  enquire  more 
after  it.     Yea,  tho'  they  folemnly  Engage  on  the  Be- 
half of  the   Infant,    yet  they  hold  themfelves  realty 
bound  to  nothing,  but  look  up"n  a:l  as  meet  Ceremony 
and  C(.mplement.     Suppofe  a  Parent  (hould  afterwards 
Chalh  nge  his  Goflips,  and   fay  ;  yoa  promis'd  when 
you  ftood  Sureties  for  my  Child  at  the  Fonr,  to  call  up- 
on him  to  mind  his  Duty,  to  hear  Sermons,  &.   and 
to  fee  him  well  inftru(5ted  in  the  Rudiments  and  Prin- 
ciples (f  Religion  ;  but  you  have  not  done  it,  and  thro' 
your  Negledt,  he  does  not  hear  Sermons,  he  is  not  Ca- 
techized, he  does  not  renounce  the  Works  of  the  Devil, 
but  is  in  the  High-way  to  Ruin,  notwithftanding  your 
Engagement :  What  would  be  the  Anfwer  of  thefe  Per- 
fons  to  the  Parents,  of  the  Child,  but  this?  Should  we 
look  after  him  or  you?    Whole  Child  is  he,  yours  or 
ours  ?    He  is  your  own  proper  Charge,  notwithftand- 
ing  our  (landing  at  the  Font ;  be  is  committed  to  your 
Truft,  and  therefore  if  he  do  otherwife  than  well  for 
lack  of  your  Care,   the  blame  will  be  yours,  and  his 
Blood  will  be  «pon  your  Head  as  the  only  Criminals. 
And  indeed  hardly  any  Thing  can  be  more  Obvious  to 
Obfervation  than  this,  that  the  blame  is  not  laid  up- 
on Godfathers  and  Godmothers  if  Children  be  not 
well  Difciplind  and  Educated,  neither  do  they  blame 
themfelves,  or  Ihew  any  Confcience  in  this  Matter,  al- 
tho'  'tis  evident,  that  if  they  perform  not  their  Cove- 
n.ints  to  the  utmoft  of  their  Power,  they  break  their 
Faith.    On  which  Accounts,  they  durft  not  by  any 
*  Bax-    Means  Confsnt  to  Encourage  fo  Corrupt  a  Cuftom*. 
tcr»i  Tion- 

tonformlty  Stated  and  Argued,  pa^e  57.  his  Plea  for  Peace^  pa^ei^f.  His 
Defence  of  the  KonConf<ir miffs  Plea  for  Peace,  page  i6.  The  Letter  from  4 
Minijier  to  a  Perfon  of  (^/tatity^  P)ewing  fome  Rcafons  for  his  NoncoTt' 
formity.  Corbets  Remains^  pa^e  1 5^.  Baxter'i  2d,  True  Defente  of  the  meet 
ficnconf  Ch.  12,  pa^e  167. 

3.  This 


Chap.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ii:j 

g.  This  AfTenr,  Confent,  and  Sufcription,  v/ould  have    ^  j^^  q^. 
obIig*d  the  Minifters  to  have  denied  the  Ordinance  of  lyffe  j^^f 
Bapcifm  to  fuch  as  had  not  Sponfors,  altho'they  had  a  of  Min.  ' 
real  Right  to  that  Ordinance,  and  to  be  rhertbySoletrn-  Conf./)4o. 
iy  recogniz'd  as  born  Members  of  the  vifible  Church-  &c.  fayi^ 
Sonie  have  herein  queftion'd  the  Reality  of  the  Obliga-  ^'^  »<?■>'<:»" 
tion ;  but  as  far  as  appears,upon  very  weak  Grounds*  For  /""ow/i  d  to 

exclude  nil 
that  have  not  Sjjonfon  f,  and  that  there  is  no  fuch  Word  in  the  Book  which  he 
has  fubjcriU'd  to  :  And  asks  me^  if  I  do  not  know  that  there  is  a  Vorm  in  the 
Book  for  Baptifm  without  Godfathers  f.  And  adds,  that  this  Form  is  to  be  us'dy 
•when  there  fhall  he  any  ^reat  Caufe  and  Necefjity-^  and  the  Minijler  is  left  fole 
fudge  of  this  Caufe  and  Necefjity  ^  and  that  if  PerfoMs  immoveably  fcruple 
Godfathers  this  is  a  great  Caufe  or  Necejji.y  -^  and  that  he  and  his  JDJeighbours 
knew  of  no  Obligation  Dr.  F.  was  by  Lav?  under ,  to  be  fo  fliff  as  my  Margin 
reprefents  him.  If  this  will  hold,  I  /Jjould  be  glad-,  but  I  doubt  it  won^t,  and 
haye  given  my  Eeafon^why,  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconf.  P.  2.  p.  rys,  6tf.  What 
honeji  Mr.  Raftrick  faid  to  Bifljop  M-^hite  of  Peterborough  in  his  Vijitation^ 
defences  Mr.  Ollyffe'i  Confideration.  1  have  obferved,  faid  /;^,  That  when 
fuch  as  your  Lordfhip  comes. to  enquire  into  thePraftifeof  fome  of  us,  you 
examine  it  by  the  Letter  of  Conformity,  underftood  and  expounded  in  the  moft 
flriftand  rigid  Senfe  that  can  be:  You  urge  upon  us  our  Promifes  and,  - 
Subfcriptions,  and  you  aggravate  the  leaft  Omiffion  to  the  Heighth :  So 
that  we  are  infnar'd  in  this  Cafe  ;  lirft  courted  in  by  plaufible  Con- 
ftru£lions,  and  then  rack'd  and  fcru'd,  and  fqueezd  at  no  Rate,  ^c. 
See  his  Letter  10  me,  at  the  End  of  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconf  Part  3.  ^.28. 
Alay  Mr.  Ollylfe  nerer  have  Reafon  for  a  like  Complaint  fay  I. 

Mr.  Ho2dly  takes  this  grf,  and  the  ^th,   and   ^th  Head  together -^  and  jointly 
(onfders  the  denying  Bapiifmto  fitch  as  had  not  Sponfors,  and  to  fuch  as  would 
net  fubmit  to  ufe  the  Si'^n  oj  the  Crofs,  and  denying  the  Communion  to  fuch 
as  would  not  receive  it  Kneeling,  as  Terms  of  Communion,  and  Impoftions^ 
Reafon  of  Coni  p.  $6.  &c.     And  he  ajjerts,  \.  That  BiJJ)ops  have  Aut'  ority 
to  prefcribe  thefe  Things  which  are  fo  grieyoufly  complain  d  of     The^  ])avetlns 
Authority  he  fays,  as  they  are  oblig'd  to  provide  for  the  Prefervation  of  Order^ 
and  as  it  re  fulls  from  the  Nature  of  all  Societies,  that  tJ)e  Governors  /f)ould 
have  a  Power  r,f  ordering  what  feems  to  them  moft  fir  the  Beauty  and  Ad- 
vantage of  them.     He  intimates  the  cjeffed  Miniflers  would  have  join  d  with 
the  Bijhops  in  impojinr  and  prefcribing  fome  Things,  about  Time  Place  and  Li- 
turgy ;    and  fa'^s,  that  the  Bifhops  have  Authority  to  prefcribe  in  the  one  Cafe 
as  well  as  the  other  ,  and  thence  forms  an  Ar'^ument  thathe  feems  to  think  un- 
,anfwerable.     He  adds,  />•  785  that  the  Governors  of  the  Clmrch   in    requiring 
fuch  Things  as  thoj'e  mentioned,  have  ordered  nothing,  but  what  if  all  would 
ferioufly  comply  with.,  is  certainly  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  and  therefore  hav( 
,done  their  Duty,  and  cannot  be  charged  with  Sin  :  And  that  the  dijprop'.rtio' 
pablenefs  of  the  Penalty  does  not  make  the  Command  unlawful ',  for  that  then 
/the  Governours  of  the  Church  could  injoin  nothing  at  all.     And  if  any  fufer 
in  thefi  Qafesy  ^pis  mp  PQ  be  chared  on  the  Commands  which  are  defgnd  1 0  be 

P  3  '  the 


214  The  LIB t.  of       Chap.X. 

a  T^^cf  ^,  the  Cnn:n  fubfcrib'd,  obliges  in  exprcfs  Words  to  ufe 
^ainp  d;/-^^^  Form  prefcrib'd,  and  n  )  other:  And  the  [{i,hrick  De- 
o>W?r,  hut  clarcs  there  lliall  be  tor  e-  ery  Male  Child  to  be  Bapdz'd, 
vpon  the  twoG^dfathers  and  one  Godmother  •  and  for  every  Fe* 
\'^4i:n2Ci     maie,   one  Godfather  and  two  Godmothers.     Confe- 

tf  th')fe 

Vfly^  don't  corrfly.     He  plead<  alfo  for  the  Yetalninz^  fuch  Imp'fitions  vhen  once 
fix'd.,   becaufe  the  Fujudtcei  and  Scruples  a^ainft  them  are  unreafnnahle  and 
^mitndlefs^  and  f?rike  at  all  EcclefafticaL  Authority  \  and  bccaufe  the  parting 
wifly  thefe  Things^  if  they  did  not  fart  alfo  K?ith  other  Things^  v^ould  fignify 
ytnthln^.     2.  He  ajferti  th.it  St.  Pnul  fays  nothing  againf}  this  tn  Rom.  14. 
pa*'  88,  &c.     ylnd-^.  He  alfo  ajfcrt<  that  Mr.hiy:ic\  s  praHife^  and  thePra- 
ff  I  Ceo  f  the  Independents  ha-s  been  for,  and  not  againft^  fuch  Impojittons^  as  are 
the  ToundatloKS  sf  the  hearie/}  Char'i^e  a^au'ji  the  Churchy  p.  96,  &C.     But  as 
for  this   Tic  a  cf  his  for  the  Epifcopal  Power,   and  the'  Iwpoftions   proceedinr 
ftom  itj^  Ihare  dlfinttly  anftrer'^d  it  in  t/;elncroduftion  to  the  id  Part  of  my 
Defence,  from  V  30.  to  ij.  40.     What  he  fays  upon  Rom.  14.  is  confider'd  in 
the   fame  Iiifoduiftion,  V  4c,  41,  fire.     And  the  FraHife  of  Mr.   Bixtei* 
and  the  Independents,  is  alfo  ccnftder'd,  ^  4^^.     AndJntheClofe  of  that  Intro- 
duction J  make  th's  fair  Ojfer  :   Let  it  but  be  clearly  proved  from  Scripture, 
that  ojtr  Saviour  has  »^ive)->  a   (.owmiffon   to  any  to    fx  General   Re^^^ulations 
in   his  Wor^hipt   befdcs  necejfary,  or  at  mofl  expedient  Circumftances  :  Let  the 
I>ounds  of  cf  thisCommifJicn  be  plainly  fx'd  and  limited,  fo  as  that  it  may  be 
known  when  "tis  us' d  regularly,  and  tvhen  exceeded:  Let  the  Perfns  to  rt>hotn  thii 
Conrmifjior.  is  giren,  be  defer! b'd  in  their  nccejfary  Qualifications  :  And  let  it  be 
fherrn  diflinfUy,  tvhat  thnfe  ¥,cclefiaftical  Re^^ulaitons  are  that  are  to  be  obeyd, 
and  vrhat  Obfdier.ce  is  due  to  them  ;  a7td  let  it  be  proVd  t bat  fuch  Obedience  is 
a  Duty  ;    and  let  the  Proof  of  it  be  direfl  rather   than  Confequential  ;  or  if 
an  Argument  is  drawn  from  the  Confeqjienccs  of  the  Refufal  of  Obedience  on 
vne  Side,  let  the  oppnfte  Argument  frotn  the  Confequences  of  yielding  fuch  an 
Obediencp  be  weighed  alfo  on  the  other  Side  :  And  fnce  this  Obli'^ationifRea/^ 
ynufi  arife  from  the  Will  of  God  :,  let  that  br  evidenced  in  a  Degree  of  Plain- 
tiff ^  that  may  bear  fome  Proportion  to  the  Dugree  of  Poftirenefs  with  which 
it  if  affnted  ',  Let  but  fuch  Things  as  ihefe  be{ cleared,    it  will  be  found  we 
are  open  to  Con^'iffion.      But  it  could  not  be  accepted:  1  am  told,  that  were  all 
the  Th'n's  I  Mention  capable  of  a  jiriCl  Vemonf  ration  as  true  ss  any  in  the 
Mat  hematic  I:  s,    it  would  be   a  yery  great  Abfurdity    to  put    fo  important  a 
Caufe  upon    this  IJfue,  bccaufe  fo  few  of  thofe  whofe  Corxern  it  is,  are  capa- 
bi>'  <if    underftandin^  fuch   a  DemonOration  of  many  of  thefe   Points,    Def. 
o/*  Epilc.  Oidinir.  p.  ^86.      Hherea<  it  was  7tot  Mathematical  Vcmonjira' 
^'0/,   thai  wa    dc fired,  hut  fuch  Proof  as  tbe  Nature  of  the  Things  will  bear^ 
-nd  fuch  Proof  a^  may  be  expcflcd  in  Matters  of  this  Nature;    and  fuch  as  is 
>ncnmmod.ftrd  to  the  Cataciiics  of  thofe  concerned  :    And  till  this  be  ^iven,  I 
for  one,  mufi  be  excufei,  if  my  Notions  of  Ecclefaflical  Power  and  Authori* 
tyt  run  but  low.  . 

quently 


Chap.  X.      Air.  Richard  Baxter.  2 1  5 

qnently  all  that  wouldOflficiate  in  the  EftabJilhM Church, 
muft  by  verbal   Declaration  and   Subfcription,    bind 
themfelves  *  to  deny  Baptifm  to  all  Children  of  Godly     *  Some 
Parents,  that  have    not  Godfathers    and  Godmothers,  it  muft  be 
even  tho'  the  Parent  be  leady  to  do  his  own  Part,  Pro-  owned 
fefling  his  Faith,  Dedicating  hiS  Child  to  God,  and  ^^^^^  ^^'^e- 
proniiling  a  Religious  Education.  *« g'^^n 

^  ,   J  _ ,  themfehes 

ahttt'itude^ 
hut  hovr  far  tltey  could  ju/^ifie  it,  would  he  4  pfetty  clofe  Enquiry.  J  re- 
member  in  Mt-  Henry's  Life^  there  is  a  Fajfai^ey  which  deftryes  noting  i^on 
this  Oci.afion  One  of  the  Parifhiotters  of  Dr.  F.  of  Whicchuich,  de  fired  h^ 
to  giyeWay  that  his  Child  might  be  baptized  by  another  K^itJynuc  ihe  Croj)^ 
and  Godfathers^  if  he  would  not  do  it  himfelf  He  refufed  both  ^  afid  by  d 
tettet  returned  this  Anfwer  For  my  Part  (faith  he)  I  freely  profcfs  niy 
Tho'ti  that  the  ftri£t  urging  of  Indifferent  Ceremonic?,  liath  dane 
more  Harm  than  Good  ;  And  pofSbly  had  all  Men  been  kfr  to  their  Li- 
berty therein,  there  might  have  been  much  more  Unity,  and  not  much 
lefs  Uniformity.  But  what  Power  have  I  to  difpenfe  with  mv  fe!f,  bs;ing 
now  under  the  Obligation  of  a  Law  and  an  Oath  ?  And  he  CoKc/udes, 
I  am  much  grieved  at  the  unhappy  Condition  of  my  felf  and  o:ht,r  Mi- 
nifters  who  mud  either  loofe  their  Pariihioners  Love  if  they  do  not  com- 
ply with  them,  or  elfe  break  their  Solemn  Obligations  to  pleafe  them. 
This  Freedom  and  O^ennefs  upas  certainly  more  honeft  tho  joined  t^ith  a  fccm- 
in^  Stifnefs-i  than  Ferfom  fretettdin^  to  difpenfe  with  themfelres,  vfiien  under 
the  moji  Solemn  Bonds. 

Such  an  Agrcenaent  our  Minifters  apprehended  fin- 
ful.  They  durft  not  caufelefly  deprive  Souls  of  vi- 
(iblc  Chriftianity,  much  lefs  Damn  them  for  want 
of  an  Humane,  unneceffary,  if  not  Corrupt  Invention. 
They  durft  not  make  a  Covenant  to  Rob  Chrifi:  and 
the  Church  of  Vifible  Members  for  nothing  ;  and 
confign  thofe  over  to  the  Un-covenanted  Mercy  of 
God,  whom  he  (they  well  knew)  vvas  ready  to  ac- 
cept for  his  :  And  fo  Concur  in  fetthig  the  Will  and 
Advice  of  Man  againft  Chrift,  who  laid,  Forbid  thetn 
not ;  and  was  angry  with  thofe,  voho  forbad  them  to 
come  to  him.  And  it  feem'd  to  them  very  odd  that 
the  fame  Perfons  (hould  be  fo  forward  to  deny  Bap- 
tifm  to  poor  Infants  for  want  of  a  Formality,  when, 
yet  they  apprehended  it  would  give  them  a  certain 
AlTurance  of  Salvation,  as  hath  been  hinted  before. 
One  of  them  thus  expreffes  himfelf  upon  this  Matter. 

P  4  !  Shall 


2i6  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  X. 

- 

Shall  a  Minifter  dare  to  withhold  fo  mvich  good  from, 
'  and  enJeavour  fo  much  evil  to  the  Souls  of  poor  In- 

*  fanes  indenting  them  their  Chriftendom,  meerly  \ip- 

*  on  the  Account  of  fome  AccelTories,  and  f^:rii pled  Ac- 

*  cidents  invented  and  imposed  by  Man,    and  not  at  all 
of  the  EfTence  of  Baptifm  itfelf  ?    Bcfides  the  itupiety 

*  BaxtcvV  <  and  irrcligion  of  fuch  aProcefs,  the  Minifter  (accord- 
j;^r.crnjoY-  <  -^^g  ^.Q  j^J5  '^^^  Faith)  would  be  moft  Cruel  and  Un- 
^■l?J'-^'d  "Merciful  in  fodoing^anddefervM  if  poifible,  robeun- 
*^  6q"  *  chnftenedhimfelf  again,  and  turn  d  among  Canibals, 
HisF/eafoy '  ^^  °"^  "^^^^  deeply  dipt  and  Baptiz'd  in  their  barba- 
^eace,  par.  *  ^°"^  inhumanity  than  any  of  themfelves :  And  yet  if 
jm.  He-  *  jhe  be  a  true  Son  of  the  Church,  and  puncflually  obferve 
fence  of  the  *  his  prefcribed  Rule,  he  mull  not  Baptize  any  Infant 
JBJea  for  *  without  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  whether  it  be 
^^eace,  *  fav'd  Of  damad.'  This  was  what  our  Fathers  could 
fa^.  50.      not  Swallow  or  Digeft*. 

4.  This  AlTent,  Confent,  and  Subfcription,  would  o- 

t  The  Bi-  b^ig^  to  fign  the  Infants  in  the  Adminiftration  of  Bap» 
fhrfi  and  tilni  with  the  Tranfient  fign  of  rhe  Crof,  and  to  deny 
Dirmervho  Baptifm  to  the  Children  of  fuch  as  refufe  itf. 

met    in  the 

Jcruf^lcm  ih amber  in  \6^\.6hfeWi  that  in  the  Ancient  Liturgies,  no  Crofs 
tifas  frn'd  upon  the  Party  Baptiz,'d^  but  where  Oil  atfo  was  u^'d:  And  there- 
fort  cc.ncciv'd  :haf  Oil  bein<^  now  omitted,  fo  may  alfo  that  which  was  Con- 
(onjit  'f'.t  with  it,  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs.  But  Mr.  Ollyffe,  Def.  of  Min. 
Om*.  p  i\^.' f0s,  that  there  is  another  Office  of  Baptifm  in  the  Lititrgy^ 
%fhich  the  Minijier  is  authorl^'d  for  great  and  nccejfary  Caufes  to  ufe,  in 
which  thi<  Si'n  is  wt  prrfcnb'd.  And  as  for  ihe  ufe  of  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs'^ 
he  fnys  it  is  not  in^  but  af^ter  Bap'ifm  :,  and  he  vindicates  the  ufe  of  it'^'  And 
tin  ong  th--  Addendrj,  he  fays^  that  grf'Wn  Ferfons  may  be  Baptii,'d  withouP 
fr  mijing  to  fubmrt  to  the  iffe  of  it-^  and  if  when  the  BaHifm  i<  finiJJ/d^  the 
Bapt'zd  Perfon  (hall  rcfufc  th"  S/';«  of  the  Crof^  the  Min  fhr  cannot  help  i(. 
A  r  Hoadi}  alf.^  Keatbn  of  Conf.  p.  57,  58.  fays.,  they  mufi  be  yery  injudi- 
cious Perfor,$  indted,  that  can  imagine  that  the  Church  fupfofs  any  Grace  is 
wrou'iht  fy  the  Si  in  rftheCrof  nr  the  ufe  of  it^  and  therefore  there's  no  nee4 
of  reg.irdin<!  them.  That  Baptifm  is  fujfcicnt  rrithout  one  Prayer  ;  and  yet 
tha-  ii  no  Objeflion  a'^^in/i  the  Ufe  of  Prayers  it}  tjiat  Solemnity,  nor  is  i( 
frugcr  a:\ainft  the  Ufe  of  the  Sign  of  the  Crrfs.  And  a<  for  the  fgning  the 
Infant  wih  it^  he  fays,  Uis  net  a  Sign  of  any  Spiritual  Grace,  nr  pretended 
to  be  ordain  d  by  ChriTl^  or  us'd  as  a  Means  whereby  we  receive  any  Cracf, 
Qr  a  p  edre  to  ajftre  w  of  it.  And  he  declares  that  he  does  not  think  it  a 
fufficient  Rtafcn  fhr  th:  total  fie'ilcfh  of  this  Sign.^  that  we  may  [Vitnefs  our 
amikc  and  Detejiation  of  thtf  f^anity  of  the  Papifts  herein.     To  this  I  hart 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  217 

As  for  the  uling  the  fign  of  the  Crofs  in  Bapcifm,  anfwer'd, 
fome  were  much  more  againft  it  than  others :    But  the  Det.  of 
generality  of  the  Silenc  d  Minifters  regarded  it  as  a  Sa-  Mod. 
cramcnt  fuperaddcd  to  that  which  our  Blelled  Lord  had  ^onc. Pan 
infticuted.     For  there  is  n)i  outward  vifible  Sign ;  A  Tran-  2-  /*•  185, 
fienr  Image  of  a  Crofs,    made  by  one  that  a<^eih  as  a  i°4»  ^• 
Mihifter  of  Chrift,  and  receiv'd  in  the  Forehead  by  the  y^^^^  ^^^ 
Baptized.     The  Thing  Signif/d  is  both  the  work  of  Re-  ^jj^  Common 
demption  purcbafing  Grace,   and  the  Grace  given  as  the  i^rayerBook 
fruit  of  that  Purchafe.     Can.  30.    Thus  ExprelTes  i^'-Uayesfo 

*  The  Holy  Ghoft  by  the  mouth  of  the  Apoftle  did  ho-  much  to  the 

*  nour  the  name  of  the  Crofs  fo  far,  that  under  it  he  com-  Ministers 

*  prehended  not  only  Chrift  CrucifyM,  but  the  force,  ef-  difcretion 

'  feds,  and  merits  of  his  Death  and  Paflion,  with  all  the  ^s  Mr.Oi- 

*  Comforts,  Fruits,  and  Promifes  which  we  receive  or  ex- ^yffe*ro«/({ 

*  pea  thereby.    The  Churchof£»^/rt«^  hath  retain  dftill  ^^^  ^'^^"S 
[  the  fign  of  It  in  Baptifm,  following  therein  the  Primitive  ^^^J 

^  and  Apoftolical  Churches,  and  accounting  it  a  lawful  J^^J^^^ 

*  outward  Ceremony,  and  honourable  Badge,  whereby   ^^^^  ^.z-_ 

*  the  Infant  is    DEDIC  ATED    to  the   Service   of  J^^^^^ ,; 

*  him   that  died  on    the  Crofs,    as    by   the   Words  j/,^  Matter, 

*  of  the  Comipon  Prayer  Book  may  appear,  ^^hether  the 
\  Which  iVords  airfi,,:thefe:  We  receive  this  Child  S.>»  0/ t/;e 
;.  into  the  Congregation  of  Chrift's  Flock,   and  do  fign  crofs  be 

made  in  or 

after  Baptifm.^    if  it  cscclu^es   the  Children  of  fuch  as  are  difati>fied.     The 

Crofs  as  usd  in  the  Church  of,  England,    />  a  Sign  of  the  Merits  of  ChriU^  a 

dedicating  Sigtt,  intended  to  incite,    and  therefore  may  be  jujily  fcrupled.^     It 

rpas  fo  by   the   Ele£led  Miniflers,    becaufe  it  encourages  fo    many  to  afcribe 

Vertiie  meerly  to  the  Sign  of  it  attending  upon  Baptifm  :    And  the  more  fo, 

becaufe  they  found  fo  many  Men  of  Learning  and  Eminence  run  that  Way,  as 

well  as  tJK  more  Vulgar  and  JnjudicioHf.     'Tis  an  evident  M  ealnefs  to  lay 

flrefs  upon  this  Sign,  when  Learned  Men  cannot  to  this  'Day  agree  in  the  true 

and  proper  Torm  of  tU  Crofs.     And  to  deny   Baptiftn  to  Infants,  becaufe  their 

Parents  fcruple  it,  is  an  unjpeakable  hard/f)ip,    and  not  to  be  jujiijied.     He 

that  would  fee  more  about  this,   may  confult  Mr.  Ollyffe'i  Second  Det.  o/Min. 

Conf.  /'.  172.     Mr.  Hoadly'^  Def,   «/  the  Reafon  of  Conf.  p.  59.  and  my 

Def.  of  Mod.  Cone.  Tart.  3.  p.  327,  &  395-     ^f^^^  '*^»/^'*  ^y  ^^^"^  ^'*^ 

of  Eif/}op  Taylor'5  Mind  ^    that  a  fymbolical  Kite  of  Humane  Invention,  to 

ftgnife  what  it  does  not  effeU,  and  then  introduced  into  the  Solemn  Worfhip  of 

Cod,  isfo  like  thofe\yain  Imaginations  and  Keprefentments  forbidden  in  the 

Se:onc[tommandmeni,  that  the  yery  Sufpicion  is  more  againft  Edification  than 

their  Ufe  can  pretend  to.     Duft.  Dubit.  B.  3.  Ch.  4.  p.  681. 

'  him 


2i8  The  LJi^E  of       Chap.  X. 

*  him  with  fign  of  the  Crofs,    in  token  that  he  (hali  noc 

*  be  afham'd  to  confcfs  the  Faith  of  Chrift  Crucify 'dj, 

*  and  manfully  to  fight  under  his  Banner  againft  Sin,  the 

*  World  and  the  Devil,   and  to  continue  Cbrift's  faith- 

*  ful  Soldier  and  Servant  to  his  Lives  End,  Amen.*    So 
that  the  Thing  fignify'd,    is  Chrift  Crucify'd,  with  the 
Benefits  of  his  Crofs.     And  tlie  Image  of  the  Qtok  is 
appointed  to  work  this  Grace,  by  way  of  exciting  Sig- 
nification :    And  it  is  Exprefly  made  Man's  Covenant- 
ing Sign,  by  which  he  bindcth  hinifelf  to  Fidelity  ;  en- 
gaging, That  he  win  not  he  a/batn^  to  confefi  the  Fnith  cf 
ChrJft  Crucified^  &c.     AH  Covenant  Duty  that  is  re- 
quir'd  on  Man's  Part  is  hereby  promis'd :    And  the  Ca- 
non declares  it  is  a  Dedicating  Sign.     So  that  it  fecmeth 
a  Sacrament  of  Mans,   added  to  that  of  Chrift.    And 
tho'  it  be  a  Bond  onfy  on  Man's  part,  and  have  nothing 
in  it  of  an  Aflurahce  on  Gods  Part,   which  is  what  hath 
been  often  rep!y*d ;   yet  taken  fo,   it  feems  no  fmall  Re- 
fiedlion.    For  it  looks  as  if  Baptifm  as  Chrift  had  ap- 
pointed it,  were  efteem'd  a  Bond  not  fufficiently  firm 
and  ftrong»  and  therefore  needed  fome  Addition  where- 
by Men  might  be  tied  the  f^ifter  to  him,    and  bound  the 
iBore  firmly   to  their  Duty.     Our  Fathers  who  knew 
any  Thing  of  this  kind  would  be  refented  by  an  earth- 
ly   Prince,     could    not   underftand   upon    what   juft 
Grounds  we  might  prefume  to  make  more  bold  with 
the  great  Law- giver  in  the  Chriltian  Church.     And 
tho*  in  the  Form  of  Words  us'd,  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs 
is  (aid  to  be  in  lok^en  he  Ihail  not  be  alham'd  to  confefs 
the  Faith  of  Chrift  Crucify'd,   yet  the  Generality  are 
apt  to  underi^and  it,  as  if  it  had  been  faid,   that  in 
Vertue   and   Foxver   of  thu   Sign,    the   Perfon    Baptiz'd 
ihould  not  be  afliam'd  to  Confefs  the  Faith  of  Chrift 
Crucify'd,  but  fliould  fight  manfully  under  Chrifts  Ban- 
ner againft  Sin,   the  World,   and  the  Devil.    Now 
they  durft   not   concur  in  giving  even    an  Occafion, 
(knowingly)  of  fuch  a  Mifunderftanding  to  the  Vulgar 
and  Injudicious. 

The'  Chrifiians  In  the  Primitive  Times  might  make 
ufeof  thtSign  of  the  Crofy  yet  the  very  fime  Reafon 
which  might  put  them  upon  thatUfe  with  a  Reference 
to  the  Heathens,  (Tiould  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Silcnc'd 
Miniftcrs,  havemov'd  us  now  wholly  todifufeit,  with 
Reference  to  the  Papilh,    Profeflbra  then  Sign'd  them- 

felvcs 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  210 


felves  with  the  Sign  of  the  Crojly  to  diftinguifh  themfelvcs 
from  the  l^ngans,    who  fcorn* d  the  Crofs,    with  every 
Sign  and  Token  of  it:    And  with  Parity  of  Reafon 
they  thought  we  (hould  now  forbear  fo  doing,   to  di- 
ftinguilh  our  Selves  from  the  Idolatrous  P~ipi/is;   who 
fuperfticioufly  Adore  the  Crofs,   foolifhly  figDing  them- 
felves  wirh  it  upon  every  Occafion,  thinking  chemfelves 
no  good  CathoHcks  without  fo  doing,    and.  putdng  no 
little  Hope  and  Confidence  in  it  to  Free  and  Prorecft 
them  from  all  Evil,  and  to  furni(h  and  invert  them  with    ^ 
all  Good.     Now  that  they  might  Witnefs  their  Diflike       Baxter*; 
and  Deteftation  of  the  Vanity  of  the   Pnpiflj  herein,  ^°"/''^[°l'^j 
they  could  not  unfeignedly  Aflfent  and  Confent  to  the^^^  J^^^^ 
retaining  of  this  Sign.  ^^^  p^  _2 

But  their  Offence  at  it  was  much  the  more  heighten'd,  -jI     hU 
in  that  the  \J{c  or  Negle6l:  of  it  was  not  icft  to  the  Mi-  Flea    far 
niftcrs  Difcretion,  but  wherefoever  it  was  refus'd,  Bap-  ^eacey 
tifm  was  to  be  deny 'do     For  the  Subfcription  that  was  page  1 16, 
requir'd,  exprefly  obliged  to  uje  no  other  Form  (therefore  ^'^  Defence 
to  be  fure  not  in  the  Office  of  Baptifm)  than  that  in "/  '''^  ^^^^ 
the  Book.     And  the  Form  of  Baptifm  there  inferted,-^''*'  ■P''»f^> 
could  not  be  us'd  by  one  who  omitted  the  Crofs.     They  CS^  '9* 
could  not  herein  agree,   becaufe  they  found,  that  fuch  a  ^ '^      m'* 
Promife  and  Covenant  as  was  reqair'd,    always  to  ufe-^^^.'^^g  '^ 
that  Sign  in  Baptifm,    was  a  confenting  to  the  altering  Perfon  of 
the  Terms  of  Chrifts  Covenant,   and  Sacrament,    and  a^alhy 
to  contradidt  one  of  his  Fundamental  Laws.    Baptize, y;;e«>/»^ 
faith  Chrift,   all  that  are  made  Difciples  j   all  that  Re-  fome  Rea- 
pent  and  Believe.    No,  faith  the  Convocation,   Baptize/o«i  for  hit 
none  that  are  proposed,   tho'  they  have  all  that  is  necef-  Nowonfor- 
fary  to  make  them  Difciples  of  Chrift,  unlefsthey  will  "''O'*  ^o^" 
take  the  Tranfient  Image  of  a  Crofs,  for  their  farther  ^^*f  ^^" 
Obligation.     Here  was  amanifeft  Encroachment  upon  '"'"'*^» 
the  Kingly  Power  of  our  Saviour,    in    making  new  ff ^^  '^"^^ 
Terms  of  Communion,  which  they  durft  not  concur  in :  iq^^^I  . 
A  turning  the  Keys  upon  thofe  whom  they  knew  Chrift  io<ryfortli€ 
was  ready  to  receive :    And  a  pofitive  reje(5ting  fuch  as  Noncon- 
he  required  them  to*  Baptize.     And  this  (as  Light  aso-  foamifts, 
thers  made  of  it)  was  in  their  Efteem  a  Sm  of  an  high^^^e  55. 
Nature,  and  fo  would  their  Confenting  to  it  alfo  *.          Alfop'i 

Mifchicf  of 
Impojitions,  page  26.  Baxter'^  Second  True  Defence  of  the  Meer  Noncon- 
formifts,  Chap.  lo.  p.  153.  E/euthem  ('».  e.  Hickmanni)  Apologia  pro  E» 
ii^it  in  Anglia  Mimftrif,  page  102. 

5;  They 


2  20  The  LIFE   of        Chap.X. 


5.  This  AfTent,    Confent  and  Subscription,   would 
oblige  them  to  rejedl  all  fuch  from  Communion,    as 
would  not  receive  it  Kneeling. 
*7f  reas  a      That  it  would  have  herein   obligM  them  is  plain,  in 
Rule  in  the  that  the  Canon  forbids  Minifters  upon  Pain  of  Sufpenfi- 
Cnrnmon       on  to  give   the  Sacramenr  to  any  that  do  not  Kneel, 
FrayerBook  which  Canon  explains  the  meaning  of  the  Kubrick  in 
fet  forth  lit  f}jg  Liturgy,  and  intimates  that,    Give  it  to  them  Kneel- 
A/n^  bi-    Ij^^^  J5  equi>  alent  to,  pve  it  only  tn  fuch.     It  was  indeed 
T'^     '  k      Aflerred  by  the  Difpucants  on  the  Church-fide  at  the  Sa^ 
jr^l.  -  "  '^9'f  that  the  Liturgy  only  requird  it  (hould  be  given  i^neel' 
tHahin<r-       ^'"^  ^^^  ^''^  not  forbid  the  giving  it  to  others:    But  it  was 
Kneclhvr      generally  Contradidled  by  the  other  CommifTioners,  and 
nni  other    particularly  thole  who  were  upon  the  Secret.     And  in- 
GeftvA'ei^     ^^^(^  this  would  be  to  fet  the  Liturgy,    and  the  Canons 
they  may     at  Variance  j  whereas  they  are  really  all  of  a  Piece  ^, 

be     us^d 

or  /ef't^  tit  every   Mans  Devotion  fervcth.     But  no  fuch   Liberty  could  he  a.1- 
hrffi  by  the  New  Common  grayer  Book.     Mr   Ollyffe  in  his  Def  ofMin.Conf. 
p.  54j  here  very  ^ankly  leaves  the  Impfers  to  (hi ft  for  themfehes:    But  de- 
fend} the  To/iure  of  Kneeling.     He  fays,  that  the  Toflure  mdby  our  Saviour 
M-  ^'^Hefally  alter  d-^    and  demands  T roof  of  hii  ufing  a  Table   Poflure  :  And 
intimites  that  he  and  hit  Brethren  never  entred  into  the  Secret  ofthofe,  who  were 
for  heefing  away  fuch  as  did  not  Kneel  -^    and  that  the  Canon  about  thU  Mat' 
t'cr  h  nothin'^  to  the  Veclavati'm  and  Subfcrifxtion.     My  Reply,  in  Def,  of  Mod. 
Nonconf.  Tart  2.  p.  200.  is  this:    Tltat  if  I  fuhmitted  to  Impofitions  out  of 
rera'id [to  the  Authority  of  Impofers,  I  fl)ould  think  myftlf  obligd   to  regard 
their    Senfe  of  thofc  Impcftions.      I  give  htm    Reafons  why  "'tis  probable  that 
our  Lord  might  ufe    a  Table  Bofure  at  the  Luchariftical  Supper ;    And  add, 
that  ftncc   he  and  his  Brethren  are  not  in  the  Secre  s  of  High  Church,  'tis  pity 
they  Jh^uld  fupport  them  in  their  Methods,  and  be  their  DruJ<^es  to  defend  their 
Ca'uf,  and  that  upon  Principles  nfh.ch  they  rs>:ll  not  own.   And  if  it  be  the  Senfe 
of  the  Church  that  rctjuircs  Kneeling,  that  all  /hould  Kneel -^  and  this  Kneeling  as 
re<]urrd  by  the  Church  be  one  of  the  Cereinnnies  Ajfented  andConfcntedto,thenmitfi 
the  Declaration  ajid  Subfcription  made  in  compliance  with  the  Afh  for  Uniformity, 
he  an  Agreement  to  exclude  fuch  as  refufe  Kneelm'^,   whxhthe  EjeCled  Mini/lers 
durfi  not  concur  in.     He  that   would  fee   more  of  this  Matter,    may  ccnfult 
Mr.  0!!yffe'5  2^.Dcf.  o/Min.  Conf  Andmy  Def  of  Mod.  Nonc.Part  r^.p.  329. 
*  7  fhallonly  add,  that  Kneeling  at  the  Communion  wasordered  by  Pope  Honorius, 
An:  1 1  r  4   Here  the  Sacrament  was  made  an  Idol,  fays  Bp.  Jewel  in  hisfirfi  Book 
againff  hirdirg.     SeeDnrctal  L   ^  Tit.  1 .  Cap  gc.Reg.  p.  67,  Andthti Ithink 
well  defrvcs  more  Confideration  in  the  cafe  <f  any  that  fcruple  Kneeling,    than 
Mr.  Hoadly  feems  to  atlotv  for-.,     who  co.npares  a  Mam  fcrupling  Kneeling  at 
the  Sacrament,  for  fear  offymboHz.'nr  with  the  Romanifts  in  their  idolatry^ith 
his  fcrupling  to  receive  the  S.acrament  at  one  particular  Time  rather  thcin  ano' 
Hfer,  which  is  a  Thing  that  never  was  pretended,  nor  pleaded^  nor  (.anit  with, 
tic  lean  p)adow  of  Rcafon.     See  his  R,.ifon  of  Conf,  p.'Ji.  73 .  Thus 


Chap.  X.  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  221  _ 

Thus  to  exclude  all  that  Ihould  refufe  Kneeling  at 
the  Communion,   was  what  they  could  not  Confenc  to: 
Becaufc  it  was  a  making  New  Terms  of  Church  Com- 
munion;    a  contradifting   Chrifts   appointed   Terms, 
which  require  all  Chriftians  to  receive  each  other  in 
Lovt  and  Concord,  and  not  to  doub  f  1  Difputations*:     ^  Seethe 
A  -depriving  Chrift's  Members  of  their  Right;  anUfur-  -^^^^ument 
pation   upon   Mens   Confciences;     and    a  tearing  the  "^^"   '^'■'" 
Charch  by  dividing  Engines.     Even  thofe  of  them  who  f"^^^'^   ^' 
could  not  charge  Kneeling  as  finful,   and  who  could  7^'J^°' 
themfelves  have  comply'd  wth  i%    were  yet  afraid  of  ]^-    J"^ 
excluding  others  upon  fuch  an  Account  as  that,  by  Rea-  ratiye"^^^^' 
fon   it  was  far  from  being  a   necelTary  Matter.    And  1^5. '      ' 
withal,   Perfons  might  have  very  good  Rea  (on  to  be 
backward  to  yield  to  the  altering  of  that  Pofture  that 
^as  us'd  by  our  Saviour  in  the  Adminiftratioii;    and  to 
be  (hy  of  feeming  to  fymbolize  with  Idolaters,    in  ifing 
that  Pofture  which  is  well  known  to  be  usd  by  the  Pa- 
pilts  with  an  Intention  of  Adoration,as  to  the  fclcinentsj 
which  tho'  difclaim'd  by  the  Church  of  England,  is  yet 
apt  to  be  mifin'erpreted.     Suppofe  a  Man  (hould  upon 
fearching  Church-Hiftory,  find  that  the  Pofture  of  Ki  eel- 
ing  at  the  Communion  was  never  requir'd  in  the  Church, 
till  the  Dodtnne  of  Tmnfubflantiation  was  efta'^lifh'd  5 
this  alone  (tho*  he  (honld  have  nothing  fa-  ther  to  alledge) 
might  be  a  valif^  Reafon  for  his  being  Ihy  of  that  Po- 
fture   But  for  Minifters  to  enter  into  an    fuch  Combi- 
nation, as  to  be  oblig'd  to  tell  fuch  a  Man  when  offer- 
ing himfelf  to  Communion  ;    truly  Sir,   while  you  are 
under  this  Scruple,  tho'  I  may  Pity  you  for  your  Weak- 
nefs,  yet  I  can't  own  you  for  a  Chriftian,  this  they  tho't 
hard:  And  the  more  fo,  in  that  equal  Care  was  not  ta- 
ken to  keep  off  from  the  Communon,  Piirfojis  evidently 
unqualifi'd,   and  unworthy,    either  thro*  Ignorance,  or 
Immorality;  unlefsbyfuch  a  Method  as  was  hkely  to 
do  more  H-  rt  than  Good. 

This  of  being  bound  to  rejed  from  the  Communion 
fuch  as  durft  not  receive  it  Kneeling,  was  the  only  Point 
canvals'd  in  the  Savq)  Conference,  The  Minifters  aflert- 
ed  this  to  be  finful :  And  they  not  only  aflerted  it,  but 
advanced  in  Proof  of  it  fuch  Reafons  as  thcfe.  Becaufc 
it  would  be  an  obliging  them  to  deny  People  the  Com- 
munion, on  the  Account  of  their  not  daring  to  go  againft 
the  Pradice  of  the  Apoftles,  and  the  Univerfal  Church 

for 


2Z2  The  LI  FE  of      Chap.  X, 

for  many  Hundred  Years  after  them;    and  the  Canons 

of  the  moft  venerable  Councils.     Bccaufe  it  would  be 

an  obliging  th«  m  to  deny  the  Communion,    to   fuch 

as  the  Holy  Ghoft  had  requir'd  them  to  receive  to  it. 

Becaule  it  was  an  impofing  on  the  Church,  Things  an  - 

tecedentJy  unnecelTary,   upon  the  higheft  Penalty  5  vi-:^, 

excluding  from  Communion.     Becaule  it  was  a  crofling 

ibat  great  Rule  of  Charity,    .1  will  have  MerQy,  and  not 

Sacrifice.     And  ,a   ufing  that   Power  .  to    Deliruilion, 

t  Baxter's  ^^^^^  w^s  given  to  be  us'd  to  Edification  |.     [He  thac 

Jionconfor-  defires  to  fee  thefe  Reafons  pirluM  and  drawn  out,  may 

mitj Stated  Coniyili  Mr.  Baxters  Life  in  Fclio^  Page  346,  347.  and 

4tnd   Ar-     360,  361.] 

77.  His  Tied  for  Teace^  pag.  182.  Qorht\.\ 'Remains^  pag.  149.  Trough- 
ton's  Apology  for  the  Nonconformifis,  pag.  ^7.  Rleutheril  [J.  e.  Hickmanni) 
Apologia  pro  ejeHis  in  Anglia.  Minljirii^  pag.  <^i^&c. 

6.  This  AfTent,    Confent,    and  Subfcription,    would 

*  Mr.     ^^   an   Allowance  and  Approbation  of  that  Aflertion^ 

Ollyffe,  /«that  Bijhops,  Pn'esls,   and  Dcicons,   are  Three  Diftin£l: 

his  Def.  of  Orders  in  the  Church  by  Divine  Appointment  *.     For 

Min.  Conf. 

t^  5^7  5P)  ^^'  °'^'*^  '^'^f  '^^^  ^iTfWfj  Confent^  and  Subfcription  does  allots 
this^  a^  to  the  Three  ViftinCl  Orders  ^  But  fays^  that  the  Objection  againU  it 
drvindles  into  a  jirife  about  Wr^rds:  Tor  that  BilTiop  and  Presbyter  may  be  the 
fame  Order  in  one  reJ^eU^  ar.d  difcreni  Orders  in  another  refpeCh,  Mr, 
HoaJly  in  his  Reafon  0/ Conf.  p.  105.  3ec.  fcems  to  thii^h^  That  the  AlTenr, 
Confent,  and  Subfcription,  does  not  oblige  to  a'Z^vee  to  this-,  or  if  It  doesy  he 
fays,  the  Objefiions  againfl  it  are  Ijard  and  unrcafonable.  Tor  that  this  Af 
fertion  implies  no  more  than  that  it  is  a  plain  Truth.^  that  inhere  haye  been  tiTC 
Three  Orders  in  the  Churchy  from  tl)e  Time  of  the  Apoftles,  which  has  been 
generally  acknowledged,  and  that  by  Mr.  Baxter  among  others.  My  Replji 
Def  o/Mod.  None.  Pan  2.  p.  209.  6tc.  is  this,  that  »/  BiQiops  and  Pref- 
byrers  A£l  by  the  fame  CommJJion  in  the  federal  Farts  of  Mini/iration  and 
Jurifdi^ion,  (of  which  I  think  there  is  good  Evidence,  and  fuch  as  I  neyer 
yet  could  fee  difpror  d)  then  they  cannot  be  diftin^l  Orders,  by  Divine  Ap- 
fo  niment,  or  from  the  Days  of  the  Apoftles,  which  with  me  is  all  one.  And 
if  P; caching  Deacons,  (whrch  are  the  Deacons  of  the  Church  ©/"England) 
were  unknown  in  the  Apofiles  Vays^  (which  admits  of  eafe  Proof )  neither 
then  can  there  be  Three  Vifiinll  Orders  from  their  Time  And  take  it  at 
be  ft,  lis  hard,  where  the  Thing  depending  is  a  Matter  of  Fa^l,  to  put  d 
Man  upon  declarini^  or  acknowledging  thai  that  is  Evident  to  all  diligent 
KcaderSj  which  has  been  contefied  by  as  diligent  And  impartial  finrehen  into 


Cha^.  X.       Mr.  Kichird  Baxter.  22:^ 

in  t^e  Book  of  Ordination,  which  was  as  much  to  be  Antiquity  ^ 
Affenred  and  ConlVnted  to,  as  the  Common  Prayer'*^  '^"y  ^''« 
Book  itfelf ,  it  is  aflcrtcd,  That  h  k  evident  to  all  Men  P^^Ji^etonc 
4tl:gentl)  B^adiuo  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  ancient  Author s,^!'^^ 
that  fern  the  Apoftles  Time,  there  have  been  thcfe  OK- ^'''^''f' 
DERS,  in  Chrijfs  Church,  Bi/hopj,  PrieJts.rMd Deacom^'^^  rf"^^ 
ai  hjveral  OFFICES.  And  indeed  the  whole  Book  of  Baxto-  t/70' 
Ordination  is  botioip'd  upon  that  Suppolicion  as  its  /^  ovrm  £- 
Foundation,  p'fcopacy  to 

be  jlncient^ 
yet  I  C4nwt  find  that  he.  ever,  achnowledg'd  .'Three  DiftinCl  Orders  from  the 
AfafiU'>  Time  But  let  it  once  be  fairly  frorp'dY  that  liifhops,  Priefls,  and 
Deacons,  had  from  the  Time  of  the  Apofiies,  thofe  dr/l'tnB  Pothers  whith  ate 
mw  a^gn''d  them  by  the  dmrch  of  "Enghnd^  <ind  if  any  aftertvardi  Cavil 
about  the  Term  that  fhould  beglxenthem^andvifhethertheyfhall  be  caWdT/^ree 
Orders,  Offices  or  Degreed,  they  would  be  needlejlf  Litigiow,  See  more  of  this 
Matter,  in  Mr  OllyfFe's  Second  Dti.  of  Min.  Conf.  -  p.  195.  Mr.  Hoadly's 
Dcf.ofthe  Reafon  of  Conf.  p.  66-,  and  my  Def.  o/Mod.  None. P.  5.  /».  532, 
&  795.  1  fljall  only  add  a  Parage  out  of  Caffander,  whofe  Judgment  and 
Sentimenti  may  in  this  Cafe  deferve  fame  regard  :  'Tis  this'^  An  Epifcopatua 
inter  Ordinei  ponendus  fie,  inter  Theologos  &  CanpnlftaSi  non  convenit: 
Convenic  autem  liter  omnes,  olim  Apodolicorura  aetate,  inter  Epifcopoa 
&  Presbyteros  difcrimen  nullum  fuifle.  Corolla c  ;fu tern  Sacros  Ordines  mo- 
pviedici  diaconacum  5c  Presbyteratuii,  Sz;  quosfolos  Piimicivam  Ecdeliain 
in  ufu  habuifle  legatur.     Georgii  Cajfandri  Confultatio^  Artie,  i^. 

Now  many  of  the  Ejected  Minifters  were  Confcious 
to  themfelvesi  that^ they  had  diligently  read  the  Hojy 
Scriptures,  and  confulted  Ancient  .Au'^hbrs,  and  yet 
could  not  fee  Evidence  of  Three  ORDERS  and 
OFFICES:  And  therefore  to  have  .yiel4ed  to  that 
Declaration  and  Subfcription  which  would  have  im- 
ply'd  the  contrary,  had  been  grofs Prevarication.  They  alfo 
tho't  they  had  good  Reafon  to  believe,  that  Calvin^  ^^K^y 
and  many  more  of  the  firft  Reformers  j  and  thatfuch  Men 
as  Blonde! y  SalmafiUi,I{obert  Parker,  Gerfom  Bucer^  Calder" 
wood,  Cartvoright,  John  B^ynolds,  Ames,Ainfworth,  and  many 
more  fiich  eminent  ProteHants^  who  had  quite  different 
Apprehenlions  of  this  Matter,  had  diligently  read  both  the 
Scriptures  and  the  Ancients,  as  well  as  their  Neighbours. 
Neither  could  they  fee  any  Reafon  to  be  confident,  that 
fuch  Men  oi  Selden,  StiQingfleet  (at  that  time  when  he  wrote 
his  Irenicum)  Bifhop  Edward  Reynolds,  and  many  others, 
who  iho'E  the  Scripture  inftUuted  no  Particular  Forms 

of 


2  24  T^l^e  LIFE  of        Chap.  5^* 

of  Governmenr,  had  been  altogether  unconverfant  ei* 
ther  with  Scriptures  or  Fathers.  Nor  did  they  think  it 
neceflary  to  run  down  fuch  a  Man  as  Arch-BiOiop  Vflyer 
as  a  Novice  in  either,  tho'  he  often  profefs'd  it  his 
Senfe,  that  Bifhops,  are  not  a  different  Order^  but  a  dif* 
fcrent  D^^ree  in  the  fame  Order. 

Nay,  they  found  that  even  the  Church  of  England 
was  formerly  of  another  Mind,  as  may  be  feen  in  the 
^<  t  Canons  of  uElfrick  to  Biihop  I4^ulfinc*y  which  conclude 
nnnni  ^^^^  there  were  but  Seven  Ecclefiaftical  Orders,  and 
CoKcU.  Fol.  fh^t  the  Bifoop  and  Presbyters  4re  not  Two,  but  One. 
I.  nag.  And  Bifhop  StiSingfleet  pfov'd  ds  they  tho't  by  fufficient 
575,  57^-  Evidence,  that  Arch-Bifliop  C^/v^w^r,  and  other  Refor- 
Septem  mers  of  the  Church  of  England  were  of  that  Mind  • 
Gradusy  and  held  that  there  was  no  Difference  in  Ordo  between 
confiltutl  a  Bijhop  and  Presbyter^  bat  only  in  Degree.  Wicfi 
funt^  in  Ec-  ^^^^  Confciencc  then  could  they  have  yielded  to  fuch 
c/e/tci.  ^  Subfcription   and   Declaration,    as  would    reprefent 

'u'a'***'  ^^  *^  ^^^^^  Senfe,  that  Bifhops,  Priefis,  and  Deacons^ 
Ho  laiius,  ^^^^  Three  Diftindt  Orders  all  along  in  the 
leftor-  Church,  while  they  tho't  they  had  good  Reafon  to 
Ten/^tfEx'  apprehend  the  contrary,  and  good  Company  in  that  Ap- 
orcifta^  prehenfion. 
QuAttm 

Acolychus;  Quintus  Subdiaconcus  5  SextU4  Diaconus;  Septimut  Pres- 
byter. Haud  pluris  Intereji  inter  Mijfalem  Presbyterum  6r  Epilcopum, 
quam  quod  Epifcopus  conftituttn  ft  ad  Ordinationes  conferendas,  ^  dayifi' 
tandum  feu  Hnfpiciendum  curandumque  ea  qu£  ad  Veum  pertinent,  quod  m- 
mi<t  crederetur  Multitudini,  ft  omnis  Presbyter  hoc  idem  facerct.  Arhbo  fiqui- 
dcm  UNU M  tenent  E UTJD E M J^E  ORDINBM,  quamris  dtgnior  fit 
iHupars  Ep'ifcopi.     Non  eft  alini  ORDO  conjiitutm  in  Ecclefiafticis  Mini* 

fieri i<,  &c. 

Baxter'5  Flea  for  Peace,  page  194. 

Befidcs  thefe,  there  were  other  Things,  which  tho* 
by  foine  poiribly  lefs  regarded  than  the  former,  were 
yet  fuch  as  ihey  could  not  Aflent  and  Confent  to, 
without  having  Reafon  and  Confcience  fly  in  theis 
Face. 

I.  They  could  not  Confent  to  Pronounce  all  Sav'd, 
that  are  Bury'd  except  the  Unbaptiz'd,  Excommunicate^ 


^n^ 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Evjchard  Baxter.  215 


and  Self-Murtherers  *.     The  Words  in  that  Office  for     ^Dy. 
the  Burial  of  the  Oead  are  thefe ;    For  as  much  aiit  /j^z/j  Still ingfleec 
pleased  Almighty  God  of  >'K  great  Mercy^  to  t4^  unto  him-  ''^  ''**  ■?»'<?- 
y?//,  the  Sou!  of  our  dear  Brother  here  departed  :  and  afcer-^'*^^  ^°  ^''« 
wards ;  IVe  give  thee  hea)  ty  Thanks  for  that  it  hath  pleas'd  ^^^'^^^on- 
thee  to  deliver  this  our  Brother  out  of  the  Miferies  cf  thts  ^^^^^^^^  °f 
finfulJ4^orld.     And  again;  That  xve  mny  reft  in  H.m,  aif^^^^'^^^' 
our  Hope  »,  thfs  ow  B  other  doth.     This  they  could  by  no^/^  .  yowm 
Means   approve  of.     For  rho'   they  own'd  themfclves  Expre/Bns 
bound  to  judge  according  to  the  utmoft    Bounds  ofinthisop. 
Charity  concerning  all.  yea,  even  thffe  with  whem  they  ficc  for  the 
tvould  not  change  Souls,  not  ^e  in  their  Condition  after  Burial  of 
Death  for  Ten  Thoufand  WorJds,    yet  pofitively  and  ^'^^  Dead, 
peremptorily  without  all  Limitation  or  Difcrimination,/'^/'Cy^  tf>e 
to  fay  and  avouch  conierning  every  one  whom  they -^.^'<^f •^''■'»*- 
Bury'd,   That  God  in  gre^.t  Me>cy  has  tal{en  his  Soul ;  viz/i-^y^  ^'f' 
by  Death  out  of  the  Body  ;     And  t^ken  it  to  hiwfelf;  this  ^/^J"f'  ''"^ 
was  beyond  their  Faith,    and  they  found  nothing  Jike^^^/"^*" 
it  in  the  Gofpel,    which  fpeaks  altogether  in  another  ^n/^gL   **  - 
Language   to  and  of    in^penitent  Sinners.     It   is  p^^i^Mr.OUvff-' 
Contradi(5tion,    that  Thoufan-is  are  cut  off  by   Death  //,  /./^  x)^^; 
in  the  midft  of  their  Sins,  of  Drunkennefs,  Whoring,  of  Min. 

Conf./7.  5g. 
&C.  fays,  that  the  fllenvd  Mlytifien  vfere  not  put  to  that  which  they  tpere  fo 
afraid  of    nor  rvM  he  neither.     He  f leads  that  this  Office  may  be  fafely  us'd 
at  the  Gratis  offome  ^    Out  fays  that  confenting  to  ufe  the  Book^    does  not 
oblige  to  ufe  thit  Office  at  the  Graves  of  all.      J^-nd  tho'  there  w  a  Canon  that 
threatens  Sufpenjton  to  Mlnifiers  who  refufe  to  Bury  any  but  the  Excommuni- 
cate, yet  he  intimates,  that  ti?here  a  Minifter  fcrufles  ufing  ihisOjjice,  he  need 
but  take  his  Herfe  and  ride  out  of  Town,    and  can  be  in  no  great  danger  up- 
on that  Account :  Or  elfe  he  may  leave  out   what   is  liable  to  be  mifcoftftrued, 
die.     Mr.  Hoadly,  Reaibn  of  Conf.  p   f  12,  6sc.  fays,  he  wont  trouble  hi m- 
fc If  or  its  with  fearchin^  out  fome  pofjthle  found- Senfc,    in  which  fome  of  the 
Pajfages  in  this  Burial  Office  that  are  excepted  againfi  mi^iht  be  under fi ood  : 
He  frankly  owns  that  in  fuch  Cafes  a6  thofe  that  are  mention  d,  of  Men  cut  off' 
in  the  midjl  of  Notoriotu  Sins,    as  Drunkennefs,    Adultery,  Murder^  &c.  this 
Office  is  wholly  improper.     Only  />e  pleads  for  God's  taking  to  himfelf,  the  Sou/ 
of  a  departed  Brother,    in  the  Common  Way:    And    ii  fill  for  hoping  beyond 
what  «thers  can  fee  ^eafon  for:    But  afier  all,  does  not  think  that  a  Mini- 
fier  is  obliged  to  ufe  thefe  Exprejjions  excepted  again/},    in  fuch  Cafes  a.s  thjfe 
mentioned'.,    or  is  likely   to  fuffer  the    leafi   inconyenicnce  for  omitting  them. 
Uind  he  afferts,  that  the  omitting  of  thefe  Sentences  in  fuch  Cafes,  is  not  con.' 
trary  to  the   defign  of  the  Church  in  prefcribing  this  Form,   but  more  agree- 
abli  to  iti  than  the  vfn^  them, 

Q  Swear* 


X26  The  L I FE  of        Chap.  X. 

Mheti  I  Swearing,  ^c,  without  any  lign  of  Repentance  from 
afterguards  Firft  to  Laft,  fo  Living,  and  fo.'  Dying :  Now,  how 
mentioned  a  can  it  be  faid,  T/M^  God  took^  away  fuch  Perfons  out  of  this 
remarkable  lyorld  by  Deatb^  in  Mercy^  in  great  Mercy?  In  as  much 
FaHr,  rvhich  as  at  the  fame  Inftant,  they  were  taken  away  from  all 
n**Tn'  Po^^bility  of  Future  Repentance  and  Amendment  of 
Ton  &  hi  ^^^*^'  '^^^^  ^^^'^  ^"  ^^^^  Cafes  it  might  rather  be 
cfffmw^i  ^  ^^3.1'd,  That  God  took,  them  awny  in  Wrath ;  provok'd  by 
a  Sermon  ^^*^  ^°"g  Abufe  of  his  Patience,  and  rheir  own  Impeni- 
that  the  '  tency.  Yet  neverthelefs  the  Prieft  mutt  not  only  fay, 
Diffentcn  tliat  God  took  away  ail  fuch  Perfons,  in  Mercy ^  in  gretit 
hadfome  Mercy ^  but  aJfo  pofitively  affirm,  that  Good  took^  them  to 
pUufible  himfelfy  \.  e.  into  Heaven.  Whereasthe  Scripture  faith 
objections  exprelly,  that  neither  Adulterers,  nor  Fornicators,  nor 
a^ainji  the  Drunkards  fhall  ever  go  to  Heaven :  Yet  hereby  muft 
Common  j-jj^y  j^j^^g  oblig'd  themfelves,  in  perfedt  Oppofition, 
^^VJ\  when  they  Bury'd  any  known  Adulterer,  Fornicator,  or 
San*^  1  f  ^^  Drunkard  ;  to  declare  and  avouch  that  his  Soul  was  ajfw 
fertdlno;  for  ''^^^^  <?^"^  thither.  They  could  not  fee  how  Charity 
hint  to  Ee-  would  excufe  dangerous  Eriors  and  Falftiood.  By  this 
primand  Means  they  faw  they  (hould  be  necelTitated  to  Pronounce 
him,   he     many  Savd  at  the  Grave,  whom  in  their  Pulpits  and 

fiood     to 

Tvhat  he  had  ajferted  ;  The  Archbip)op  ask'd  him  which  Farts  of  the  Common 
Prayer  he  meant  5  And  he  mention  d  this  Burial  0_ffice  •,  upon  which  that  Ardr- 
bi/hof>  nwnd  to  }}im,  that  he  was  fo  little  fat  is  fed  with  that  Office  himfelf^ 
that  for  that  yery  Reafon  he  had  never  taken  a  Cure  of  Souls  •,  Mr.  OllyfFQ 
pajfes  it  by  'as  a  Private  Story  ^  and  Mr.  Hoadly  fays,  that  he  finds  the  Truth 
of  it  much  queft ion  d-^  and  therefore  to  give  them  SatisfaCiion,  I  Jj^all  now 
tell  them  that  I  have  it  under  the  Hand  of  Mr.  Stancliffe,  who  wrote  that 
Pajfage  (among  many  other  Things  of  bis  own  Knowledge)  in  the  Ikargin  of 
p.  5  J  9.  of  my  Abrid-i^ement,  and  afterwards  was  fo  kind  as  to  fend  me  his 
Book  for  my  own  Ufe.  And  I  fuppofe  none  that  knew  him,  and  knew  his 
Vrisedom  with  Dr.  Tillotfon,  wiE  demur  upon  crediting  the  Relation.  He 
that  would  fee  more  upon  this  Objection,  may  Confult,  my  Def.  of  Mod. 
None.  Part.  2.  p.  219.  &c.  Mr.  Ollyife'i  Second  Dcf.  o/Min.  Conf.  p.  203. 
Mr.  Hoadly'i  Def.  of  the  Reafon  of  Conf.  p.  80.  And  my  Def,  of  Mod. 
None.  Part  3    p.  ^2^,  &  p.  40^- 

/  fhall  only  add.,  that  the  Bijhops  and  Divines  raho  met  at  the  Bifljop  of 
Lincola's  in  Weftminfter,  in  1^41,  about  Alterations^  were  for  changing 
the  Phrafe  in  this  Office^  in  fure  and  certain  Hope  of,  the  Refuneition  to 
Erernil  Life,  and  putting  it  thus  5  knowing  alTurtdiy  that  ihc  Dead  IJiaU 
rife  ng^in. 

Writings 


Ghap.  X.         Mr,  Flichard  Baxter.  227 


Writings  they  tho't  theinfelves  oblig'd  to  Condemn. 
They  (hould  hereby  be  in  danger  of  fpeaking  falfly  for 
God .  mifreprefenting  his  Word,  and  hardningthe  ungod- 
ly and  prophane  in  their  Hope  of  coming  off  Safe  at 
Laft,  altho' they  perSfted  in  their  diffblute  and  licenti- 
ous Courfe.  Now  they  durft  not  Dannn  a  known  A- 
dulterer,  Fornicatour,  and  Drunkard,  while  he  was 
Living,  and  yet  fave  him  when  he  was  Dead.  Nor 
yet  again  could  they  commit  his  Body  to  the  Ground^  in  * 
fure  nnd  certain  Hope  of  the  I^efurreB ion  unto  Rternnl  Life,. 
Which  Words  muft  neceflariJy  be  fpoken  with  Refe- 
rence to  the  Ferfon  then  Interred,  inafmuch  as  they  are 
the  Continuation  of  the  foregoing  Declaration :  vi^^, 
Gods  taking  his  Soul  to  him/elf,  Befides  it  follows  f  which 
puts  it  out  of  Doubt)  in  the  laft  Colled  or  Prayer,  Thaf 
when  we  Poall  de-part  this  Life,  voe  may  rcjl  in  him^  O'^'l* 
Chrift^  lii  our  Hope  is  this  our  Brother  doth.  Now  chey 
tho't  it  were  eafie  to  fore- fee  fundry  Cafes,  in  which 
they  would  be  fo  far  from  having  any  Jure  nnd  certain 
Hope  of  a  Happy  I^efwreHion,  unto  Eternal  Life  and  SaU 
vation^  that  there  would  rather  be  a  ftirc  and  certain 
fear  of  a  doleful  I^JurreHion  unto  Eternal  Death  and 
Damnation,  And  withal,  it  feem'd  to  them  to  be 
but  a  wild  and  fanciful  fort  of  Charity  in  thefe  Men, 
that  they  fliould  have  fuch  hopes  as  to  perfons  Dy- 
ing under  fuch  grofs  Sins,  as  Murder  or  Adultery,  Re- 
bellion or  Blafphemy  without  Repentance,  while  yet 
many  of  their  Confciences  were  too  tender  to  allow  *ji  tetter 
the  Office  to  Differ: ters^  becaufe  they  were  hopelefs^ow  a  Mi* 
Schifm^ticks  *.  ni/ier  to  a 

Ferfon  of 
Quality -i  P}ewing  fame  Feafons  for  his  Nonconformity.     Baxter'^  iVo«fo«/or- 
mity  Stated  and  Argu'd^  page  85.     His  Flea  for  Feace^  page  187.     Cor- 
hst's  Remains,  page  161. 

2.  They  could  not  Confent  to  a  falfe  Rule  for  find- 
ing out  Eafier   Dayf.     In  the  Common  Prayer  Book     f  Mr, 

Ollyffe  in 
his  Def.  o/Min.  Conf.  p.  7c,  71.  asks  why  they  mayr.'t  confent  toufe  a  ^ood 
Rule  that  generally  hnlds  good^  becaufe  in  a  Reyolut'.on  of  [cores  of  Tears 
it  has  been  found  to  hare  forne  Exceptions?  Mr.  Ho^dly'f  Realbn  of  Conf. 
p.  I  2f.  jQryj,  that  fuppofmg  this  Rule  falfc,  a  Man  might  with  a  fafe  Con- 
fcience^  both  dec/are  his  j^jjent  and  Omfeni^  and  SuLfcrihs:  And  add<^  that 
tlte  fuppofed  faljity  of  this  Ru/e^    is  wholly  founded  upon  a  miflake  of  out 

Q^  z  there 


-  228  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X. 

own.  Tht-  there  is  a  Rule  for  finding  out  the  moveable  Feafts  and 
B 14 J e neither  Holidays.  Eafter  Day  (on  which  the  reft  depend)  is 
contraciich  tii^nys  the  flrft  Sunday  after  the  firfi  Full  Moon,  vehtch  hap- 
the  Table  m  ^.„j  ^^^^  ^.yr^^y.  ^/,^  Q„p  ^nd  Twentieth  Day  of  March :  And 
the  Common  -j:  ^y^  p^j^  ^^^  happens  vfon  A  Sunday,  Eafter  Day  is 
llr]h^Com^^^''  Sunday  after.    The  frequent  falfity  of   this  Rule, 

7»on  Al- 

tnanacli  xohuh  agree  with  the  Table.  Only  we  (he  fays)  judge  of  the 
Mcon  h  the  Common  Almanacks^  which  are  there  fet  down  according 
to  the  Keformation  of  the  Kalendar^  and  the  Rule  jpeals  of  the  Moons  m 
they  are  to  be  found  in  our  own  Kalendar,  according  to  the  Account  in  Ufe 
before  that  Keformaticn.  Hereupon^  /,  in  my  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Conf. 
Tart  2.  p.  241,  added  fame  T articular 'Remarks  of  a  Hori})y  Friend,  who  is 
rtchon'd  to  hare  a  good  Matljcmatical  Head,  by  all  that  knorv  him,  to  P)ew 
tijat  our  Brethren  had  no  fuch  great  Caufe  of  Triumfh  upon  this  Head.  But 
Mr.  Hoadly  it  fcems  will  hare  nothing  to  do  with  him,  till  he  learns  more 
Manners  (not  to  fay  'Religion)  than  to  ridicule  and  infult  the  Common  Trayer 
Book,    and  more    Wit    than  to    meddle  \with  what    he  under/lands  nothit^ 

«/.  *  v 

Mr.  '\r\o2d\y  himfelf  (nay  eyen  as  Great  a  Man  as  Dr.  Wailis,)  has  jtnce 

heen  chargd  with  not  rightly  understanding  this  Matter,    by  one  that  prof effes 

with  great  Pains  to   hare  fully  clear  d  it.     I  defrd  my  Friend  once  more  to 

coniidir  the  Matter,  with  the  help  of  this  new  Light.,  and  give  me  hisTho'ts, 

itphlch  he  hath  accordingly  done  5    and  with  his  leayt  I  here  offer  them  to  the 

hot  Id, 

''  Tliat-v'e  may  ilohtly  judge  whetlier  the  Rale  in  the  Common  Prayer 

"  Book,  ro  find  out  Eafter  for  ever,  is  lit  to  be  Ajfented  and  Confented  to, 

**  a.s  what  ^viII  hold  always  (or  indeed,  at  all)  True,  we  muft  firft  know 

"  what  is  tcv  be  underftood  by   EASTER-VAT.     If  a  Tearly  Memorial 

"  of  our  Lord's  Refurreftioh,  which  he  would  have  the  Chriftian  Church 

"  oblerve  in  all  Ages  and  Places,  we  can't  but  veliemently  fufpeft  (if  not 

'*  firmly  belitve)  theie  is  no  fuch  Thing  te  be  found  by  any  Rule  what- 

*'  ever,    ef^Tecially    wlulft  we   have  a    li'eelcly  Memorial  of  it   by    Scrip- 

**  tural  Au':hority,    as  we    are  well  perfwaded.      We    do  indeed   find 

"  the  Word  £4y?er,  Afts  12.  4,   put  into  the  Text  by  our  Tranflators, 

"  who  were  too  plainly  willing  to  favour  the  Thing',    but  eveu  tliey  have 

"  own'd  in  the  Mirgin,    that  according  to  the  Greek  (yrdi;^,  Pafcha)  it 

"  fiiould  have  been,  the  Tajfoyer,   and  means  no  doubt,    the  plain  down- 

"  rigl'.t  Jewifl)  PafTovcr,  which  Herod  would  have  elos'd  and  crown  d  with' 

"  the  Martyrdom  of  Teter.     We  think  'tis  but  little  in  Favour  of  Eafter- 

"  day  and  the  other  Moveable  Fcafts  depending  on  it,   or  the  fixt  Ones 

"  which  attend  tlieni,    that  St.  "Paul  hatii  faid  to  the  Galatians,  (Ch.  4.  9, 

"    io,ii.)  H9W  turn  ye  again  to  the  weak  and  beggarly  Elements,  where- 

*  unto  ye  def  re  again  to  be  in  Bondage?    Te  obferve  Vays^   and  Mornhf^^and 

may 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  229 

may  be  feen  by  confulting  the  Common  Almanacks ; "  7/>/p^, 
and  by  comparing  it  with  the  Table  that  follows  after- "  '^^drears. 
wards  in  the  Common  Prayer  Book,    to  find  out  Ea^er  "^  "^^^  ^- 
Day  for  ever.    So  that  here  was  a  Book  to  be  AfTemed  "Z*'^'^  °f 

^  '\ypu,  leji 

"  /  haye 
"  hep6'a>''d  upon  you  Labour  in  Fain.  Nor  can  we,  yet  pofTibly  come  up 
'^  to  the  AflTurance  exprels'd  in  a  Synodal  Epiflle  of  the  Firfl:  Council 
"'  of  Nice  (  Lit.  Conflant.  Ecclef.  &'  Epifc.  qui  Concilio  non  inter  fue- 
"  runt ; )  that  whatever  is  decreed  in  the  Sacred  Councils,  of  die  Bi- 
*'  fhops  is  all  to  be  taken  for  the  Mind  of  God  :  We  want  a  furer 
«'  Word  for  it,  than  any  we  have  yet  met  with  ;  fince,  as  Protefiant!:., 
."  we  look  on  all  Men  to  be  fallible;  andjwith  the  Church  oi  En^hnd  hold, 
6*  that  even  Councils  may  Err,  and  havede  err.  We  yet  can't  lee  that  the 
f*  Canons  afcrib'd  to  the  Apoftles  are  truly  Canonical,  or  indeed  Ge- 
<^'  nuine  •,  fo  that  ('according  to  the  Seventh  or  Eighrh  of  them)  if  any 
*«  Bifhop,  or  Presbyter,  or  Deacon  keep  tlie  Sacred  Pafchal  Day  (^Sacr. 
««  Pafcba  Diem)  before  the  Vernal  Equinox,  with  the  j^eivs,  ht  is  to  be 
««  depos'd.  It  does  not  appear  tliat  the  N^cene  Council  had  any  fach  Ca- 
««  non  lying  before  them. 

"  If  it  befaid  (as  it  feemsto  be  agreed  by  all  who  defend  the  Rule 
''  for  finding  out  Eafter)  diat  Lajler-Dciy  is,  that  which  the  Council  of 
"  Nice  has  directed;  it  might  perhaps  bear  a  Qj.ieftion,  wiietherthe  more 
"  Ancient  and  Original  Pafcha  of  tlie  Chriftbns  were  not  a  well  defign- 
•-•  ed  compliance  with  the  Jcws^  who  were  ^o  generally  zealous  of  the  Law  5 
«  that  is  as  far  as  Chriftianity  could  admit;  it  may  be  as  to  tlie  ufe  of 
<•'  Unleavened  Bread,  or  the  like. 

"  Evn  the  Apoftle  Paul  fays  to  tlie  Difciples  at  Ephefut,  (Atts  j8.  21.) 
*"  I  mufi  by  all  means  keep  this  Veajl  that  cometh  in  Jerufaiem.  It  may  be 
"  other  Chriftians  who  could  reach  it  might  do  the  like;  and  diat  at  leaft 
^^  the  Chriftian  Jews^  who  were  fcatter'd  up  and  down  amongft  the  Gen- 
"  tilei  would  p'ay  fome  regard  to  the  Time  of  the  PafTaver,  And  it  may 
''  be  quefiion'd,  whedier,  if  there  were  to  be  a  Chriftian  Pajcl)a  (fo  ic 
"  was  ever  call'dj  by  die  fame  Greek  Name  with  the  Jervijh  Pa  (lover)  ic 
"  fliould  not  have  been  ftill  guided  by  the  Time  of  the  /en?///;  Paflbver, 
"  as  founded  upon  God's  own  Appointment,  Exod.  12.  Tiiey  who  would 
^  keep  a  Yearly  Memorial  of  our  Saviour's  Refurreiition,  could  not  do  it 
«'  more  properly,  than  lliortly  after  diat  Solemnity,  which  would  nam- 
<«  rally  bring  to  remembrance  his  Crucifixion,  WHEN  CHRIST  OUR 
«  PASSOVER  was  Sacrificed  for  us,  (i  Cor.  5.  7.)  It  might  not  in- 
"  deed  be  fo  agreeable  to  keep  the  very  Day  of  thePaffover  for  thatPur- 
"  pole,  as  the  Quarto  decimani,  who  had  die  Nanie  from  obferving  die 
"  Fourteenth  Day  of  die  Firft  Month  as  dieir  Eafter;  nor  that  diey  fliould 
*'  be  Feafting,  when  die  greater  Part  of  Chriftians  were  folcmnly  Faft- 
y^  ing,  as  is  intimated  in  the  forement\on'd  Epiftle:  Yet  they  are  not 
«  there  cenfur'd  for  counting  the  Firft  Month  after  the  Manner  of  die 
«'  7eKT5,  as  it  might  be  alter'd  and  made  later  by  their  Embolifms,  or  the 

Q.  3  and 


2^0  The  LIFE  of         Chap,  X. 

"incerca-    and  Confenced  to,    that  was  inconfiftcnt  with  itfelf. 

«'htingof  How  could  they   Ajfent  and  Confent  to  all,    and  every 

*'  ^  Thir-    Xcing  contain  d  m  this  Book,   when  they  found  in  it  a- 

^^^f^^']      moiia  other  .Thines  a  Table  and  a  Rule  that  clafti'd, 
"Mondi  o  .=»  J 

"(which 

"  tliey  call'd  Vc-Adar,  <j.  d.  another  Adar)  chiefly  ro  bring  up  their  Lu- 
*'  nar  Ycir  ro  the  Vernal  vtquinox,  of  which  it  muft  tall  Oiorc  about  E- 
*'  leven  Days  in  the  Srft  Twelve  Moons,  and  about  Twenty-two  in  the 
"  next,  and  therefore  they  added  a  Thirteenth  Month  co»the  Tliird  Year, 
**  and  after  as  occafion  requir'd. 

"  The  Synodal  Epiillc"  does  indeed  infinuate  (but  darkly)  as  if  the 
"  Council  rPckond  it  fcand  i'ous,  that  the  Jews  had  any  Occifion  to  boaft, 
"  that  the  Chrifllans  co  id  not  keep  tJieir  Moveable  Fc-ail?  without  the 
*'  help  of  the  jefpijh  DoOrine  or  Directions.  It  may  be  for  fonie  luch 
"  Reafon,  and  for  an  eallcr  way  of  reckoning  the  Nicene  G>uncll  might 
•'  be  for  a  Firft  Month  of  their  own,  widiouc  being  ty  d  to  that  of  the 
*'  /(?wj;  yec  ftill  were  for  guiding  their  Pafcha,  or  Eafter,  by  the  Four- 
*«  ttenth  Day  of  the  Firft  Month,  but  not  without-attending  to  the  Vernal 
*'  JEquir.oK. 

"  It  does  not  indeed  appear  that  the  Council  did  by  their  Canons  or  any 
*'  way  direft  any  Thing  farther  about  Ea/ier-day,  than  that  they 
"  judg'd  it  right  the  whole  Chriftian  World  fhould  obferve  one  and  the 
«  fame  Day  :  And  reckond  it  very  abfuvd  that  the  Jewilh  Cuftom  fliould 
*'  be  followed  in  keeping  that  Feaft.  They  appear  to  have  left  the 
t'  Fixing  or  Finding  of  it,  to  the  Mcafures  and  Rules  then  ufed  by  tlie 
•'  Roman  Church,  without  intimating  what  they  were.  But  it  feems  to 
**  have  been  prefumed  rather  than  proved,  that  the  Council,  or  however 
•'  the  R(>man  Ufage,  fix'd  Eaftet'day  to  be  the  next  Sunday  after  the  firfr 
♦*  Tull  Monn^  vphich  happens  on^  or  next  after  the  Kr«4/  yEquin,x  ;  but^  if 
•'  that  Tull  Moon  fall  upon  a  Sunday^  then  the  Sunday  next  following  to  be 
•'  Fafier-day. 

'*  Now  inftead  of  faying  rhe  Firft  Full  Moon  that  happens  on,  or  next 
**  after  the  Fcrnal  Equinox,  theR»)le  in  the  Common  Prater  Book  ro  find 
«<  Eafter  for  ever,  fays,  the  firft  Tull  Moon  that  happens  next  after  tite  One 
*'  and  ttventicth  Day  of  March.  'Tis  -true  that  at  the  Time  of  the  Flift 
**  Council  of  Nice,  it  was  all  one  to  fay,  the  Vernal  yE^ivtJOx,  or  the  One 
*'  and  tv?entieth  of  March,  on  whidi  it  then  fell.  But  if  they  either  fiid, 
•'  or  intended  the  Vernal  Equinox  for  all  Time  coming,  our  Ru.'e  can- 
't not  always  fhow  the  Eifter-dsy  by  them  deffgn'd  :  When  as  the  Vernal 
"  i^uinoxfalls  now  about  the  Ninth  or  Tenth  of  March  :  Nor  can  it  be 
*'  rc-afonably  thouglit,  hiitthat  the  Council  of  iV/Vf,  defign'd  tha"-  Eaper-day 
V-  fhonld  attend  the  real  Vernal  yCquinox  •,  oiherwife  tiiere  fhould  have 
**  been  no  mention  of  that,  but  only  of  the  One  and  twentieth  of  Marthy 
f'  whir'?   '  '^  '  r  time  only  happen 'd  to  be  the  Vernal  v^quinox,  and  would  not 


one 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  151 

one  determining  this  to  be  Eafter  Day,   and  another  a-  "  t>e  Co  in 
nother  Day.    If  the  Rule  be  true,   the  Table  is  falfe.  "  Time  to 
If  the  Table  be  true,  the  Rule  is  falfe.     And  they  tho't  "corae.    If 
it  a  grievous  Cafe,  that  they  muft  be  turn  d  out  of  their "  ^^^^^^^^^^ 

«'  that  the  Rule  in  our  Common  Prayer  Book  were  fa/rlycap^bleof  thebenfe 
"  lately  put  upon  it,  as  if  it  had  been  faid,  theF«//  Moon  {on^  or)  next  after  the 
**  One  and  ttffenthth  of  March,  yet  it  would  not  (how  the  true  Eafter^day, 
"  or  that  whi'th  the  Church  of  England  has  profefs'd  to  take  for  true  ; 
"  fince  the  Council  of  Mce  is  what  it  has  pretended  to  follow. 

*'  But  as  to  the  Senfe,  which  has  been  fo  lately  put  upon  the  Rule, 
'■'  it  appears  altogether  forc'd  and  taken  up  only  to  fcrve  a  Turn.     For 
"  let  it  be  cbferv'd,    That  the  Word   [After]  is  three  Times  ufed  in  the 
*'  fame  Rule.     Eafier-day  (on  which  the  refi  depend)  is  always  the  firfi  5m«- 
«<  day  after  the  frji  VullMoon,  here  'tis  intended  after  that  Full  Moon,  toge- 
*'  therjwith  the  Day  on  which  it  falls  is  over  and  ended  :  And  fo  again  in 
**  the  laft    Part   of   the  Rule.     And  if  the   TuU  Moon  happens  n^on   a 
"  Sunday^  Eafier-day  is  the  Sunday  after  ;  that  is,   after  the  former  Sunday 
'*  with  its  following  Week-days  are  dVer  and  ended.     Bat  now  where  'tis 
*'  faid  in  the  fame  Rule,    the  frfi  Vull  Moon  that  happens  next  after  the  One 
"  and  twentieth  Day  of  March.     They  would  have  the  Scnfe  to  be  After 
■"  the  Beginning  of  the  One  and  twentieth  Day  0/ March  :    A  Conflru£tion 
*«  very  differing  from,  and  indeed  contrary  to  the  foregoing  and  t'ollow- 
**  ing  Ufags  of  the  fame  Word,  and  to  the  EngUfh  Idiom,   or  rather  to 
*'  the  proper  Way  of  fpeakingin  whatever  Language  :  Nor  does  it  appear 
**  that  there  is  an  Inflance  parallel  to  what  they  would  here  make.     The 
*<  learned  Dr.Wallis  who  has  given  a  large  Account  of  the  iaclufive  way  of 
"  reckoning  in  other  Languages,  does  yet  exprefly  obferve,  that  it  is  not 
"  fo  much  in    Englifh,     'Tis  true,    that  in  our  Verfion  of  the  Bible, 
.*'  there  are  fome  literal  Tranfiations  which  could  not  fo  wellbs  juftify'd  or 
"  excus'd,  if  there  were  not  fometimes  a  Doubt  about  the  Senfe,  and  that 
*'  it  is  fo  well  known  to   be  a  Tranfiation.     But  neither  does  it  appear, 
"  that  the  Rule  under  Confideration  is  tranflated,  nor  is  there  any  Notice 
'*  given  that  the  firft  [After]  is  to  be  underftood  otherwife  than  as  is  ufual 
"  in  Englifh.     And  let  us  put  the  Cafe,  that  the  Moon  comes  to  be  Full  the 
"  firft  Moment  of  March  theTv/enty-firft,  can  it  fitly  be  faid  to  be  Full  after 
*'  iheTwcnty-firft,  when'tisnotFullafteranyPartofit,  for '  tis  known  to  l>e 
'*  immediately,    though  not  vifibly  decreafing  after  its  Oppofition  to  the 
*'  Sun  :  Or  if  we  will  have  it   called  ftill  a  Full  Moon  to  the  End  of 
*'  Twenty-four   Hours,    let  us  then  fuppofe  that  the  laft  Moment  of  its 
"  Twenty-four  Hours,    falls  in   with  the   firft  Moment   of  March   the 
"  Twenty-firft,  Ihall  it  then  be  faid,  that  a  Full  Moon  happens  u^on  March 
'«  the  Twenty-firft,   and  alfo  upon  the  Day  foregoing  ?  What  Confufion 
»•  would  that  make? 

«*  Upon 


2^2  The  Lift,  of        Chap.  X. 

Livings,   becaufe  they   could    not 

t  Baxter',  Tlnnconformity  Sta-  p^^^^^^  ^^   ^^^^  .    ^j^Q^^h  in  many 

ted  nnd^^^ud^yngtSi.    Hjs  Years,   they  were  diredlv  cont, a- 
T/ea  for  Peace    V^g,  l6o      H.  ^  j^^.   ^^^ 

Defence   of  the  T/ea    for   Teace,  .^r  ^c  i  t-    n  r 

page  8 1.    The-PeaceablcVekn:  1^^^^/   ^as   bm  a    Trifle,    yet  for 

Being  a  Modeft  Account  of  the  Perfons  to  be  obhg  d   CO  Confent 

Ik'onconfnrmifli  Meeting  ,    with  to  that  as  true,   whichin  many  Ca- 

fome  Rcafons  for  tbei/ Nonconfor-  fes  they  knew  to  be  falfe,  was  no 

?w;>jr,  Oil.  1675.  page  26,  27.  fmall  hardfhip f. 

3.  They  mnft  Confent  to  read  Apocryphal  LefTons 
in  the  Publick  Chnrches,  which  they  could  not  A- 
grce  to,  becaufe  of  fuch  fabulous  Legends  of  Tohit  and 
hisD^^;  Bff/Zand  the  Dragon;  Judith  SLnd  Baruch,  Sec, 
Thcfe  they  found  were  not  only  to  be  read  wholly 
an  J  intirely,  Morning  and  Evening  for  Two  Months  to- 
gether, but  all  of  them  alio  under  the  Title  and  Notir 


*'  LTpon  the  Whole,  If  I  could  fee  that  the  Rule  might  he  fairly  fo  un- 
*'  dcn'tood,  as  to  reconcile  it  to  the  Table  in  the  Common  Prayer-Book 
"  for  Forty  Years  and  to  the  Common  Almanacks,  1  would  congratulate 
''  tlie  Succefs  of  fo  many  fcveraj  ElTays,  and  fo  much  Pains  beftow- 
"  ed.  Nor  have  I  the  Leifure  or  Inclinatioii  to  lay  out  half  the  Time 
"  or  Labour'  to  condemn  the  Rule  as  perhaps  four  or  five  learned 
*'  Men  have  feverally  done,  one  after  another  to  clear  it.  But  if  it 
"  would  well  bear  the  Senfe  put  upon  it  at  laft,  I  cannot  yet  think  it 
*'  would  agree  with  the  Council  ot  AVfe,  as  it  is  not  only  pretended 
*'  but  flrongly  pleaded.  It  might  be  added,  that  the  Nineteen  Years  Cycle 
*'  of  the  Moon,  depended  on  for  fixing  oiEaJier^  is  tnown  by  the  Learned 
•'  not  to  bi  exaQ,  but  would  fenfibly  fail  in  lengtii  of  Time.  What  has 
"  been  here  faid  mayferve  1  hope  at  Icafi  to  excul'e  Non-conformifts  in  fuf- 
*'  pe(^ting  the  Rule  for  finding  outEafler  :  and  if  either  they  have  not  fuiTi- 
**  cienc  Skill,  or  u{c  not  the  rtquifite  Application  to  take  i:  right;  let  it 
*'  be  confidcrcdi  chat  this  Point  was  always  far  frombcin^,  or  being  by 
"  them  accounc'.d  their  only  or  main  Objeftion  to  Conformity. 

"  Whether  I  may  lela  dilpicafe  in  being  lefs  pleaiant  now  than  before 
*'  with  the  Eccleliafiical  Moon,  1  kr.ow  not:  But  as  that  was  confefltdly 
'*  no  Creature  of  God's,  fo  neither  did  1  then  apprehend  it  to  have  been 
"  fuci'i  an  Ordinance,  or  Creature  of  Man  as  I  might  not  make  free  with, 
**  but  I  now  heanily  b(g  Ptrdon  for  anvThing  that  might  be,  or  feem  in 
**  me  unbexommg  in  my  former  P.^per.  B.it  1  am  afraid  Whether  any 
"  Thing  will  be  ;)dmiticd  to  clear  the  poor  Diflenters,  till  Providence 
'•  ]  ieud  iheir  Caiut  ^  as  I  c-^n't  but  think  it  will  fometime  do,  to  the  Con- 
"  Vid'tiwn  of  iJiiir  unkind  Brethren. 

on 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  239 


on  of  Holy  Scripture.  For  fo  in  the  whole  Lump  toge- 
ther they  are  filled  in  the  Order,  without  any  Note  of 
Difcrimination  to  make  a  Diftindlion  between  one  and 
the  other.  In  the  mean  while  in  the  fame  Order  (as  ap- 
pears by  theKalendar)  fome  Books  of  the  Sacred  Canon 
arewhoUy  left  out,  and  never  to  be  read ;  fome  of  them 
within  a  very  little;  fome  of  them  but  half  to  be  read; 
and  many  of  them  Mutilated  and  Ciirtaird  as  to  feveral  *  Mr. 
Chapters'^".  OUyfle  in 

his  DeF.  of 
Min.  Conf.  p.  JU  SZc.  won't  grant  that  Miniflers  are  ordered  to  read  the 
jipocrypba/  Lejfons^  hut  vpHI  haye  it  left  to  their  Difcretion  :  And  fays,  that 
when  the  M^nifler  ben^im  or  ends  an  Apocryphal  Lejfon,  he  may  tell  the 
Teople  that  it  is  Apocryphal,  and  fo  prevent  all  Ahufe.  Mr.  Hoadly  in  Rea- 
fon  of  Conf.  p.  l  2^,  i  24^  cannot  fee  that  it  is  unlarrful  to  read  Books  in  the- 
Church,  in  which  there  are  many  ufeful  and  excellent  Things,  as  well  as 
fom^  few  Relations  fufpe5led  to  be  fabulous  -,  and  fays,  that  if  it  may  be 
done  without  Sin^  'twere  much  better  to  read  a  great  many  ufeful  Tilings,  and 
amongft  them  a  Fabulous  Story  once  or  tyoice  in  a  Tear,  than  to  divide  the 
Church  under  this  pretence.  And  adds,  that  the  Church  has  fujficiently  diflin" 
guipyd  between  Apocryphal  Books  andCanonical  Scripture :  That  fome  Canonical 
chapters  may  be  improper,  and  unintelligible,  and  many  Apocryphal  Leffons  are 
of  more  Ufe,  and  more  to  Edification:  And  affirms,  that  we  cannot  prove  any 
one  was  ever  led  by  the  Order  about  reading  the  Leffons,  to  equal  the  Apocry- 
phal Books  with  the  Canonical',  and  he  never  knew  or  heard  of  an  Infiance, 
My  Reply  maybe  fetn,  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconf.  Tart  2.  p.  24.7.  &c.  in  which 
among  other  Tlnngs,  I  give  Mr.  Hoadly  an  Infiance  of  one  in  the  furprizin^ 
Storm  of  Wind  in  1 70 3,  who  being  affeCled,  was  for  reading  a  Chapter,  and 
fixd  on  one  in  the  Apocrypha  \  and  being  reprov'd  by  a  Grave  Minifier,  (front 
whom  I  had  the  Pajfage)  freely  told  him,  that  he  took  the  Apocrypha  to  haye 
heen  as  truly  the  Holy  Scripture,  as  any  that  was  bound  np  in  his  Bible.  And 
he  that  would  fee  more  on  this  Head,  may  befdes  that  Reply  of  mine,  confult 
Mr.  OllyfTe'i  Second  Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  p.  219.  Mr.  Hoadly'i  Def.  of  the 
Reafon  o/Conf  p.  94.  and  my  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Tart  3.  />•  ??5,  C^  408. 
All  which  put  together,  may  I  think,  help  any  one  to  judge  in  this  Matter. 

I P) all  only  add,  that  the  Reading  Apocryphal  Leffons  was  contrary  to  the 
Ancient  Council  of  Laodicea,  Can.  59.  which  forbids  their  being  read  in  the 
Church.  Tl)e  Words  are  thcfe :  Non  oportec  Libros  in  Ecclefia  Icgerc,  qui 
funtextra  Canonem  ;  fed  folos  Vac  N.  T.  Canonicos  Libros:  And  that  the 
'Reading  Lejfons  of  Canonical  Scripture,  infcad  of  the  Apocrypha,  was  one  of 
the  Amendments  agreed  to,  by  the  Archbijhop  of  Armagh,  the  Bl/ljop  of  Lin- 
coln, Dr.  Prideaux,  Vr.  Ward,  Dr.  Bionwrigg,  Dr.  Featly,  Dr.  Hacker, 
f^c.  when  they  met  together  by  the  Order  of  the  Lords,  at  the  Bijhop  of  Liu» 
coin's  j»  Weftiniiifier,  in  1641. 

This 


254  The  LI  F  H   of        Chap.  X^. 


This  was  what  they  could  not  by  any  Mea:ns  approve 
of.     For  tho*  they  could  freely  own  there  were  many 
valuable  Things  in  the  Apocryphal  Books  with  all  their 
Faults,   yet  could  they  not  have  foch  a  Degree  of  Re- 
fpc(fl  for  them  as  to  think  them  fit  to  be  read  in  Churches 
in  the  Room  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.    They  were  here- 
in confirmM  by  finding  even  the  moft  celebrated  Bilhops 
and  Dodtors  of  the   Church  owning  there  were  many 
Relations  ii^ferted  in  them,  that  wereFalfe  and  Fictiti- 
ous.    And  they  were  afraid  of  contributing  to  the  mif- 
leading  o:  a  great  many  weak  and  ignorant  People, 
(of  which  there  are  but  too  many  in  the  Nation)  to 
fancy  them  of  equal  Authority  with  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures;   of  which  there  is  therefore  the  more  Danger; 
*  Bixter'i  becaufe  in  the  Order  of  reading  the  Leffons,  the  Title 
jior.confor-  of  Holy  Scripture,  and  Old  Teftament  is  given  to  the 
7nity  Stated  Apocrypha  *. 
and  Ar- 

gu'd^  page  B6.  His  Flea  for  Feace,  page  i66.  Corbet'5  Bemains^  page 
J  59.  The  Letter  jrom  a  Minifier  to  a  Ferfon  of  Qj^^Hty^  pjewing  fame  ReO' 
fons  for  hli  Nonconformity.  Troughton'5  Afology  for  the  Nonconformifts, 
page  31.  Eleutherii  Q.  e.  Hickmanni)  Apologia  fro  ejeiiis  in  Anglia  Mint" 
fihs^  page  50,  c^f. 

.  4.  They  muft  Confent  to  the  Miftranflation  of  the 
t  Mr.      Pfa/ter  t. 
Ollyflfe,   /« 

his  Def.  o/Min.  Conf  p.  74,  5^c.  fays  it  is  only  a  Miflranjlated  F falter  they 
Confent  to  ufe  at  worf}^  without  con fcnting  to  the  Afijirarfation  But  he  does 
Tiot  know  that  he's  ohligd  to  ufe  it.  A  Minifier  he  "^hlnhs  is  at  Liberty  to 
eho'yfe  which  Ferjion  he  pleafes :  And  he  does  not  fee  why  the  Old  J^erf.on  may 
not  he  Lawfully  ui^d.  ^Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon  of  Conf.  />.  152-  fayi-i  that  the 
Declaration  of  Jljfent  and  Confent  touches  this  Tranjlation  no  farther^  than  to 
oblige  to  the  Ufe  of  it  in  Fublich  W'oYJhip  :  And  if  a  Tranjlation,  tho"  faulty^ 
Way  not  be  usd  in  the  Churchy  'twould  he  fays^  be  hard  to  J7)ew  a  Tr  an  fatt- 
en that  is  Ferfcc}j  or  one  thai  has  ^ot  greater  Tailings  than  what  is  here  pro- 
duc'd.  My  Reply,  Def.  o/Mod.  None.  P^/r^  2.  f.  259,  (?>tc.  was  this.  That 
fchen  a  Man  Affents  and  Confents  to  the  Ufe  (to  go  no  farther)  of  the  Com- 
won  Frayer  Bo'.k,  he  feems  to  Affcnt  and  Conf  nt  to  the  Ufe  of  the  F falter  in 
the  Common  Fraycr  Book,  which  is  alfitnention'din  the  Title  Page  of  it-,  and 
I  cun''t  fee  how  he  is  afterwards  at  Liberty  to  exchange  it  for  an  thcrF falter  : 
Tfyat  while  the  Miniflers  who  were  Ejciied  apprehended  the  lafl  Tranflation  of 
the  F falter  better,  tJ)ey  nv'ght  well  be  backward  to  bifid  thcmfehes  to  Ufe  a 
worfe :  That  it  was  a  great  hardfhip  for  them  to  he  put  upon  owning  that 
there  79as  nothing  in  the  F falter  that  was  a  Fart  of  the  Common  Frayer  Book, 

The 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  235 


The  Pjalter  is  particularly  mendon'd  in  the  Verbal  contrary  to 
Declaration  required  of  every  Incumbent.     It  rouft  be  *^^  ^ord  of 
AiTented  and  Confented  to,  as  having  nothing  in  it  con-  ^'^^7  ^J^en 
trary  to  the  Word  of  God.     To  this  they  could  not  a-  ^^^  A>  ^'^e 
gree,  becaufe  they  found  feveral  Miftranilations  in  the  J!^f^  ^''^ 
OidVerfion  of  the  Pfalms^    which  was  indeed  more  ac-  V       T^ 
commodated  to  the  Septua^mt  than  to  the  Orignal  Ht^  thlnmn 
brew.     In  Pf.  105.18;    Onr  Pfalter  reads  the  Words  ^^ '^7w^* 
thus,  ayid  they  were  not  obedient  to  his  PVcrd:    Our  Bible  would    fee 
reads  them,  nnd  they  rebelled  not  againft  his  TVcrd.     Thus  more  of  this 
therefore  they  Argu'd.     One  Particular  contained  in  the  Matter^may 
Book  of  Common  Prayer  is  the  Tranflation  of  this  Text,  confuh  Mr. 
But  if  the  Tranflation  be  true  in  the  Pfalter,    it  is  falfe  OllyffeV 
in  the  Bible :    And  if  it  be  true  in  the  Bible,   it  is  falfe  ^{(»»dDef. 
in  the  Pfalter.     How  could  they  give  their  j^ffent,   that  ^  ^'"^ 
they  rebelled,  and  rebelled  not?  *Tis  the  like  in  fome  other     ^"^*  ^* 
Cafes.     Now  they  could  not  approve  of  that  Pfalter  as  y^'n  » 
entirely  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,   in  which  they  j)^^    V  j^ 
found  fundry  plain  Miftakes.  Reafon  of 

Conf.  p. 
1 01.  And  my  Def.  o/Mod.  None.  Z'.  558. 

I /f)alL  only  add,  that  the  Reading  Pf  alms  according  to  the  l(ei9  Tranflation^ 
was  another  Thing  agreed  to,  by  the  Archbifhop  0/  Armagh,  and  other  Bijhop 
and  Doctors  at  the  Dean  of  Weftminfter'i  in  1641^ 

■■\    .  ,  .  \  . 

5.  They  muft  AfTent  and  Confent  to  St.  Athdnafim 
his  Creed.  In  whicn  Creed  there  is  this  Exprclhon, 
which  Faith  except  every  one  do  l^eep  whole  and  undcfi/ed  ^ 
without  Doubt  he  fhnll  perifh  Everlafiingly.  This  to  our 
Fathers  feem'd  very  harfli.  Tho'  they  approv'd  of  the 
Creed  in  general  as  heartily  as  their  Brethren,  and  e- 
fteem'd  it  an  excellent  Explication  of  the  Doctrine  of 
the  Trinicy,  yet  could  they  not  look  upon  themfelves 
as  fo  far  caU'd  to  Judge  other  Men,  as  to  conclude,  all 
certainly  Damn'd  for  ever,  that  are  not  fo  well  skill'd 
in  that  Myftery,  as  not  to  believe  every  Word  there 
written.  One  of  the  Articles  of  this  Creed  is  this; 
The  Holy  Ghoft  is  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son.  In  this 
Article  the  Greek  Church  hath  differed  from  the  Latin, 
and  held  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  proceeds  from  the  Fa- 
ther only.  And  it  is  by  Confequence  imply *d,  that 
the  Greek  Church  muft  be  held  undoubtedly  Dam- 
ned,  which  was  an  uncharitable  Cenfure,    in  which 

they 


2^6  The  L  IFF-  of  r>.  X.' 

*  Mr.  they  durft  not  Cone  ir*  Withal,  foinc  of  che  Ejected 
Ollyffe /«  Miniiters,  '  as  well  :\s  rnany  of  coofe  who  Conform'd) 
hU  Def.  of  confiderinp  rhe  g.^odi)ef«;  of  God,  c^c.  were  of  *:0  iarge 
Min.  Conf.  and  exccnlivea  Cbariry,  a<;  ro  apprehem^  rh-i!:  whoTo- 
t'  '$j  ^6  ;  ever  vvalk'd  (incerejy  up  en  his  Lighr^  wth  a  general 
r^l  n  /^^P^"^3"^^  f'^  his  unfeen  Errnur?,  Was  in  k  i^teof 
c-^"^  '^  Acceptance  with  God,  by  Vertne  of  the  Covenant  made 
Z^nJkL^  "^^^^  -^^'e"  .'f^^>.-7,  and  hhah^  &c.  *  Novj  foch,  tho't  k 
the  Kin-hth  unreaionable  to  before  d  to  renounce  fo  miich  Cindour 
.Artfcie  of  ^s  fhis  amounted  to,  r;]]  they  faw  raort^  Reafon  alledg'd 
th^  Church  ^han  they  couid  meet  with,  on  the  behalf  of  this  Prirv- 
*f  Eng-  .ciple  ;  Thae  whofoiver  did  not  piiyiFiunlly  believe  the  Athi- 
land,  in  nafian  Creed  muk  undoubtedly  Perijh  f. 
Order  to 

our  being  qualified  for  the  Publick  Exercife  of  our  Miniftry^    according  to  the 
Toleration  A6l^    v^hen  I  mention  d  thU  phje^ion  jrom  the  Alhanafian  Creed  : 
Jind  l)€  pities  iyje   upon  that  Account^  p.  So:     But  I  confefs  I  cant  fee  why 
that  Pjoiild  hinder  my  tnc^iikuinq;  this   Exception  which  it  is  well  hnown  they 
Tery  generally  ryiade  and  la':.i  ftref>  upon.     And  Afr.  Hoadly,  Reafon  of  Conf. 
f  \%^S  fays.,  that  tho"  there  is  nothing  in  the  Athanafian  Creed  but  what  may 
i>e  faid  with  a  good  Confcience,  yet  he  dont  fee  how  the  Publi(k  Service  would 
fuffer^  were  there  ?io  damnatory  Sentence  erer  read  in  it.     Nay^he's:  of  Opinion^ 
that  the  DoClrine  of  the  Trinity  would  be  better  fecur^d,    and  this  -very  Ac- 
count af  it  better  receiyd^  without  fuch  Sentences  than  with  them.     In  my  Re- 
ply, Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Part  i.  p.  264,  i6^  :,  I  teU  Mr.  Ollyffe  (which  he 
feems  to  ha^e, known  nothing  of)  that  the    Dijfenting  Minijlers  about  the  City, 
in  a  Body  gave  in  their  Senfe  of  the  Articles  when  they  fuhfcrib'd  them,  and 
rnnonfr  the  reft  of  this  Eighth  Article:,  in  the  Olofs  upon  which  the  damnatory 
Claufes  of  tins  Creed,  are  exprefly  excluded  the  Subfaiption,  tho'  ftis  there  ad- 
ded info  many  Words)  they  are  part   of  the  Liturgy,    Ajfented  and  Confented 
to.     This  was  Printed  under  the  Title  of,    T\  icliard  Baxter'5  Senfe  of  the 
Subfcribed   Articles  of  Religion  -,    Printed  for  Benjamin  Cox  in  Ludgate- 
Street,  1^89.  in  Quarto.     And  there   was  fame  thing   of  the  fame  Tiature 
done  in  fever al  Parts  of  the  Country.     We  that  have  fubfcrib''d   the  Article.Sf 
have  in  this  refpefl  only  made  it   known  to  the  World,    that  we  belieye  thi^s 
Creed,  but  we  hare  by  no  means  declared  our  Belief  that  all  thofe  ^jould  ever- 
lartingly  Ptrifli,  or  cannot  be  Sav'd,    tJfat  are  of  another  Belief  as  to  fome 
Claufes  in  it.     And  I  know  feveral,  who  did  they  difcover  arty  Reafon  to  think 
this  would  not  hold,   would  Renounce  their  Subfcription  to  the  Articles,    as 
fublickly  as  ever  they  made  it.     He  that   defires  to  fee  msre  about  this,    may 
confult  Mr.  Ollvfrt'^  Second  Def.  of  Min.  Conf  /'.a??.     Mr.  HoadIy'.$  Ut^. 
iff  tife  Rcqfon  of  Conf.  p.  102.  And  my  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  p.  ^^.H.rir^it. 
t  7'l)c  Peaceable  Dejign,    page    14,  15.     Baxter'*    li'onconjormity  Stated 
and  Argud,  ^:  I ^:^.     His   Plea  for  Peace,   page  19 1.     Corbet'i  Kew^w, 
i>3ge  154. 

6.  They 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  237 


6.  They  myft  AlTent  and  Confenc  to  this  Rubrick, 
at  the   End  of  the  OSce  for  Confirm  a  f  ion  ^  that  nonf 
Jhall  be  ndmit*ed  unto  the  Holi  Communion,    until   fuch 
Time   as  he  be  Confirmed^  or  be  ready  and  defnous  to  be   ^ 
Confirmed^  i  /n^^* 

of  Min. 
Cofif.  p.  83  ;  fays^  That  Terfom  may  be  dejlrous  to  be  confirmed,  rvho  yet  by 
fome  Things  [erupted  in  the  Office^  may  be  hindered  from  being  acfua/fy  Cr,n' 
jirmd  /V/r.  Ho^diy,  Realbn  of  Conf.  p.  1 34,  fays^  This  U^a  great  Grievance 
indeed^that  all  admitted  to  the  Communion  fhou/d  be  ohtig  d  folemnly  before  the 
Btfhop  to  own  their  Baptifmal  Covenant,  and  have  his  Frayers  !  &c.  But  it 
feems  to  have  been  the  aim  of  the  EcclefiajJical  Settlement,  to  have  Terfotts 
kept  from  the  Communion  for  their  Scruples  in  this  Cafe,  which  the  ejeShi 
Minifiers  durft  not  concur  in  :  j^nd  whofoever  made  light  of  it,  it  tvas  tu 
them  a  great  Grievance  for  Perfons  to  be  kept  from  the  Communion,  ''till  a  Bi- 
f)op  laid  Hands  on  them,  and  ceicit'y'd  them  by  ihac  Sign  of  God's  F.ivour 
and  Gracious  Goodnefs  towards  them,  which  is  the  Exprefjton  us''d  in  the 
Office,  to  fuch  as  are  Confirm  d.  They  could  not  fee  how  this  could  be  iufii- 
fed.  See  more  in  my  Det".  of  Mod.  None  P.  2.  p.  264,  &c.  Mr.  OUyffe'f 
2d  Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  p.  257.  Mr.  Hoadlv'5  Def.  of  the  Reafon.  o/Conf. 
p.  102.  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Part  3.  pag.  558,  and^ii. 

.  Now  the'  many  of  the  Ejeifled  Minifters  were  very 
defirous  to  have  Confirmation  reftored,  and  tho'c  it 
would  be  exceeding  ufeful,  if  manag'd  with  a  becom- 
ing Gravity  and  Serioufnefs, .  yet  to  deny  Perfcns  the 
Communion  for  refufing  to  be  Confirm'd  in  the  Epif- 
copal  Way,  was  whac  they  knew  not  how  to  juftifie. 
They  found  it  was  a  Thing  fcrupled  by  many  Perfons : 
And  were  their  Scruples  juft  or  unjuft,  while  the 
fame  Perfons  were  willing  to  own  their  Daptifnial 
Covenant  underftandingly  and  feriouily  before  the 
Church,  and  their  own  Pallors,  and  to  know  thofe  that 
labour'd  among  them,  and  were  over  them  in  the  Lord, 
and  efteem  them  in  Love  for  their  Works  Sake,  and  to 
be  at  Peace  amongft  thcmfelves,  they  duift  not  for 
their  fcrupling  this  Diocefnn  Ceremony,  caft  tbem  from 
the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  Chrift.  And  there- 
fore they  durft  not  declare  their  Approbation  of  the 
Order  that  required  it,  nor  Affent  and  Confent  to  it, 
nor  Subfcribe  chat  it  is  not  contrary  to  the  Word  of  ^  „ 
God*.  ^Baxrer'i 

mnconj^r- 
^>ty  Stated  ard  argudj  P^ge  97,  &c, 

Thcfe 


238  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 

— — — •    ^ 

Thefe  were  the  Reafons  which  they  alledg'd,  and 
Printed,  and  Publifti'J,  for  their  refufing  that  Ajfent, 
Confcnr,  and  Subfcription,  to  tlic  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  and  all,  and  every  Thing  therein  contained, 
which  was  a  Second  Thing  ftraitly  required  by  the  A^ 

of  'Uniformity. 

*  Mr.Ol'     11^'  They  were  alfo  required  to  take  the  Oath  of  C/t- 

lyfle  in  his  nonical  Obedience^    and   fvvear  Subjedtion  to  their  Ordi^ 
Def.o/Min.  W'^ry,  according  to  the  Canons  of  the  Church  *. 
Conf./'.86; 

fays,  That  thif  Notion  of  Smearing  to  the  Canons^  was  firfi  (farted  byMr-'BiX" 
ter  in  89  :  and  is  not  conjijient  with  what  he  had  advanced  el fewhere  :  jind 
wou/d  infnuate  that  the  Canonical  Oath  no  more  obliges  to  fubmit  to 
the  Canons  J  than  the  Oath  of  allegiance  does  ^  and  charges  the  Notion 
adyanc^d  with  many  jibfurdities.  Mr.  Hoadly  alfo^  Reafon.  of  Conf.  p.  I  gd, 
&c;  is  dijpleasd  with  my  inferting  according  to  the  Canons  of  the  Church, 
which  Words  are  not  in  the  Oath  :  and  intimates  that  a  Man  may  he  ordain  d 
in  the  Church  of  E.  without  taking  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  :  (fame 
would  hay c  ihank''d  him,  if  he  had  told  them  wlnre,  and  by  what  Bipjop',) 
and  fays,  that  the  Meaning  of  the  Oath  is  no  mere  than  this :  I  fwear  that 
I  will  yield  fuch  an  Obedience  as  is  due,  according  to  the  Laws  of  Chrift's 
Clmrch,  from  an  inferiour  Presbyter  to  his  Bifhop,  provided  he  enjoin 
nothing  but  what  I  apprehend  in  my  Confcience  to  be  lawful  and  honeft. 
hh'ch  Oath  (he  fays)  fuppofes,  that  every  Thing  he  commands  may  be  un- 
lawful ;  andean  have  no  Eefrence  to  the  Canons,  but  as  they  are  the  Matter 
of  a  particular  Eifhop's  Injun^ions  '.^  and  then  leaves  a  Liberty  of  demurring 
upon  them;  and  can  refer  to  none  but  future  Commands  :  And  therefore  he 
gives  it  as  his  Opinion,  that  the  Objections  here  drawn  from  the  Canons,  are 
no  more  ObjeCfions  againfi  taking  this  Oath,  than  a'^amfi  taking  the  Oath  of 
Allegiar.ce.  Tt  which  I  retly,  Dcf  of  Mod.  Conf.  Fart.  2.  p.  274:  7'hat 
the  proper  Meaning  of  the  Word  Canonical,  is  according  to  the  Canons  :  And 
tl)erefore  Canonical  Obedience,  mufi  be  Obedience  according  to  the  Canons. 
If  hen  we  fwear  Alle^i^ianre  we  bind  ourfelvcs  to  the  Laws  that  provide  for 
the  Defence  and  Support  of  the  Fcrfon,  Crown,  and  Dignity  of  our  Prince,  and 
the  Succeffion  a:  fettled  :  Other  Laws  we  are  obUg''d  to  under  our  Con[fitU' 
tinn,  by  f^ertue  nf  the  Confent  given  by  our  Keprefentatives  in  Parliament  j 
which  I  cannot  find  tlte  Canons  of  i6o^,havc,  to  make  them  binding  :  But 
they  tl)at  fwear  to  thtir  Ordinary,  are  by  that  Swearing  deftgnd  to  be  bound 
to  obey  him  Canonically  ^  and  the  Canons  are  explain'' d  and  inforc'd  by  the  Bi- 
P)ops  in  their  fufitation  Difcmrfes  ;  and  they  are  the  Standard  by  which  they 
try  fuch  as  ftpeav  Obedience  to  them.  Thefe  Canons  are  the  Liws  according 
to  which  Obedience  is  due  from  an  inferior  Presbyter  to  I/is  Bifliop,  in 
that  Tart  of  Cl.riil's  Church  winch  is  call'd  the  Church  of  England  /  And 
therefore  I  fjould  tl-ink  the  Oath  jfjould  have  fame  rezard  to  them,  hijhfps 
are  not  here  at-Lii/irty  to  require  what  they  plcafe,     Thty  a\e  as  much  oblig'd 

In 


Chap.  X.  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  259 


In  the  Form  of  Making,    Ordaining,    and  Confe-  to  the  Ca- 

crating  Biihops,  Priefts,   and  Deacons,  this  Quettion  nnns  in 

is  required  to  be  put  to  Priefts  and  Deacons  at  the  Time  their  higher 

of  their  Ordination,     l^il^  you  reverently  Obey  your  Or-  sphere,  at 

dinary,  and  other  chief  Minifters^  to  whom  is  committed  ^^^^h^'^^^ 

the  Charge  and  Government  over  you  ;  follovoing  with   a '"   ^"^"' 

glad  Mind  and  Will  their  Godly  Admonition,  and  Jubmit-  °^'^  ^'^P'^' 

tinz  your  felves  to  their  Godly  Judgments  ?     The  Anfwer  !,P'  r'^. 
1  »j   •        T      -11  r   J    J       t      t      JL   ■  '  TT  I     therefore  I 

to  be  return  d  is  ;  I  mil  Jo  do  do,  the  Lord  being  my  Help,  „g^-^„i 

An  Oath  alfo  is  adminiftred  to  the  Ordained  of  thisy-^^  ^^  ;j,^j. 
Tenour  ;  I  A.  B.  Swear  that  I  will  yield  True  and  Can't-  Hoadly 
nical  obedience  to  the  Bifhop  of  N.— *  and  his  Succef-  That  vvho- 
fors  in  all  Lawful  and  Haneji  Things,  ever  dc- 

figns  CO  ot- 
ficiace  as  a  Minifter  in  any  Churcli,  aOs  not  fairly  and  honeftly  it  he  do 
not  firft  fatisfy  his  Conlcience  about  the  Lawfulnefs  of  Obedience  to 
fuch  Rules  and  Prefer iptions,  as  have  been  laid  down  and  agreed  upon  by 
the  Governors  of  this  Church,  for  the  Regulating  the  BJnviourcf  ail  tliac 
minifler  in  it,  and  refolve  to  obey  them  :  But  that  as  far  as  I  can  jud^e, 
he  Ails  neither  fairly  nor  honeftly  to  frvcar  hell  obey  his  Ordinary^  when  hit 
Confcience  it  againfi  thofe  Can^s  by  which  this  Obedience  is  to  be  re-rulated. 
Jlnd  this  I  think,  may  receiye  not  a  little  Light  from  the  Hijiory  of  Cano- 
nical Obedience,  from  its  firfi  Entrance  i^ito  the  Church,  down  to  the  prefent 
Time,  which  I  hare  given,  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Fart  2.  p.  29B,  &c.  /»■ 
fhort  -y  if  Obedience  to  the  Canons,  when  they  become  the  Commands  of  a  Vat' 
ticular  Bifhop  is  promifed  in  this  Oath  (which  is  acknowledged)  then  the  Oath 
muji  be  dejign^d  to  gire  the  Church  AJfurance,  that  Perfons  will  obey  the  Ca- 
nons when  they  are  call'd  upon  to  do  fo.  And  they  that  confider  the  Canons  may 
dn  this  if  they  pleafe  ^  hut  for  my  Fart,  I  cannot  wonder  that  the  ejeficd  Mi- 
ni fiers  fhould  be  averfe  to  it.  They  that  would  fee  more  of  this  Matter,  may 
eonfult,  Mr.  OllyfTe'i  2d  Def  o/Min.  Conf />.  246.  Mr.  Hoadly'5  Def.  of 
the  Kt2^.  of  Conf.  p.  105.  Def.  0/ Mod. Conf.  P^rt.  3.  p.  ^^Ojaud  ^11. 

Herein  they  could  not  Comply,  for  the  Reafons  fol- 
lowing. • 

I.  Becaufe  as  all  Obedience  hath  an  Eitential  Rela- 
tion to  the  Laws  and  Mandates  of  thofe  whom  Per- 
fons are  bound  to  obey,  fo  the  Canons  of  the  Church, 
fettled  in  its  feveral  refpe£live  Convocations,  arc  the 
ftated  Laws  of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Governntent:  And 
therefore  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience,  w»hich 
hath  a^  Reference  to  thefe  ftated  Laws  or  Canons  of 
the  Church,  appear'd  to  them,  to  carry  in  it  a  plain 
Obligation  to  comply  with  them,  and  fubmit  to  them, 
in  their  ftated  Pradtife,  where  they  had  not  a  "Oirpen- 

fation. 


240  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X- 

.1  — — — — —        *' ' 

facion.     And  tho*  the  Obedience,  that  is  in  this  Cafe 

fworn,  be  limited  to  Thifigs  Lawful  and  Honefi,  yet  is 

it  evidently  fuppos'd  and  taken  for  granted,    that  the 

Canons  which  are  in  Force,  do  require  no  other  than 

fuch  Things,  without  leaving  Perfons  at  Liberty  which 

Canons  they'll  obey,  and  which  they'll  refufe  :  Which 

was  a  Latitude  which  they  had  not  found  any  Bifh'op 

in  the  Land  free  to  allow  to  any  of  their  Clergy.     So 

^  j,j .    that  tho'  in  the  Oath  there  be  a  Limitation  in  Words, 

Fourth  f '-  y^^  ^^^y  plainly  faw  it  was  only  to  be  extended  to  Fu- 

Tion  Mr     i^ye  Commands^   while  an  Obligation  to  comply  with 

OllyfTe  de-^^^  Things  antecedently  requir'd  by  the  Canons  as  Law^ 

dares  they  fi^l  ^'»d  Honeft,  was  fuppos'd  and  taken  for  granted  :  For 

have  no       certainly  the  Church  Reprefentative  in  its  feveral  Con- 

manner  of  vocations,   could  HOC  by  thofe  who  profefs  fo  great  a 

Concern       Reverence  for  all  its  Di£tates,  be  fupposM  to  require 

with^^  Def.  Things  of  any  other  Stamp  or  Charadler.     Now  pera- 

cj  Min.      (|j-,g  f  jjg  Canons^  they  could  not  be  fatisfied  that  many 

Conf.jp'.9(5.  Qf  jjjg  Things  therein  required,  deferved  that  Chara- 

conjefs  I    ^^^ .  |sjjjy^   they  ^ere  not  convinc  d,   but  that  many 

thl  h  "/     Things  by  thofe  Cayions  requif  d  to  have  been  the  Mat- 

tpife :  Be-^^^  ^^  "^^^^^  conftant  Pradtife,  would  to  them  have  been 

raufeit  Ly^'^^^'^'^f''^  ^"^  Dipoojieji ;  and  therefore  they  durft  not 

the  Vounda-  come  under  any  fuch  enfnaring  Obligation. 

tion  of  a        Whether  they  had  any  Reafon  or  not  for  thus  fcrup- 

CoTnnta?id    Jing  Conformity  to  the  Canons^  according  to  the  De- 

to  publip)   mand  of  this  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience,  let  any  im- 

an  Exconi'  partial  Perfons  Judge,  when  I  have  briefly  fet  before 

mutiicaiion  them  the  Canons  to  which  they  fcrupled  to  yield  Con*  ■ 

"^   ^^l^       formity,  with  their  Obje6lions  againft  them. 

Breakers  of      g^  ^^^  Yov^nh  Canon,    *  Whofoever  Charges  the 

1 7e  anon,  «  g     j^    £  Qq^j^q^  Prayer,  with  containing  any  Thing 

Minifler        *"  ^^'  '""V  *^  repugnant  to  the  Scriptures,  he  is  to  be 

Tnay  b7re-  *  '^^^  ^'^^^^'  Excommunicated,  and  not  reftor'd  but  by 

5K/W  by    *  the  Bifhop  of  the  Place,  or  Arch-Bifhop,   after  his 

his  Ordina-*  Repentance,   and  Publick  Recantation  of  fuch   his 

rytopub-  *  wicked-Error  *. 

///?;,  by  Vet- 

tue  of  the  Oath  he  has  tahn.  And  therefore  this  feemi  to  We  to  be  one  of 
thofe  Canons  that  concern  an  inferior  Clefiymani  own  Behariour  andConduCh 
in  his  Office^  tho'  Mr.  Hoadly  declares  himfelf  of  another  Opinion.  See  more  of 
this  Matter-^  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  Tart  2.  p.  ^08.  Mr.  Ollyffe'i  id  Dei,  of 
Mn.  Qoni.p.  284,  &c.  Def.  o/Mod.  None.  Fart  3.  f-  5J5- 

Thty 


■Chap.  X.       Mr.  Fvichard  Baxter..  241 


They  could  not  bind  themfelves  to  conform  to  this 
Canon^  biecaufe  tho'  it  (hould  be  ailow'J  to  be  an  Error, 
to  bring  fuch  a  Charge  againft  the  Bo"k  of  Common 
Prayer,  yet  could  they  not  fee  that  it  muft  therefore  be 
at?  Error  of  that  Magnitude  and  Wickednefs,  as  to  de- 
fdrve  Excommunication.     If  all,  that  have  worfe  Errors 
than  that  can  be  fupposM  to  be,    muH:  be  prefentiy  ex- 
communicated,  the  Church  would   remain  but  thin. 
Befides,  they  could  not  but  eftecm  it  a  great  Abiife  of 
Excommunicatiov^  to  have  it  thunder'd  rut  againft  any 
Perfons  before  they  were  heard  to  fpeak  for  themfelves, 
ot  told  of  their  Siri  and  callM  to  Repentance.     Excom' 
tnunications  of  this   Kind  they  duril  not  publiHi  when 
commanded,  fot  fear  of  offending  Chri ft,  and  injuring 
his  Servants :  And  therefore  they  durft  not  Promife  or 
Swear  thit  they  would  do  it.    And  as  for  thofe  who  >-  o    .    , 
would  throw  the  blame  in  fuch  a  Cafe  rpon  the  Com-  ,.   "^^'f  ^ 
mandot  Superiors,  they  appear  d  to  them  to  open  ^  mit-^  stated 
Door  to  the  Execution  of  any  Tnjuftice  or  Viliany  in  ^^^  ^y. 
the  Worlc-i,  fuppoling  Authority  fhould  interpofe  with  a  ^^^^  ^aoe 
C^ommand    .  io5,  &c. 

By  the  Fifth  Canon,  '  All  rhofe  are  to  be  iffo  ^n^%- 
'^  Excommunicated,  (3c.  who  afiirm  any  of  the  Thirty 

Nine  Articles  agreed  upon  in  Convocation  in  1 562,  to     f  rhis  is 
*  be  erroneouSjOr  fuch  as  he  might  not  with  a  Cafe  Con-  another  of 

'   fcience  tubfcribe  to  f.  thofe  Ca- 

nons with 
'(phith  Mr .  Oily  ff^  fayi^-  they  have  no  manner  of  Concern-^  Def  of  Min.  Conf. 
p'  96.  I  reply ^  Dbf.  of  iMod.  None.  JPan  2.  p  910:  That  I  cannot  but 
reckon  they  have  a  great  Concern  in  it,  -xphen  they  may  be  called  on  to  fubUfh 
Excommunications  according  to  it  :  And  1  rccnmmend  it  to  JW".  Hoadly'^ 
Notice,  That  this  Canon  is  fo  far  from  beingifePeatd,  that  its  rather  confirm'd 
hy  the  Toleration  Act.  "    ^  ;   "^ 

They  could  not  bind  themfelves  to  conform  to  this 
Canortj  for  the  fame  Reafons  as  they  fcrupled  Confor- 
mity to  that  foregoing.  And  wirhal,  they  found  the 
Words  of  feveral  of  the  Articles  liable  to  Exccpdon; 
and  fome  of  them  of  fmall  Moment  and  dubious.  They 
could  not  fee  the  Warrant  of  that  Authority  afcrib'd  to 
to  the  Church  in  the  Twentieth  Article.*  They  knew  of 
no  Charter  Chriji  had  given  to  the  Church  to  hind  Men  up 
to  more  than  himfelf  bath  done.  Neither  could  they  e- 
fteem  every  Tblngthatis  true,  an  Ariide  of  the  Creed,  ' 

R  0£ 


^42  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 


or  ncceffary  to  Church -Communion,  fo  that  all  that 

Diflcnt  muftbe  prcfently  caft  out.     Befides,  they  found 

Billiop  Jererfi;  Taylour  overthrowing  the  Ninth  Article 

about  Oiigin.tl  Sin  ;    and   Dr.  HnmmGnd  refining  upon 

,  the  Fourteenth  Article,  and  denying  the  Seventeenth  ; 

t  BiKter'i  -^  ^vhich  they  had  many  Followers,  who  were  all  by 

Uortconfor-  ^j^|^  Canon  to  be  ipfo  F^Bo  Excommunicated.     Which 

^T  ^!i^'   ^^^  ^  Thing  in  which  they  durft  not  concur,  as  eafily 

'L^/^f      forefeeing,  that  this  would  make  the  Articles  an  En- 

palTioQ    gi"e  of  endlefs  Strife  and  Divifiont 

6.1  By  the  Sixth  Canon,  '  All  tbofc  are  ipjo  faHo  to  be 

*  Excommunicated  that  Ihould  affirm  that  the  Rites  and 

*  Ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England  are  Superfti- 
'  tious,  or  fuch  as  being  commanded  by  Lawful  Auiho- 
'  rity,  Men  who  are  zealoufly  and  godly  AffecSled,  may 

^  Th.'.<  a/-  (,  ^^^  ^jjjj  J^  gQod  Confcience  approve  and  ufe  them,  or 
fo  Mr.  Oi-  I  ^g  Occafion  requires  fubfcribe  unto  them  *. 

lyffe  fayiy 

They  ha>e 

no  Concernrffith,  ibid.     But  he  fhould  haye  added,  vnlefs  they  are  calld  upon 

to  publifh  Juch  Excommunications  as  it  threatens,  %phich  I  knot;;  not  reho  can 

fecure  them  from,  for  all  Times  to  come.     Tor  tho"  fome  are  for  letting  thefe 

Camas  He  ajleep,  yet  others   are  earnejily  defirous  they  fljould  be  awahen'd. 

Dtf.  of  Mud.  None.  :Ban.  i,  f.  ^u^ 

In  this  Canon  the  Church  feemed  to  them  to  affume 
to  it  felf  a  moft  Exorbitant  Power,  by  laying  fo  great 
a  Strcfs  upon  every  one  of  its  Ceremonies,  as  prc- 
fently to  Excommunicate  Perfons,  that  Ihould  but 
reprefent  any  one  of  them  as  unwarrantable.  Much 
ginore,  could  not  have  been  faid  as  to  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, or  any  Articles  of  the  Creed.  But  be- 
fides, the  ejeifted  Minifters  did  efteem  the  Things  a- 
bove  mentioned  to  be  unwarrantable,  and  therefore 
could  not  agree  ro  Excommunicate  themfelves,  and 
fuch  as  concurr'd  in  the  faiTK  Sentiments  and  Apprehen- 
}  BixteiNfions  with  them  4^. 

J/onconpjr- 

fnity  Stated  and  Argued,  page  ill. 

By  the  S^cnth  Canon,  *  All  thofe  are  ipfo  faBo  to 

'  *  be  Excommunicated,  that  fhould  affirm  that  the  Go- 

'  veinment  of  the  Church  of  E>iglnnd^   by  Arch-Bi- 

'  ftiops,  Bifliops,    Deans,  Arch-Deacons,   andchc  reft 

that 


Chap.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  243 


*  that  bear  Office  in  the  fame,  is  Repugnant  to  the    ^  Th.sCa 

*  Word  of  God  *.  non  alfo 

.l^r.OliyfTe 
declares  they  have  no  Coticern  w'tth^  Def.  o/Min.  Contp.  pd.  But  for  my 
Fartf .  I  can't  fee  how  its  repealed  by  the  A6t  of  Toleration^  Dc  f  of  Mod. 
None.  P^rf.  2.  p-^i2.  Or  if  it  is  repeal'd^  I  can't  think  it  vf.U  o^  any 
Thing  the  worfe^  either  for  Minifiers  or  People  in  thi  Churchy  that  it  conti- 
nue repeal''d,  without  ever  being  in  Force  again, 

Tho*  fome  of  the  Silenc'd  Minifters  could  have  gone 
farther  than  others  in  fubmitting  to  Diocefan  Epifcopacy^ 
yet  take  that  Form  of  Government  in  the  Compafs  of 
it,  according  to  this  Canon,  and  they  found  it  full  of 
Corruption.  The  Paftoral  Power,  which  was  lodg'd 
by  Chrift  in  the  Minifters  of  their  refpecftive  Congre- 
gations, was  overthrown  ;  and  the  Power  of  the  Kjys 
put  into  improper  Hands  :  And  that  Bifhops  (hould  go- 
vern the  Church  by  others,  in  a  fecular  Manner,  even 
by  Lay-men,  who  do  that  in  their  Name  which  they 
know  nothing  of;  could  not  in  their  Judgment  be  re- 
concil'd  with  the  Word  of  God.  And  therefore  they 
durft  not  bind  themfelves  to  Excommunicate  zll  fuch,  as 
fhould  pafs  but  fuch  Cenfures  upon  the  Frame  of  the 
Ecclefiaftical  Government,  as  it  really  deferv'd  t  f  Idem  r* 

By  the  Eighth  Canon,  '  All  thofe  are  ipfo  fa&o  to  be  ^/Wpage 
'  Excommunicated,  who  (hould  affirm  that  the  Form  112. 

*  and  Manner  of  Making,  and  Confecrating  Bilhops, 

*  Priefts,  or  Deacons,  containeth  any  Thing  in  it  re-   ■fThifal" 

*  pugnant  to  the  Word  of  God  ij:,  fo  is  ano- 

ther  Canon 
that  Mr.  Ollyffe  declares  he  has  no  Concern  with,  Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  p.  <^6, 
And  I  jhall  be  "very  well  pleafed^  if  the  Ecclejiaftical  Courts  let  him  always 
alone,  without  calling  upon  him  to  publifh  any  Excommunication  that  fhouldl 
convince  him  of  his  being  concern  d  with  it. 

Tho'  it  fhould  be  fuppos*d  there  were  nothing  amifs 
in  this  Book  of  Ordination,  yet  the  Belief  of  its  Inno- 
cency  could  not  in  the  Efteem  of  the  vSilenc'd  Minifters 
be  juftly  deem'd  a  Matter  of  that  Moment,  as  to  be 
necelTary  to  Salvation,  or  that  Perfons  fhould  be  caftout 
of  the  Church  for  the  want  of  ir.  They  could  not 
therefore  take  an  Oath,  whereby  they  Ihould  enter  ir>-  ^  j^ 
to  a  Combination  of  that  Nature,  as  would  make  them  7^;^  p^„^ 
liable  to  be  charg'd  with  the  unhappy  Confequences  *.    ,  j  /  ^ 

K  %  By     ^ 


244  ^^^^  LIbE  of       Chap.  X. 

Py  the  Ninth,  Tenth,  and  Eleventh  Capons,  *  Such 

^  as  feparaie  themfelves  from  the  Communion  of  the 

'  Church  of  England,  and  fuch  as  own  thofe  feparate 

^  Thefe     *.  Societies  to  be  true  Churches,   are  all  to  be  Excom- 

Thrceca-    '  municatcd,  and  only  reftot'd  by  the  Arcb-Bilhop*. 

ftons  alfo 

Mr.  OllyfFe  declares  he  has  m  Concern  vithy  ibid.  But  if  he  had  had  a  Lirin^ 

in  fome    Bifhofs  Viocefes^   in   the  ,/atfer  Jind  of  h^ing   Char],CS  tl>e   Second's 

"Rei'rn^  he'd  hare  found  he  had  a  Concern  rvith  them  to  his  Sorrorv^  unlcfs  he'd 

have  pubHp)  d  Excommunications  againft  fome  as  honefl  Men  m  afiy  in  his 

tariff), 

■,  Canons  of  this  Kind  they  durft  not  fwcar  S-abje- 
>6tion  to,  becaure  they  tho'c  them  very  unchariLalJe, 
Jf  a  weak  miftaken  Cbriitian  may  be  a  true  Chriftian, 
tho"  faulty  ;  they  could  not  fee  why  a  miilaken  Congre- 
gation pf  Piaus  Perfons,  might  not  be  a  true  Church, 
tho*  faulty.  5uppofing  it  granted,  That  they  whofe- 
,'paiatied  from  the. Church  of  £r;^/^(;</,  and  fMchasad- 
'her'd  to  them,  really  were  in  an  Error,  yet  coyld  they 
not  fee  how  their  Errors  could  be  look'd  upon  as  com- 
.^arable  to  thofe  of  the  P^pijis^  who  yet  are  fo  far  fa- 
vour'd  by  many  of  the  Prelatical  Party,  that  the  Rnman 
Church  they  belong  to,  is  own'd  to  be  ^  true  Church. 
Neither  can  it  with  any  Ground  be  ,affirro'd,  that  the 
ignorance,  Erroi;  or  Corruption  pf  fuch  Separatifts  is 
haj Tip  great,  as  is  difcernable  in  the  M/^w/V^/,  Greeks^ 
AhajJiKeSy  Coptics^  Jacobites^  Keflorians^  and.  Armenians  ; 

.  who  }et  are  commonly  confefs'dtp  be  true  Churches. 
The  grcarnefsof  the  Errors  of  thofe  that  feparare  from 
the  Church  of  ErgUnd,  cannot  niake  them  ceafe  to  be 
tr.ue  Churches,  when  Churches  much  more  Erroneous, 
are  own'd  to  be  true.  Neither  can  their  being  gathefd 
and  maintained  without  the  Confent  of  the  RuJer,  pre- 
sently incapacitate  them  from  being  true  Churches  : 
For  he  that  would  condemn  them  upon  that  Account 
meerly,  muft  with  the  fame  Breath  difown  all  the 
Churches  of  Chrift,  which  were  in  the  World  for  fome 
Hundreds  of  Years  ;  who  were  all  in  Common  in  thac 
Condition.  The  Silenc'd  Minifters  tho't  it  very  fit 
to  leave  thofe  to  themfcJves,  who  were  fo  confin'd  in. 
their  Charity  ;  as  thinking  it  their  Duty  to  embrace 
all  thofe   as  Brethren   who  feared    God,  and  wrought 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  245 

J^ightedtifnefs ;   it\dxo  efteem  all  thofe  as  true  Parts  of 
the  Church  of  Chrift,  aniong  whom  there  was  the  true 
Chriftian  Faith  and  Worlhip,  how  different  foever  their 
particular  Sentiments  or  Modes   might  be,    or  wh:it   ^  y-^-'j 
Failures  foever  might  be  amongft  them,  that  were  cort-  bid'vip-  " 
fiftent  wich  an  honeft,  upright  Heart  and  Life^.  jj,^^^  ^^ 

By  the  Twenty  Seventh  Canon,    '  No  Minifter  is 

*  wittingly  to  adminirter  the  Communion  to  any  but  to 

*  fuch  as  Kneel,  >C^vrj;.  \  Mr.Ol- 

:    V  ,    ■       -    •>   ••  -  lyftt  can't 

tellh  ^  -     -       -     --       -         -       -- 

Conf.  p.  99.  But  wethinki,  it  vffere  better  for  him  to  avoid  binding  hlmfelf 
to  fttch  infnarhig  Canons ^  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconf.  Tart  2.  p.  315,  gi5. 

To  this  they   durft  not  fwear  SubjedVlon,    for  the 
Reafons  menti6h*d  before,   under  the  Head  o^ Ajfent  fid.  ibid. 
and  Confent  ^.  pa ae  i  j  7. 

By  the  Twenty  Eighth  Canon,   *  Minifters  are  re- 

*  quir'd  to  refule  Communicants  coming  from  other 

*  Farilhes*'^.  ^'^ATrOI- 

if  the  Mjnifler  find  any  Hardjhip  in  this^  he  muft  f/jew  hh  Suhmilfon  to  the 
Biftjop  by  Petitioning  nr  Suffering,  Def.  of  Mm.  Conf  p.  100.  Butt  hope  he'll 
gire  others  their  Liberty  to  think  it  both  wifer  and  faferto  avoid  coming  under 
any  Obligation.,  than  to  run  the  Hazard  of  being  fo  hamper  d^  Def.  of  Mod. 
None.  Tart  2.  /».  3170 

To  this  ihey  could  not  fubmit,  becaufe  in  fome 
Cafes  the  receiving  of  Communicants  from  other  Pari- 
ihes  might  be  a  Duty.  As  particularly,  if  the  Incum- 
bent of  a  neighbouring  Paridi  were  Vicious  or  Scan- 
dalous, or  Divine  Ordinances  were  fo  manag'd,  as  is 
inconliftent  with  the  Edification  of  the  Parilhioners. 
For  them  in  fuch  Cafes  to  have  refus'd  to  receive  Perfons 
to  Communion  with  them,  would  in  their  Apprehenlion 
have  been  grofly  uncharitable  \\,  H  7^  j;^^^ 

By  the  Thirty  Eighth  Canon,   *  A  Minifter  repent-  ' 

*  ing  of  his  Subfcription,  or  afterwards  omitting  ariy 
\  of  the  prefcribed  Forms  or  Ceremonies,  is  firft  to  be 

R  3  *  fufpended 


246  The  LIFE  of         Chap,  X. 

^  With    '  fufpendcd,  and  then  Excommunicate,   and  then  de- 
ihiiMr.Ol' '  pQs'd  from  the  Miniftry*. 
lyflfe  de-         ^ 

dares  tley  have  no  Concervy  Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  />.  g6.  But  thU  was  as  like- 
ly to  be  inffled  on^  as  any  in  all  the  Body  of  the  Canons^  in  the  Tear^  1 662, 
gutd  afternrards,  which  was  the  Time  that  this  Chapter  peculiarly  referred  to^ 
Def.  of  Mod.  None,  P.  2.  f  518. 

This   they   apprehended  might  in  many  Cafes  be 
ro  Confent  to  caft  a  Man  out  of  the  Church,  for   be- 
ing  Coiifciencious  •    To  which  they   were  afraid  to 
fubmir,   leaft  they   fhould  contribute  to  the  filencing 
,  Tome  of  thofe  who  as  much  deferv'd  Encouragement,  as 

t  Id.  Ihd.  ^^y  perfons  whatfoevcr  \. 
jngc  II ».    ^  gy  ^j^^  p^^^y  Seventh  Canon,  '  All  that  go  forBap- 
'  tifm  for  their  Children,  or  the  Communion  for  them- 

*  felves  from  their  own  Parilh,  becaufe  the  Minifter  is 

*  no  Preacher,  to  another  Parifh  that  hath  a  Preaching 
'  Minifter,  are  fufpended,  and  after  a  Month  to  be  Ex- 

J  Wiih   *  communicated  t. 

thif  all'" 

Mr.  OITyfie  th\nh  they  hare  no  Ccr.cern,  Def.  nf  Min.  Conf  p.  g6.  And 
I  heartily  vri/h  he  never  may  find  l)imfelf  cramped  by  any  Thing  of  this 
Kind  :  But  Jj^nu/d  the  A^  of  Toleration  ever  be  repeat'd^  perhaps  fame  that 
hi  wifhes  well  to^  M'ni/iers  and  Feople^  may  be  in  no  fmall  Danger  by  it. 

To  this  they  could  not  fubmrt,  becaufe  they  appre- 
hended there  was  much  more  need  of  driving  the 
People  to  preaching  Miniiters  than  from  them.  And 
tho'  they  did  not  efteem  the  Sacraments  Null,  when 
adminiflrcd  by  ill  qnalif/d  Mmifters,  yet  they  could 
not  but  look  upon  it  as  Sinfal,  either  to  harden  an  Ig- 
norant and  Scanda'ous  Pcrfon,  tliat  had  intruded  into 
the  Office  of  the  Miniftry  in  his  Prophanenefs,  or   to 

Id.  Ibid,     encourage  People  that  need  better,  in  being  contented 

P^S^IIP-   withfucha  Mniiftcr. 

By  the  Fifty  Eighth  Cinon,  *  Every  Miniflcr  faying 
'  the  PuMick  Prayers,  or  ramiftring  the  Sacraments,  or 

•  other  Rites  of  the  Chnrch,  was  required  to  wear  a 
'  decent  and  comely  Surplice  with  Sleeves,  to  be  pro- 

*  vide  d  at  the  Charge  of  the  Parilh,   and  that  under 
I  Pain  of  SufpenfioY). 


Chap.  X.         Mr.  Richird  Baxter.  2.47 

The  Surplice  as  a  Symbolical  Vcflment*,   was  what    *  M-r.Ol' 
they  found  many  Learned  and  Excellent  M'nifters  had  iyffe/;?rc 
in  former  Times  been  againft  :   And  it  was  fo  fTjalJ  a  kind/y  .x- 
Mauer,    of  fo  little   real  Necefliry   or  Ul'e,   t:nd  rbe /'^^''^^  ^/•'^ 
great  Things  to  be  Ey'd  in  the  Bxerdfe  of  aGofpeJMi-  [^«»;^Sym- 
niftry,  depended  fo  little  upon  ir,  that  even  thofe  who  ^°^'^^  ^° 
would  rather  have  fubmittcd  ro  it,  than  have  been  de-  ^/V^-  ^  * 
priv'd  of  the  Publick  Exercife  of  their  Miniftry,   yet  (^^j^f  J 
durft  not  concur  :n  the  Sufpenfion  of  others,  who  were  iqi.    n^ 
more  Scrupulous  of  it  than  themfeives,  upon  that  kc-Qantfee 
count;    as  they  muft  have  done,  if  they  hadfabjedted/^W  the 
themfeives  to  this  Canon  f-  Surplice  h 

any  more 
than  a  Dlfiinclhe  Garmsitt.,  2d  Def.  o/Min.  Conf.  />.  2p5.  But  BiJIjop 
Taylor  fays,  it  fignifies  Purity  and  Truth.  Others  have  [aid  it  fignifies 
Light,  and  others  Alacrity^  Integrity,  and  theExpeftation  of  Glory,  Sic.  How 
the  Minifers  that  were  ejeCied,  knev?  of  no  Authority  any  have  to  threaten 
Suffenjion  upon  a  Fai/ure  in  fo  frnali  a  Matter  5  and  therefore  could  not  here 
join  in,  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  P.  2.  p.  320. 

t  Idem  Ihid.  121. 

By  the  Sixty  Eighth  Canon,  *  MiniiRers  are  required 
^  to  Baptize  all  Children  withoiu  Exception,  who  arc  -iMv.Oi- 
*  offer'd  to  them  for  that  Purpofe  %.  lyffe /4)<5, 

They  are 
mt  obliged  to  Bnptit,e  all  Comers,  Def.  0/ Min.  Conf.  p.  26.  and  p.  I02- 
H«  fays.  That  there  is  no  Difference  betrveen  the  Traflice  of  Cnnformijis  notv, 
and  the  T^oiiconformifts  when  they  v?ere  in  thdr  T laces  ;  and  that  if  this  be 
rigor oufy  purfued,  there  mufl  be  a  Submijjton  ;  and  that  'tis  not  to  he  rt^on- 
dered  at.  That  a  good  Man  P)ould  in  fmie  Cafes  be  under  a  Necefjity  of  fuf- 
feiing,  &c  'Tis  anfvperd,  the  Canon  is  ycry  exprefs.  And  to  go  into  the 
ihurcb,  and  fmear  to  the  Ordinary,  and  yet  not  regard  this  Canon,  is  not 
fair,  a  hen  the  J^onconformifis  heretofore  Therein  Publick  Churches,  they  were 
at  Liberty  to  refufe  to  Baptize  ths  Children  of  thofe  Paren'^s,  as  were  either 
knoxvn  not  to  be  Chrijlians,  or  to  be  grofly  Scandalous  ;  which  is  7tot  left  by 
this  Canon,  as  was  own'd  at  the  Savoy  Conference,  &c.  Def.  of  Mod.  None. 
^  322,  323. 

Tho'  fome  of  the  Silenc'd  Minifters  were  much 
ftraiter  in  their  Notions  about  the  quallfy^d  SubjeBs  of 
Baptifm  than  others,  yet  they  were  generally  againft 
SubmifTion  to  this  Canon,  becaute  not  convinced  that 
the  Children  of  all  Comers,  (as  of  Atheifts  fuppofe. 
Infidels,  Jews,  Hereticks  or  Blafphemersi  who  might 
Upon  Occafion,  be  offer'd  as  well  as  others)  were  fo  far 

R  4  in 


248  27je  LIFn  of       Chap. X. 

in  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  as  to  have  a  right  to  a 
Solemn  Inveftiturc  in  the  BlelTings  of  it.  And  tijl 
they  were  convinced  of  this  by  clear  Proof,  they  e- 
i^eemcd  it  too  great  a  Domination  over  Men's  Faith, 
to  conuiiand  Obedience  in  this  Point  npon  Pain  of> 
Sufpcnlion.  And  they  Apprehended  fwearing  Obe- 
dience herein,  to  be  a  confenting  in  EiTe(5^,  to  the 
Profaning  of  one  of  the  molt  Sacred  InAitutions  of  oui 
U.  Ibid.       Religion. 

By  the  Seventy  Second  Canon,   '  Minifters  were  de- 

*  barr'd  the  Liberty  of  keeping  private  Fafts  upon  any 

*  Occalion,  or  fo  much  as  being  prefent  at  them,  with- 
'  outcxpoling  themfelvesto  Sufpeniion  the  Firft  Time, 

*  Mr.Ol-*  Excommunication  the  Second  Time,  and  Depofition 
lyffe,  Def".  '  the  Third  Time*. 
of  Min. 

Conf.  p.  ic?,  \  c^.  fays,  That  the  allowed  Times  of  Faftittg  by  Law  and 
"Public Jt  Authority  do  fo  frequently  return,  that  there  can  be  m  poffible  need, 
that  a  Mini  fur  P)r,uld  af point  any  other  :  And  that  the'  Canon  forbids  Vafts 
only  for  Seditious  Ends  and  Purpofes.  I  anfwer  Bifhop  Or indil  as  well  as 
the  Old  Puritans  were  of  another  Mind.  The  feditir.us  Meetings  referrd  to 
in  the  Canon  were  Giindari  Prophcfy!n^s  ;  and  fmh  Sort  of  Meetings,  none 
that  Love  ferious  Religion  pould concur  tn  difcouraging,  Dcf.  of  Mod-  None. 
Part2.f.yS\. 

The  Silenc'd  Minifters  for  their  Part,  could  not  but 
efteem  thofe  ro  be  unworthy  of  that  Sacred  and  Ho- 
nourable Function,  who  were  not  to  be  trufted  to  Faft 
and  Pray  wirh  their  People,  as  Occalions  might  re- 
quire, while  the  Law  was  open,  to  punifh  all  Abufes. 
And  taking  this  to  be  a  Part  of  their  Office,  they 
could  no  more  renounce  it,  than  the  Liberty  of  Preach- 
Id.  Ibid,  ing  the  Gofpel,  when  and  where  the  NeceiTuies  of 
l-age  122.  Souls  required  it. 

By  the  1 1  2th  Canon,  *  The  Miniftcr  jointly  with  the 

*  Pariih  Officers,  is  requir'd  every  Year  within  Forty 
'   Days  after  Eaftcr,    to  exhibit  to   ihc  Bilhop  or  his 

Chancellour,  the  Names  and  Surnames  of  all  his  Pa- 
fhioners,  which  being  of  the  Age  of  Sixteen  Years, 
t  Mr  01- '  did  not  receive  the  Communion  at  Eafter  before. 

V.?i\.here 

fays.  That  a  MiHifer  may  ir/yc  an  Account  of  the  St^te  of  his  Pariflj  to  his 
liifhop,  and  yet  he  not  profecute  the  A'on  communicatits,  i^c.  a)td adds,  that  the 
Minifer  is  not  bound  to  this  by  any  Promifc  j  ftrr  the  Oath  doL^  not  oblige  to  ti 

With 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  249 


With   this  Canon,  agrees  the  Ru brick  which  is  '^n-difhomfi 

ferted  in  the  Common  Prayer- Book,  at  the  End  of  the  Thin<r  Defo 

Office  for  the  Communion  ;    which  requires  every  Pa-  of  Min. 

rijhicner  to  Ccmmimicate  at  the  ieaji  Three  Times  in  the  ^oni.  p. 

Tear,  of  which  Eafterto  be  one.     And  if  they  refufe  after  '05  •*  But 

Prefenration,  they  are  to  be  excommunicated,  and  are  ^^^'^''^-^-j 

Jiable  to  be  confind  in  Goal  tiJl  they  die,  by  vertueof '^  ^"^  "'^^ 

the  Writ,  de  Exccnmunicato  Capiendo.  ''^^^'^^  *^'7e 

•  '  Men    to 

^nakefuch 
a  Vromife^  or  tahe  fuch  an  Oath^  as  if  kept  would  draw  them  into  Sin 
when  it  may  eajily  be  forefeen^  U^i.of  Mod.  None.  Tart  2,  p.  527,  328. 

In  this  the  Silenc'd  Minifters  durft  nor  concur,  for 
fear  of  the  Confequences.  If  indeed  they  could  have 
had  any  Hopes  of  forcing  their  Parilhioners  by  a  Goal, 
out  of  Ignorance  Unbelief,  and  Ungodlinefs,  they'd 
have  tbo*t  it  a  very  charitable  Work  :  But  while  the 
due  and  neceflary  Qualifications  were  wanting,  they 
did  not  know  but  in  the  forcing  them  to  the  Sacrament, 
they  might  force  them  upon  Sacriledge  and  Profane- 
nefs,  to  their  Damnation  and  Ruin.  Withal,  they 
knew  this  to  be  a  Courfe,  whereby  they  (hould  di- 
ftrad:  thofe  Perfons  with  Terror,  who  are  Confcious 
of  their  Unfitnefs ;  or  thofe  Melancholy  Chriftians 
ivho  under  Temptations,  Tremble  for  fear  of  taking 
their  own  Damnation.  In  a  Word,  they  were,  con- 
vinced this  would  fill  the  Church  with  fuch  as  ought 
rather  to  be  kept  away  ;  occafion  the  carting  of  Holy 
Things  to  Dogs  ;  prevent  all  poflibility  of  Difcipline, 
and  be  a  Bar  to  that  Purity,  which  is  a  great  defign  of 
Chrirtianiry*  ^  Baxter'^ 

Nor.con" 
formity  Jiated  and  argud.^  pag.  i^"].     Coxhtt^s  Kemalns^  page  150. 

Omitting  the  reft,  the  Three  laft  Canons,  related 
to  the  Authority  of  Synods :  And  by  them  *  all  were  to 

*  be  Excommunicated,  who  Ihould  affirm  that  a  Con- 
'  vocation  fummon'd  by  the  King's  Authority,  was  not 

*  the  true  Church  of  England  by  Reprefentation :  Or 
"^  that  the  Abfent  as  well  as  Prefent,  were  not  to  be  fub- 

jedt  to  the  Decrees  of  fuch  an  Affembly,  in  Caufcs  Ec- 
,  fleiiaftical,  when  raiify'd  by  the  King's  Authority :  Or 

*  that 


2^0  The  LIFE   of         Chap.X. 


t  Thefc     '  chat  their  Canons  and  Conflitutions  were  defpicable, 

three '/afi     «    d^cf. 

Mr.  OlIyfTe  declares  thcj  .  »iv  ns  \Li^?irf  of  Concern  with^  Dff.  of  Min. 
CoirP.  f.  95.  But  they  may  vohen  cull  J  on  by  their  Blfyf)  And  in  fuch 
Things  a:  thefe^  'tv  a  little  hurU  for  JPerjwi  to  bind  themfelres  to  lie  at  the 
Meicy  of  anothtr. 

Thefe  Canons,  they  could  not  oblige  themfelves  to 

fnbmit  ro,  hecaufe  of  che  Uncercainty,  and  dubious  and 

difputabie  Nature  of  the  Matters  coniain'd  in  them, 

wliich'ihey  (upon  that  Account)  could  not  apprehend  to 

to  be  fit  Grounds  of  (o  high  a  Cenfure  as  Exccmmuni- 

cncioh-.     That  a  Convocation  was  the  true  Church  of  Eng- 

•  Thertfcr-  j^^pd  ly  l\rprcJcTitation  feemM  to  the  filenc'd  Minifters  very 

thyBijht^  juftiy  quefhonable,   not  onlybecaufc  the  Laity  (whom 

of  >y''Jm    fhey  tho'c  a  Parr  of  the  Church)  were  altogether  exclud- 

'p    J'^^f'^  cd,    but  alfo  bccaufe  the  Clergy  were  far  from  being 

P    ,'  therein  fairly  reprelented.     *  As  to  the  Force  of  the  Ca- 

^^n^-,n;nrT  ^^^^  of  fuch  Convocitions upon  abfent  Perfons  as  well  as 

the  Riulus  preient,  they  apprehended  that  it  depended  upon  the  rar- 

of  sn  En'r.  lianienr,  whof?  Ratification  they  look'd  upon  as  necefla- 

iifh  Con-    ry,in  order  tr  their  having  any  Force  or  Significance  at  all. 

vocation,     But  tho'  rhey  fnonld  bemiftaken  in  Pointsof  this  Nature, 

page  to.      which  they  tho'c  had  not  been  fo  ftri£lly  cnquir'd  into 

Jupijies 

their  Demur  as  to  thefe  Cnnonsinthii  Refpe^l,  wJ)CH  fpenking  of  a  Convocation^ 
he  ^^nth  this  remarkable  Conceffion  :  It  cannot  be  calKd  3  true  Reprefentative 
of  .  c  Chnrcli,  tho'  it  be  now  a  Lf.gil  one.  In  the  Lovv-er  Houfc,  there- 
are  v./  the  Province  of  Canterbury,  T  wcnty  Deans  or  more  who  pretend  to  fit 
there  ;  cher^'  are  as  mnny  Frodors  from  Chapters^  and  Sixty  Anh-Deacom, 
and  about  Thircy-eig'it  Clcrls  chofen  by  tlie  Clergy.  So  that  the  Deansznd 
Chapters^  who  hnd  th'ir  Authoriry  at  fird  by  Papal  Bull?,  and  have  now 
their  Exemptions  and  JurirdiiTtion?  continu'd  to  them  only  by  a  Provilb, 
in  ^he  bia'nte  of  25  Htn.  VIII.  have  more  Intcreft  in  liic  Convocation 
than  tile  wiiole  Body  of  the  Clergy.  Thele  are  all  made  either  by  the 
King  or  bv  the  Birho}>!=?.  The  Sixty  Arch-Deacons^  are  all  of  the  Bilhop's 
Nomination,  and  their  Authority  is  of  late  Date,  and  bat  a  Humane  Con- 
itiuuion.  All  this  is  bdides  the  Intcreff  that  the  Bifhops  have  in  making 
tiie  He  rum?  of  two  only  out  of  all  thofc  who  are  chofen  in  the  I'cveral 
Aril)-Dcaconries  of  their  Diocefs  5  {o  that  the  Inferiour  Clergy  can  in  no 
Sort  be  u>id  tobe  equally  reprefented  there.  Hhat  Pleafurc  foeycr  fome  angry 
Zealots  tniz^ht  take  in  any  Thing  that  jnight  bear  hard  upon  fo  great  anOrna- 
went  "f  their  Churchy  there  are  no  unprejudiced  Perfons,  but  think  his  Lord' 
fl)ip  deferycs  much  better  Treatment ^  than  Canon  l  39,  //  executed,  would 
afford  him. 

buc 


Chap.  X.        Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  251 

but  that  they  would   very  well  bear  Canvafing,    f  it      t  Either 
feeni'd  to  them  ftrangely  and  needlefly  fevere,  that  an  ^^^9  ^^'''s 
Excommunication  muft  prefently  be  Thundred  out  a-  ^'f  ^'"  '« 

the  right, 
or  it  bath  been  to  very  little  Turpofe^  thatv^e  have  had  fo  many  Writings  (and 
-many  of  them  bulky  too  )  lately  fuhUpid  upon  this  Matter,    and  that  with 
Warmth  and  Eagernefs.     And  really  it  fcemstodif-interefted  Standers-by^  pret- 
ty remarkable,  that  after  fuch  Stifnefs  in  ajjerting  the  Churches  Authority^  as 
to.Ecclefiaftical  Matters,  it  p)ould  at  laji  remain  a  Controrerfy  vphcre  this  Au- 
thority is  to  be  Indgd.     ^Tis  in  the  King,  fays  Dr.  Wake,  as  it  rras  heretofore 
in  the  Chriflian  Emperors,  and  indeed  in  all  Chrifiian  Frinces,  till  the  Papal 
Vfurpation.     The  fame  fays  Dr.  Kennet.    /  beg  your  Pardon  Gentlemen,  fays 
Dr.  A.  that  is  a  Method  that  tvould  fuhvert   the  Fundamental  Rights  and 
tiberties  of  the  thurch  and  'Clergy  of  England.     It  would  bring  in  Slavery 
into  the  Church,  vfhich  will  quickly  fpread  it  felf  into  the  State  too.     A  Con- 
vocation hath  an  inherent  Bight  of  framing  Ecclejiafiical  Canons,   as  it  is  an 
Etclejiaflical  Synod.     Each  Party  hath  tonftderahle  Abettors,  and  the  latter 
Gentleman  who  undertook  the  Defence  of  the  inherent  Right  of  the  Convocation, 
hath  (tnce  received  conjtderahle  Preferment^  as  a  Reward  for  his  Service.     Here- 
upon the  Lord  Bi/hop  of  Sarum  in  his  Reflefiiom,  page  7,  8  ^   makes  this  ob- 
fervable  Remark.     It  has  pafled  (fays  he  )  gene;rally  among  the  Clergy, 
chat  Ecclefiaftical  Matters  could  only  be  judg'd  by  Perfons  deriving  their 
Power  immediately  from  God  :  And  as  the  Clergy  have  their  Commif- 
iion  from  him,  fo  it  was  a  received  Dof^rine,  that  the  King  likewife  had 
ills  Power  from  God  ;  and  that  therefore,  the  Church  was  to  be  govern'd 
by  the  King  and  the  Convocation  :  And  the  Book  of  Canons  being  rati- 
fied only  by  the  Regal  Authority,  feems  to  give  fuch  Authority  to  this, 
that  a  Man  ought  to  be  mildly  corre^led,  if  it  fliould  prove  to  be  a  Miflake. 
It  could  never  be  tho't  Parliaments  were  jfure  Dlvino  ■  fo  it  was  a  Con- 
fequence   fuitable  to  their  Principles,   who  put   our   whole  Eccleliaftical 
Conftitution  on  the  Bottom  of  a  Divine  Right,    to  fhut  this  within   the 
Hands  of  rhofe  who  they  believed   afted   by  a  Divine  Commiffion.     I 
(fays  he  )  was  nfver  of  this  Mind.     I  always  tho't  that  the  King  was  no 
brher  Way  Head  of  the  Church,  xhcn  as  he  was  the  Head  of-  the  State,  with 
whom  the  Executive  Power  is  lodged,  and  who  is  the  Head  of  th.e  Legi- 
flative,  in  Conjunft^ion  with  the  great  Body  of  his  Parliament.     But  this 
Author  knows  how  much  tJie  Doftrine  he  advances  was  condemned,  2nd 
by    whom,    not  long  ago  :    Therefore  a  little  more  Temper   were  but 
Decent,  if  he  tho't  fit  to  find   Fault  with  it.     And  a  little  before,  fwak- 
ing  of  Dr.   A's   Maxim,  that  the  Supremacy  is   not  fingly   in  the  Kin  or, 
but  is  lodged  with    the    whole    Legiflature,    he  thinks    fit  to  make  this 
Declaration  ;   I  confefs  I  was  always  of  this  Mind  ;    but  I  remember  a- 
rnong  whom  this  pafled,  not  long  ago,  for  little  lefs  than  Herefy.     jVo«? 
'tis  left  to   any  one  to  judge,  whether  it  is   not  odd  and  unaccountable,  that 
we  fhould   have  had  f  fierce  a  Contefi  here   in   England,  ever  fince  the  Re- 
formation about  the   Ecclejiafiical  Authority,    and    that   among  them   who 
hav^  been  fcruing  it  up  to  the  utmofi  heighth  and  Rigour  againfl  their  poor 

gainft 


25i  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  X. 


D'fentin^  gainft  them.  And  as  to  the  Credit  and  Reputatiorj^of 
Brethren^  the  Canons  of  any  fuch  Ecclcfiaftical  Synods  or  Convpr 
(k-/;i  cs«/f/ cations,  they  coutd  not  help  conceiving  that  that  de- 
«c?  fee  pended  more  on  their  Agreeablenefs  to  the  Word  of 
Things  m  (rj^^j^  j.},^^^  ^^  ^1^^  Ccmmendations  given  them  by  the 
^ther  nid^^^'^^^^  and  their  Admirers.  But  that  the  Church  to 
^Jfter  171  ^^^^'^  *^'-^  Saviour  had  fo  often  recommended  Mildnefs 
be  ^a  ftif  ^"^  Gentlenefs,  fhould  be  but  a  Word  and  a  Blow,  and 
Content  .on  '^^^""^^  ^'^^^  ^^^  higheft  CenfuTes  where  perhaps  there 
Khere  it  is  might  bc  only  a  miltake  but  no  Malignity,  this  the  Si- 
tote  lodgdi  Icnc'd  Minifters  efteem'd  not  only  adting  without  a  "War- 
Voth  it  not  rant,  but  unfuitable  to  a  true  Chriftian  Spirit, and  there- 
fare  with  fore  could  noc  fwear  Submiilion. 
thh  Ecclc- 

iiaftical  Authority  here  in  England,'  as  with  the  pretended  InfallibiHty  in 
the  Rom^n  Church^  The  Fapifis  will  have  it  that  they  have  an  Intallibiiity 
among  them  fame  where,  hut  where  to  lodge  it  they  cannot  agree:  $ome  will 
ha-re  it  lie  in  the  Fope,  othrs  in  a  Gt)icral  Ccundl,  and  cthrsin  both  jointly. 
So  tljefe  Gentlemen  will  have  it,  that  there  is  a  mighty  Ecc'Clialtical  Au- 
thority, (to  decree  Rites  and  Ceremonies,  and  fctile  and  promote  Uniformi- 
ty, <StC.)  fomewhere  or  other  amongj}  them.,  hut  whereto  lodge  it,  they 
are  not  to  this  Day  agreed.  Some  place  it  in  t1>e  King,  others  in  a  Conyocati- 
en,  and  others  in  the  Three  F.fiates' of  the  Realm,  King,  Lords  and  Commow^ 
with  or  withmt  a  Convocation.  And  have  not  Sentimenti  in  this  refpeil 
as  much  vaiyd  in  cur  Church,  with  Times,  Seafons  and  Circumftances,  as 
th^y  have  in  the  Roman  Church,  about  their  Darling  Infallibility?  And  ts 
it  not  manififtly  hard  that:  Canons  Piould  remain  in  force,  whereby  thofe  are 
to  be  Excommunicated,  who  are  not  clear  about  the  AutJpority  of  a  Convocati' 
en,  when 'tis'e pen  at  this  Day  aeknowledg'd  by  Contenders  on  buth  fides, 
that  the  Rights  and  Powers  of  an  Engiifh  Convocation  have  been  but  little 
enqutr  d  i/tto?  Doth  not  that  enquiry  which  hat  It  been  fo  warmly  purfu'd^ 
Tiaturally  lead  to  a  farther  enquiry  into  the  true  Kature,  and  Extent  of  that 
Ecclefiafiical  Authority.^  which  our  Blejfed  Lord  the  great  Lawgiver  of  his 
ihurch  hith  Ir-d^'d  in  any  hands  whatfoever  bejides  his  own  f  For  might  it 
Tiot  as  eafily  be  fuf'^osd  much  fhould  have  been  taken  upon  Trufi,  and  many 
9n'fiales  committed,  about  the  Kature  and  extent  of  fuch  Fower,  as  about  thg 
hands  in  which  it  is  lodg'd?  Could  we  but  fee  a^  mud)  Fains  taken  up'.n  thi^ 
head,  as  thtre  ha^  been  upon  the  other,  we  could  not  but  hofe  for  a  good  Jjfue 
Till  then  we  think  both  our  fathers  and  we  arc  very  ja'.rly  iufiljiable  in  rejw' 
Jing  Submijfion  to  Canons,  in  faming  which  It  Is  queftlonahlc  whetl^er  t})e  Ac- 
tors did  net  over-fhott  their  Authority.  Howeva,  to  ufe  the  Bifi)op  of  Saium'i 
Thrafr^  we  cannot  but  think  that  a  Man  ouglK  to  be  nii'dly  ConefteJ,  (not 
Excommunicated) /'or  being  Cautlotu  and  wary  in  Things  of  fo  duliom  a  Na-^ 
ture,  tht'  it  P^ould  appear,  upon  a  particular  CanvajJIng  of  his  ScntimctttSythaf 
he  wa<  under  a  miliake. 

Baxter  5  Koitconformity  Stated  and  Argud.  pag.  123. 


Chap.  X.       Mr. ELichardBaxttr.  253 

It  hath  been  pleaded  by  many,  thajt  the  Oath  of 
Canonical  Obedience^  doth  not  oblige  to  approve  of  all 
that  is  in  the  Camns.  To  which  they  AnCwei'd,  that 
in  their  Judgment,  the  cafe  of  a  Minifter,  was  much 
the  fame  as  that  of  a  Juftice  of  Peace.  .  ^ 

*Tho'  ajoftice  of  Peace  be  not  "^  Mr.  OWy^t  fays  the  Cafe  of  k 
bound  by  his  Oath  to  approve  of  ^''^»M  ^^  «°^  ^'^'  ^^'^^  °1  ^  /»- 
every  Law  of  the  I  and,   yet  he  is    fi'^^ofFeace    Det.o/ Min.Conf. 

bound    to  Execute   all    of  them    by      f^^oJ,  MrMo2dlyf.ysthefan:c, 

his  Place,    when  he  is  call'd  to  ict.    f '^f"  f      L^'  '^'''     ' 

' €-       %r       \f    -A.-  1-  t      r^     \.      lAr  It  IS  fo.  andhotPjar  not,  may 

So  alfo  a  Mmifter  taking  the  Oath     ^^  .,^;.^/^^^  ^^^^  ,^        ^^^  f^ 

of. Canonical  Obedience,  is  bound ,  j^l^d.  j^^p^^c.  Fan  2.  f.r6$i6iQ. 
to  Execute  the  Canons^,  and  particu-  -j-  /^.  ,7,/^^  ^^o-,  22. 
larly  thofe  Canons  where  Excom- 
irsunication  isdenounc'd,  when  cali*d  upon  by  bis  Or///- 
iiary.  It  hath  been  farther  Pleaded,  that  many  of  thefe 
Can' n^a^e  difus'd,  and fo  Vacated;  like  many  Laws  of 
the  Land  that  are  grown  otit  of  ufe.  To  which,  the 
Reply  tseafie:  That  many  of  the  Canons  before  Men- 
tion'd  and  Objected  againft,  cannot  be  fo  much  as  pre- 
tended to  be  difus'd ;  and  many  of  them  were  much 
lt£s  difus'd  at  that  time,  when  the  Minifters  were  Ejedt- 
cd,  than  they  have  been  at  feme  tim^s  fince:,  .But  ftjU 
fo  long  as  there  is  neither  any  Publick  Declaration  gi- 
ven that  might  help  to  diftinguifli  among  thofe  Canons, 
(which  were  all  enadted  by  the  fame  Authority)  which 
were  yet  binding,  and  whvch  Superannuated  ;  nor  a 
liberty  of  judging  in  the  Cafe  left  to  private  Miniikrs, 
fo  long  this  Plea  appears  without  any  Force.  For  let 
any  of  them  appear  ever  fo  much  difus'd,  if  the  Ordi- 
nary  thinks  fit  to  interpofe  with  his  Authority  fur  the  re- 
viving them,  the  Oath  obliges  to  Submillion. 

2.  Another  Capital  Reafon  why  they  Scrupled  at  ta- 
king the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience ^  was  becaufe  they 
found  the  Epifcopal  Government  managed  by  Chancel- 
Jors  Courts,  (which  were  kept  in  the  Bi(hops  name  in- 
deed, while  they  in  the  mean  time  were  not  fufFer'd  to 
adt  in  them)  where  Lay- men  Exercife  the  Church  Keyes^ 
by  Decretive  Excommunications  and  Abjolutions,  They 
found  the  Word  Ordinary  roention'd  in  the  Oath,  would 
admit  of  divers  Senfes.  That  it  not  only  meant  the 
Bifliop  of  the  Diocefs,  but  the  Judges  in  their  Courts. 
This  is  the  Senfe  given  by  Couftns  in  his  Tables,  and 
by  all  Civilians,    And  as  for  the  other  chief  Minifters 

added 


The  L IFE  of        Chap.  X. 


added  in  the  Oath,    to  whom  Subjedlion  was  to  be 
Sworn,    ihey  fa\3v  not  how  lefs  could  be  thereby  meant, 
than   all  the    Arch- Deacons^    Officials,    Commijfarys   and 
r  Surrogates,    with  the  reft  of  the  Attendants  upon  thofe 

Courts. 

The  Silenc'd   Minifters  durft  not  bind  themfelves 

by  Oath   to  a  Submilfion  of  this  Nature,   for  fear  of 

*  Mr.      Concurring   to  overthrow  the  Pailoral  Office  *      They 

OUyik  fays  could  not  think  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Sacraments 

tbitt  Mini-  proper  and  peculiar  to  Paftours,    if  the  Keys  were  not 

ficrs  are  not 

hound  by  Oath  to  thefe  Courts.  The  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  has  not  the 
Word  Ordinary  in  it.  And  he  ajftrts  that  no  fart  of  the  Ta/ioral  Power  is 
taken  from  the  Ministers  that  Chrisi  has  given  them^  Deh  of  Min.  Conf. 
p.  109.  But  if  the  Word  Ordinary  is  not  In  the  Oath,  Uls  in  the  Ordination 
Fromife-,  which  comes  much  to  one.  It  leaves  a  great  ambiguity  ♦,  and  as 
Thin^^s  stand  is  infnanng.  For  the  King  is  Supream  Ordinary.  The  Arch- 
hi/hop  is  the  Oidinary  of  the  whole  Trovlnce  that  is  under  him.  The  Eljhop 
is  Ordinary  in  his  Dlocefs :  And  yet  under  this  Word  are  comprizd  all  fuch 
to  whom  Ordinary  JurifdiClion  in  Caufes  Eccle/ia/iical  doth  of  Right  belongs 
whether  by  Privlledge  or  by  Custom,  See  Godolph,  Reperr,  Canon,  /».  23. — 
Mr.  OUyffe  adds,  p.  115.  That  Minljlers  are  not  bound  blindly  to  follow  the 
Determination  of  the  Courts  in  any  Thing,  eJpeciaUy  not  in  Excommunications 
and  Abfolutlons:  And  no  Conftitutlon  can  be  fo  perfect.  In  which  Confclent'iotu 
Ferfons  may  not  fame  time  or  other  be  exposed  to  Sufferings.  Mr.  Hoadly 
fays,  Reafon  of  Conf  f.  152,  that  he  can't  fee  how  this  touches  the  Matter 
before  us.  He  does  not  think  I  can  produce  any  In/iances  of  Mini/ters  th.n 
have  fufferd  any  Thing  conjiderable  for  refufing  Obedience.  But  after  all, 
he  declares  It  not  fair,  and  that  it  looks  not  fincere,  for  Men  fir ji  to  offer  them- 
felves to  the  Mini/try  in  the  Church,  which  is  in  cffeU  to  profefs  that  they  are 
ready  to  Conform  to  fuch  of  the  Canons  as  relate  to  their  Behaviour,  and  art 
now  In  Force,  and  afterwards  to  aCl  as  they  think  ft,  without  regard  to  tkft 
Canons.  To  which  let  It  be  added,  that  the  preventing  any  Thing  of  this  kind, 
WM  one  end  of  the  Oath,  (which  Is  highly  probable,)  and  1  don't  fee  that  we 
need  defire  much  more,  in  favour  of  our  Nonconformity  in  this  Ke/^e<ff .  Thefe 
Things  I  have  dijiinllly  confidefd,  Def.  of  Mod.  None  Fart  2.  p.  942,  Scc. 
To  which  the  Reader  is  referr'd:  And  he  that  would  fee  more  of  this  Matter, 
may  confult,  Mr.  OlIyfFe'5  Second  Def.  of  Min.  Conf.  p.  297  /  Mr.  Hondly'i 
Def.  'f  the  Reafon  0/ Conf.  p.  1^5.    And  my  Def".  of  Mod.  None.  Fart  9. 

p.  355.  &c-  d?'  />.  41  7,  418. Tor  my  own  Furt,  I  fhould  think  it  a  great 

hardfhip  to  oblige  myfelf.  To  follow  with  a  glad  Mind  and  Will  the  godly 
Admonlcions,  and  rubmic  to  the  godly  Jndgmcnts,  of  Courts  managed  by  tlit 
Canon  Law,  whici)  really  have  the  Ecclejiajiical  Fowcr  in  their  Hands^  accord- 
inr  to  our  Conftitutlon,  while  the  Bl/f)opi  have  but  tl/e  Name. 


Chap.  X.  Mr,  Rkhird  Baxter.  255 

fo  too*.  For  the  nloft  proper  Ufe  of  the  K  ys  is  in  a  ^id  ibid. 
way  of  Judging  who  is  to  be  admitied  to  Sacramental/'^^'  34- 
Communion,  and  who  debar'd  u.  If  only  delivering 
the  Elements,  and  not  judging  to  whom,  be  p  oper  to 
the  Paftour,  then  is  he  to  fee  with  other  Mens  Eyes. 
Now  it  was  their  fied  Apprehenfion,  that  in  a  matter 
of  fo  great  Morpent  and  Confequence,  it  was  their  Du- 
ty to  fee  with  their  own  E>es,  and  not  Adt  blindfold  : 
And  that  our  Lord  Jefas  Chriit  had  inveftcd  all  that 
were  '^aftours,  with  that  meafure  of  Power  which  was 
Necelfi'-v  in  order  to  the  fecuring  the  dired:  ends  of 
their  Office.  Such  Power  its  true  might  be  abus'd,  and 
thereiorc  they  were  not  (as  fome  have  charg'd  them) 
agSiHlt  being  Accountable  in  cafe  of  fuch  an  Abufe: 
But  then  they  at  the  fame  time  apprehended  that  aa 
Appeal  in  fuch  a  Cafe,  would  be  much  more  properly 
Lodc'd  with  a  Synod,  (whofe  having  a  fixed  Prefidenc 
or  Bifhop  would  not  have  difgufted  the  Generality  of 
them,  efpccially  if  he  were  chofen  by  the  Synod  itfelf) 
or  with  a  Meeting  conlifting  partly  of  Minifters,  and 
partly  of  Deputies  from  the  Neighbouring  Churches, 
than  with  a  fet  of  wrangling  Lawyers,  whofe  concern 
in  fuch  Matters  they  lookM  upon  as  irrational  as  well 
as  unfcriptural;  and  whofe  Management  of  them  was 
more  likely  to  be  Calculated  for  their  own  Profit, 
than  the  Credit  of  Religion,  and  the  Purity  of  the 
Church. 

As  for  the  Provifion  made  by  the  B^brich,  before 
the  Office  for  the  Communion  in  the  Common-Prayer 
Book,  vi:(.  That  when  a  Miniiler  l^eeps  any  Perfons  from 
the  Sacrament,  hejhould  xvithin  Forty  Days  give  an  Account 
to  the  Ordinary,  that  he  might  proceed  again  ft  them  accord* 
ing  to  the  Canons  fj  they  could  not  acquiefce  in  it,  be-  ^  y/,^  g;. 
caufe  diffatisfy'd  as  to  the  Grounds  upon  which  thefe  Or-  pj^^p  and 
dinarys  (whether  they  were  meer  Lay-  men,  fimple  Pref-  Vhines  wh^ 

met  in  the 
Jerufalem  Chamber  in  1 641,  reprefented  this  Kubrick  (which  the  Gentlemen  I  *' 
hare  had  to  do  with  fo  much  juftifie)  as  needing  clearing.  And  it  certainly 
does  fo,  if  what  is  advanced  in  the  Cafe  of  Reg.ile  &  Pontificate,  p.  179. 
will  hold,  (as  I  don't  fee  but  it  will)  viz.  That  an  AShlon  lies  againfi  the 
Minifiet  who  jhall  refufe  the  Sacrament,  to  them  who  he  knows,  fees'  and 
hears  in  their  Conrerfation  and  Principles,  to  be  neyerfo  much  unqualified, 

byters, 


256  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X- 

bycer<;,  or  Diocefans)  appropriated  the  Cognizance  of 
Matters  of  this  Nacure  ro  ihemfelves,   which  in  the 
Judgment  of  common  Senfe  was  more  proper  for  thofe 
that  had  rhe  Opportunity  of  Perfonal  Infpei^ion,  than 
for  meer  Strangers.     They  were  alto  confirm'd  in  their 
diflike  of  this  Method  of  Procedure,    becaufe  of  the 
Difficulty,  Tedioufnefs,   Vexatioufnefs  and  Expeiifive- 
nefs  of  it ;  becaule  of  the  number  that  muft  be  accus'd 
if  the  Canons  were  foUow'd  ;    becaufe  of  the  great  hin- 
drance it  woujd  be  to  them  in  their  Minifterial  Work ; 
^  ^^^^      and  in  a  Word,    becaufe  of  the  impoflibiliry  of  keeping 
Baxter  ^e-  vip  2Lny  F^eal  Difcipline,   in  fuch  a  way.     In  which  they 
elares  that  Were  much  Confirmed  by  Obfervation  and  Experience  *,  t^^ 

in  the  2$ 

Tears  Time  that  he  A'vV  under  Biffjops^  he  never  knerp  one  that  wm  kept  ^bm 
the  Sacrament  except  a  Puritan,  vho  [erupted  to  take  it  Kneelin^^  5  Diipu 
t3t.  of  Church  CovtrnTnenr.     Advert,  p.  16.  '   .      • 

t  The  Church  Party  themfelves  have  not  been  infenfible  of  Corruptions  tn  thli 
Eefpef}.  Ammg  others.,  Bijhop  Burnet  at  the  dofe  of  hit  excellent  tiijiory.nf 
the  Reformation.,  Koies  d>at  there  was  one  Thing  (we  could  heartily  rotfh 
there  were  no  wore)  yec  Wanting  to  complect' the  Reformation  of  thre 
Churdi^  which  w;is  the  reftoiing  a  Primkive  Difci^)Iine  agarnVl:  5cand^I«^Us 
Pcrfons,  the  Eftabfifliing  the  Governmtnt  of  the  Chuich-'iri  Eisilefiiftical 
Hand?,  and  taking  it  out  of  Lay-hands,  who  hays  fo  long  pi^pHan'd  ir, 
and  liave  expos'd  tha  Authority  of  the  Chl^rcfh,  ia.fid  the  Cenfut^s  of  it, 
ch'itily  Excommunicationy  to  the  contempt  oij-tlT6)  Ration,;  by, which  the 
Reverence  due  to  Holy  Thing?,  is, in  fo  great, a  Meifure  loftjanddfed-read- 
fullcfl  of  sll  Cenfure?^  i^now  become  the  moit  Scorned  and  Defpifed. 
A^^rid^cment.,  pag.  \69-  -.  ■    '.>    . 

Neither  is  this  the  only  great  DefcCh  tvh'ch  this  Worthy  Bifhop  hae  9hfeTvd 
among  «*. '  fr,r  in  hi*  noble  Difcourfe  of  the  Partbral  Care,  p.  95"^  96,  he 
hath  taken  notice  of  Pluralities  and  Non-Refidence,  as  allowed  by  an  ASi 
vfhich  paft  in  the  Reign  of  Henry  Vlll.  which  he  fays  has  been  the  oc'cajion 
of  much  Diforder  and  Scandal  in  this  Church:  Adding.^  that  he  had  not  been 
able  to  findf  that  apy  fuch  Ait  ever  faji^  in  any  kingdom  or  State  in  thri- 
fiendom.  '  And  that  the  Council  of  Trtnt,  had  in  thefe  refpefis  made  Provi- 
fons  a'^alnfi  Abufes,  which  art  ftiU.  fuppcrted  by  Lavs  ar^ong  tu. 

And  as  to  the  fubmitting  to  the  Determinations  and 
Injundlions  of  thefe  Ordinaries,  in  which  they  had  not 
by  this  Oath  and  Covenant  fo  much  as  a  Judgment  of 
Dilcrction  left  them,  they  durft  not  engage,  or  bind 
themfelves,  for  fear  of  approving  Sacrilegious  Pro- 
phanencfs.  For  if  it  be  fo  fi>r  nicer  Lay-men  uncall'd 
and  unqualify'd,  lo  ufurp  the  oiher  Pans  of  the  Pafto- 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  257 


ral  Office,  particularly  the  Adtiiiniftration  of  the  Sa- 
crament, (as  ic  is  generally  efteem'd)  then  they  con- 
ceiv'd  it  muft  be  fo  too,  for  them  to  ufurp  the  Power 
of  the  Keys.  And  if  the  Bifliops  took  it  for  tJfurpati- 
on  in  Presbyters^  to  take  Upon  them  to  exercife  Power 
in  this  Cafe,  as  fuppofing  ic  Proper  and  Peculiar  to  tHem- 
felves,  they  could  not  fee,  why  they  fliould  not  judge  ic 
much  more  fo  in  Lay-men. 

As    for  Excommunications    and   Abfolutidns    they 
look'd  upon  them  as  very  weighty  Matters,    and  durft 
not  agree  to  trifle  in  them.     If  the  Bifhops  could  truft 
their  Confciences  with  their  ChancelJours  ^,   and  leave     ^  Qg^j. 
them  to  pafs  Sentence  in  their  Names,    without  ever  fvey  Good- 
hearing  or  trying  the  Caufss  depending;    and  fufferman, 
them  to  Excommunicate  Perfons  for  them,    tho'  they  Bi/hop 
knew  not  on  whom  they  pafs'd  that  heavy  Cenfure,  of  Glou- 
nor  why  they  did  it,  it  was  to  themfelves;    as  the  Mi-  cefter, 
nifters  could  not  underftand  it,    fo  neither  could  they  ^*»  '"'^  ^l^' 
help  it ;  and  they  were  not  refponfible  for  it:  But  whctif^"  *°  "^^ 
they  brought  thefe  Matters  home  to  their  own  Door,  ^J^^  My/tc 
and  requir'd  of  them,   that  they  alfo  (hou Id  truft  their  ^'"»     ^^',> 
Confciences  in  the  fame  Hands,   they  defir'd  to  be  ex-  ^^^  ^^^^ 
cus'd,  till  they  were  better  fatisfy'd  in  the  Point.    They  p^^^j^^e  an 
could  not  yield  to  Receive  and  Publilh  their  Excommu:  Order  undet 
nications  blindly,   Icaft  they  (hould  be  chargeable  with  tfj^  jUngs 
their  Irregularities  and  Abufes  ;    and  be  the  Inftrumems  own  Hani 
of   molefting,    worrying,    and  ruining,    as  Religious  and  Seal^ 

vpherein  he 
forbids  that  any  Church  Man  or  Prieft  in  Holy  Orders^  fhould  be  a  Chancellor. 
And  this  he  reprefents  a*  the  occdjlon  of  all  manner  of  Corrupiitns.  Some  have 
been  deUverd  over  to  Satan  for  a  Groat.  This  has  made  Excommurticatioti 
contemptible.  Vor  'tis  hard  to  perfvpade  weak  Under  ft  andinrs  that  that  can  be 
of  God^  which  has  but  one  Puniff?ment  for  aU  forts  of  Crimes :  Or  that  treats 
ihofe  06  ill  that  fcruple  a  Ceremony^  as  the  Committers  of  Whoredom  or  any  o- 
ther  deadly  Sin.  Eift)op  Taylor  in  his  Du£ior  Dubitantium  tells  »<,  that 
for  a  trifling  Caufeto  cut  a  Man  off  from  the  Communion  of  the  Churchy  is  to 
do  as  the  Man  in  the  Fable,  who  efpylng  a  Vly  upon  his  Neighb'jurs  Forehead^ 
9ire»t  to  beat  it  off  with  an  Hatchet,  and  fo  (irook  out  his  Brains.  And  yet 
a  grave  Adyijer,  who  fint  me  a  Packet  of  Hints  lately,  put  together  with 
great  Warmth  And  Zedt^  here  fo  far  forgets  his  Chara^er,  as  to  tell  me  in  fa 
many  Words,  That  the  Queen  and  Parliament  may  Pafs  an  A£t  if  they 
pleafe,  that  any  Man  that  befliits  himfelf  (hall  be  Excommunicated.  Which 
fnethinks  difc'/vers  little  real  refpeU  either  to  Chursb  vr  Stdte^  in  om  that  fU" 
iendi  fi  mu(h  Zeal  for  bath-^ 


158  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  X. 


Perfons  perhaps  as  any  in  their  Parifties,     Nor  durft  they 
Confent  to   Publilh  the  Abfolutions  of  notorious  De- 
bauchees, who  have  given  (it  may  be)  no  other  Proof 
of  Repentance  of  their  Crimes,  befides  Paying  the  Fees 
of  the  Court.  Thefe  Things  they  well  knew  expos'dthe 
*  Id  Ibid.  Cenfures  of  the  Church  to  Scandal  and  Contempt,  and 
page  105.  therefore  they  were  unwilling  to  give  an  helping  Hand  *. 
And  to  take  fuch  an  Oath  as  this  of  Cancmcal  Obedi- 
ence,  and  make  fuch  a  Covenant,    with  a  Referve  to 
themfelves,   afterwards  to  demur  upon  the  Commands 
of  the  Ordinary,   when  agreeable  to  the  ftanding  Rules 
of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Adminiftraiion;    or  make  light  of 
the  Cnnons^  which  where  delign'd  to  be  the  ftanding  Rulea 
of  their  Obedience,  before  they  were  repeal'd  and  fa- 
perfeded ;   they  could  not  look  upon  as  any  oiher  than 
egregious  Diifimulation :   And  therefore  they  thut   it 
much  fafer  to  wave  this  Oath  altogether,  and  keep  them- 
felves free  from  any  fuch  enfnaring  Bond. 
t  This        IV.  They   were  alfo  requir'd  to  Abjure  the  Solemn 
Abjuring    League  and  Covenant  \,     For  the  A<fl  for  Uniformity 
///g  Cove- 
nant teas  reckon  d  a  yery  great  hardfnp  by  the  generality  of  the  Miniflers  vpho 
rfeteLjeCied  in  1662.     This  kept  fereral  from  Conformity^  who  comply  d  after 
1682,  when  they  were  no  longer  cb/igd  to  it :    And  yet  Mr.  Ollyffe  when  he 
wrote  againji  this  Chapter^  would  lay  afidc  all  Confideration  of  it.^  Def.  o/Min. 
Conf  /».  4.     Tfor  does  Mr.  Hoadly  think  fit  to  fay  any  Thing  concerning  it. 
J  fhall  therefore  add  nothing  farther  concerning  it-,    except  a  remarkable  Faf- 
fage  which  comes  to  me  well  Attejied,  tffhich  fhews  how  eajily  Perfom  may  be 
drawn  in  to  do  as  their  Neighbours^   taking  Tl}ings  by  the  Greaty   without  due 
Confideration.     A  certain  Kentijh  Gentleman  finding  himfelf  decline  through 
Age,    lookd  over  a  conliderable  Collection  of  Papers  he   had  by  him, 
which  he  had  been  making  for  many   Years,    and  divided  them  into  two 
Heaps ;  intending  the  one  for  the  Flames,   and  the  other  to  be  preferv'd 
for  the  ufe  of  Poilerity.     Bf'-ing  thus  employ'd,  he  was  vrilted  by  the  Mi- 
rifter  of  the  Parifh  ;    who  inquir  d  the  Reafon  of  his   thus  dividing  his 
Papers,  which  the  Gentleman  freely  told  him.     It  fo  fell  our,  that  a  Co- 
py of  the  Solemn  Lea^^ue  and  Covenant  before  ic  pafl  the  Two  Houfes,  pre- 
fentcd  itfelf  among  tiie  reft  to  the  Clergyman's  View.     The  Clergyman 
defir'd  the  perufal  of  it,   faying  that  he  had  never  yet  read  the  Covenant. 
IhQ  Gentleman  told  him  that   was  very  ftrange,    fince  he  had  in  exprefs 
Terms  rtno  incd  if,    and  dechr'd   to  all  the  World  that  it  oblig'd  none 
that  took  it.     Which  was  a  Thing  he  was  fo  little  aware  of,  that  the 
Gentleman  was  forc'd  to  fetch  his  Common  Trayer  Book,  and  turn  him  to 
the  Deciaiacion  in  the  A(l  of  Uniformity,  for  his  Convit^ion. 

oblig'd 


Ghap.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  259 

obJig'd  all  Ecclefiafticks  before  the  Feaft  of  St.  B/ir^/jo- 
lomexv  i66z,  to  Subfcri'oe  a  Declaration  in  thefe  Words. 
I  A.  B.  do  Declare^  thnt  I  do  hold  there  lies  no  Obligation 
upon  me  or  any  other  Perfon  from  the  Onth  commonly  called 
the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant^  to  endeavour  any  Change 
or  Alteration  of  Goverriment,  either  in  Church  or  State  I 
And  that  the  fame  was  in  it/elf  an  unlawful  Oath ;  and 
iynpos\{  upon  the  SubjeBs  of  this  I(ealmy  againft  the  l{nowh 
Laws  and  Liberties  of  this  Kingdom, 

Tho'  many  of  the  Minifters  who  Were  Ejedted  had 
not  taken  this  Covenant,  and  more  of  them  were  all  along 
againft  the  impddug  it,  yet  would  not  their  Confciences 
allow  them  to  yield  to  fuch  a  Renunciation  as  this,  for 
which  a  Parallel  can  hardly  be  found  in  any  Age.  They 
were  convinc'd,  that  although  a  Vow  ihould  be  (infiilly 
impos'd  and  finfully  taken,  it  yet  binds  in  a  Matter  that 
is  lawful  and  neceflfary  ;  and  they  found  this  was  the 
Determination  of  the  moft  celebrated  Cafuifts.    Pare  i 

of  this  Covenant  they  were  convinc'd  was  both  lawful 
and  neceffary,  and  therefore  they  could  not  declare  Per- 
fons  free  from  all  Obligation  by  it,  without  violating 
the  Rights  of  Confcience.  Every  Mans  endeavour- 
ing in  his  proper  Place  and  Sphere  to  alter  Church- 
Government,  as  far  as  he  was  convinced  of  its  being 
faulty,  appear'd  to  them  a  Matter  of  Duty;  and  a 
Thing  to  which  that  Covenant  fo  far  obliged  all  that 
took  it,  as  that  all  the  Princes  and  Prelates  in  Chrijien^ 
dom,  could  not  give  a  Difpenfation  in  the  Cafe.  Buc 
for  every  one  in  Holy  Orders  to  determine  for  all  in 
Three  Kingdoms  that  took  the  Covenant,  that  they, 
were  no  way  oblig'd  by  ir,  they  efteem'd  an  unpreli- 
dented  Inftance  of  AlTuming.  They  remembred  that 
King  Charles  himfelf  had  taken  it  in  Scotland,  With  all 
pbflible  Appearance  of  Serioufnefs 

and  Solemnity"^;     and    durft   not        ^  King  Ch2Aes  took  the  Cove- 
therefore  hazard  that  Kings  Soul  by     nam  Three  feyeral  Times:   At 
concurring  in  fo  Lax  a  Publick  Ca-     the  Confummation  of  the  Treaty 
fuiftical  Determination,    as  Ihould     on  the  other  fide  the  Seas -^  at  his 
Confirm  him  in  the^belief,    that  he     Landing  in  Scotland,  and  at  the 
was  oblig'd  to  nothing  by  the  Cove-     Time  of  his  Coronation  there, 
nant,   as  far  as  what  it  contain'd 
was  Lawful :  Nor  could  they  fee  how  they  (hould  have 
been  able  to  anfwer  it  to  God  if  they  had.     It  was 
pleaded,  the  Covenant  was  againft  the  Laws  of  England  i 

S  2j  Be 


y 


26o  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X. 

Be  it  fo ;  yet  they  could  not  find  it  fo  much  as  pretend- 
ed, it  was  againit  the  Laws  of  Scotland:  And  therefore" 
tho'  it  had  beenown'd,   that  it  had  not  oblig'd  Men 
here  in  Englnnd^    yet  they  could  not  fee  what  Warrant 
they  had  to  determine,  it  (hould  bind  none  in  the  King- 
dom of  Scotland.    But  in  Ihort,    they  durft  not  run  the 
Hazard  of  tempting  the  King  bimfelf,   and  Thoufands 
of  his  Subjects  in  the  Three  Kingdoms,   to  incur  the 
Guilt  of  Perjury^    or  of  hardning  them  under   that 
Guilt ;  by  declaring  they  were  no  way  oblig'd  by  Co- 
venanting, what  could  not  be  made  appear  to  be  un- 
lawful.    The  Minifters  would  have  been  free,  to  have 
fubfcribM,  that  the  Covenant  bound  no  Man  to  be  falfe 
to  the  Government  they  were  under,    or  Rebellious  a- 
gainft  the  King,  or  to  endeavour  to  alter  our  Monarchy, 
or  deprive  the  King  of  any  of  his  juft  Rights  and  Pre- 
rogatives ;    they  would  have  given  their  Hands,  that 
ihey  would  never  endeavour  to  change  any  Part  of 
Church-Government  which  Chrift  had  inftituted  for 
Continuance,   or  which  bad  a  tendency  to  contribute  to 
Purity,  Peace  or  Order ;  nay,  they  would  have  abjur'd 
all  Atcempis  to  introduce  any  fort  of  Change  in  the  Ec- 
cleliaftical  Settlement  in  a  Tumultuous  and  Illegal  Way  : 
*  Baxtei'iBut  further  they  durft  not  go,  for  fear  of  contributing 
Honcotifor-  to  a  National  Guilt*. 

mity  Stated 

and  Ari^udt  p^^ge  12^.  UU  Tied  for  Teacc,  page  2c8.  Corhet^s  Remains^ 
page  167.  ,  Troughton'5  Apology  for  the  fionconformifts^  page  58.  The 
Short  Surrey  of  the  Grand  Cafe  of  the  Trefent  Miniflry^  page  25, 

,  V.  Befidesthe  Oath  of  Ahgiance  and  Supremacy^  all 

ohrer^'db  ^"  ^*^^y  Orders  were  by  the  Aa  of  Uniformity  oblig'd 
^//.T^ieice^^  Subfcribe  another  Political  Declaration  or  Acknow- 
in  ins  Con-  ^^'^8"^^"^  of  thisTenour  ;  /  A.  B.  do  Declare,  that  it  k 
formids  ^°^  Lawful  upon  any  Pretence  wbatfoever,  to  take  Arms  a- 
Plea  for  g^^^ft  ^^^  Kl^gl  ^^^  ^'■'^^  I  do  abhor  that  Traiterotti  Pcfiti^ 
the  None  on  of  talking  Arms  by  his  Authority  flgninft  his  Perfon,  or  4- 
P.  I. p.  ig.gain^  thofe  that  are  Comjni[fionated by  bim\. 
That  that 

tt^h  ch  all  the  An^  and  Wit^    and  Interefi,    of  fame  Men  in  great  Place  and 
Power  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords^    could  not  make   to  pafs,  but  was  cppoi'd  with 
that  cleiirnefy  and  cc^cncy  of  Reufon,  and  that  Rifolution^  as  if  they  were  fa- 
ying a  A'atwn^  By  refifling  the  7Vy?,    {he  refers  to  the    Tear^  '^75j  '*pbich    ■ 
could  not  p<iji  into  a  BUl-^  mufi  ncedi  bv  hard  to  bt  impoid  on  Minifters^ 

Tho' 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  R^ichard  Bixter.  261 


Tho'  the  Silenced  Minifters  were  a$  Free  as  any  for 
the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  and  ready  to  give  the  Govern- 
ment any  Aflbrance  that  could  reafonabiy  be  defir'd  of 
a  peaceable  Subje(9:ion,  yet  they  were  not  for  Making, 
and  Sabfcribing  this  Declaration,  for  Fear  of  contribu- 
ting to  the  betraying  the  Liberties  of  their  Country. 
For  being  fenfible,  that  it  is  was  very  poffible  for  the 
Lavv,  and  the  Kings  Comn^iffion  to  be  contrary  to  each 
other,  they  efteem'd  ic  the  Duty  of  EngUfomen  as  free 
People,  to  adhere  rather  ro  the  former  than. the  latter  • 
but  could  not  difcern  how  the  fo  doing  could  be  recon- 
cil'd  with  this  Declaration.  They  were  told,  that  a 
iVrit  being  upon  a  Pubiick  Occafion  fued  out,  and 
coming  to  the  Sheriffs  Hands  ;  if  any  Perfons  fhould 
oppofe  the  Execution  by  the  King's  Perfonal  Conamand 
or  Commiflion,  and  the  Sheriff  ihould  raife  the  Poffe 
Comitatui  upon  them,  he  herein  Aded  by  the  Kings  Au- 
thority. For,  by  the  Kjngs  Authority  is  aS  one  ai  by  the 
haWy  or  in  the  Name  of  the  I\i*ig,  according  to  Lnxv.  See- 
ing therefore  the  Sheriff  of  a  County  might  Adt  a* 
gainft  Oppofers  in  fuch  a  Cafe,  notwithftanding  their 
Commiflion,  the  Law  bearing  him  out,  they  could 
not  fee  upon  what  Grounds  the  Poficion  defign  d  to  be 
renounced  by  this  Declaration,  could  be  reprefented  as 
TraiterouSy  and  to  be  abhorrd.  They  could  not  fee 
why  a  Nation  fhould  be  fo  folicitous  about  Laxvs  for 
its  Security,  if  a  Chancellor  who  keeps  the  Kings 
great  Seal  be  above  them  all,  and  may  by  fealing 
Commijfions  caft  them  off  at  Pleafare.  Withal,  to  ex- 
clude all  Exceptions,  in  fuch  a  Declaration  as  this,  by 
a  Claufe  of  that  Nature,  not  on  any  pretence  whatfoevery 
feem'd  to  them  to  be  a  Deftrudion  of  Property,  a  fa- 
crificing  all  that  was  dear  and  valuable  to  the  Wiil  of 
the  Prince,  and  the  Lufts  of  his  Courtiers,  by  difabling 
Men  to  defend  their  Lives,  Liberties,  and  Ellates, 
when  Attack'd  by  fuch  as  pretended  to  be  Commiifiona- 
ted.  It  feem'd  to  them  very  harlh,  that  upon  Suppoli- 
tion  the  Papifis  Ihould  either  by  Power  or  Surprize  have 
gotten  the  King  at  any  Time  into  their  Hands  (as  the 
Duke  of  Guife  once  dealt  with  the  French  King)  and 
have  prevail'd  with  him  for  fear  of  his  Life,  to  grant 
Commiflions  under  his  Hand  and  Seal  deftrudlive  to 
the  Church  and  State,  that  the  Nation  hereupon  muft 
be  inevitably  ruind,    and  King  and  Kingdom  loft 

S  5  by 


.^62  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  X. 

by  fuch  00^:1X11(1100$,    which  none  fhould  dare  to  cp- 
pcfe  :  This  appear'd'  to  them  fo  grofs  that  they  could 
110!:  fwallow  ir.     They  were  fo  weak  as  to  efteem  Self- 
Defence  a  Part  of  the  Law  of  Nature 5    and  to  think 
that  ihe  Body  of  a  Nation  have  by  that  Law  a  Self -de- 
fer:dir.g  Pc;wcr  againft  their  notorious  afTauIting  Foes: 
But  it  was  their  Comfort  under  this  their  Weaknefs,  to 
have  fo  good  Connpanions,   as  the  Noble  Old  Greeks 
and  Romans^   Philofophers,   Oratours  and  Hiftorians; 
the  Ancient  Bifhops  of  the  Church,  and  Chriftian  Cler- 
gy in  the  Primitive  Times ;    the  ?opi[h  Cafuiftical  Wri- 
ters, and  ihe  mod  celebrated  Writers  of  Politicks  whe- 
ther Pnfifts  or  Protefiants;    the  moft  celebrated  Modern 
Hiftorians,  Civilians,  and  Canonifts  ;  particularly  fuch 
Men  as  Thuanui,  Gothofred^  Barclay^  and  Grotius ;  toge- 
ther with  fuch  eminent  Perfons  even  in  the  Church  of 
England,   as  Bilnop   Bilfcn^    Biftiop  Jeremy  Taylor,  and 
Mr.   Hocksr,    herein  concurring  in   the  fame  Opinion 
with  them ;    and  they  had  more  Modefty  than  at  one 
*  BaxteiM  dafh  to  mn  down  all  thefe  as  deceived  and  in  the  wrong*. 
mnconfoY'    And  in  reality,  after  all  the  Clamours  of  their  infulting 
tnity  Stated  Brethren,  they  were  very  well  fatisfy'd  Aiat  they  who 
andArgud.  were  moft  forward  for  this  Declaration,  and  moft  fierce 
page  1^4.    and  eager  in  running  down  and  expofing  thofe  who 
Short  Sur-  f^rupled  it,  would  not  keep  to  it,  if  at  any  Time  they 
yey  of  the    £q,j^^  Things  were  come  to  Extremity;    as  the  Event 
^rand  Cafe  ^.^^-^c^^^^     pof  ^fcer  all  the  Noife  that  was  made  in  all 
%n'^Jini'-   ^^^^^  °^  ^^^  Nation,  of  the  Traiteroufnefs  of  the  Pofi- 
%'y.moe    tion,  of  taking  Arms  by  the  Kings  Authority,  againft 
20.     7'he    hisPerfon,  *or  thofe  Commiirionated  by  him  ;    and  of 
Tcacenble     the  unlawfulnefs  of  doing  fo  in  any  Cafe  whatfoever, 
P<?  w«^  or   a  Time  at  length  came  upon  the  Landing  of  a  certain  Pei-* 
Mldefi  Ac-  Ton  callV  the  .Prince  of  Orange^    when  in  Order  to  the 
ff'UHt  cf  the  ^ccunng   Religion,    Liberty,   and  Pr(jperty,    all  Ranks 
Noncon-      and  Qiialities  both  of  Clergy  and  Laity,    finding  room 
formifts       fQj.  g  particular  Exception  (where  they  would  before 
Meetings^     allow  o^  no   Cnfe  yehatfocver)  ventur'd   to   join    with  a 
V^?>-^9'     For  'gn  Prince  whom  ihcy  had  call'd  in  to  their  Alli-r 
ftanco,    againft    the    Perfon   of  their  Sovereign    King 
Jar?}es,  and  thofe  who  were  CommifTionated  by  him. 
And  as  for  the  poor  Ejc-dted  Minifters,   who  endur'd 
fLich  hardfhips  for  refuling  this  Declaration,    they  came 
off  with    this   Honourable  Teftimony  from  Impartial 
Spe<5latoiiis,  which  will  be  given  them  by  Pofterity, 

though 


Ch;ip.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  165 

though  it  fhouW  be  gmdg'd  them  by  the  Prefent  Agc^ 
that  by  that  Refufal  of  theirs,  they  in  their  feveral 
Places  and  Stations  heJp'd  as  much  as  in  them  lay,  to 
Pave  the  Way  for  that  Late  Glorious  Revolution,  to 
wiiich  we  owe  all  our  Prefent  Happinefs,  and  all  our 
Future  Hopes ;  while  the  Promoters  of  this  Declaration 
and  all  that  adher*d  to  it,  could  contribute  nothing  in 
the  Cafe,  without  bidding  Defiance  to  their  moft  dar- 
ling Principle ;  the  Principle  which  for  Twenty  Years 
together  had  made  the  Pulpits  Ring,  and  the Prefs  Groan. 
It  muft  be  own'd  that  thefe  Two  Laft  Points,  of 
Kenouncing  the  Covenant,  and  Subfcribing  the  Politi- 
cal Declaration  againft  taking  Arms  in  any  Cafe  vQheitfo* 
ever,  have  not  for  fotne  time  been  infifted  on,  with 
fuch  as  enter  the  Miniftry  in  the  Eftabli(h'd  Church. 
The  former  was  fix'd  by  the  Adl  but  till  1682,  and 
then  it  drop'd  of  Courfe.  The  Latter  continu'd  till  our 
Late  Revolution,  and  then  (as  it  was  high  Time)  was 
fuperfeded. 

For  fuch  Reafons  as  thefe,    the  Minifters  who  were 
Ejecfbed,  durft  not  comply  with  the  Ad:  of  Uniforojity, 
and  fall  in  with  the  National  Eftablilhment.     Hereup- 
on they  have  been  generally  afpers'd,   and  blacken'd 
with  all  imaginable  Freedom.     But  this  muft  be  acknow- 
ledg'd  after  all ;  that  if  they  err*d  in  this  Matter,  it  was 
ior  fear  of  erring  ;  and  therefore  they  deferv'd  RelpecS: 
rather  than  Reproach,   becaufe  they  adled  like  Men  of 
Integrity,  according  to  the  Light  they  had.     Some  of 
them  were  more  influenced  by  fome  of  thefe  Conside- 
rations than  oihers  were;   but   all  put  together  gave 
them  abundant  Satisfa£tion  in  quitting  their  Livings, 
when  they  found  they  could  not  keep  them  with  the 
Peace  and  Safety  of  their  Confciences.     Tho'  in  reality 
it  is  own'd  by  the  beft  Cafuifts,    that  if  but  one  Thing, 
which  after  Search  and  Enquiry  they  apprehended  to  be 
finful,  had  been  made  neceflary  to  their  continuing  iii 
their  Places,   they  bad  been  bound  to  have  left  them. 
Here  were  a  great    many   Things,    which  they  faw 
not  how  they   could   yield   to,    without    Sin:    And 
therefore  they  forbore.    There   were  none  of  them, 
but  would  have  yielded  to  what  would  have  been 
fufficient  to  have  made  them  Minifters,   in  the  Apo- 
files  Days  or  after:    But  the  Yoke  now  impos'd  was 
(o  heavy,   that  neither  they  nor  their  Fathers  were 

S  \  able 


264  The  Lift  of       Chap.  X. 

able  to  bear  it ;  and  tho*  their  Fathers  had  been  for  ma- 
ny Years  complaining,  yet  was  it  made  heavier  noW, 
than  ever  it  was  before. 
Jteafons  of      ^°  ^^^^  hence- for  ward  the  Church  Doors  were  fhut 
the.  ejecled  "pon  them  With  Contempt,  and  others  fill'd  their  vacant 
Minifters^    Pujplts :    AnJ  they  were  left  to  fpcnd  their  Time  iii 
for  conti-     Solitude  and  Retirement,    preparing  thcmfelves for  ano-^ 
7JM/«;^j»r/;e  ther  World,  as  being  of  no  farther  Ufe  in  this.     They 
Minifirf.      were  much  perfwaded  to  lay  down  their  Miniftry,  when 
they  were  deny'd  the  Liberty  of  exercifing  it  publick- 
ly;    but  the  Generality  of  them,   could  not  be  fatisfy'd 
upon  many  Accounts.     They  fearM  the  Guilt  of  perfi* 
(i  )  Mr.  dious  breaking  their  Ordination-Vow^  (i.)  by  which  they 
Hoadly  in  oblig'd  thcmfelves  to  the  diligent  Performance  of  their 
hii  Reafon  Miniftry.     They  were  afraid  of  the  Sin  of  Sacriledge  in 
of  Conf.     alienating  Perfons  who  were  Confecrated  to  God.     It 
Tart  2.       had  to  them  a  very  ftrange  Appearance,  that  their  Bre- 
p-  10,  &c.  thren  (hould  fo  much  aggravate  the  Sacriledge  of  aliena- 
J^y^,  he      jjj^g  confecrated  Utenfils  and  Lands,    when  they  at  the 
y       ,  -  fame  Time  were  fo  forward  to  alienate  confecrated  Per- 
M'nifteri     ^°"^'  *"^  difcovcr'd  fuch  an  Approbation  of  it:  When 
expreflypro'^^'^^^  their  Apprehenfton  the  Lands  and  Goods,  were 
misd  when  t>^^  to  ferve  the  Perfons,    who  were  employ'd  in  the  Di- 
theydeyoted  vine  Service.     Many  of  their  People  claim'd  the  Con- 
themfehes  tinuancc  of  their  Relation  and  Miniftry,   and  having 
to  the  Ser-    givcn    Up    themfelves  to  their    Conduct    in  Divine 

yice  of  God^ 

but  nothing  ought  to  be  implfd  in  fuch  a  Vow  and  Dedication^  that  if  con' 
trary  to  the  Service  of  God,  and  inconfiflent  with  the  good  of  the  Chrt/iian 
Church  And  that  therefore  if  their  Ends  might  be  better  promoted,  by  for  fa- 
hng  the  Mlniilry  than  continuing  in  it^  they  would  neither  have  been  perfidi- 
oj^  nor  facrilegious  if  they  deferted  it,  but  rather  if  they  continued  in  it.  My 
Pep/y^  in  Def  of  Mod.  None.  Part  3.  page  <5,  S'c  is  thU  :  That  when  Fer. 
fom  duly  qualified  do  derote  ihemfelres  to  the  Service  of  God  in  the  Work  of  the 
Alnifiiy^  7m  ne(ejfarily  imply  d  (whether  it  be  expreft  or  no)  that  they  engage 
to  y,/ake  that  the  Bujinef  of  their  Lires.  And  when  thry  are  thin  en^agd, 
though  a  change  of  Circumfiances  may  occafion  a  -variation  in  the  manner  of 
their  exercifing  tJmr  Miniftry.^  yet  no  change  of  Circumfiances  can  make  their 
continuing  in  the  Minifiry^  (oi  far  <w  they  hare  a  Natural  and  Moral  Capa- 
city,  and  real  Opportunity)  ceafe  to  be  their  Duty.  Tior  can  1  fee  how  their 
aCling  in  this  Sacred  Ojfce,  according  to  the  "Rule  of  the  Word,  can  ever  be 
c  mrary  to  the  Seryice  of  God,  or  really  imonji/ient  with  tie  Good  of  the  Chri- 
plan  church. 

Thing?> 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  265 

Things,  beg*d  they  would  not  defert  them.    {2.)  They    (2.)  Mr. 
profefs'd  they  could  not  truft  their  Souls  to  the  Pafto-Hoadly'^ 
ral  Guidance  and  Care,  of  a  great  many  of  thofe  who  Reafon.  of 
were  plac  d  in  the  Churches  in  their  ftead  ;   and  de-Conf.  P.  2. 
clar'd,   that  if  they  Ihould  forfake  them,  they  would  ^  »t',  52c. 
Charge  them  with  negle6l  of  their  Souls,  whofe  Care|^^j'  y'"*^ 
they  had  undertaken.     So  that  they  feared  the  Sin  or^Jll/'^  ^ 
Unfaithfulnefs,   Cruelty,    and    Unmercifulnefs,     and^^  ^r  ^^^^ 
incurring  the  Guilt  of  ruining  Souls  by  flopping  their /^^^^^  ^^ 
own  Mouths.     The  Magiftratcs  Authority  was  indeed  ^;,g  ^^-^^^^ 
againft  them  ;  but  they  found  themfelves  under  a  fo-  Min'fiers^ 
lemn  Obligation  to  an  higher  Authority  to  fulfil  their  7«/V/;t  b^ 
Miniftry  as  they  were  able,   when  fought  to  for  help  \induced  by 
for  negleding  which,  they  could  not  difcern  how  ih^their  own 
Command  of  the  Magiftrate  could  furnilh  them  with-4f^<^'o»« 
a  juft  Excufe.     Should  they  have  been  commanded  to^o  them^ 
forbear  feeding  their  Children,  or  relieving  the  Poor  ^^^  ^^»y 
and  diftrefs'd,   they  (hould  have  fear'd  bemg  charg'd ^^ Z^'^'*! 
with   Murdering  them,  if  they  dy'd  thro' their  Neg- ^V^^"^|^^^^ 
Jed ;  And  in  like  Manner  they  were  apprehenfive  of ^^  reoj^ 

them  ftiil 
tn  Mini  fief  to  them  ;  but  that  he  cannot  fee  that  it  follows  from  thence^  that 
therefore  they  ought.  And.  he  ashs^  if  they  never  remoVd  from  the  People, 
who  thftt  intreated  them  ?  He  frames  a  long  Speech  for  the  Jilenc'd  Mini" 
fiers  to  their  People^  and  fays^  they  might  have  made  fuch  a  Speech  with  a 
faft  Confcience.  But  had  he  had  the  Care  of  the  Souls  of  a  Parijh  and  been 
ownd  by  God,  and  done  much  good :  Had  he  then  been  filenc'd  by  Authority 
for  not  complying  with  fnme  Things  as  to  which  his  Confcienc«  after  his  utmojl 
Enquiries  remained  dijfatisfed  :  Had  his  Place  been  for  fame  Time  unfup' 
th'^ 5  y^  f'''*^  '/ ht  continued  not  his  Miniftry  among  them,  they  mufi  have 
had  nt  Ordinances,  no  Puhlich  [Vorfhip  amongfi  them  ^  (which  actually  was 
tlje  Cafe  of  Mr.  Qujck,  and  fame  others)  and  had  the  poor  People  whom  he 
had  been  Paflor  to,  adjured  him  by  all  that  was  facred^  that  if  he  had  any 
yalue  for  their  Souls,  he  would  continue  his  Miniftry  among  them  :  I  can 
hardly  queftion,  whether  he  would  have  comply'd  with  them  ;  or  fhould 
he  have  refused,  I  know  not  how  he  could  have  anfwered  for  his  fo  doin<r. 
But  it  by  no  Means  however  follows,  That  a  Minifter  muft  necejfarily  think 
himftlf  flah'^d  down  for  Life  in  the  Congregation  to  which  he  is  once  related 
as  a  Pafior,  becaufe  he  tho^  prohibited  by  Authority,  thinks  himfelf  oblig'd  to 
continue  his  Labours  among  a  People,  that  God  has  made  him  ufeful  to,  and 
to  regard  their  Cries  and  Entreaties  on  that  behalf.^  as  long  as  they  are  either 
'.vholly  deflitute  of  a  Mini  ft  er,  or  have  one  fent  to  Officiate  among  them^ 
»ho  is  notorioujly  unfit  for  that  f acred  Work^  &c.  Def.  of  Mod-  Nonconf. 

rfieir 


266  The  L  I  F  E    of         CI,  ip.  X. 


their  beino;  •  ii  /  ^^able  ."ith  the  Gojif'^'q'ience':    f  neg- 
lecting ro  prom  re  the  gou-l  of  So-  !s  in  a    A  .i.itenal 
^      Way,  n\.ulci  any  rcfifh  an^   bo  i^^O,    w'lo  w     'ie     were 
able  to  h'AC  a'.liiieii  and  infl'lUt.llcd.     The  Curfe  and 
-   .         Donrr-  of  rhc  u:)pjotira^*le  St- r  ant  tb^t  hid  his  Talent, 
HoVdh'    ^  ^'^'^'  ^5-  "''ijch  atfcded  them  j  (3  )  and  they  co-dd  not 
Reaion'fl/"  ^'"^^  ^^^  Thot's  of  expoiint^,  themfelses  to  a  like  Treat- 
ConF  P.  2.  "^^'1^-     V/xcbal,  they  fo^nd  rhe  NccelTities  of  the  Peo- 
T-  2  4i/'«>s  P'^  ^"  "^^^^  ^^^''P  °^  ^^'^  Nation  great,  no' withftanding 
He  de>ue>     ^^^  ^cg^l  ProvifioH   fof  them  ;    many  Minifters  in  the 
w:  ^«t  r W  Pubhck  Churches  having   more   Souls  to    look  after, 
many  (.f     thar.  feveral  would  be  fufRcient  for.     (4.)  And  at  the 

them  mi^ht 

hnvtf  $cen  tci  ,  p.^jxiahlc  Stryanti  in  the  Mini/try^  had  they  conttnu'd  in  tf^ 
F-jJah/  jhd Chur<h  i  but  he  denies  that  they  reould  have  been  condemned  as  utt' 
profitable  Servants^  had  they  la'd  down  the  Pub/ick  Exercife  of  that  Office^ 
^hcn  they  could  mt  join  rvith  the  Ff}abliff)'d  Church  :  Becaufe  he  thinks  by 
ddinr  pj  they  rvmld  haye  confulted  the  Peace  of  the  Church,  and  the  Honour 
of  God^  7i?  ithout  putin^  thernfches  out  of  all  Capacity  of  doing  good  to  the 
$_ouls  of  Men.  My  Reply,  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconf.  p.  20,  &c.  is  this,  if 
they  would  hare  been  profitable  in  the  Miniftry  had  they  conform  d,  it  mufl  be 
oeca?*fe  they  were  well  qualified  for  Service,  if  then  for  Peace  fake  they  had 
remain  d  unemployed,  their  Talent  had  remained  unoccupied  5  and  therefore^ 
they  had  been  unprofitable  Seryants  in  the  truefi  Scnfe  :  And  that  there'' s  no 
Compart fon  between  the  helping  many  Souls  to  Heayen  that  -would  haye  been 
confequent  in  one  Cafe,  and  an  Agreement  in  Forms  and  Cercnwnies  under  the 
potion  of  promoting  the  Peace  of  the  Church  ',  which  was  the  only  Thing  fel- 
low'd  in  the  other  Cafe.  In  the  mean  Time,  the  Minifiers  that  were  ejefiedy 
begi'd  for  Peace,  and  refund  nothing  in  order  to  it  that  they  could  do,  without 
dijhonouring  God,  ^nd  doing  Violence  to  their  Confidences:  And  as  Things  were 
managed,  had  they  Comply  d,  and  been  alto<rether  Jilent,  they  had  been  fo  far 
fr-im  confulting  the  true  Peace  of  tjje  Church,  that  they  bad  encouraged  Cliurch 
Tyranny  and  Impofiiion,  which  when  or.ce  giyen  Way  to^  is  hardly  capable  of 
any  Bounds. 

(4)  /.I  anfwer  to  this,  Mr.  Ho:^dly,  Reifon.  of.  Conf.  P.  2.  p.  1^-  fays. 
That  it  is  7tot  fimere  to  alledge  in  Vindication  of  their  Puhlick  Minifirations 
what  tJyey  thcmfehes  knew  was  not  the  true  Keafon  of  their  continuing  them, 
yind  ihdt  fuch  a  Practice  as  their' s  could  not  pofjihly  he  founded  upon  fuch  a 
Keafon  as  thi<.  He  by  no  Means  owns  any  real  I^ecejjity  for  their  Publick  Mi' 
nifirations  :  But  fays,  tins  could  not  be  the  true  Keafon  of  their  Praflice-,  and 
therefore  ought  not  to  be  alledgdin  Jufti^cation  of  it.  My  Keply,  Dci.  of 
Mod.  None.  p.  3.  />.  27,  <S.c.  is  this,  That  haying  a  Talent  which  they  were 
bound  to  improye  to  the  Honour  of  the  Donor,  and  the  Good  of  their  Vellow 
Servants :,  the  Confidcration  of  the  Necejfitief  of  the  People  in  mofi  Parts  of  the 
JNation,  })elps  to  clear  their  Hay  :  In  a4  much  as  it  prefents  them  with  an  Opr 
portunity  of  fame  Serrice,  and   room  for  being   in  fome  Mcafure  t*feful,  not' 

fame 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  267 

fame  Time  without  being  at  all.  Cenforious,  it  was  too  rviihfiand' 
evident  to  them,  that  fandry  of  them  were  infufficient  *"«?  the  hfs 
and  unqualify'd.     (5.)  And  making  the  beft  of  Things,  ''Z  '^^^  ^^'^' 
they  found  that  populous  Cities,  and  the  ignorant  Parts  f/^^"^^" 
of  the  Country,  needed  more  help,  than  the  Parim  Mi- ^""JJ^"^^^^^^ 
nifters  did,  or  could  afford  them.    They  were  withal  af-  Zmpllm'r 
feaed  with  many  Paffages  of  facred  Scripture  ;  fomeof  ^/^^-^'^^J^, 
which  intimate  the  Duranon  of  the  Minifterial  Office,  cefary  im- 
ivbere  there  is  once  a  Conveyance  (6.),  Ai4^5.I3,1 4,  (^c.pofitions. 
Mat.   28.  19,  20.    Eph.   4.    10,  &c.      I  T/w.  4.  15,  16.      ^5.)  Mr, 
Mat.  24.  45,  46,  48.     And  others  of  them  plead  for  the  Hoadly,t/e- 
Neceflity  of  Preaching,  even  when  the  Magiftrate  for-  nies  not^ 
bids.     (7.)  As  ABs  4.  19.  5.  28.    I  Cor,c^.  14,   16.   AHs  Reafon.  of 
4.  29.  2  Tim.  4.  I,  2.    I  Tim.  6. 15, 14,  ^c.     And  they  ^^^'f-  ^-  2- 
found  it  was  their  Duty,  to  pray  for  the  fending^ in  of^'  3  Y^^' 
faithful  Labourers,  Mat ^9. 38.  Luke  1  o.  2.    And  could  ^"^  ^,. 

fuffkknt  " 
Minifters  in  the  Lftahli(f)'>d  Churchy  and  yet  wonH  allow  this  a  fujficient  Eea- 
fon  for  the  People  to  join  with  feparate  Churches  :  Becaufe  fiill  the  Church  has 
Tnade  fufficient  Frovifion  for  them.  And  he  adds^  That  in  the  Places  where 
this  Plea  might  be  urg'd  with  the  hefi  Grace,  'tis  odds  whether  the  People  get 
any  Thing  by  forfahng  their  Parifl)  Minifier,  &c.  /  anfwer,  That  let  the 
/landing  Frovifion  of  the  Church  for  the  ajjifiing  Perfons  in  their  Way  to  Hea- 
yen,  be  ever  fo  good  of  the  Kind,  it  yet  does  not  follow  either  that  an  hnnefi 
Chriflian  in  1662,  was  bound  to  prefer  an  ignorant  carelefs  Minifier  that  wof 
fent  as  a  Succcffor  before  his  former  Paflor,  under  whom  he  had  found  much  of 
Gods  Prefence ;  or  that  the  Minifier  that  had  fuch  a  Succejfcr  Was  bound  to 
he  filent  upon  his  coming,  though  the  People  earneftly  prejfed  for  tJje  Conti- 
nuance of  }}is  Labours,  &c.  Def.  0/ Mod.  None.  P.-^.p.  gg, 

(6.)  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  of  Conf.  P.  2.  j-  48,  fays,  That  fuppofing 
there  once  was  a  Conveyance  of  the  Minifterial  Office^  yet  there  is  nothing  in  a- 
ny  of  the fe  Paffages  winch  intimates  'the  Duration  of  it  contended  for  :  And 
he  examines  them  particularly  for  feyeral  Pages  together.  I  reply ^  that  it  is 
eno"  to  anfwer  the  End  for  which  thefe  Paffages  are  produCd,  if  they  prove^ 
that  the  Minifierial  Office  is  for  Life^  whefe  the  Ends  of  it  are  fecufd  ^  which 
I  endeavonr  to  manifeji  and  confirm  by  particular  RefieCiions  on  the  fey  era/ 
Scriptures  cited,  Def.  of  Mod.  None.  P.  g.  ^.4?,  &c. 

(7.)  Air.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  of  Conf.  P.  2.  p.  6c,  &c.  fays,  He  knows 
none  that  mantains  that  the  meer  Command  of  the  Magifirate,  is  fu^ient  to 
oblige  a  Minifier  to  lay  afide  the  Publick  Exercife  of  ijis  Office  :  But  adds. 
That  there  may  be  Confiderations  fufficient  enough  to  induce  a  Minifier  to  c^m- 
fly  with  fuch  a  Command  of  the  Magifirate  ;  and  that  thefe  Texts  Jjave 
nothing  in  them  againfi  this.  My  Anfwer  may  hefetn^  Def.  ©/  Mod.  None. 
P.  3.  p.  49 


not 


2  68  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  X. 


not  but  think  the  fending  up  of  fuch  a  Requeft  to  God 

a  mocking  of  him,  wliile  fuch  as  the7  were,  ceas'd  to 

labour,  who  had  been  call'd  and  qualify 'd,  own'd  and 

^?. )  Mr.  fucceeded.    (  S. )    In    fliorr,     maturely   weighing   the 

Koadiy,      whole  Matter,  rhey  afcer  the  narroweft  fearch,  appre- 

Reaion.  of  hended  ir  an  indifpenGble  Duty  lying  upon  them  as 

Conf.  P.  2.  Men  and  Miniiters,  by  the  Obligation  of  God's  Law  of 

^,65,  /ajs  Charity,  and  by  the  binding  Force  of  their  own  Vows 

TJtat  fup-    -J.  ^.j^gjj.  Self-Dedication  to  the  Service  of  God  in  his 

^McS'  ^°"^^'  ^^  ^^  ^^^'^  ^^^  *"  ^^'^  Exercife  of  all  their  Ta- 
lerltioT'  ^^"^^'  Humane,  Chriftian,  and  Miniftcrial,  to  feek 
hemcittioKs  ^^  ^^^'^  Peoples  Souls  ;  and  therefore  to  preach  or 
taken  from  ^^^^^  ^"d  exhort  them,  in  the  Manner  that  appeared 
the  Tublick  ^^  '^-ni  moft  conducible  thereunto.  (  9.)  They  could 
Good,  they  '^c't  fee  whence  either  Civil  Magiftrates  or  Bilhops  had 
had  ceafed  any  Power  to  Doom  them  to  utter  Silence,  fo  long  as 
fom  their  they  could  not  prove  upon  them,  either  Apoftacy,  He- 
Laaours  in  refy,  or  Perfidioufnefs,  or  any  Thing  inconfiftent  with 
JPublick,  the  PuMick  Peace.  And  therefore  perfifting  in  that 
^  '""*"''  Work  which  God-  and  the  NecefTitics  of  Souls  call'd 
^,-'^^^-  them  to,  they  iho't  Patience  their  Duty,  as  to  all  Suf- 
ihisPeti-  ^^^^^^^  ^^^V  might  meet  with  :  In  which  Refpe£l  they 
tion  hut  ^n^^avour'd  to  Aral  themfelves  as  ftrongly  as  was 
the^  might  Poflible*. 
hare   faid 

vithout  mocking  God.  /  anfv^eY^  That  nothing  is  a  mpre  proper  mocking 
God,  than  a  pretendinr^  earneftly  to  beg  of  him^  vrhat  voe  our  [elves  lotll  not 
contribute  to^  according  to  our  jibilitj  ^  than  a  feeming  Earncf?  for  that  which 
I '  yiegleCled  by  us,  as  far  as  he  has  put  it  in  our  Towtr  ;  vfhich  would  haye 
cV'«  the  Cafe  of  thefe  M'mifters^  had  they  teas' d  from  their  Labours.  Def.  of 
M'.'d.  None  IP  art  5.  p.  50.  ^ 

,  9. )  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reaf.  of  Conf.  P.  2.  p.  6g.  intimates^  TJ)at  thefe  Ar- 
gu<nents  vp^nt  hold  for  fuch  as  haye  been  ordain  d  to  the  Mini /try  among  «f, 
J(i7i:c  the  jiCl  of  Uniformity.  I  anfrver^  they  were  not  produced  for  that 
lurp^fe  ;  and  yet  they  have  a  Force  in  our  Cafe  too^  as  fat  t^  there 
is  an  Agreement  of  Circum/iances.  See  Dcf.  of  Mod.  Noncont.  P,  3. 
/.  <;S,  59- 

^  Baxter's  Nontonformity  Stated  and  Argud^  pag.  i  56.  His  Plea  for 
l^eatr,  pa;\.  2  2Q,  His  Apology  for  the  Konconformifi  Mini/fers,  in  Quarto^ 
where  the  whole  Matter  is  di/iinfily  canrafs'd.  His  Sacrilegious  De- 
ferton  of  the  Holy  Minijiry  rebuhd^  ohayo.  Affd  Alien's  Cali  to  Archip- 
^)US,     ^tarto* 


Thus 


Chap.  X.      Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  2  6^ 

Thus  determiiciing    to   continue  in   their  Miniftry,  Rc^/ow  of 
with  Satisfa<5lion   they   were    in    the  Way   of  their  f^?e  i^ity 
Duty,    they  wanted  not  for  Hearers  and  Adherents./^'"  ^•^f'*' 
Many  Arguments  and  Infinuations   indeed  were  us'd^"'*^^''^* 
to  divert  the  People   frotn  at  ail  regarding  thefe  re-'"'^^ 
jedled  Minifters  :    But  their  Efteerii  for  them  was  too 
deeply  riveted  ;  ajnd  the  Grounds  of  their  Diflktisfadtion 
coo  palpable,  and  the  Care  taken  to  remove  the  Grounds 
of  their  Objections  too  Superficial ;  for  them  to  be 
much  mov'd  with,  their  Aflauits.     Many  of  the  People 
had  found  Benefi'c  by  the  Labours  of  thefe  Minifters  be- 
fore they  were  ejected ,  and  thereupon  iho't  themfelves 
obiig'd  to  ftick  ico  them.     (  i. )  Finding  thenn  caft  off    /j  n  ^^^ 
without  having  JUiy   fuitable    Crime  alledg'd   againftHoadly 
them,  they  tho't  it  Inhumane  and  Barbarous  to  defertReafon  «/* 
them,    (a.)  Nay^  being  (fome  of  them)  convinced  ofConf.  P.  z. 

That  this  Argument  can  be  froduc'd  t9  little  Turpofe  hut  to  make  up  the 
lHuTnlter,  becaufe  fevr  of  the  ejected  M'mijiers  confin'd  themfehes  to  the  'BLatei 
sphere  tltey  *9ere  ejefhed  ;  and  few  of  the  Dijfenting  Laity  make  any  Scruple  of 
forjaklng  a  Fafior^  on  the  Account  of  any  little  Difference  or  groundlefs  Dif- 
fatlsfa^ilon^  how  fuitable  foever  they  have  found  hisGifts^  &c.  If  this Ar-^ 
gument  were  wholly  wanting^  he  thinks  there  would  net  be  a  Vi^enter  the 
Ufs  in  England.  Whereas,  I  on  the  contrary^  firmly  believe  that  If  this  Ar- 
gument had  been  wanting,  there  had  been  but  few  Diffenters.  for  it  was  the 
Bene  ft  that  the  People  apprehended  (at  leaft )  they  had  received  by  their  At- 
tendance on  the  ejetied  Minlfiers,  that  engaged  them  to  adhere  to  them  in  1 662. 
And  the  fame  is  the  Reafon  at  this  Day^  with  thofe  that  aCh  upon  a  Princi- 
ple, in  adhering  to  their  Succejfors  :  H  blch  is  "very  conjijient  with  their  chanT'^T 
Pa/Iors,  upon  a  change  of  their  Circumfiances,  Det.  of  Mod.  Conf.  P.  g^ 
p.  72,  &c. 

(2.)  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  of  Conf.  p.  8(5.  fays^  That  the  EjeSied  would 
haye  had  fome  Eftablifhment,   and  fome   Terms  and  Conditions  imposd^  by 
'Which  all  that  come  into  the  Church  p^ould  hays  been  obliged^  in  which  Cafe 
fome   would  fill  I  haye  been  ejeCied.     And  he  queries^  Whether  they  fhould 
haye   been  ejieem^d  barbarous  that   had  deferted  them  ?  And  intimates  that 
there  is  not  more  Reafon  for  the  Char<^e  now^  than  there  would  have  been,  had 
the  Settlement  been  agreeable  to  the  Ejefied.     He   adds,  That  this  Argument 
can  Jtgnify  little  to  our  prefent  Times,  wlth$ut  laying  a  Foundation  for  con- 
flant  Dlyifions  from  an  Efiablljh'd  Church,  tho'  eyer   fa  perfeli.     I  anfwer^ 
They  were  againji  fuch  an  Eftabllff)ment^  as  fhould  hare  excluded  any  well 
^uallfy'd,  ufeful  and  laborious  Minifters  from  all  Capacity  of  Publlek  Ser- 
yice.     Had  the  Terms  been  fuch  as  few  excepted  againji^  but  few  would  hare 
been  flmt  out  by  the  Efiablifhment  :    And  had  there  been   a  Toleration  for 
thofe  few,  all  had  been  eafy.     Could  they   but  haye  had  what  they  earne/lly 
beggd  foTy  vi2.  Unity  in  Things  neaifary,  Liberty  in  Things  indiiferenr, 

the 


2  70  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 

and  Chari-  the  Juftice  of  the  Caufe  they  were  engagM  in,  vi:(, 
^y  ^"/^^l'  '^'^^  P^^JT'^S  ^  f^^^f^sr  B^formntion  in  Ecclefinjlical  Matters^ 
T/*^  ^l  ^^  ^^ce(/a>'y  '"«  Or/ler  to  the  more  general  reaching  of  the 
nrhC^dBut^^^^^  ^^^^  ^f  ^'^'K^^'* '  They  thought  it  their  Duty  irt 
'}'t  is  yet  to  ^^^^^  ^hce  to  efpoufe  the  fame  eaufe,and  adhere  to  the 
6e  provd,  ^*^"^  Principle  (3.)  in  Oppofuion  to  thofe  who  reckoned 
that  any  ^he  Church  fo  Perfe(ft  as  to  need  no  Amendments.  And 
Iftahl'ip}'  finding  that  i^  was  the  Duty  oftheirMinifterstho'filenc'd 
went  pf  by  the  Magiftrates,  to  continue  in  the  Exercife  of  their 
fo  pcrfef}^  Miniftry,  th^y  were  convinc'd  they  were  oblig'd  therein 
as  that  Se-  ro  fupport  and  encourage  them.  (4.)  Neither  could  they 
yeriiy  to-  forbear  preferring  the  Labours  of  thofe  Minifters,  the  fui- 
vards  fuch  tablenefs  of  whofe  Gifts,  and  whofe  Readinefsto  watch 
M  cant  fall  £^^  ^j^^-j,  ^quIs  they  had  experienced,  before  others  that 
'" '^y  V'  came  in  their  PJaces,  to  whom  they  were  Strangers,  and 
Taufe'^thly   ^^  ^^  whom  they  were  at  the  beft  in  great  Uncertainty. 

are  dljfatif- 

fied,  can  be  ju/iified  :  Or  that  it  is  reafonahle  to  condemn  Perfoni  without  any 

Froof  of  Guilty  &lc.  Def.  of  Mod.  None  p.  85. 

(5.)  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  of  Conf.  P.  2.  p.    9^,  &c.  fays.  That  Mini- 

fiers  and  People  mtght  hayecontinud  in  Communion  with  the  Church  of  England, 

without  thinking  it  fo  perfeCh  as  to  need  no  Amendments  •  and  without  forfak- 

ing  the  Caufe  they  wereingag'din  :  That  they  did  not  attain  to  'BerfeCiion  or  a 

greater  Degree  of  it,  in  the  feparate  Churches  they  erected  :  That  to  feparate 

from  a  Church   in  Order  to  obtain  a  farther  Reformation,  is  not  reafonahle  or 

defenfible  :  That  the  Method  taken  by  them  and  their  Succejfors,  is  not  likely 

to  make  the  Church   of  England  one  Degree  more  perfect  than  it  is   already  .- 

And  that  if  this  be  a  good  Argument  for  a  Separation,  there  will  always  be 

a  Necejjity  for  one  5  and  that   their  own  Amendments  would    not  make  the 

church  fo  perfefl,  but  that  this  fame  Pretence  for  Reformation  would  remain. 

Thefe  Suggepions   I  have  difiinBly  conjiderd   and  anfwerd,    Def.   of  Mod. 

Nonconformity,  Fart,  5.  p.  p:?,  Stc- 

(4.)  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  o/Conf.  P.  2.  p.  145,  &c.  fays,  That  this  Ar- 
<fmnent  is  fallacious.  For  if  the  People  were  not  on  other  Accounts  obliged  to  at- 
tend on  their  Miniftrations,  they  could  not  be  oblig'*d  to  it  meerly  to  fupport  and 
eticourage  them.,  nor  would  they  hare  done  it  for  that  Reafon  only.  I  anfxper, 
Dtf.  o/'Mod.  None.  P.  5.  p.  148,  149,  &c.  It  u  fuppofed  they  had  Reafon  to 
ya!t4e  their  Labours,  haying  profited  by  them,  and  that  they  were  conyinc\i  of 
the  Jufiice  of  the  Caufe  they  fuffer'd  for  ',  and  of-  their  own  Obligation  to  engage 
in  the  fame  Caufe  :  And  having  evidenc  d  this,  in  ConjunHion  with  the  Obit- 
'Ration  of  the  Minifiers  to  continue  their  Labours  as  Opportunity  offers  -,  it  necef 
fariiy  follows  that  all  thus  perfwaded,  were  bound  fo  far  to  fupport  and  en- 
courai^e  them,  as  to  ^ive  them  an  Opportunity  of  exercifing  their  Miniftry,  by  at- 
tending chearfully  on  their  Labours  ;  and  to  maintain  them  too,  as  they  were 
tihU  :  And  that  the  rather,  becaufe  they  and  th(ir  Families  were  fought  to 
be  be-'K  ard  and  ftarv'd  by  thofe  in  Power. 

They 


Chap.  "X.  Mr.  B  i  hard  Baxter.  -  ^7^  _ 

The*  couM  not  fee  how  rhe  Prefentacion  of  i  P^jcron     ^  r/j/* 
and  the  Inftitution  of  a  Biihnp,  could  make  it  the  abfo-  Frlwiple 
lute  Duty  of  all  in  a  Parilh,  prefently  to  a^quicfce  in  2.only  tend- 
Minifter's  Condud  in  Holy  Things.     Thii  irity  indeed  '^^'T  ^'^  f^'^f^ 


Legally  entitle  him  to  the  Tphe  and  Maimtmavce,  but  "^^^fary 
cannot  make  hitn  a  Paftor  to  any  one  without  his  own  ^j'Jfj^^ 
Confent,     Parifh  Order  they  tho't  had  its  Advantages,  J^^^^^J^ 
and  was  to  be  preferr'd,  when  more  weighty  Reafons  did  ^^  natural 
not  offer.     But  they  could  not  fee  any  Thing  in  it  of  an  jj;^/,^ ■  ';^, 
abfolute  Neceflity.  Neither  could  they  reconcile  the  Sup-  frffj^g]  ^ot 
poll  ion  of  f  xh  a  Neceflity,  (tho*  fettled  by  the  I  aw  of  t/;e  vjVk  of 
the  Land)  with  the  inviolable  Rights  of  Hun^ane  Nature  ^Patronage, 
which  leave  a  Man  as  much  at  his  Liberty  to  choofe  *  a  which  dw 
Paftor  for  his  Soul,    as  a  Phyfician  for  his  Body,  or  a  h  houndd^ 
Lawyer  for  his  Eftate.     (5.)  And  therefore  as  they  tho'c  ^^ft  ^^ 

owned      f^ 
haye  itsCmyenienciti  too.     For  as  Mir.iflers^  or  Sijhops  mayjui^e  who  is  fit  ts 
he  by  them  ordain  d  and  let  into  the  Mini/try.,  fo  may  Magifirates  and  Patrom 
jud^e  and  choofe  who  of  thefe  Minijien  flail  have  the  Publick  Places.,  Mainte- 
Ttance  and  i  ount  e  nance  j  and  yet  Feop'e  fill  heep  their  right  of  choosing  «?/;>* 
P)all  be  their  *  afiors. '    if  the  Patron  ofers  an  unfit  Man^  and  the  People  refufc 
him,  he  may  offer  others.     If  they  continue  to  difagree:,  the  Matter  Is  eaflly  nc' 
commodated,  by  letting  the  Patron  choofe  who  pmlL  have  the  Place  and  Tythes^ 
and  the  Feople  who  fhall  be  their  ^afor.     If  they  go  to  another  Parijb,  the  In- 
coHremence  is  not  great-     If  a  Number  of  them  join  together  in  choofing  a  Pafior, 
liying   peaceably  and  quietly,    there  is  no  Harm  in  it.     The  Patron  has  his 
^IBilght  in  prefenting  the  Perfon  that  has  the  Publick  Maintenance.     The  Farifh 
jyiinifier  has  his  Right  ^  for  he  hath  what  Publich  Maintenance  is  legally  fix'd  to 
the  Liyingj  which  is  as  mr^ch  as  the  Biflop's  In/iitution,  and  Patrons  Prefenta- 
tion  could  entitle  him  to.     And  at  the  fame  Time  alfo  the  People  haye  their 
J^ight^  which  is  faying  the  Tythe  Legally  due  to  the  Parifh  .Miniver.,  to  choofe 
whom  they  will  for   their  PaUor,  witJ)out  injuring  Bifijop,  Patron^  Parifh 
Minifler,  or  any  one  elfe. 

(5.)  Mr.  Hoadly,  Reafon.  o/Conf  P.  2.  p.  148.  fays,  That  this  Right  to 
choofe  their  own  PaTior,  doth  not  according  to  ourfelves  fo  belong  to  the  People, 
as  that  they  may  not  lawfully  recede  from  it  upon  fome  Cnnfiderations  ^  nay,  as 
that  they  ought  not  inDuty  to  doit  :  That  in  Farijhes  where  the  People  chufe 
their  own  MiniTiers,  tloere  are  the  greatest  Diyifions  and  J^uarrels,  as  uncjua' 
lify''d  jyiiniiien  as  in  other  Places,  and  perhaps  the  greateii  Number  of  Dijfen- 
ters:  Tl^t  the  ConVtitution  can  neyer  be  fo  ordered  or  fo  happily  contriVd,  as 
that  eyery  particular  Chrisiian  Jhould  be  under  the  Minislry  of  the  Perfn  whom 
he  would  choofe  aboye  all  others  :  That  Mr.  Baxter  had  fuch  a  Senje  of  the 
Advantages  ofVarochial  Communion,  that  he  advifed  bis  Veople  o/ Kedermin- 
fter  to  attend  upon  their  ]?arijh  MiniUer  :  and  that  fuppofing  an  unqualified 
Minister  fettled  in  a  Parifl,  his  Varifhioners  are  not  prefently  in  fo  defperate  a 
Condition  as  is  reprefented  :  All  which  SuggeUions  I  have  disiinftly  confiderd 
md  anfwefd,  in  Def.  of  Mod*  Nonconf.  P,  3.  />•  i  $4,  &c. 

ic 


272  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  X- 

t»  *    •  — '       — — — __ 

it  would  be  hard  for  the  Magiftrate  to  fay,  you  (hall 
have  this  Phylician  or  none ;    when  perhaps  another 
may  better  hit  their  particular  Conftitution ;    Or  you 
(hall  have  this  1  awycr  or  none  ;  when  it  may  be  they 
know  another  who  was  much  fitter  to  have  the  Ma- 
nagement of  their  Concerns  :  So 
*  Cyprian,  I/^.  i.  £/>.  4. /tfjyj,     did  they  alfo  reckon    it  a  ftrain- 
ttifGod'sOrdi»a»cethatthePeop/e     i^g  the  Point  too  high,  for  the  Ci- 
fhculd  eUa  their  o^n   Taf]or.     ^q  Magistrate,  (and  much  more 
See  upon  thsHead  La  Rocques    ,i,e  Bilhop)  to  fay,   you  fhall  have 
o>.f.rrn.O  of    he  EcUJiaftual    ^^-^  Man  Or  none  for  your  Paftor, 

Vifctpline   of    the  Trote/iants   of        .  r  ^      rr-i  i     .-  * 

France  to  the  Vrimithe  Church,  ^hen  It  ^yas  fo  very  pofTible  for 

p    i5,  17,  &c.    ^  particular  ^^em,  to  know  another  Minifter, 

Church  if  a  Society  -pnluntarily  who    might    be  unexceptionable, 

€onjoind  for  the  Furpofes  of  Di-  and  much  more  fuitable  to  them, 

yine  Worfhip  :   And  it  is  contrary  in  the  feveral  Refpedls  in  which  a 

to  the  Nature  of  it  ^  that  they  half  e  Minifter*s    help  was  needful    to 

Taslors  or  be  Members  without  them.     This  appear'd  to  ihcm  to 

their  free  Confent.    M'mifterscan-  bg  a  contending  with  them  for  at 

tu>t  do  file  proper  Work  of  VaUors  Rjght  which  God  *  and  Nature  had 

npithoui  this  Confent  -^^^^  ^ji^^^^      ^^^  therefore  they 

t  B^^^erjl^onconform.ty  Stated     ^^^^  ^^^  j-^^j  ^^  r^^^^^  ^^^  ^^ 

*ndAro^ud,pag.,6^,&iz.  before  they  woujd  Part  with  it  f. 

Many  of  them  Apprehended  that  the  Method  of 
the  National  Eftablilhment  broke  in  upon  Oec<Jiio- 
mical  Government.  The  Mafter  of  a  Family  is  2Xi 
Emblem  of  a  Prince  in  the  State.  Some  Branches  of 
his  Power  and  Auihority,  are  evidently  Superiouro 
The  Parental  Authority,  is  the  greateft  that  Na- 
ture gives.  We  may  fuppofe  it  to  reach  a  great  Way 
when  we  confider  that  it  is  defign'd  to  fupply  the 
Place  of  Reafon  ;  whereas  in  the  Exercife  of  a  Princes 
Authority,  he  is  Apposed  to  have  Subjects,  that  ufe 
their  Reafon,  and  muft  be  dealt  with  accordingly. 
Kow  in  any  Thing  like  an  Impofition  of  a  Paftor  up- 
on them,  the  Diffentmg  Laity  Apprehended  their 
Right  as  Parents,  and  Husbands,  and  Matters,  ^c. 
was  invaded  either  b)  Prince  or  Bilhop,  that  pretend- 
ed to  impofe  a  Paftor,  upon  thofe  who  by  God  and 
Nature  were  put  under  their  Care.  Whofe  Intereft 
4nd  Power  in  i:iy  Farai'y,  and  with  Reference  to  m^-. 
Wife  and  Children,  can  be  fuppos'd  earlier  and  grea- 
ter than  mine  ?  And  who  more  concern'd  in  the  In~ 
ftiudion  they  receive  than  1  ?   Why  tbert  fhould  I 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  flichard  Baxter.  273 


lef^another  impofe  a  Paftor  iipon  them,  which  more 
belongs  to  me  certainly  than  to  any  one  elfe,  if  they 
are  not  competent  Judges  for  themfelves  :  But  if  ic 
become  not  even  me,  ( and  could  not  be  juftified }  for 
me  to  tell  my  Wife  or  Children  that  are  come  to  Years 
of  Difcretion,  you  (hall  have  this  Man  for  your  Mini- 
fter  or  none  ;  you  fhall  either  Worfliip  God  here  or  no 
where ;  how  can  the  Magiftrate  have  fuch  an  Autho- 
rity"? How  came  the  Bifliop  by  it  ?  If  neither  Prince 
nor  Bifhop  may  choofe  for  my  Children  a  Tutor,  a 
Trade,  a  Phyfician,  or  Diet,  or  Cloathing,  or  impofe 
.Husbands  or  Wives  on  ihem  without  my  Confent  : 
How  fhould  either  of  them,  come  by  a  Right  to  im- 
pofe a  Minifter  upon  them  without  my  Will  and 
Choice?  Elpccially  when  his  Management  of  Holy 
Things,  is  a  Matter  of  fuch  vaft  Importance,  and 
wherein  their  Salvation  and  my  Imereft  are  lo  nearly 
concern'd?  The  inlcfficient  Anfwers  ufually  return'd 
to  fuch  Queries,  contirm'd  many  of  the  Laity  in  their 
Inclination  to  Nonconformity*.  *  Mr, 

Hoadly, 
Reafon.  of  Conf.  Fan.  i.  p.  \6^'^  fays^  That  a  few  Ohferyatjons  which  we 
■  wont  deny  to  be  true^  will  fuffciently  anfi^er  thefe  Queries  :■  As  for  Infiance, 
That  there  Is  fujfcient  Proyifion  for  the  Teople  in  the  Eflahlijh^d  Church  5  that 
the  People  hare  no  Eight  to  chufe  whom  they  p/eafe  for  their  Pa/Ior^  when 
their  Nece^ties  aire  provided  for  in  an  Ejiahllpyd  Way  ;'  that  they  may  hare 
the  fame  Opinion  about  their  Original  Right  to  chufe  their  own  Taflors^  and 
yet  mofi  heartily  conform  to  the  Church  o/ England  ^  and  that  the  Queftion 
between  «;,  is  Hot  who  has  this  Right  ^  but  in  fuch  a  Conjiitution  as  ours-,  in 
which  pis  genefally  fettled  in  the  Hands  of  a  Patron^  are  the  People  to  ac' 
quiefce  in  the  Eflahlijb\i  Way,  or  feparate  from  it  to  ajfert  a  -Right,  which 
Cctnnot  bjeaffened  in  this  Method,  without  the  DeftruChlon  of  Charity,  and  the 
Subverfion  of  Peace  and  Order  i  Sec  my  R':p!y,  in  Dsif  of  Mod.  ISonq. 
P.  3.  p'  170,  &C. 

The  want  of  DifcipUne  in  the  Church,  was  another     (6.)  Mr, 
confiderable  Plea  they  urg'd.    (6.)  And  in  this  they  but  Hoadly, 

Reai'on,  of 
,  Conf.  p.  2.  p.  1(58  ;  declares,  he  cant  fee  the  Confequence  of  this  Ar<rument. 
He  can't  fee  any  need  of  a  Separation,  on  the  Account  of  the  want  of  Difci- 
pline  ;  or  that  Difcipline  c^w  be  promoted  by  it,  &c.  I  anfwer^  That  a  Se- 
paration may  contribute  to  Difcipline  among  thofe  that  feparate  -,  and  it  may 
alp)  neceffitate  thofe  whom  they  feparate  from,  to  give  Way  to  it,  if  ever  th-y 
Tpould  effect  0  Coalition,  &c.  Pci'.  of  Mod-  Nonconf.  P.  3.  p.  ij^,  &g, 

T       *  foilow'4 


274  ^^^  LIFE  of        Chap.  X- 

followM  the  Old  Puritans,  and  their  pious  Progenitors, 
who  have  in  this  refpedt  been  calling  for  greater  Care 
and  (tridlnefs,  ever  (ince  the  Reformation  of  the 
the  Church  and  Land  from  Popery.  Upon  fearch  they 
found  that  God  had  defignM  the  Church  to  be  as  it 
were  the  Porch  of  Heaven ;  A  Society  gather'd  out 
of  the  World,  fan6tify*d  to  him,  and  to  be  more  fully 
prepared  for  Glory.  And  therefore  he  would  have  none 
in  it,  but  fuch  as  profefs  Faith  and  Love,  and  Holinefs, 
and  renounce  a  FJefhIy  and  Senfual,  Worldly  and  Pro- 
fane Life :  that  the  Paftors  were  to  judge  who  were 
to  be  taken  in,  and  who  caft  out ;  and  all  the  Mem- 
bers in  their  Places  bound  to  preferve  their  own  Purity, 
and  that  of  the  Society  which  they  belong  to.  The 
National  Conftitutionappear'd  to  them  to  be  calculated 
to  another  Defign.  The  Ignorant,  Ungodly  Multitude 
are  forc'd  into  Communion  while  palpably  unfit :  Thefe 
become  the  Strength  and  major  Part  :  And  are  oppofite 
to  this  Difcipline,  becaufe  it  would  reftrain  and  curb 
them,  and  tho'  it  could  not  better  their  Hearts,  would 
yet  oblige  them  in  many  Refpecfts  to  amend  their  Car- 
riage. The  Minifters  are  incapable  of  doing  any 
Thmg  towards  it,  the  Power  being  wrefted  from  them  j 
which  Power  in  its  Execution  is  lodg'd  in  Hands  that 
manage  it  Carelefly  and  Profanely  ;  to  the  Screening  of 
fuch  as  fhould  be  cenfur'd,  and  the  cenfuring  of  fuch 
*  ^/rtte  pious  Perfons  as  ought  to  be  encourag'd*.  This  was 
%ealous  '  what  the  Old  Puritans  groan'd  iinder  ;  and  yet  they 
liriter  for  were  againft  a  Separation,  as  long  as  there  was  any 
Difcipline    Hops  of  Amendment ;  but  finding  the  Stiffhefs  of  the 

in  the  Efia- 

hJiflyd  church,  is  forc'd  to  Aclmwledrre,  [  the  Church  of  England's  Wi/h 
for  the  Ee/toring  of  the  Vrimitiye  Difcipline  confider'd,  p.  27I,  272-  ]  That 
the  fuhordlnate  Officers  and  Minifters  in  our  Ecc/ejtafiical  Courts  do  at  pre- 
fenty  a.s  all  the  \\orld  fees,  manage  but  yery  ill  the  Vow er  of  the  Church  ; 
con-verting  it  chitjly  to  their  ovpn  jidyantage^  with  little  or  no  Regard  to 
the  Ends  of  Religion  ^  infomuch,  that  the  StriClnefs  of  Difcipline  is  wholly 
abated^  the  Exercife  of  that  which  is^  corrupted  ;  the  'Proceedings  againft 
Ojfenders  Vartial  and  Dilatory  :  And  if  any  Vennanccs  are  enjoined^  His 
with  almofi  no  RefpcSl  to  true  Repentance,  nor  is  much  Conjidcration 
of  that  had  in  the  Relaxation  of  fuch  Cenfures  :  So  many  Subterfuges 
and  E.yafons  are  nlfo  found  almoji  in  cyery  Cafe,  that  the  good  Rules  of  Dif- 
iipl'tne  feldom  take  Vlace. 

Bifliops 


Chap.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  275 


Bi/hops  and  their  Adherents  after  KingCW/e/sReftau- 
ration,  in  flicking  to  their  Old  Methods  without  any 
Alteration ;  nay,  finding   the  fame  Difpofition  at  the 
Beginning  of  King  William  and  Queen  Mnry\  Reign, 
when  they  were  fo  urgently  prefs'd  to  make  good  thcii: 
Promifes  made  under  their  foregoing  Diltrefsard  Fears  j 
that  they  flill  applauded  their  Conftitution  as  fo  com- 
pJeat  and  perfedt,   as  that  it  needed  no  Amendrr;ents  ; 
they  faw  no  Ground  of  Hope  remaining  that  ever  any 
fuch    Thing  as  a  Regular  Difcipline  would  willing- 
ly, and  out  of  Choice  be  bro't  in  ;  nay,  not  thd'  the 
better  Sort  of  Governors  in  the  Church,   were  for  ir. 
And  therefore    they   ajpprehended   themfel' es  oblig'd 
publickly  to  bear  their  Teftimony   againft  that  fatal 
Negle6t :    And  that  the  rather,   becaufe  they  found 
that   Negle6t  acknowledged    even    in   the  Common 
Prayer  Book,    notwithftanding  there  has  been  no  Pro- 
viiion  made  of  a  fuitable  Remedy.     For  at  the  Be- 
ginning of  the  Commination,  there  is  this  Confellion  : 
That  in  the  Primitive  Church  there  voas  a  Godly   Difci^ 
pline  ;  Jhch  Perfons  as  were   notorious  Sinners  being  put 
to  open   Penance^  and  punifod  in   this  fVorldy    that  their 
Souls  might  be  fnvd  in  the  Day  of  the  Lord :  And  that 
ethers  admonlfh''d  by  their  Example,    might  be   the  moret 
afraid  to  olfend.      And  that  in  Jiend  thereof ,     UNTIL 

THE  SAID  DISCIPLINE  MAY  BE  RE- 
STORED   AGAlN,VVHiCH    THING  IS 
M  U  C  H  T  O  B  E   W 1 S  H'D*,  its  tho't  good,  the  Ge-     ^  ^Ute 
neral  Sentences   of  God's  Curfwg  againji  Impenitent  Sin-  Author 
rtersy  fhculd  be  read,    &c.     They  apprehended  there- ( in aTrd^ 
fore,    that  even  the    Common  Prayei-  Book   it    felf,/?''^^  the 
{  tho'  in  this  Refped  it  did  but  fet  up  the  Shadow  in-  Church  of 
ftead  of  the  Subftance,)  juflify'd  their  infifting  upon'^'?^'*^'^^ 
the  Reftauration  of  that  Difcipline,  which  it  own'd  to     '^  ^^\, 
be  loft,  and  the  Recovery  6f  which  it  reprefented  as  a-  _    ^-*^^" 
Thing  highly  defireable.     And  they  tho't  that  the  in-p^|^j°j^.g 

Dirci|,line,' 
confider'd,  &c.  thus  expreffes  bimfelf  pag.  5.  Wifhes  are  indeed  Marks, 
of  a  good  Intention^  and  an  acceptable  Zea^  where  no  more  is  pofjible  to  be 
done  5  but  e^er  to  Wilh,  and  mahe  no  Attempt  towardi  theThing  wifh'd/or, 
if  it  be  Zeal,  is  fuchy  as  is  a  Reproach  to  it  felf. 

t  i  infertifif 


276  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X. 

fercing  this  Confclllon  and  Wilh,  was  a  plain  Evidence 
that  the  tirft  CompUerii  of  the  Common  Prayer^  intended 
a  farther  ProgreG,  and  a  fuller  Reformation  than  thofe 
Avho  come  after  them  would  give  way  to:  and  that  the 
Yearly  Repetition  of  this  ConfelTion  and  VViih  in  the 
Pnblick  Churches,  was  a  Plain  and  Pablick  Condem- 

Id.  ih'.d.  j^-j^g  themlelves  for  flopping  (hort,  and  crying  up  that  as 
f*^e  116.    pcifed,  which  they  who  were  thehrft  Managers  of  it, 

*  Tho-   were  fo  naodeft  as  to  own  to  have  been  Defedtive*. 

mas   Ro- 

gas  on  the  Thhti  TJine  Arilcle<^  Intituled  the  Englifh  Creed,  Frinted  l$S$y 
in  a  fmall  Fclio^  in  the  Epiftle  to  the  Reader,  fays  of  the  great  Subfcript'tQn 
urgd  tite  lafi  Tear,  What  the  Event  will  be,  God  knows,  ibmC  are  of  O- 
rinion  much. hurt  thereby,  hath  ledoundcd  to  the  Church  of  God:  And 
they  think  riot  amifs  in  divei-sConfidcraLions.  Others  think  that  it  makes 
not  a  little  to  God's  Glory.  As  for  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  not  one 
that  I  know  hath  (imply  refus'd  to  Subfcribe  to  it.  Some  withhold  from 
approving  it  in  every  Point  by  Subfcription,  yet  none  Contemn  it,  bun  ufe 
it  in  Publick  Cliurche?,  always  and  only :  ,  And  many  have  fee  their 
Hands  to  it,  and  all  1  doubt  not  would,  were  that  which  isOffenfive  Reform- 
ed, and  iliat  which  is  Crooked  made  Strait,  and  that  which  is  doubtful 
made  evident  and  plain;  which  Things  are  but  few,  and  therefore  may 
more  eafily  be  remov'd,  and  remain  for  the  raoft  part  in.  the  Direfiions 
and  Rubrick,  and  tlierefore  witli  the  lefs  Offence  may  be  taken  away. 
-  Wc  all  of  us  acknowledge  the  good  Things  we  enjdy,and  tliat  iheCiuirch 
would  Flourilh  much  better,  if  the  good  Laws  already  made,  were  faith- 
fully put  in  Execution,  and  the  true  Difcipline  of  Clirift,  fo  greatly  and 
fo  long  vCilh'd  for,  weie  firmly  EftabliflVd. 

Many  of  the  Laity,  were  alfo  afraid  of  .Sinning,  in 
Baptizing  their  Children  with  Godfathers  and  Godmo- 
)  Mr  ^'^''^^'^'  (?•)  They  were  ready  to  Devote  their  Infants  to 
Hoadlv  ^  ^^^  ^y  BaptiCiD  in  the  way  that  he  had  appointed  -,  and 
Rcafon  V  ^^  promise  to  train  them  up  in  his  Fear:  But  this  would 
Conf  P.  2.  not  do.  Now  they  durft  not  put  others  upon  Covenant- 
^  17^,       ing  for  their  Children,  with  whom  they  had  no  Concern  ^ 

That  Af  to  thit^  and  the  Two  follevp'ing  Impoftions  of  Godfathers  and  God- 
root])ers,  the  Crofs,  ar.d  Kneeling  at  the  Communion,  it  is  not  advanced  in 
the  Name  of  Moderate  Nonconfornufi^\  He  claims  it  of  ui  Miivflcrsy  ai  a 
piece  of  Comm.jt  Jufiice  to  the  Lfiabhfh'd  Church,  that  i»e  ap<re  ti^e  Feop/e 
that  it  If  our  Opinion  they  may  laxpfiAily  be  complied  with.  But  if  Perfuns- 
wiUnot  he  pcrfwaded  that  a  compliance  with  thrfe  Terms  is  Lawful,  he  owns 
it  hi4  Opinion,  t'tat  it  is  as  mi<ch  their  Duty  to  fcparute  fow  ti)e  Church  of 
England,  asU  i:  ihe  Duty  of  thofe  of  that  Chwch  to  feparate  fotn  the  Church 
of  Rome.    Set  my  Re^lj,  Dcf.  o/Mod.  Nonconf.  Tm  3.  /».  184,  185,  &c. 

or 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  Q^y 

or  delire  them  f with  an  appearing  Solemnity)  to  Pro- 
mife,  what  they  knew  they  meant  not  to  Perform ;  or 
make  Promifes  which  their  Children  when  they  grew 
up  would  not  be  bound  or  obliged  by  ;  They  tho't  their 
Childrens  Right  to  Baptifin,  depended  upon  their  Inte- 
reft  in  the  Divijie  Covenant,  and  property  in  their 
Children;  and  tho't  the  bringing  in  middle  Perforis, 
who  were  to  be  fubftituted  in  their  Room,  was  a  fixing 
the  Ordinance  upon  a  falfe  Bottom.  And  whereas  icme 
("who  were  for  putting  on  the  appearance  of  Moderati- 
on) would  tell  them  that  they  might  if  they  infified  up- 
on it,  be  allow'd  to  give  up  their  own  Children,  they 
tho't  it  could  not  fairly  be  reconcil'd  with  the  Confticu- 
tion,  when  they,  found  it  fo  poficively  declared  by  the 
whole  Convocation  in  1603,  in  their  29th  Canon,  thai: 
no  Parent  Jhnll  be  urgd  to  be  prefent^  nor  be  Jidmirted  io 
Anf^er  as  Godfather  for  his  own  Child.  And  therefore 
finding  their  Children  fo  peremptorily  excluded  frooi 
Baptifm,  without  an  Humane  Addition  which  they  ' 
could  not  underhand,  and  were  nneafy  under,  they  tho'c 
themfelves  at  Liberty  to  make  their  Application  to  fuch 
Minifters  to  Baptize  their  Children,  as  were  free  to  do 
it,  without  any  fuch  needlefs  or  dilfatisfying  Impoii-  ^^  ^^^^* 
tion.  p^g9iB6. 

Withal,,  many  of  them  had  Baptifm  refus'd  their 
Children,  unlefs  they'd  fubmit  to  the  Sig72  of  the  CrojJ, 
This  they  efteem'd  an  unwarrantable  Addition  to  Chrift's 
Inftitution.  They  were  afraid  of  Encouraging  Church 
Corruptions  by  yielding  to  ic.  They  knew  no  Right 
the  Church  had  to  make  New  Terms  of  Commr.nion, 
or  require  their  SubmilHonto  fuch  an  Humane  Inventi- 
on. And  therefore  they  left  thofe  v/ho  would  rather 
leave  their  Children  without  the  Seal  of  the  Covenant, 
than  admit  them  to  it,  without  fuch  an  unprofitable 
Ceremony  :  and  adher'd  to  thofe  who  were  ready  to  ad- 
mit their  Infants  into  the  Vilible  Church  of  Chrift,  up-  j^  j^^j^ 
on  his  own  Terms.  pao-s  187. 

As  for  Kjieeling  at  the  Communion^  fome  of  the  Laity 
queftiond  the Lawfulnefs  of  it;  And  while  they  did  fo, 
durft  not  yield  to  it,  for  fear  of  injuring  their  Confci- 
ences.  And  yet  knowing  it  to  be  a  great  Sin  to  live  in 
the  total  Neglec9:  of  that  Holy  Ordinance,  they  appre- 
hended it  their  Duty  to  joyn  in  with  thofe,  of  whom 
they  might  receive  it  in  a  Table  Pofture.    Others  not 

T  3  ap- 


2  78  The  LIFE  of         Chap,  X. 

apprehending  Kneeling  at  this  Ordinance  a  Thing  in 
itfelf  Unlawful,  could  (to  :eftifie  as  much,  and  lo  Ihow 
their  Chanty  to  the  eftahliili'd  Church  under  all  its  Cor- 
ruptions) fometi'nes  yield  to  receive  in  that  way,  who 
yet  could  not  be  fatisfy'd  to  do  it  conftantly,  leaft  they 
fhould  be  chargeable  with  not  bearing  their  Teftimony 
U.  Ibid,  againft  Terms  of  Conimunion  of  Humane  Invention, 
fngc  193.    ^,}^i^;h  they  efteemM  a  great  Duty. 

And   it  alfo  much   Prejudiced  many  Underftanding 

Perfons  againft  the  Church  Party,    to  find  Oaths  made 

fo  light  of,     and  to  obferve  a  greater  ftrefs  focommon- 

Jy  laid  upon  their  Ceremonies,    than  upon  Knowledge 

or   Faith,    or  real  Holinefs.     They  found  themfelves 

wretchedly  Hampered  and  Enfnar'd  by  Fetters  of  the 

/3>7/,^  Ciergics  making.     (S.)  If  they  were  intruded  in  any 

Mr.  Ho^.d-  Corporarions,    they  muft  for  a  long  time  be  forced  to 

ly  fayi  is     fwear  that  there   was  no  Obligation  at  all,   from  the 

Ttothinr  but 

inyeClhe  :  Reafon  0/ Conf.  Tarti.  p.  y6.  But  as  fight  as  be  makes  of  it 
cne  K?l)i/ej  and  as  folcmn  as  he  is  in  hit  Appeal  or  Adjuration  another  tvhi/e^ 
f.  79^  This  injluencd  771  any,  and  fame  of  them  very  cofijiderate  and  under* 
fiandin^  Temple  too  :  And  the  OccafiojialBill,  has  not  a  little  revived  and  heighten  d 
the  Imprrffon.  And  indeed  the  Spirit  oF  the  Church  ought  to  be  confider'd 
i)l  thii.  Cafe.  For  K'hin  they  that  had  the  Afcendant^  veuuld  require  all  to 
comply  with  their  Humours  and  Tandei  f,  to  confoxm  to  fuel)  Impofitions  as  were 
not  vF.irr anted  by  Scr'pturc:,  to  comply  Kriih  fome  Things  that  they  judg'd  un- 
iarvjul^  or  elfc  they  muj}  be  cafl  out  of  the  Church  :  H  hen  fuch  a  Conjiitution 
as  ours  /<  muf  be  fettled,  in  oppofttion  to  all  ihe  Perfw a/ions,  Arguments,  and 
f'ntreanc',  us'd  by  the  Managers  of  the  Conference  at  the  Savoy  ^  when  fuch 
irregular  Ate  hodi  vere  us  d  to  fettle  iJ)is  Confiiiutifra-.^  and  after  it  was  once 
fettled, to  ff-nglhen  and  confirm  it;  Afcthods  altogether  Vnfcriptural ;  Methods 
Je/f  rut  live  of  dm  (I  i  An  Charity^  and  highly  prtjudiciul  to  the  Souls  of  Men^ 
Akihxls  direclly  tending  to  vfea/:en  the  Prottfiaru  Jntcrefi,  and  much  to  dif- 
ferve  Heli'SJ^n  in  Gener:il  awong  «* ;  when  they  that  had  the  Management 
difcfivcfd  fich  a  Spirit,  I  think  they  rrh")  were  for  making  the.  Scripture 
their  Stand.xrd.,  had  the  more  Beafon  to  withf  and  their  Encroachments,  (which 
wrvc  likely  enough  to  improve  in  time)  unlefs  they  would  run  the  hazard  of 
the  intirc  lofs  of  their  Purity  and  Liberty  too,  and  have  a  Hand  in  betray- 
ing both  their  Ciril  and  Riligintis  Bj'^hts.  Def.  of  Mod.  Nonconformity, 
J'ar'  ^.  p.  192,  19;.*  And  I  think  I  may  yery  fafely  add,  that  this  Argw 
tr.tw  has  lofi  nothing  of  its  force,  fince  the  Clergy  in  the  General,  have  in  this 
Kcign  been  fo  unwearied  in  their  P.ndcarours  to  get  an  Atl  again/i  Occa/i- 
onal  Confgrmiiy  -,  in  the  compaffing  which  at  laff,  they  fo  much 
Triumph, 

Qatk 


Cktp.  X,         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  270 

Oath  Ciird  the  Scletnn  League  and  Covenant^  either  on 
ihe.n  or  any  other  :  This  feem'd  to  them  a  Proclaiming 
Of  Perjury  Lawful,  as  to  that  part  of  the  Covenant 
u'hich  was  unqueftionably  Lawful;  as  the  renouncing 
of  Scaifm,  Popery,  Prophanenefs,  ^c.  They  were 
fadly  pefler'd  with  the  Corporation  A^^the  Veftry  U^,  the 
Oxford  AH,  thj  MiL'tia  A8y  C which  were  all  Fram'd 
by  the  ruling  Clergy  and  their  Patrons)  whereby  an 
Oath  was  impos'd  upon  them  not  to  endeavour  any 
Alteration  of  Government  in  the  Church,  to  bind  them 
to  left  contented  with  what  they  could  not  but  efteem 
C'^rrupt :  And  they  muft  alfo  fwear  an  Abhorrence  of 
taking  Arms  againft  any  Commiflionated  by  the  King, 
which  they  knew  not  but  in  time  they  might  be  obHg'd 
to,  by  his  breaking  the  Original  Contract  with  his  Peo- 
ple ;  which  was  afterwards  actually  found  to  be  our 
Cafe.  Multiply 'd  Burdens  of  this  Nature,  made  the 
Clergy  efteem'd  rigid  Taskmafters.  And  when  there 
was  any  Effort  made  for  Relief,  to  hear  it  become  the 
common  Cry,  O  the  Church,  the  Church  is  in  Danger; 
as  if  the  whole  Tabernacle  totter'd  upon  the  touching  of 
the  leaft  Pin:  And  at  the  fame  obferving  that  they  who 
could  not  bate  an  Ace  in  the  Ceremonial  Part,  were 
yet  ready  enough  many  times  to  make  confiderable  A- 
batements,  in  thofe  Things  in  which  lies  the  main  of 
Real  Religion ;  and  that  they  who  were  fo  fond  of 
their  Conltitucion,  had  fo  little  Charity  left  for  thofs 
whofe  Sentiments  differed  from  theirs;  and  were  ready 
toqueftion  the  validity  of  their  Miniftry  and  Ordinan» 
ces,  nay  and  even  the  Poflibility  of  their  Salvation  too, 
if  they  queltion'd  but  the  Jw  Divinimi  of  Bilhops  ;  Such 
Obfervations  as  ihefe  made  many  of  the  Laity  think, 
that  there  was  no  fmali  Danger  of  Encouraging  them 
in  their  Rigours,  and  affuming  Prctenfions,  by  an  Ad- 
herence and  SubmifTion  to  them. 

Things  being  in  the  Pofture,  that  hath  been  thus 
briefly  reprefented;  the  National  Conftitution  being  fo 
contriv'd  as  to  keep  out  many  both  Minifters  and  Peo- 
ple, who  were  truly  Confcientious  upon  fuch  Accounts, 
as  thofe  menticn'd ;  it  was  a  very  natural  Queftion, 
what  muft  they  do  ?  Without  the  Crofs,  and  Sponfors 
there  was  no  Baptifin  to  be  had;  without  Kneeling  no 
Communion;  without  Submitting  in  many  Pariflies  to 
unqualified  Guides,  there  was  no  room  left  by  the  Law, 

T  ^  for 


28o  The  LIFE  of       Chap.X. 

for  Miniflerial  Inftruftion,  and  Paftoral  help  ;  and  were 
the  Things  required  own'd  to  be  in  themfeJves  LawfuJ, 
there  was  no  falling  wholly  in  with  them,  without  Pra- 
ctical fiibmitting  to  a  pretended  Authority  of  making 
New  Terms  of  Communion,    which  was  more  than 
See  thts  ic  could* be  made  appear,    our  Bleired  Lord  had  en- 
Branch  of   trufted  any  Mortals  with  :    How  then  muit  they  Steer? 
the  vlr-M-  y^^^  ^jj^y  ^^^  ^-jj^    without  any  Oi'dinamres  at  allP  Or 
TT^  /'"f  "^^^^  ^^^y  ^^  againii  th^ir  Confciences  that  tliey  might 
j-^     //^'^'^  enjoy  them?    Mnft  they  be  contented  to  be  depriv'o  of 
How^iLet-  ^^'-*  n^ctlfary  Means  of  Salvation  ?    Muft  they  live  like 
tertoaFcr-  Pagans  fill  they  got  rid  of  their  Scruples?  That  certain- 
Tow?/^  ^4-  -'y  would  be  unbecoming  Chriftians ;    and  unaccounta- 
iity,  TPho     b!e  in  fuch  as  know  the  worth  of  Souls,  and  the  weight 
took  ofence  of  Things  Eternal.     And  if  not,   then  they  muft  take 
atDeanSCii'  fitting   Opportunities  of  Worihipping  God  according 
lingHcets    to  their  Confciences,    in  a  freedom  fiom  infnaring  Im- 
Sermon.       pofiticns  ;  being  careful  in  the  mean  rime  to  maintain 
Love   and   Charity,    towards  thofe  from  whom   they 
diffcrM.     And   this  was  the  Courfe  they  accordingly 
took;  having  fometimes  the  Smiles,  and  fometimes  the 
Frowns  of  the  Government ;    being  fometinies  tolera- 
ted, and  fometimes  abridg'd  ;  till  at  laft  the  fruitlefnefs 
of  Rigour  and  Severity  beini^   generall)  evident,  they 
were  taken  under  the  Publick  Protection,  and  had  their 
Liberty  allow'd  them  by  the  Three  Eftates  of  the  Realm, 
King,  Lords,  and  Commons. 

in  the  m^ean  while,  among  other  Charges  that  were 
(\.)  Mr  ^^^"Sht  againft  them,  none  made  more  Noife  than  that 
Hoadly  of  5c/3//??i.  (i.)  Both  Minifters  and  People  upon  the 
Re^fonV  ^^^^""'^  of  their  feparaie  Affimblies,  were  cry'd  out 
Conf.  Part  upon  from  Prefs  and  Pulpit  as  dangerous  Schijm.^tid^s, 
2.  p.  22$;  ^nd  under  that  Notion  bro't  under  a  Popv^lar  Odium^ 
fays^  it  im-  and  Jadcn  with  unfpeakable  Reproarh.  A  great  Duft 
forts  little  was  lais'd,  with  which  the  Hyes  of  many  were  too 
to  debate 

this  Pof^n  of  Schifm.  J  nm  jait^jyd  :  But  K>l)cr:erer  kc  that  arc  Dijfeiiters 
are  char^^d  aa  Schifmatick?,  it  mufi  ticcejjart/y  he  a  main  Point  how  the  \\  ord 
Schiim  i^  w'd  in  Scripiurei,  becauje  if  the  Senfe  of  the  Word  which  it 
there  ufual^  be  not  af'p/icabJe  to  «j,  we  are  not  Schillnaticks  in  the  Senfc  of 
Scripture.  And  then  fit  Mtn  pre  m  that  Name  ercr  fo  /on^r^  or  ever  Jo 
freely^  while  we  are  not  churn^eaUe  wiih  that  UnchaiitahiCncfs  whi(h  is  tite 
Scripture  badge  of  S&M'mw.l^k^,  v-  ••'-'/"  n  f.  T^'f.  f/"  Mod.  None. 
/>.  2C4,  20$.   - 

much 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  28 


much  aiFed^ed,  for  them  to  difcern  diftindly  the  Me- 
rits of  the  Canfe  in  Debate.  This  hath  been  an  ufual 
Method,  and  is  no  new  Invention.  A  Member  of  thek 
own,  the  Ingenious  Mr.  H.iles  of  Eaton  (who  by  3  good 
Token  has  had  a  great  many  hard  Words  for  his  Pains) 
told  them  long  ago,  that  Herejie  and  Schifm  are  Two  Theo- 
logical Scare-CrowSy  us'd  by  thcje  that  feel{  to  uphold  a  Par- 
ty in  R^eligion,  to  terrifie  their  Oppofues,  However  they 
weigh'd  the  Matter,  conlider'd  the  Grounds  of  the  Charge 
bro't  againft  them,  found  themfelves  Innocent,  and 
made  their  Appeal  to  the  Unprejudic'd  and  Impartial, 
in  divers  Apologetick^  Writings. 

They  pleaded  that  their  Pra£lice  was  not  what  the  Moderate 
Scripture  calls  Schi/m.  As  Schifm  is  there  reprelented,  Noncon- 
it  lies  not  fo  much  in  variety  of  Opinions,  or  different  fbrmifts 
Pradices,  Modes  or  Forms,  or  different  Places  of  Wor-  «»  Schif- 
[hip,  as  in  a  want  of  true  Love  and  Charity.  For  as  w<«t/f^^. 
Hcrefii  is  oppos'd  to  the  Faith^  fo  is  Schifm  oppos'd  to 
Love  5  and  both  Herejie  and  Schifm  are  diftinguilfi'd  by 
thofe  Things  to  which  each  of  them  is  oppos'd.  This 
they  evidenc'd  by  a  diftin6t  Confiderationof  the  feve- 
ral  Paffages  of  Scripture,  where  Schifm  is  mention'd  ; 
which  do  all  of  them  fo  evidently  Point  a^tVncharita- 
blensjl  as  the  difcriminating  Badge  of  Schifmaticl{s,  as 
gave  them  abundan*:  Satisfadlion  they  were  Free  from 
guilt  in  this  Refpedt,  tho*  feparating  of  Communion, 
fo  long  as  they  took  Care  not  to  violate  that  Love  and 
Charity  which  ought  to  be  among  Chriftians.  He  that 
is  Converfant  with  Scripture  may  eaiily  obferve,  thac 
there  may  be  Schifm,  or  a  Schifmatical  Spirit  working 
in  a  Church,  v/here  there  is  no  Local  Separation;  and 
there  may  be  a  Separation  and  yet  no  Schi/m  on  the  Part 
of  them  that  Separate :  Nay,  that  there  can  be  no  Schifm 
in  Scripture- Account,  where  there  is  not  an  uncharita- 
ble Alienation  of  Cbriftian  Hearts  from  each  other,  be- 
caufe  of  their  differing  Apprehenfions  about  leffer 
Things  of  Religion.  This  being  the  true  Scripture 
Notion  of  Schifm,  they  tho'c  it  very  evident,  that  fome 
on  each  iide  in  this  Debate,  may  be  under  Guilt;  but 
that  all  on  neither  fide  were  fairly  chargeable:  Particu- 
larly, that  all  thofe  who  feparatc  from  the  Church  of 
England  are  not  juftly  chargeable  in  this  Refpedt,  there 
being  many  among  them,  who  tho*  they'll  freely  give 
their  Brethren  of  the  Eftablifli'd  Church  the  Preference  in 
'  many 


282  The  LJ  Ft,   of        Chip.X. 

many  other  Things,  will  yet  vye  with  them,  for  a  free, 
Jarge,  and  extenfive  Chariry. 

Palling  from  the  Scriptures  to  the  Prim'tive  Fathers, 
they  found  nuny  of  their  Exclamitions  agamK  tlj.^  Sin 
of  Schifm  very  warm  and  leverc  ;    and  perhaps  it  aiay 
be  made  appear  that  feme  of  thetr,    might  Jay  more 
ftrefs  (in  their  RepreCentarion  of  che  Thing  rhey  fo  hea- 
vily Ccnfur'd,)  on  the  bare  Separation,    and  lefs  on  an 
uncharitable  Spirit  and  Temper,  than  we  can  difcern  in 
Scriptn'^e,  which  was  their  proper  Standard,  as  well  as 
ours :  But  be  that  as  it  will,  the  Poor  Branded  .J.Jfenters 
have  not  ftuck  to  own,    that  the  heavy  Cenfures  of  the 
primitive  Fathers,   were  better  grounded  tnan  our  Mo- 
dern invedkives ;  and  they  give  this  Reafon  for  it,  which 
deferves  to  be  conlider'd ;  vl:(.   Becaufe  the  Church  in 
thofe  Times  made  no  other  Terms  of  Communion, 
than  Chrirt  had  made  to  her  Hands-    Whereas  'tis  now 
quite  oiherwife.     And  yet  they  found  even  as  fevere  a 
Perfon    as  St.  Cyprian  *,    delating 
*  CyprianiEpul.  ^8.  &Lib.  I.     that  a  Confcientioui   People  ought  to 
^  Epift.  4.     See  alfo  the  Confiituth     fepnrate  themfelves  from  a  fcandalom 
on  and  Difciplim  of  the  Frimitive     and  xvicksd  Pajior;   whence  they  in- 
CtfjirW;,  j>a-e  144.  &  pa^e2i$-      ferrM,  that  there  may  be  fome  juft 

grounds  of  Separation,  even  in  the 
Sjenfe  of  the  Fathers :  And  that  even  where  there  may 
be  the  true  Faith,  and  acceptable  Worfliip  ;  where  all 
Sacred  Ordinances  may  be  validly  adminiftred,  and  no- 
thing that  is  necelfary  to  Salvation  be  wanting  :  And 
confequently  Separation  even  from  a  true  Church,  where 
Ordinances  are  valid,  and  nothing  neceflary  is  wanting, 
is  not  in  their  Efteeni,  (if  they  are  confiftent  with  them- 
felves) prefently  d^wriAble  Schifm. 

Tlit-y  farther  Pkadt  d,  that  their  Separation  was  not 
ChoJ'en  and  Vuluntary^  but  Pored  and  Con^raitid.  They 
were  caft  out  of  the  Church  by  their  Impofitions,  and 
Excommunicated  by  their  Canons  :  On  which  Account 
many  of  the  Lnudehfinn  Faction,  even  to  this  Day  deny 
ihem  Chrifti:^n  Burial;  (as  the  Charitable  lAv,  ^bert 
Burfcou^h  of  Totnefly  and  others.)  They  were  free  to 
hold  conftant  Communion  with  the  Eftabliih'd  Church, 
upon  thofe  Terms  which  Chrift  had  made  necclTary  ei- 
ther to  vifible  or  realChrillianity,  or  to  the  Exercife  of 
the  MiniOry;  but  were  rcj^c^ed  with  Scorn  without 
farther  Compliance,  in  Things  which  after  the  utmoft 

Search, 


Chap.  X.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  283 


Search,  they  could  not  find  the  Word  of  God  would 
Warrant.  So  that  they  did  not  throw  out  then:irelves, 
but  were  rejected  :  They  did  not  voluntarily  feparate, 
but  were  forc'd  to  it:  They  were  Pafi[ive,and  not  A(^ive: 
And  having  Petitioned,  and  Expoftulated,  Pray'd,  and 
waited  for  a  long  Time  to  little  Purpofe,  they  could 
not  fee  any  remaining  Duty  lying  upon  them,  but  to  pro- 
vide for  the  Necelfities  of  their  Souls,  and  the  Worlhip 
of  God,  in  the  beft  Manner  they  could,  with  Safety  to 
their  Confciences ;  maintaining  Love  and  Charity  to^ 
wards  thofe  who  rejected  them ;  and  waiting  patiently 
till  they  Ihould  become  fenfible  of  their  unbrotherly 
Treatment  of  them,  and  open  a  Door  for  their  Reftau- 
ration. 

They  farther  Pleaded,  that  if  there  were  a  Schifm 
amcng  us,  it  moft  properly  lay  at  their  Door,  who  laid 
the  Foundation  of  it  by  their  fcrupled  Impofiiions,  and 
might  remove  it,  and  prevent  the  Difmal  Confequences 
they  fo  much  complain  of,  by  leaving  the  Things  that 
are  fo  llraiily  enjoin'd,  in  their  proper  Natural  Indiffe- 
rence. They  found  that  the  main  inlet  of  ^11  the  Di- 
ftradlions,  Confuiions,  and  Divilions  of  the  Chriftian 
World,  bath  been  the  adding  other  Conditions  of  Church- 
Communion  than  Chrift  hath  done.  They  could  meet 
with  no  Charter  that  he  bad  given  to  any  Perfons,  whe- 
ther they  were  cloth'd  with  a  Civil  or  an  Ecclefiaftical 
Authority,  containing  any  Power  of  making  fuch  Im- 
policions.  They  durft  not  therefore  encourage  fuch  Pre- 
cenfions.  If  they  would  drop  them,  the  Schifm  would 
vanifli.  If  they  were  fonder  of  them  than  of  Peace  and 
Unity  they  tho't  it  a  Sign  that  they  hardly  believ'd  them- 
felves,  when  they  fp^ke  fo  warmly  upon  the  Confe- 
quences of  a  Schifm,  they  could  fo  eafily  put  an  end  to. 
And  whereas  fome  have  Pleaded,  it  was  not  in  the 
Power  of  the  Church  to  make  fuch  an  Alteration. 
The  Anfwer  is  eafie;  'twas  in  their  Power  at  King 
Charles's  Reftauration ;  The  King  and  Parliament  then 
did  nothing  in  Ecclefiaftical  Matters,  without  the  Con- 
currence and  Influence  of  the  Bifhops,  and  the  Convo- 
cation. *Twas  alfo  in  their  Power,  when  King  H^iUi- 
am  afcended  the  vacant  Throne,  who  prepared  Matters 
for  them,  propos'd  the  Alteration  to  them,  and  urg'd 
it  upon  them,   but  to  little  Purpofco    The  Carriage  of 

the 


284  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  X. 


the  Clergy  in  thofe  Two  JunOures  is  a  plain  Indication 
of  their  not  being  encJin'd  to  that  Alteration,  which 
might  put  a  Period  10  that  Schifm,  about  which  they 
make  fach  a  Noife.  We  can  t  therefore  have  fo  bad  an 
Opinion  of  them,  as  tofuppofe  they  fpeak  as  they  mean, 
when  they  rcprefent  theTragicalConfequencesofafuppo- 
{ed-Schif/n^  which  they  tnigh:  fo  caiily  have  prevented  and 
remedy'd,  but  would  not.  But  however'tis  as  to  that, 
the  Poor  DiJJ'enurs  tho't  that  the  Ingenious  Mr.  H<jVj*s 
Maxims,  were  fo  clear  and  undoubted,  as  to  be  Self- 
evident;  and  they  found  thcmrelves  thereby  fully  jufti- 
fied.  They  were  thele  :  That  vohere  Cauje  of  Schlfm  is 
ncccjjary,  there  not  he  thnt  Jcpar/ites^  hut  he  thnt  is  the 
Ciiujc  of  the  Separation  is  the  Schifrnntich.  And,  when  ei» 
ther  fnlfe  or  uncertain  Conclufions  are  obtruded  for  Truth  ; 
and  A^s  either  unlnvoful^  or  miniHring  ju!t  ground  of 
Scruple  are  retjuird  of  us  y  to  be  perform  d  ^  in  thije  Cnfes 
Confent  were  Conjpir^cy^  nnd  open  Conteitation,  is  not  Facti- 
on or  Schifm,  but  due  Chriflian  Animofny.  For  that  it  is 
alil{e  unlawful  to  make  Profejfion  of  i{nown  or  fufpcHed 
Falfhoody  and  to  put  in  PraHice^  unlaw^'ul  or  fujpeHed 
Anions,  And  they  were  the  more  Confirmed  in  their 
Adherence  to  thefe  Principles,  by  finding  the  molt  emi- 
nent Divines  of  the  Church,  forc'd  to  make  ufe  of  the 
fame  Maxiins,  upon  like  Grounds,  in  their  nobje 
Defence  of  the  Reformation,  againft  the  B^omnnifis : 
And  indeed  it  fecm'd  to  them  remarkable  that  they 
which  were  reckon'd  by  the  Clergy,  the  moft  fuccefs- 
ful  Weapons  againft  the  poor  Dijfentcrs,  (hould  be  the 
fame  that  are  us'd  by  the  Papifs  againft  the  Protectant 
Reformation. 

Upon  the  whole,  if  there  be  a  Real  Schifm  between 
the  Church  Parry  and  the  Moderate  Diffentersy  they  have 
all  along  tho't  that  any  Impartial  Perfon  muft  judge, 
that  it  muft  be  chargM  upon  the  Impofition  of  Terms 
of  Communion,  without  any  Obligation  io  Confcience 
to  make  that  Imnofition,  fo  much  as  pleaded  or  pre- 
tended from  the  Nature  of  the  Things  impos'd  ;  rather 
than  on  the  refufing  Compliance  with  fuch  Impofitions, 
under  a  Profelfion  that  fuch  a  Compliance,  would  be 
againft  the  Light  of  their  Confcicnces,  and  the  bcft  Un- 
derftanding  they  could  attain  of  the  Mind  and  Will  of 
God  in  the  Scriptures.    They  tho't  that  the  Grounds  of 

their 


Chap.  X.      Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  285 

their  Diflatisfadtion  above-mention  d,  fully  prov'd  thai    ^He  that 
their  Separation  was  not  finful ;   and  therefore  they  ap-  tpould  fee 
prehended  it  (hould  be  their  great  Care  and  Endeavour  to  this  Matter 
manage  it  fo  peaceably  and  charitably,  as  that  it  might /«/(>  can- 
not become  Schifmatic/tl*,  yafs'd,  may 

s  confult 

Corbet's  Votnt  of  Church  Unity  and  Schifm  difeusd.  Baxter's  fcarch  for  the 
Engtilh  Schlfmatick.  Owen's  brief  Fmdication  of  the  Nonconformifts  from 
the  Charge  of  Schifm,  Alfop's  Melius  Inquirendum,  Fart  2.  Ch.  2.  page  200. 
Wadfworth's  Sefaration  no  Schifm.  Henry's  Brief.  Enquiry  into  the  J\'ature 
cf  Schifm  :  And  Tong's  ingenious  Defence  of  that  Enquiry, 

A  main  Expedient  which  was  pitch'd  upon  by  the  Their  Occa- 
moft  Moderate  for  this  Purpofe,  was  the  Communica-  j^^wrf/  cofn- 
ting  Occafionally  with  the  Eftablifh'd  Church,  alrho'  they  »^f«'o» 
at  the  fame  Time  held  more  Stated  Communion,   wirh  ^'^^^  /^'^ 
feparate  WorOiipping  Affembliest.     Hereby  they  tho't^f'^yfi^'^ 
they  Ihould  fliow  their  Love  and  Charity  untotbofe  from  /"j  j  ^^' 
whom  they  ordinarily  leparated;  and  yetat  the  fame  Time    "x  ^^j . 
Ihould  (how  their  firm  Adherence  to  their  Fundamental  p^rt  of  [be 
Principles,  of  keeping  the  Ordinances  of  Chrift,  as  he  Debate  a- 
had  appointed  them  without  Additional  Terms  of  Com*  bout  Occa- 
munion ;   and  of  purfuing  in  their  refpediive  Places  and  fionalCon' 
Spheres  a  farther  Reformation  than  has  as  yet  been  reach'd  formity, 
among  us,  in  Order  to  an  Happy  Settlement.  But  taking  ^^^  Hoadly 
this  Method,  they  have  had  the  common  Lot  of  thofe  who  ^^^5^6* 
in  any  Cafe  have  been  for  keeping  within  a  dueMedi-  ^^"'^"^JPh 
ocrity^  they  have  been  eagerly  Affaulted  by  thofe,  who  p^^^^^  ^f 
have  been  addided  to  Extreams  on  either  Hand  of  them,  ^^^      ^*  ^* 
and  run  down  as  utterly  inexcufeable  becaufs  of  thcir^^  ^'^   °' 
Moderation.     They  have  let  Things  work,  in  hope,  that  ^,^  j  i'^^ 
Time  with  Obfervation  and  Experience  would  open  a  /o^  /,/^ 
way  for  the  Convidion  of  their  warmeft  Cenfurers;  till  diftinElly^ 
at  length  they  have  been  trampled  on,  as  if  they  had  no-  Fan  1 1  f . 
thing  to  fay  in  their  own  Defence.  o/Def.  of 

Mod.  None. 
from  p.  21J.  to  p.  I'll.  But  cannot  think  it  needful  (ej}ecially  as  Things 
fiand)  to  repeat  the  Arguments  on  one  fide  or  i other. 

They  have  been  reprefentcd  as  Hypocrites  and  in- 
confiftent  with  themfelves,  in  pradtically  owning  the 
Lnvofulncfl  of  the  Terms  of  the  Eftablilh'd  Church, 
by  Communicating  OccafwtiaUy  with  it;  while  they 
have  pleaded  the  linfulnefs  of  thofe  Terms,  in  Bar  to 

con- 


286  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 

conftant  Communion*.     But  here" 

*  It  has  been  commonly  pleaded^     in  there  will  not  appear  the  leaft 

that  if  Occaftonal  Communion  be      InCOnfiftency,    tO    One  that  obferVCS 

Liwful,  Conftant  Communion  is  a  that  the  Terms  of    Communion 

Duty.    But  it  does  not  follow,  with  the   Eftablifli'd   Church    are 

There's  a  Fallacy  in   the    Terms,  ^ot   pretended    tO     be    fmful    abfi- 

By    Lonflant     Communion,      they  i^^^,^^  ^^^  ^^j^  refpctiivciy  :  It  is  nOt 

mean  full  Commumon,  and  ex-  pleaded,  that  they  are  of  the  Num- 

tlufive   of    all  other.      Jsow  our  \  r    V    -tl-  u  r    n-   r  i 

Occ.lional  Communion    is  not  ber  of  the  Things  that  are  foS.«M 

oft},at  Kature.    We  do  not  fay  f  ^^at  they  can   in   no   Cafe  be 

either  by  Word  or  Fraclice  that  i-^^f"',  but  among Thmgs  that  are 

that  is  Lawful  :  He  only  commu-  either  Sinful  or  Lawful  according 

yticate  vith  you  Occafonally  in  to    Cireumftances.      And    indeed 

th-ife  Things  in  which  vee  are  fa-      moft      (  not   to   fay    all  )     HumanC 

tisfyd  that  we  may  ;  ought  we  A(ftions,  depend  more  upon  Cir- 
therefore  to  join  with  you  inthofe  comftances  than  we  commonly 
Thinp  in  which  we  are  difatis-  Obferve.  Tho'  no  A(5^ion  can  be 
fyd,  which  yet  we  muft  do  in  ^^^^^  ^lut  it  muft  have  Agent,  Ob- 
Or^er^o  Full  W  Conftant  Com-  ^^^^  Manner,  End,  Time,  Place, 
"^"^^^"  •  and  other  Cireumftances  attending 

it  ;  yet  it  may  be  confider'd,  with- 
out confidering  at  the  fame  Time  any,  or  all  of  thefe  : 
And  if  we  attend  carefully  we  fhall  find,  that  the  very 
fame  Aftion  as  to  the  Matter  of  it,  is  made  morally 
Good  or  Bad,  according  as  the  Agent  is  proper  or  im- 
proper, the  Objedt  fuitable  or  unfit ;  and  the  like. 
Thus  plentiful  Eating  and  Drinking  may  be  morally 
Good  yr[  fome  Cireumftances,  as  well  as  good  upon  st 
natural  Confideration  ;  when  yet  to  do  fo  every  MeaJ, 
or  very  frequently,  would  be  very  bad  ;  'twould  be  In- 
temperate and  Dangerous  in  Point  of  Health.  So  alfo 
Fafting  is  laudable  and  praife-worthy,  when  fo  ma- 
nag'd  as  that  it  furthers  in  the  Divine  Service  ;  but 
very  prepofterous  and  pernicious,  when  fo  oft  repeated, 
as  that  the  Body  is  macerated,  and  the  Spirits  depau- 
peratcd,  and  the  Perfon  concernd  unfitted  for  the  Ser- 
vice either  of  God  or  Man. 

Cireumftances  give  Adtions  their  Moral  Goodnefs  oi^ 
Badnefs.  *Tis  fo  in  this  Cafe.  The  very  fame  Terms 
of  Communion,  which  are  unwarrantably  impos'd  by 
the  Church  of  England,  may  he  complied  with  upon  Oc^ 
cafim  lawfully,  by  thofe  who  would  a6t  irregularly  and 
finfuUy,  (hould  they  fall  in  with  them  for  a  Conftancy. 
The   Adtion  of  communicating  is  the  fame  indeed  in 

SubiUnce 


Chap  X.  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  287 


Subftance  at  one  Time  as  at  another,  and  the  Matter 
of  that  A<3:ion  hath  no  Moral  Evil  in  it ;  fo  that  a  fit 
and  juft  Occalion  may  therefore  tender  it  fit  and  lau- 
dable; and  yet  the  Conftancy  of  that  Adlion  may  by 
fuperadded  Circumftances  be  made  apparently  Evil. 
To  thofe  who  take  Things  in  grofs,  fuch  an  Adion  as 
Communicating,  appears  the  fame  Thing,  done  now 
and  then,  or  for  a  Conftancy  :  But  if  the\  would  give 
themfelves  leave  to  think  foberly,  they'd  •  foon  fee  a 
great  Difference. 

The  Aftion  is  the  fame^  and  not  the  fame.  *Tis  the 
fame  in  one  Refpedt,  but  not  in  others.  *Tis  the  fame 
as  to  the  Subftance  or  Matter  :  but  not  as  to  attending 
Circamftances.  Communicating  covjiantly  under  fuch 
Impofiiions  as  are  in  the  Eftabliih'd  Church,  is  an  A- 
(Stion  cloath'd  with  fuch  Circumftances,  as  make  it 
highly  different  from  Communicating  occtifionally.  The 
one  doth  pradticallv  pronounce  the  Adion  confider'd 
materially  to  be  (what  indeed  it  is)  Lawful:  The  ether 
does  reprefent  the  fame  A6lion  as  eligible^  nay,  prefera^ 
ble ;  which  is  contrary  to  the  inward  Senfe  of  the  moft 
Moderate  among  the  D^Jf enters.  Neither  will  the  pri- 
vate Expreflion  of  a  different  Senfe,  be  a  fufficierit 
Guard  againft  fuch  Publick,  and  more  forcible  Lan- 
guage of  continu'd  Pradice.  The  one  does  pradically 
aifert  the  Liberty  with  which  Chrift  hath  hath  made  us 
Free,  in  Oppofit:on  to  rigid  Separatifts :  The  other 
practically  betrays  our  Liberty,  in  Compliance  with  ri- 
gorous Impofers.  The  one  difcovers  this  to  be  our 
Senfe  ;  this  Worftiip  is  in  the  main  Sound,  tho*  Irre- 
gular and  Defective :  The  other  on  the  contrary,  feems 
to  intimate  as  if  Divine  Worfhip  were  nor  acceptable 
without  fuch  fuperadded  Formalities.  Occafional  Com- 
munion manifefts,  that  in  our  Apprehenfion  the  Addi- 
tions to  Divine  Worlhip  that  are  bro't  into  the  Church 
of  England,  are  not  deftrudtive  of  the  Elfence  of  Wor- 
ftiip :  Conftant  Communion  would  reprefent  Chrift's 
own  Inftitution  as  defedlive,  and  not  orderly  or  decent 
without  them.  The  former  condemns  the  uncharita- 
bly Cenforious,  when  the  other  would  appear  to  acquit 
Ecclefiaftical  Aflumers.  The  former  fhows  our  Charity 
towards  thofe  whofe  Sentiments  and  common  Pracif  ice 
differ  from  ours ;  the  Latter  would  be  a  confining  our 
Charity  t«  a  Party,   and  a  Pradical  difowning  and 

condemning 


288  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  X. 


condemning  all  other  Worlhipping  AiTemblies.  This 
Latter  Conlideration  appears  to  be  of  great  Weight ; 
in  that  conftant  Coitimunion  with  the  Eftablilh'd 
Church,  is  by  its  grcateft  Advocates  imended  to  be 
exclufive  of  Communion  with  all  others:  And  there- 
fore that  Church  has  provided  (  by  Canon  xith) 
That  if  any  one  ipeak  of  feparate  Congregations,  as 
true  Churches,  they  Ihall  be  Excommunicate,  C^'c.  Now 
thefe  Moderate:  Difftutcrs  have  all  apprehended,  that 
Ihould  they  thus  confine  their  Communion  within  the 
Limitsof  that  Party,  (  or  indeed  of  any  other  Party  of 
Chrirtians  in  the  Land)  and  avoid  all  other  Chriftian 
Aflemblcs  and  Places  of  Worfhip,  as  efteeming  them  no 
true  Churches,  they  (hov^ld  prove  themfelves  deftitute 
of  a  Chriftian  Spirit,  whatfoever  Church  they  might 
pretend  to  belong  to.  Now  where  lies  the  Incon(ift:en- 
cy  in  the  Cafe,  when  we  don't  aflert  the  Terms  of  Gom- 
miinion  in  the  Eftablifh'd  Church  to  be  fimply  finful, 
( i.  e.  that  it  is  finful  to  do  the  Things  themfelves  that 
are  requir'd)  when  yet  we  aflert  it  to  be  finful  to  bind 
up  ourfelves  by  thofe  Terms :  Whereby  we  lliould  be 
oblig'd  to  do  continually,  what  we  have  only  Liberty  to 
to  GO  more  rarely,  and  upon  fit  Occafion. 

They  have  been  farther  call'd  upon  to  confider  the 
Strefs  laid  in  Scripture  upon  Pence  and  Vnion^  which  is 
fo  great,  as  feems  to  require  the  facrificing  of  any  PJeas 
•to  Things  that  are  To  valuable,  fo  Truth  and  Holinefs 
be  but  fccured ;  and  they  have  been  over  and  over 
told  that  they  appear  not  to  have  the  due  regard  there- 
to, while  they  cannot  Sacrifice  to  them  fo  much  as  their 
own  greater  particular  Satisfaction.  To  which  they 
have  an  cafie  Reply.  They  have  as  great  a  Regard  to 
Pctice  and  Vfu'cn  as  their  Brethren  ;  and  ihow  it  by  their 
Readinefs  to  go  as  far  in  Order  to  them,  as  they 
can  conceive  they  Lawfully  may  ;  which  they  do  by 
occafionally  Communicating  with  them;,  but  as  for 
conftant  Comumunion  they  therefore  only  refufe  it,  be- 
caufe  it  is  in  their  Apprehension  unlawful  to  them,  for 
the  Reafons  above  fpecify'd,  notwithftanding  that  the 
Occafional  be  lawful.  We  may  lawfully  for  the  Sake  of 
Pcace  and  Quietnefs,  put  up  Injuries  and  Affronts  ; 
rjay,  it  is  a  certain  Duty  :  And  yet  to  do  fo  for  aCon- 
ftancy  and  in  all  Cafes,  were  fo  far  ftom  being  lawful, 
that  it  wonld  be  a  ruining  ourfelves,  and  contributing 
to  the  ovcrdirow  of  Common  Right  and  Juftice.    Tho* 

Imay 


Chap.  X.       Mr.  Kichard  Baxter.  289 


J  may  be  allow'd,  nay  requir'd,  to  Sacrifice  my  own 
private  Righrs  in  many  Cafes,  to  the  Common  Peace, 
yet  I  muft  not  endanger  a  Publick  Mifchief,  or  Ruin, 
for  fear  of  a  little  prelent  Difturbance.  What  were  this, 
but  as  if  for  fear  of  difturbing  a  Peccant  Humour  in 
the  Body,  we  Ihould  fuflfer  it  to  proceed  uncontrourd, 
tiJl  it  prov'd  Fatal?  And  certainly  the  Oftence  taken  by 
Bigots,  at  the  afTerting  againft  them  a  truly  Chriflian 
Liberty,  is  no  better  than  a  Peccant  Humour;  not  in- 
deed to  be  needlefly  enragM ;  and  yet  much  lefs  to  be 
quietly  fuffer'd  to  become  predominant.  As  for  the 
more  Moderate  DilTenters,  they  are  therefore  againft  a 
Pradtical  abetting  of  Impofitions,  as  being  the  great 
Engine  of  Difturbance  and  Divifion.  They  are  hearti- 
ly defirous,  if  it  be  poftible,  and  as  much  as  in  thenn 
lies  to  live  peaceably  with  all  Men:  And  for  that  very 
Reafon  would  not  willingly  be  found  Combating  thofe 
whom  they  cannot  convince.  They  are  free  to  acknow- 
ledge, that  to  an  offending  Brother,  gentle  Methods 
and  Time  is  due;  and  much  more  to  a  Church  that 
needs  Reformation  :  But  the  waiting  time  feems  to  bo 
now  over,  when  the  Practice  of  fuch  Things  as  needed 
Reformation  is  heighten'd  into  declared  Purpofes,  of 
perpetual  adherence.  Have  not  thefe  Things  been  en- 
deavour'd  to  be  riveted  by  a  Solemn  Oath  never  to  cn^ 
deavour  (no  not  each  Man  in  his  place)  any  alteration 
in  the  Church  ?  Have  not  thofe  who  would  have  con- 
tinii'd  in  the  Church,  complying  as  far  as  they  could 
without  Guilt,  been  Ejed^td  for  that  very  Reafon,  be- 
caufe  they  would  do  all  they  could  to  better  it,  and  leaft 
they  Ihould  ?  And  was  it  not  the  declared  Senfe  of  the 
Body  of  the  Clergy  after  the  late  happy  Revolution, 
that  no  Amendments  were  needful  or  delireable,  or  to 
be  yielded  to  ?  To  what  purpofe  then  is  it  to  wait  any 
longer  ?  Hath  not  that  Method  been  try'd  long  enough 
without  Succefs? 

Should  any  think  that  by  going  (if  totally  from  the 
DifTenters,  to  a  full  and  fole  Communion  with  the 
Church  of  England,  thty  might  Contribute  lomething 
towards  difpofing  McnS  minds,  and  paving  the  way,  to 
the  defir'd  Alterations ;  they  would  do  well  to  confider, 
that  they  have  very  little  Reafon  to  hope  to  J!ain  that 
Characfter  and  Reputation  with  the  High  Church  Party, 
as  Ihould  make  them  of  any  Significance,   unlefs  they 

U  would 


1^0  The  LIFE  of         Chap.  X- 

would  Counter-adi  the  very  defign  of  their  yielding 
fuch  a  Compliance.  Before  they  could  Infinuate  them- 
felvfs  into  any  good  Efteem,  they  muft  pretend  their 
Preference  of  what  they  think  but  tolerable,  and  there- 
fore would  go  into  the  Church  that  they  might  Contri- 
bute to  its  Amendment  in.  Nay,  ihey*l  find  it  will  be 
expedted  they  IhouJd  lliew  a  Hatred  and  Contempt  of 
what  they  think  preferable,  and  would  go  inio  the 
Church  to  make  way  for.  In  a  Word,  they  would  not 
be  able  to  make  their  way  to  the  doing  the  good  they 
aim  at,  but  by  Speaking  and  Adting  Contrary,  both  to 
iinceriry,  an^^  to  the  very  end  they  propofe  to  themfelves. 
For  if  they  who  have  always  adher'd  to  the  Eftablifh'd 
CUurch,  are  fufpedied  when  moderate,  and  exploded 
vvhen  appearing  to  deiire  or  endeavour  any  Reformati- 
on; it  is  but  conlentaneous  to  Pveafon  to  expedt,  thac 
they  who  come  ot!  to  ic,  muft  be  much  more  fo. 

Up"in  the  whole,  the  moderate  Diflenters  think  they 
have  fufliciencly  acquitted  themfelves  as  lovers  of  Peace 
and  Vmon^  by  fhowing  their  readinefs  to  do  any  Thing 
in  order  to  it,  which  they  can  conceive  they  Lawfully 
may  do.  Nay,  they  think  they  have  herein  outdone, 
their  Brethren  of  the  Eftablilh'd  Church,  who  might 
have  e'er  this  remov'd  the  hindrances  of  Pf4ce  and  XJnion^ 
without  any  Danger  of  Sinning,  but  would  not. 
Notwicbftanding  their  continu'd  Refufal,  they  yet  fliow 
.  their  Peaceable  Difpofition,  by  Communicating  occa- 
fionaliy  wirh  them  ;  and  cannot  conceive  that  even  the 
God  of  Peace  and  Order  does  allow  Chriftians  to  fol- 
low External  Peace  and  Order,  to  the  great  and  appa- 
rent Prejudice  of  inward  Peace,  and  general  Purity ;  and 
tbe'f  f  >re  they  dare  go  no  farther. 

Ti»ey  have  been  further  Charg'd  as  being  herein  want- 
ing in  their  Duty  to  the  Civil  Magiftrate;  but  in  their 
Ap,"ehenfion  very  undefervedly,  fince  upon  the  ftri£left 
Fnqiiiry  they  cannot  find  themfelves  in  thisrefpedl  juft- 
ly  Blumeable.  They  are  ready  to  Demonftraie  their 
^^!ard  to  Ci'  il  Governours  by  Submiflion  to  what  they 
/hould  lefs  choofe,  nay  to  what  would  be  to  them  a 
HariOiip:  Bat  in  what  is  in  their  Judgment  (after  the 
utmoft  Search)  finful,  they  dare  not  comply ;  as  look- 
ng  upon  themfelves  countermanded  by  a  Superior  Au- 
jho'ity.  This  Article  of  the  Controverfie  hath  been 
manag'd  very  Wordily  5    but  after  all  that  has  been  faid, 

they 


Chap.  X.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ,    2^1 


they  are  fully  facisfyM  in  this,  that  Obedience  to  the 
Magiftrares   in  conttant   Communion  with  the  E/ia- 
bh(h*d  Church,   cannot  be  made  appear  to  be  a  Duty; 
any  farther  than  the  Thing  itfelf  is  Evidenc'd  to  he 
Lawful.     *Tis  commonly  aflerted,   that  we  have  more 
certainty  that  we  are  bound  to  obey  Authority  in,  ail 
Lawful  Things,  than  we  have  that  wha,t  is  required  of 
us  is  Unlawful.     Be  it  fo:  yet  thq  certainty  of  its  be- 
ing our  Duty  to  obey  Authority  in  all  Lawful  Things 
can  no  farther  affedi  our  Confciences,  than  as  we  have 
Evidence  that  what  is  required  is  in  its  attending  Cir- 
cumftances  Lawful.    Be  this  Principle  undoubted  and 
confefsM  ;   yet  that  it  is  rightly  apply'd,  and  cogent  or 
binding  in  the  prefent  Cafe,   can  be  no  clearer  or  furet 
to  us,  than  'tis  clear  and  fure  that  the  Things  requir'd 
are  Lawful.     Should  Parents  upon  their  own  Judgment, 
or  any  Sinifter  Confiderations,    plead  their  Authority 
with  a  Child  for  his   Marrying   a  Pap^'if,    "''ging  his 
Obligation  to  obey  theiii  in  all  Things  Lawful;   if  he 
in  the  mean  time  but  doubts  the  Lawfulnefs  of  comply- 
ing with  them  in  this  matter,  he  hath  a  f  ifficient  Coun* 
terplea,    vi:^.    that  the  Thing  requir'd  appears  not  a- 
mong  tbofe  Lawful  Things.-    And  yet  he  may  comply 
fo  far,    as  Civil  Occafional  Converfe  with  PapiBs,  may 
be  manag'd  without  Dangerous  Temptation.     Tho'  a 
Son  in  fuch  a  Cafe  were  not  able  to  Demonftrate  the 
^jnlawfulnefs  of  entire   Compliance  with  his  Parents 
Commands,    yet  it  were  fufficient  that  they  could  not 
clear  to  him  the  Lawfulnefs  of  fo  doing ;   fince  'tis  up° 
on  that  Suppolition  only,  that  the  Argument  hath  any 
force  ifi  it.     And  it  is  the  fame  alfo  in  the  prefent  Cafe. 
They  have  been  alfo  charg'd  as  T^mfoyi:(eis^  in  Com- 
municating Occafionally  with  the  Eftabl  Ih'd  Church, 
becaufe  it  was  Necelfary  to  Self-Prefcrvation  when  the 
Laws  againft  Dilfenters  were  rigoroi<lly  Executed,   and 
hath  been  >jece(Tary  to  the  holding  any  Port  in  the  Go- 
vernment, ever  fince  the  Sacramentel  Teft*     To  which 
they  have  this  to  fay,  that  let  Meli  make  what  Cla- 
mours they  pleafe,  whoever  will  fairly  confider  Things 
will  find,    that  it  is  not  a  matter  of  Policy,  but  plain 
Duty,    to  do  what  we  Lawfully  may  do  in  all  its  Cir- 
cumOances,  in  Order  to  Self-Prefervation,  and  the  pre- 
venting ruin ;    and  alfo  in  order  to  the  more  general 
Ufefulnefs.     What  is  indeed  unlawful  may  not  be  done  ; 

y  %  btii 


292  The  LIFE  of        Chap.  X. 

but  what  is  in  all  its  Circumftances  Lawful,  ought  to 
be  done  in  fuch  a  Cafe  ;  and  that  Occafional  Commu- 
nion is  of  the  number  of  fuch  Lawful  Things,  hath 
been  all  along  held  by  the  more  moderate  Dilfenters. 
This  Opinion  of  theirs  was  not  taken  up  with  the  Sa- 
cramental Teft,  but  was  own  d  long  before,  by  many  of 
their  moft  noted  Minifters,  and  moft  Intelligent  Ad- 
herents ;  And  having  declar'd  that  for  their  Opinion, 
and  regulated  their  Pradice  by  it,  from  the  beginning 
of  their  Nonconformity,  they  could  fee  no  Reafon  why 
the  fuperinducing  fuch  a  Teft,  ihould  make  any  Change 
or  Alteration,  either  in  their  Principle,  or  Correfpon- 
dent  Pradlife.  And  whereas  they  have  upon  this  Ac- 
count been  cenfur'd  as  guilty  of  Carnal  Policy,  it  will 
appear  to  any  impartial  Obfervers,  one  of  the  falfeft  and 
moft  fenfelefs  Charges  in  the  World.  For  had  the 
more  moderate  Diflenters  any  Self-Intereft  to  ferve  and 
purfuc,  feparate  from  the  common  Good,  they  muft 
have  been  wretchedly  overfeen  if  they  had  not  taken 
a  q-jite  different  Method:  For  their  particular  Intereft 
hath  been  far  from  being  fervM  by  this  Means,  nor 
was  there  any  likelihood  it  fiiould.  They  might  with 
much  greater  cafe  make  and  hold  faft  their  Party,  by 
fuggefting  an  utter  unlawfulnefs  of  Communicating  at 
all  with  the  Eftabli(h*d  Church,  than  they  can  convey 
the  Diftincftion  to  common  Capacities,  by  which  they 
.  muft  defend  themfelves,  and  engage  the  Adherence  of 
others  in  a  conftant  Communion,  in  their  feparate 
Alfemblies,  while  they  profefledly  allow  them  an  oc- 
cafional  one  elfe- where.  For  the  minds  of  Men  are 
generally  for  taking  Things  in  Grofs,  and  accounting 
them  altogether  good,  or  altogether  bad,  and  arc  im- 
patient if  not  incapable  of  attending  to  thofe  differen- 
cing Circumftances,  which  render  an  Ad:ion  that  is  the 
fame  for  Sabftance,  one  while  and  in  rhisrefpcdt  Law- 
fal,  and  another  while,  and  in  another  refpedt  unlaw- 
ful. And  in  being  willing  for  the  fake  of  Truth  and 
Charity  to  run  this  Apparent  hazard,  they  have  all  a- 
long  tho't  they  have  been  fufticiently  cleared  from  this 
Imputation. 

They  have  been  alfo  warmly  AfTauIted  upon  the- 
Head  of  Sc/irhinl;  and  told  by  fome,  that  their  occa- 
fional  Communicating  v^ith  the  Eftablifh'd  Church 
which  they  thought  Lawful,  led  othets  in  imitation  of 

them, 


Chap.  X.        Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  295 

them,  to  fuch  a  compliance  as  they  judg'd  finfuJ. 
Their  Reply  was  not  to  feek.  Were  occafional  Com- 
munion abfolutely  indifferent;  had  they  not  been  o- 
blig*d  to  it,  for  the  Teftification  of  their  Charity,  and 
other  binding  Reafons,  they  were  not  then  to  ufe  their 
Liberty,  for  fear  of  mifguiding  others  by  that  Practice, 
which  they  might  without  Sin  have  altogether  omitted : 
But  when  what  they  did  as  Duty,  and  with  aJJ  that 
Guard  which  the  difcharge  of  fuch  Duty  would  allow, 
is  mifconftrued,  'tis  not  a  Scandal  given,  but  only  ta- 
ken. They  were  alfo  told  by  others,  that  this  Liberty 
they  took  in  Communicating  Occafionally,  was  matter 
of  Scandal  to  many  in  the  Church  of  England^  who 
were  hereby  confirm'd  in  their  way,  and  led  to  think 
that  rheir  Impolitions  were  juftify'd  by  their  thus  abet- 
ting them ;  and  they  Self-Condemn'd,  by  not  falling 
heartily  in  with  them.  In  which  cafe  they  had  this  to 
fay  for  themfelvesj  that  the  largeft  Charity  is  always 
liable  to  the  moft  Mifconftruc^ions :  And  that  when 
they  only  difcover'd  their  Senfe  of  the  bare  Lawfuloefs 
of  Communicating  with  them,  while  their  Stated  Separa- 
tion, with  their  ready  Defence  of  it  (when  call'dupon) 
fhow'd  they  were  far  from  apprehending  it  preferable  ; 
if  this  Ihould  be  interpreted  as  an  Encouraging  them, 
it  would  be  thro*  a  faulty  want  of  Confideration,  and 
the  blame  muft  lie  at  their  own  Door.  And  when  they 
were  told  by  others  that  they  ought  to  mind  the  Apo- 
ftles  Charge,  and  mark  thoje  who  c^ufe  Divifionsj  their 
Pradtice  anfwerM  for  them,  that  it  was  their  great  en- 
deavour to  keep  from  Extreams,and  mark  uncharitable 
Dividers  on  both  hands  of  them;  that  fo  by  carrying 
it  with  as  Difinterefted  an  Integrity  as  was  Pofliblc, 
between  the  furious  Biggots  on  both  fides,  they  might 
both  fnve  themfelves  from  the  untoward  Generation  where^ 
in  they  Hvd^  and  do  what  they  could  to  pave  the  way 
for  that  Coalition  of  the  more  moderate  of  all  fortSy  which 
was  the  Thing  that  from  firft  to  laft  appeared  to  them 
moji  defireable,  and  which  (they  yet  conceive)  will  at  lafi 
h  found  Neccfftry  to  our  common  Security' y 


U  3  "      pH  A^ 


294  ^^^  LIFE  of        Chap,  XT. 


CHAP.     XL 

Mr.  ^h^TZi:s  Settlcmerithz  LONDON. 

The    Occafion  of  his  Separation  fiom    his 

:  Beloved    People  at    KEDeRMINSTER. 

Flif   Carriage  to    them   after  he  left  them, 

-.,    HfS  Labours  in    LONDON,   till  he  was 

V'- Abilene' d. 

The  St  ate  \  T  IT  Hlh^    }At.  Baxter  continued   in  a  Private 
9f  Ajfnir:\  \/  \/     Comer  of  the  Country  his  Name  grew  Fa- 
vfben   .  r.     ^    ^      moup  all  over  the  Nation:    And  when  he 
Baxter        was  afcervV'ards  more  in  general  view,  by  being  fix'd  in 
came  to     ^  fhe  City,    which  is  the  common  Center  of  the  Land; 
London.      He  kept   his  Reputation,   and  his  ufefulnefs  was  the 
.  piore  Exienfive.     He  came  to  London  at  the  time  when 
'all  Things  tended  to  work  a  mighty  Change.  Prote(^or 
I{jchn;d  was  depus'd,   and  the  Government  that  Suc- 
ceeded, Was  very  Precarious  and  Changeable.     Some 
'tho't  the  Obligation  to  I\j char H  was  not  diflulv'd^  iior 
"  could  be  till  ar  other  Parliament ;    or  till  he  had  made  a 
.    fulicr  Ren-inciation  of  the  Government.     Moft   were 
"'•weary  of  the  frequent  Changes  they  had  paft  thro* ;  Ail 
had  great  Expectations  from  the  Approaching  Parlia- 
riient.     The  King's  Return  was  what  was  generally  de- 
fir'd  ;  and  that  even  by  thoG%    who  had  but  a  Melan- 
cholly  Prorpedt  of  the  Confequences  of  fuch  an  Alte- 
ration:   For  they   could   fee  no  h'  pe  of  a    Settlement 
any  other  way.     The  minds  of  People  were  in  no  fmall 
Commotion,  thro'  a  variety  of  clandeftine  Rumours. 
Politicians   were  b'lfily  at  Work  to  quiet  and  fatisfie 
ihe;n.     They  procnr'd    fevcral    Letters    to  be  written 
from  France^    full  of  high  Eloginms  of  the  King,  and 
A ITli ranees' of  his  firmnels  in  the   Proteftant  Religion. 
Among  thr  relt  one  was  written  by  Monfieur   Gnches^ 
a  famous  Preacher  at  Chojenton  to  Mr.  B^f't**,  declaring, 
that  the  Kir)g  was  prefent  at  Divine  Worlhip  in  the  French 
.  Church  at  lli^nr,  and  I^che/^  tho*  not  at  Charenton,. The(e 
Letters  were  Printed,  andfttisfy'd  many. 

The 


Chap.  XL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  295 

The  New  Parliament  was  no  fconer  met,  than  they  His 
appointed  a  Solemn  Day  of  Faiting  and  Prayer,  in  or-  Preaching 
derto  a  general  Humiliation  for  the  Sins  of  the  Land  'o-renfon 
and  to  invoke  the  Divine  Bleirmg  on  their  Confultati-  ^«^/'f^Oc- 
ons,  Mr.  Baxter  was  one  who  Preach'd  before  them  ^'*^'"^^?  ^^' 
upon  that  Occafion.  It  was  upon  the  laft  of  April  1 660. 
In  chat  Sermon,  fpeaking  of  the  Differences  then  on 
Foot,  and  the  way  to  heal  them,  he  toJd  them  that 
whether  they  fhouU  be  Loyal  to  the  KJ^g  ^oi  no  matter  of 
Difference  ;  in  that  all  agreed;  it  not  being  pojjible  that  a 
Man  fhould  be  true  to  Proteftant  Principles,  and  not  be 
Loyal;  as  it  xvof  impojfible  to  be  Loyal  upon  Pcpijfh  Principles, 
And  as  for  matters  of  Church  Government,  he  told 
them  it  was  eafie  for  moderate  Men  to  ccme  to  a  fair  A- 
greement ;  and  that  the  late  Arch-Bifhop  0/  A  R  M  A  G  H 
and  he,  had  agreed  in  half  an  Hours  Difcourfe^  Sec.  the 
Papifts  were  angry  at  his  Charge,  tho'  he  cited  Canon 
the  third  of  the  Lateran  Council  under  Pope  Innocent 
the  Third,  which  was  a  full  Juftilication  of  his  Alferti- 
on.  The  very  next  Morning  afcer  this  Day  of  Failing, 
(May  the  ift.)  the  Parliament  voted  home  the  King, 
Nemine  Contradicente.  About  the  fame  time,  there 
was  a  Day  of  Solemn  Thankfgiving  in  the  City,  for 
Monl(s  Succels,  &c.  and  Mr.  Baxter  Preach'd  before 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  at  St.  Pauls ;  and  he  en- 
deavour'd  to  fhew  the  value  of  that  Mercy,  fo  as  toihew 
alfo,  how  Sm  and  Mens  Abufe  might  turn  it  into  matter 
of  Calamity  :  and  what  ftiould  be  the  right  Bounds  and 
Qualifications  of  rhat  Joy.  Dr.  Morley  being  often  free 
in  his  Difcourfe  for  Peace  and  Union,  Mr.  Baxter  ob- 
tain'd  a  Meeting  with  him,  and  had  an  Hours  Difcourfe 
upon  that  Subjed:.  The  Dodror  fpake  much  of  Mo- 
deration in  the  General,  but  would  not  parly  upon  any 
particular  Terms  of  Peace.  He  fpake  much  for  Litur- 
gies, and  againft  Exremporary  Church  Prayers ;  And  at 
length  declar'd  that  the  Janfenijis  were  numerous  among 
the  Papifts,  and  many  among  the  French  inclined  to  Peace, 
and  that  to  his  Knowledge,  if  it  were  not  for  the  Hin- 
derances  which  Calvin  had  laid  in  the  way,  moft  on  this 
fide  the  Alpss  would  come  over  to  us;  by  which  what 
he  aim'd  at  was  eafily  Difcover'd.  When  the  King  was 
come  home,  Mr.  Baxter  PreachM  once  before  him  as 
his  Chaplain ;  and  often  waited  upon  him  with  the  reft 
of  the  MinifterSj    as  has  been  before  related  ;   ufmg  his 

U  4  utmoft 


296  The  L  1  F  ti.  of      Chap.  XI. 


utmoft  endeavours  to  keep  Things  from  coming  to  ex- 
tremity ;  in  which  the'  he  Succeeded  not  to  his  Delire, 
he  yet  had  the  Satistacf^ion  of  the  diiinierefted  Sincerity 
of  his  Airr.s  and  Intencions. 
Hhe'uCH'      King    Chnrlcs  had  not  been  long  in  England,  before 
0/1  at  K<^.-    the  Old  Sequeltred  Vicar  of  K^dcrminftei\j  (who  was  yet 
dcrminrttr,  hving)  was  reftor'd  to  his  Parfonage.     He  had  before 
andcndca-   remain'd   unmolefted.     And  iho'   the   Parliament  had 
your  to  hare  in^dc  an  Order  that  no  Sequeltred  Minifter  iliould  have 
contmud     |3J5|^fj}^  part    unlefs  hcremov'd  out  of  the  Parifli  where 
he  had  been  Minifter,  yet  did  Mr.  Baxter  never  remove 
hi'.n  cu:  of  the  Vicandge   Houle,  no,  nor  once  came 
within  the  Doors  of  it ;   fo  far  was  he  from  feizing  it 
ns  his  owPj  or  removing  him  out  of  the  Town.     But 
he  liv'd  in  Peace  and  Quietncis,    and  without  Scandal 
and  OfFcnlivenefs.     He  never  difcover'd  any  uneafinefs 
till  the  times  chang'd,    and  then  was  as  Alfuming,  as 
before  he  was  Submiilive.     The  Sequeftration  continu'd 
in  the  hands  of  the  Towns-Men.     They  gathered  the 
Tythes  and  Profits,  and  thus  difpos'd  of  rhcm.  Mr.  Bax^ 
tcr  had  90/.  per  Annum,    the  Old  Vicar  40.  61.  Yearly 
went  ro  the  Lord  for  Rents :   There  were   alfo  fome 
other  Charges ;  and  the  over-plus  was  given  to  Mr.  Bax- 
ter's AfliRant.     When  the  Vicar  was  reftor'd,  Mr.  Bax- 
ter would  gladly  have  been  his  Curate,-    for  he  was  fo 
fenfible  of  his  own  infufficiency  that  he  always  kept  one ; 
but  even  this  could  not  be  granted.     Being  often  with 
my  Lord  Chancellor  afrer  the  King's  Return,  he  when 
he  refus'd  the  offers  of  a  Bdhoprick,    begg'd  his  Lord- 
fhips  Fa\our  about  a  Settlement  at  f^edcrmivfter.     Sir 
Ji-TlphCUre  was  the  great  Obftacle;    v.'ho  once  freejy 
told  him  that  if  he  would  Conform,  no  Man  in  EtigUnd 
was  fo  fit  to  be  there  as  he;    but   if  he  would  nor,  no 
Man    fo  unfit.      Ojice   meeting  Sir   ^iiph  in  Bifhop 
Morley's  Chamber,    he  defir'd   to  know  if  he  had  any 
1  hingagainfl  him,  that  (hould  make  him  fo  much  oppofe 
him.     His  anfwer  was,  that  it  was  becaufe  ho  would  not 
j:ive  the  Sacrament  to  any  Kncelinq;    andthat.of  iSoo 
Communicants,  he  had  not  above  600  for  him,  and  the 
reft  for  the  Vicar.     Mr.  Baxter  reply 'd  that  he  himfeJf 
knew  that  he  invited  him  to  the  Sacrament,  and  offered 
it  him  Kneeling,    and  that  under   his  hand  in  Writing: 
and   that    openly   in   his    hearing    in  the   Pulpit,    he 
fcad  promis  d  him  and  all  the  rcfl^  that  he  never  had  nor 

wouJd 


Chap.  XL     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  297 


would  put  any  Man  from  the  Sacrament  on  the  Account 
of  Kneeling,  but  leave  every  one  to  the  Pofture  they 
jhould   choofe.     And  that  the   Reafon  why  he  never 
gave  it  to  any  Kneeling  was,  becaufe  all  that  came 
would  (it  or  ftand,    and  thofe  who  were  for  Kneeling 
would  not  come,  unlefs  he  would  adminifterit  to  them 
on  a-  Day  by  themfelves,  when  the  reft  were  not  pre- 
fent :  And  he  had  no  Mind  to  be  the  Author  of  fuch  a 
Divifion,  and  make  as  it  were  two  Churches  of  one. 
And   that    the     Confcioufnefs  of    notorious   Scandal 
which  they  knew  they  muft  be  accountable  for,  made 
many  Kneelers  flay   away.     And    as  to  the  Second 
Charge,  he  begg'd  Leave  of  the  Bilhop  to  fend  by  the 
next  Poft,  to  know  the  Minds  of  the  People  j  for  that 
if  he  f^und  what  was  ailed  g'd  was  true,  he  Ihould  take 
it  as  a  Favour  to  be  kept  from  them.     This  being  under- 
ftood  by  the  People  of  Kjderminjier^   they  in  a  Day  s 
Time  gathered  the  Hands  of  1 600  of  the  1800  Commu- 
nicants,  and  the  reft  were  fuch  as  were  from  Home. 
This  Subfcription  he  a  few  Days  after  (how'd  Sir  I{nlph 
before  the  Bifhop,  and  they  were  both  of  them  there- 
upon To  much  the  more  againft  his  Return  to  then». 
However,  my  Lord  Chancellor  wrote  to  Sir  E{alph  a- 
bout  the  Matter,   and  told  him  that  it  would  be  a 
Thing  grateful  both  to  his  Majefty  and  himfelf,  for 
Mr.  Baxter  to  be  refettled  among  that  People  according 
to  his  Defire,  and  ofter'd  that  whatever  Annual  Allow- 
ance (houid  be  agreed  upon  for  Mr.  Dance  the  Old  Vi- 
car, lliould  be  paid  by  his  own  Steward  by  Quarterly 
Payments,  till  he  was  otherwife  provided  for  to  his  Sa- 
tistadtion.     But  it  was  a  meet  Compliment,  and  had 
no  Effefl.     Not  long  after,  he  went  himfelf  into  ^or- 
ceflcrfhire^  to  try  whether  it  were  pofTible  to  get  any  ho- 
neft  Terms  from  the  Vicar,  that  he  might  preach  to 
his  former  Flock.     But  when  he  had  preach'd  Twice  or 
Thrice,  he  denied  him  Liberty  to  preach  any  more. 
He  ofFer'd  him  to  take  the  Lecture  only  which  he  was 
bound  to  allow  him  under  a  Bond  of  500/.  but  he 
refus'd  it.     He  offer'd  to  be  his  Curate,  which  alfo  was 
refus'd,     He  offer'd  to  preach  for  nothing,  but  could 
not  be  accepted.     At  length  he  only  begg'd  leave  once 
to  adminifter  the  Sacrament  to  the  People,  and  preach 
his  Farewel  Sermon  to  them,  but  could  not  obtain  it. 
The  Vicar  adted  herein  according  to  the  Diredion  of 

his 


298  The  LIFE   of        Chap.  XI. 

his  Superiors  Going  afcerwards  to  the  Bilhop,  he  al- 
togecher  denied  him  the  Liberty  of  preaching  in  his 
Diocefs.  He  offered  him  to ,  Preach  only  on  the 
Creed,  the  Lord's  Praver  and  the  Ten  Commandments; 
and  only  to  fuch  as  had  no  Preaching  ;  bur  could  not 
have  Liberty.  The  Bifhop  tola  him  that  he  would  take 
Care  th?  People  (hould  be  110  Loofers,  but  ftiould  be 
taught  as  well  as  they  were  by  him  :  And  for  a  while 
he  procmM  rhe  rnoft  ac»:eptable  Perfons  he  could  get  to 
keep  up  the  Led^ure,  till  the  finalhiefs  of  the  Auditory 
furnidi'd  him  with  an  Excufe  for  putting  it  down. 
One  Day  Biihop  Morky  took  the  Pains  to  preach  to 
thcni  hiuifelf  ;  and  vehemently  inveyM  againft  the  Peo- 
ple as  Presbyterians,  and  againft  Mr.  Baxter  their  Mi- 
nirter,  but  with  little  Acceptation  or  Succefs.  A  while 
after  the  Dean,  Dr.  H^aryneftry  did  the  like,  and  fpent 
Three  Hours  upon  the  People  to  cure  them  of  their 
Admirarion  of  Mr.  Baxter^  and  within  a  Month,  be 
repeated  his  lnve£fivc,  taking  a  great  deal  of  Pains  to 
perfwade  them  that  they  were  Presbyterians  and  Schif- 
matical,  and  led  to  it  by  overvaluing  Mr.  Bnxter,  Their 
Le£luf  es  ran  much  in  the  fame  Strain  generally,  which 
inftead  of  winning  upon  the  People  drove  them  from 
the  LeCiure,  and  then  they  accusM  them  as  deferring  it, 
and  fo  put  it  down.  For  their  ftated  Preacher,  the  Bi- 
fhop fet  lip  one  of  the  beft  Parts  he  could  get,  but  he 
was  quickly  weary,  and  went  away ;  then  he  put  in 
nne  that  had  been  a  Schoolmafter  in  the  Neighbour- 
hood, who  died  in  a  little  Time.  Then  he  put  in  a 
young  Man,  who  fought  to  win  upon  the  People  by 
kind  and  gentle  Ufage,  and  applauding  Mr.  Baxter, 
The  People  were  glad  of  one  that  had  fome  Charity  : 
And  yet  were  not  either  by  roughnefs  or  gentlenefs,  to 
be  won  upon  to  the  Love  of  Prelacy. 
Advice  to  When  he  parted  from  his  dear  Flock,  which  was  not 
bii  'People  without  mutual  Grief  and  Tears,  he  left  Mr.  Baldwin 
tphen  he  '  ^^  ^i^e  pnvately  among  them,  and  over-fee  them  in 
left  them '^  bis  Stead,  and  vifit  them  from  Houfe  to  Houfe;  ad- 
and  Car-  vifing  them  notwithftanding  all  the  Injuries  they  had 
Tiaire  to-  receiv'd,  and  all  the  Failings  of  the  Minifters  that 
rvards  them  preach'd  to  them,  and  the  Defecfts  of  the  Eftablilh'd  Way 
ajtertvardi.  of  Worfhip,  that  yet  they  (hould  keep  to  the  Publick 
Alfemblics,  and  make  Ufe  of  .fuch  Helps  as  they  might 
have  there,  together  with  what  Help  they  had  in  Pri- 
vate : 


Chap.  KI.       Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  299 

vate  :  And  only  in  three  Cafes  to  abfent  themfelves. 
When  the  Minifter  was  one  that  was  utterly  infuffi- 
cient,  as  not  being  able  to  teach  them  the  Articles  of 
the  Faith,  and  ElTentials  of  true  Religion  (  fuch  as 
Alas  they  had  known  to  their  Sorrow  :)  Or  when  the 
Minifter  preach'd  any  Herefy,  or  Dodlrine  which  was 
contrary  to  any  Article  of  the  Faith,  or  neceffary  Pare 
of  Godlinefs  :  Or,  when  in  the  Application  he  fet  bim- 
felf  againft  the  Ends  of  his  Office,  to  make  a  Holy 
Life  feem  odious,  and  to  keep  Men  from  it,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  Intereft  of  Satan.  Yet  not  to  take  every 
bitter  Refle£l:ion  upon  themfelves  or  others,  occafion* d 

"^by  Difference  of  Opinion  or  Intereft,  to  be  a  fuffi- 
cient  Caufe  to  fay  that  the  Minifter  preachM  againft 

,  Godlinefs  or  to  withdraw  themfelves.  He  therefore 
V^mov'd  his  Dwelling  from  among  them,  becaufe  they 
themfelves  apprehended  that  his  Stay  with  them, 
would  have  been  much  to  their  Damage,  thro'  the  Bit- 

,  ternefs  of  his  Adverfaries.  And  when  he  was  gone 
from  them,  he  did  not  fo  much  as  write  a  Letter  to 
them,  except  once  a  Year,  leaft  it  fliould  be  the  Oc- 
cafion of  their  Suffering.  For  had  they  but  received  a 
Letter  from  him,  any  difplealing  Thing  they  did, 
would  have  been  imputed  to  that.  For  Inftance,  when 
the  AS:  came  out,  requiring  all  that  had  any  Place  of 
Truft  in  Cities,  Corporations  or  Counties,  Ihould  be 
put  out,  unlefs  they  declared  that  they  held,  That  there 
is  no  Obligation  lying  upo7j  them^  or  nny  other  Per/on,  from 
the  Onth  call'd  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant^  the  Bailiff 
and  Juftice,  and  thirteen  Capital  BurgefTes  of  Kjder- 
minjfer^  except  one  that  had  been  an  Officer  in  the 
King's  Army,  and  moft  of  the  Twenty  five  Inferior 
Burgefles  alfo  were  turn'd  out,  tho'  very  few  of  them 
had  taken  the  Covenant  themfelves.  It  was  faid, 
that  Mr.  Baxter  had  perfwaded  them  to  refufe 
this  Declaration,  till  it  was  manifeft  that  he  had  ne- 
ver fpoke  a  Word  to  them  about  if,  nor  then  written 
a  Line  to  them  of  a  long  Time.  But  fuch  Things  as 
thefe  were  what  poor  Mr.  Baxter  was  us'd  to.  No- 
thing more  common  than  for  him  to  have  fcandalous 
Reports  fpread  Abroad  concerning  him.  Of  which  this 
Inftance  among  others  was  remarkable  j  that  juft  at  the 
Time  that  the  Bifhop  was  filencing  him,  'twas  reported 
at  London^  that  he  was  in  the  North  in  the  Head  of  a 

Rebellion  I 


300  The  L  I  FE  of     Chap.  XI. 


Rebellion  1  And  at  Ksdcrtyiivfier  he  was  accus'd,  becaufe 
there  was  a  Meecing  of  fcveral  Minifters  at  his  Houfe, 
which  had  been  Cuftomary  for  feveral  Years.     While 
they  were  at  Dinner  it  fell  cut,  that  by  Publick  Order 
the  C'vcnttnt   was  to   be   burnt  in  the  Market-PIace, 
and   it  was  done    under   his    Window.    The   Atten- 
dance was  Co  fmall,  that  they  knew  nor  of  it  till  after- 
wards.    And  ycc  becaufe  he  had  preach'd  the  Morning 
before,  (which  was  his  laft  Sermon  among  them)  upon 
Ch rift's  Words  upon  the  Crofs,  Father  forgive  thenty  for 
they  knovp  not  what  they  do  :  He  was  accus*d  of  it  as  an 
heinous  Crime,  as  having  preach'd  againft  th€  burning 
of  the  Ccvcutint.     Altho'  he  meddled  not  with  it,  nor  in- 
deed knew  of  it  till  afterwards. 
f/o«7  thn        ^^hcn  Mr.  Bfrxn^r  afcerwards  publifli'd  hisBook  call'd 
rv'tre  ^iffcci-  ^^^  ^^^'^  ^-^  Church  DivJfioru,  even  his  Old  Kjderminfter 
€d,  after     Flock  began  to  cenfure  him.     For  it  having  long  been 
their  Suf-   the  Aim  of  chofc  who  preach'd  among  them,  to  make 
firings  for  them  think  him  a  Deceiver,  they  grew  more  and  more 
ji'ciifonfor-  alienated  from  the  Prelates  and  their  Adherents.     Con- 
7»ity.  tinuing  to  repeat   Sermons  together   in  their  Houfes, 

many  of  them  were  laid  long  in  Goals,  among 
Thieves  and  common  Malefadlors,which  much  encreas'd 
their  Exalperation.  They  continu'd  their  Meetings 
whilft  their  Goods  were  feized  on,  and  they  wereFin'd 
andPunilh'd  again  and  again.  And  they  that  fell  out  with 
the  Biihops  for  cafting  out  Mr.  Baxter^  and  fpeaking  ill 
«f  him,  were  fomc  of  them  very  Angry  with  him,  and 
forward  to  cenfure  him,  for  ftrengthning  the  Hands  of 
Perfccutors  as  rhey  caji'd  it,  by  perfwading  them  of  the 
Lawfulnefs  of  Commnnicating  in  their  Pari(h  Church, 
wiih  a  Conformable  Miniiter  in  the  Liturgy.  Notwith- 
ttanding  which  he  continu'd  the  fame  Care  of  them  as 
before,  and  was  as  concerned  for  their  Welfare  as  ever. 
At  length  their  Old  reading  Vicar  dy'd,  about  the  Day 
of  the  Oaie  of  the  Adl  againft  Conventicles.  Sir  I{alph 
CUre  his  thief  Friend  dy'd  a  little  before  him.  And 
now  Mr,  PuTXtfy  was  in  a  Capacity  of  helping  them  to 
a  valuable  ufeful  Marl,  who  fhould  have  made  it  his 
Bulinefs  ro  promote  ferious  Religion  amongft  them. 
For  the  Old  Parron  Colonel  John  Brid^/s^  had  fold  the 
Patronage  of  the  Living  to  Mr.  Thomas  Foley ^  with  this 
Condition,  that  he  ihould  prefent  Mr.  Br.xtcr  next,  if  be 
\vcre  capable  of  it  5  and  if  nor,  that  he  fliould  prefent 

no 


Chap.  XI.     Mr,  E\.ichard  Baxter.  501 


no  other  but  by  his  Coofent ;  xo  which  Mr.  Foley  readily 
agreed.     So  that  he  now   had  a  fair  Opportunity  of 
helping  them  to  a  Man  to  their  Hearts  Defire,  which 
was  his  real  Intention  and  Endeavour.     Many  tho't  he 
would  now  have  Conform'd  himfelf ;  there  being  a  Va- 
cancy in  that  Place,  where  he  had  offered  to  preach  as 
a  Curare,  whenherefus'd  aBilhoprick  :  Many  of  theBi- 
Ihops  beljev'd  he   would   now   have    come  into   the 
Church  ;  Particularly  Arch-Bi(hop  Stem  of  Tork,,  fpake 
thus  to  a  Minifter  :    Take  it  on  my  Word,  Mr.  Bax- 
ter doth  Conform,  and  is  gone  to   his  Beloved  J\edder- 
minilrer :  But  he  had  no  fuch  Tho'ts,  and  aim'd  only  at 
helping  into  that  Place,  one  who  might  be  fincerely 
bent  upon  promoting  the  Good  of  Souls ;    which  he 
found  a  Matter  of  greater  Difficulty  than  he  could  he- 
fore-hand  have  apprehended  it.  For  the  Religious  Peo- 
ple (who  were  the  main  Body  of  the  Town  and  Pa- 
rifh)  refus'd  to  have  any  Hand  in  bringing  in  another 
Minifter  into  the  Church,    leaft  they  fhould  feem  to 
Confent  to  his  Conformity,  or  be  oblig'd  to  own  him 
in  his  Office,     They  were  not  by  all  the  Means  tfaac 
could  be  us*d  with  therr,  pievaiFd  upon  at  all  to  con- 
cur in  the  Matter,    Whereupon  Mr.  Baxter  alfo  refus'd 
to  meddle  in  the  Choice :    The  rather  becaufe  if  he 
had,  fome  of  his  Enemies  would  in  all  Probability  ha\  e 
been  forward  eno'  to  fay,  that  he  contradled  for  fome 
Referve  to  himfelf.     And  withal,  he  knew  that  Mr.  Fo- 
/o  the  Patron   (who  was  a  Smcere,   Religious  Man) 
would  make  the  beft  Choice  for  them  he  could.     This 
Mr.  Thomm  Foieyj  was  indeed  a  great  Bleiling  to  that 
Town  and  Country.     He  was  rais'd  from  very  fmall 
Matters,  to  an  Eftate  of  above  5000/.  per  Annum  by 
Iron- Works  :    And  that  with   fo  juft   and  blamelefs 
Dealing,  that  afl  Men  he  had  to  do  with,  magnify 'd 
his  great  Integrity.     Having  the  Patronage  of  feveral 
Livings  belonging  to  the  Lands  he  purchas'd,  he  made 
it  his  Bufmefs  to  fill  them  as  they  became  vacant  with 
Worthy,  Ufeful   Minif^ers.     And  in  Thankfulnefs  to 
God  fur  his  Mercies  to  him,  he  built  a  well  Founded 
Hofpital   near  StourbridgCy   to  teach  poor  Children  to 
Read  and  Write,  and  then  fet  them  Apprentices :  And 
"endowed  it  with  about  500  /.  fer  Annum.     How  hap- 
py would  this  Land  be,  were  fo  Good  and  Pious  a  Ufe 
of  great  Profperity.  a  Common  Thing  I  This  worthy 

Gen- 


502  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XI. 

Gentleman  was  many  Ways  exceeding  helpful  to  the 
Town  oi  Ksderminfter  :  And  particularly  upon  the  Va- 
cancy fore-mentionM,  he  put  in  a  valuable  Man  to  be 
their  Minifter ;    of  whom  they  themfelves  gave  this 
Account,   that  he  was  an   honeft  Man,    and  a  good 
Preacher,  declaring  they  had  rather  have  him  than  ano-- 
ther.  When  he  wasfix'd  among  them,  Mr.B  j.s;rfr  wrote 
Letter  to  them  to  join  with  him  in   Prayers  and  Sacra- 
ment.    But  their  Sufferings  had  fo  far  alienated  them 
from  the  Church  Party,  that  they  would  not  yield  that 
this  Letter  (houid  be  fo  much  as  read  among  them. 
Mr.  Bix-         As  for  Mr.  Baxter^  when  he  had  Preach'd  up  and 
ter'i  Fub-    down  in  Londm  in  feveral  Places  occafionally  for  about 
itch    La-     a  Year,  he  at  length  fix'd  with  Dr.  Bates  at  St.  Dunftans 
hours  tn the  in  the  i>VeJi  in  Fleetjlreet  ;   and  preachM  once  a  Week, 
City^tillhe 2is  Ledlurer,  having  an  Allowance  from  the  Parifh  for 
Kfas  St-      jjis  Pains.     Seeing  which  Way  Things  were  going,  he 
/er.ca.         for  his  better  Security,  applied  himfelf  to  Biihop  5/be/- 
^ow,  for  his  Licence  to  Preach  in  his  Diocefs.     Some 
were  offended  at  his  taking  this  Step  :  but  he  went  to 
him  as  the  King's  Officer.     The   Bilhop  received  him 
with  abundance  of  Refpedt :    But  offer'd  him  the  Book 
to  fubfcribe  in  .     He  pleaded  the  King*s  Declaration, 
as  exempting  from  a  Nerellity  of  fubfcribing.     The 
Bifhop    bid    him   therefore    write   what   he    would. 
Whereupon  he  fubfcrib'd  a  Promife  in  Latin,  not  to 
preach  againft  the  Dod:rine  of  the  Church,  or  the  Ce- 
remonies, in  his  Diocefs,  as  long  as  he  us'd  his  Licence. 
Upon  which  he  freely  gave  him  his  Licence,  and  would 
let   his  Secretary  take  no  Money  of  him.     And  yet  he 
could  fcarce  preach  a  Sermon,   but  he   was  inform'd 
from  fome  Quarter  or  other,  that  be  preach'd  Sedition, 
and  refle(5led  on  the  Government  :    When  he  had  nei- 
ther a  Tho't  nor  Word  of  any  fuch  Tendency.     But  he 
had  a  crowded  Congregation,  and  that  was  one  Thing 
that  ftirr'd  up  Envy.     And  one  Day  the  Crowd  drave 
him  from  his  Place  of  Preaching.     For  it  fell  out,  that 
in  the   Midft  of   a  Sermon  of  his  at  St.   Dunftun$^  a 
little  Lime  and  Duft  (and  perhaps  a  Piece  of  Brick  or 
Two)  fell  down  in  the  Steple  or  Belfry  near  the  Boys, 
which  put  the  whole  Congregation  into  a  fudden  Me- 
lancholy    It  was  tho't  the  Steeple  and  Church  were  fa I- 
ing,  which  put  them  all  into  fo  confufed  a  Haf^e  to  get 
away,  ihat  indeed  the  Nolle  of  the  Feet  in  the  Galle- 
ries*- 


Chap.  XI.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  305 


ries,  founded  like  the  Fall  of  the  Stones  ;  (o  that 
the  People  crowded  out  of  Doors  turn ultuou fly.  The 
Women  left  fome  of  ihem  a  Scarf,  and  fome  a  Shoe 
behind  them  ,  and  fome  in  the  Galleries  raft  them- 
felves  down  upon  thofe  below,  becaufe  they  could 
not  get  down  the  Stairs.  He  fat  ftili  in  the  Pulpit 
all  the  while,  feeing  and  pitying  their  vain  Diftem- 
per,  and  as  foon  as  he  could.^bc  heard,  he  intreat- 
ed   their  Silence,    and   went  on*. 

The  People  were  no  fooner  quieted  *  p,.  B^^es  in  bis  Funeral  Ser- 
and  got  in  again,  and  the  Auditory  man  for  Mr.  Baxter,  reprefenn 
COmpOS'd,  than  fome  that  ftood  up-  it  as  a  fgnal  Inftance  of  his  firm 
on  a  Wainfcoat  Bench  near  the  l^aith  In  the  Diyine  Frovidencey 
Communion  Table,  brake  the  ^»d  his  Fortitude  (as  indeed  it 
Bench  with  their  Weigh r,  fo  that  '^'^O  ^^^^  4^^^  *^c  ^«''r)'  »/'<'« 
the  Noife  renewed  the  Fear  again,  ''''"  Occafion  was  oyer,  he  reaf- 
andthey  were  worfediforder'd  than  ^'^'^^  ^]''  Difcour/e,  v>lth  thU 
before.    So  that  an  old  Woman  was    T'^L  /   r'^f ^'^ '.'/ '"'"C^f' 

,         J  ,       /-.,         ,    i-v  ,  .  the   Minds  of  the    Feople  :    Wq 

heard  at  the  Church  Door  askmg  ^^^  .  ,,.  L,.„:^^  J  ^^a  r^ 
^       .         r     c  r^    i    £  1  •  ^^^  ^^  ^"^  oei  Vice  01  v.,'od,  to 

Forgivenefs  ot  God,  for  not  taking     p        .^  ^^^   felves,    that    we 

the  firft  Waromg ;  and  promifing     niay   be    feailefs  at  the  great 

if  God  would  deliver  her  this  once,     Noife  of  the  diflbiving  World, 

ftie  would  take  heed    of   coming     when   the   Heavens   fhall  pafs 

thither   again.     When   they   were     away,    and  the   Elements  melt 

again  quieted,  he  went  on.     But     »n  fervent  Heat  5  the  Earth  al- 

ihe  Church  being  Old  and  Dange-     ^o  and  the  Works  therein  Ihall 

rous,   the  Church- wardens  deter-     ^^  burnt  up,  c^c. 

min'd  to  repair  it ;  and  fo  he  was 

forc'd  to  preach  out  his  Quarter  at  Sr.  Brides  Church, 

where  the  Common  Prayer  was  us*d  by  the  Curate 

before  Sermon.     On   the   Week-Days,    Mr.  Afhhurfi 

with  about  Twenty  more  Citizens  defir'd  him  to  preach 

a  Ledlure  in  Milkrftreet^  for  which  they  allow'd  him 

4c  /.   fer  Annum,    which  he   continu'd  near   a  Year. 

And  at  the  fame  Time  he  preach'd  once  every  Lord  s 

Day,   at  BUckrFrynrs,  where  he  would  take  nothing 

for  his  Pains,   for  fear   of  rendring  the  Parilhioners 

lefs  able  or    ready    to    help    their   worthy  Minifter 

Mr.  Gibbons. 

The  Laft  Sermon  he  preach'd  in  Publick  was  at 

Blacks-Fry ars^  on  Mny  the  25ih,  1662.     For  which  he 

was  accused,  as  telling  the  People,    that  the  Gofpel 

was  now  departing  from  them.     And  he  was  told  by 

the  Lady  Balcarret ^\thzx.  the  Old  QuQen  of  Bohemia  was 

much 


304  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  Xir. 


much  offended,  that  he  (hould  fay  the  Gofpel  was  going 
away,  becaufe  fome  Minifters  were  filenc'd  and  others 
put  in  their  Places.  Whereas  there  was  not  the  leaft 
Colour  of  Ground  for  fuch  an  Accufaticn,  from  any 
Thing  he  faid.  Thus  he  ceafed  from  his  PubHck  Mini- 
ftry  Three  Months  before  Bartholomew  Day,  the  Time 
when  the  reft  of  his  Brethren  were  filenc'd  ;  which 
was  a  Thing  for  which  many  cenfur'd  him.  But  he  for- 
bore Preaching  fo  foon,  partly  becaufe  the  Lawyers  did 
interpret  a  doubtful  Claufe  in  the  Ad  of  Uniformity, 
as  putting  an  End  to  the  Liberty  of  the  Ledtarers  at 
that  Time  ;  and  partly  becaufe  he  would  let  all  the 
Minifters  in  the  Nation  underftand  in  Time,  what  his 
Intentions  were,  leaft  any  might  be  influenc'd  to  a 
Compliance,  upon  a  Suppofition  that  he  intended  to 
Conform. 


CHAP.     XII. 

jln.  1662.  Hk  own  and  his  Brethren!  Treatment  after 
^  The       their  Ejection^  till  the  Indulgence  in  l6j\. 

Cafe     of 

the  Non-     /'  B-AHE  ejefled  Minifters,  continud  for  Ten  Years 
^^^n^^'r  I       i"  *  St*te  of  Silence  and  Obfcurity*.     It  was 

mifts  after,     J^      jj^^-j.  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^  Endeavour  to  be  found  in 

mew^D^"   ^^^  ^^y  ^^  ^^^^^  Duty  to  God  and  the  King  ;  but  they 

*  There  had  been  many  Writings  pubUpid  Pro  and  Con,  from  the  Time 
of  the  'RefioratioHy  and  they  vpere  continued  in  1661,  and  1661.  BiJf)o(>  Gau- 
dcn  r^^rote  for  the  fiecefjity  of  a  Liturgy.  Another  wrote  a  fober  and  tempo- 
rate  Vifcourfe  concerning  the  Interefi  of  Words  in  Frayer,  the  jujl  Antiquity  and 
Tedegree  of  Liturgies^  or  Forms  of  Frayer  in  Churches^  with  a  Fietp  of  the 
State  of  the  Church  when  they  were  jirfi  compofed  or  impofed  ^  together  with 
n  Difcovery  of  the  Heaknefi  of  th^  Grounds  upon  which  they  firji  brought  in-^ 
or  upon  which  Bifjop  Gauden  hath  lately  difcourfcd  the  JCectfjity  of  a  Liturgy^ 
&c.  Lend.  1 66  I.  (^.  There  was  alfo  puhlifl/d  a  fhort^  fober  and  paciftk 
I X  ami  nation  of  fame  Exuberances  in,  and  Ceremonial  Appurtenances  to  the 
Common  Prayer,  by  William  Prinne,  Efcj-^.  TJje  Liturgical  Confider-iror 
confidercd^  or  :i  brief  View  of  Dr.  Gauden  s  Coiifideraiions  touching  the 
Liturgy  of  the  Cliurch  of  England,  By  G.  F.  Tl)ere  was  alfo  a  Controverfy 
warmly  carried  on,  1662,  andl66^,  between  Mr.  Zach- Crofton,  and  others^ 
cct\ccrnin^l  Communion  witJ)  the  Church  under  her  prefent  Corruptions  ;  ])0W  jar  it 
was  latpfula'nd  warrantable,  and  how  far  not  fo.  But  thefe  Debates  affetied 
mt  thofe  'bat  had  Power  in  their  Hands^  mr  did  they  afford  the  Sufferers  any 

Ke/icf  could 


Chap.  XII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


305 


could  not  be  fiifferU  to  live  in.  Peace.     Such  v^as  the  ^'^^  i^<^i' 
Policy  of  the  Court,  that  they  mul\  either  be  crnfli'd 
by  their  Fellow  ?YoteJUnts,   to  the  itrengthning  of  the 
^omifh  Intereft  ;  Or  if  favour'd  with  any  Connivance, 
they  muft  have  the  Fapifts  Partners  with  them,   that 
fo  the  Prorejiant  Intereft  might  be  chat  Way  weakenM. 
This 'was  a  great  Hardlliip  that   attended  their   Cir- 
cumftances  ;    but  it  was  altogether  their  Unhappinefs, 
and  very  remote  from  being  their  Choice  j  and  there- 
fore no  Matter  of  juft  Refledrion.    *  The  Adt  of  Uni- 
formity as  has  been  faid  cook  Place,    Aug.  the  24th, 
1662.     On  the  26th  of  Decemher  (ollo'wing,  the  King 
publifh'd  a   Declaration,    exprefling    his   Purpofe    to 
grant  fome  Indulgence  or  Liberty  in 

Religion     not  excluding  the  Papifts  f  rhe    Houfe  of  Commons  oh 

many  of  whom  (he  laid;  hnd  dejerv  d  Feb.  25,  |65J,  Voted  agalnji 
fo  well  of  him.  Some  of  the  Nfl»cow-  any  /mc/>  Indulgence,  and  Pur^ 
formijis  were  hereupon  much  en-  fuunt  to  their  Vott^  -waited  en 
courag'dj  and  waiting  privately  on 
the  King  were  fill'd  with  Hopes. 
They  would  have  perfwaded  their 
Brethren  to  have  thanked  the  King 
for  his  Declaration  j  but  they  re- 
fused, leaft  they  Ihould  make  Way 
for  the  Toleration  of  the  Pnpifls. 
The  Declaration  took  not  at  all, 
either  with  Parliament  t  or  Peo- 
ple •  And  (b  the  poor  Nonconfor- 
mifis  were  expofed  to  great  Severi- 
ties. They  who  at  the  King's 
coming  in  were  fo  much  carefs'd, 


his  Majefiy  v?lih  their  Humble 
advice  that  no  fucb  Indulgerxe 
might  be  granted  :  And  tn  their 
Votes  they  gaye  their  Reafons  ; 
but  they  were  fuch,as  that  ye'ry 
Parliament  ( a^  well  as  they 
who  fucceeded  it  )  when  they 
came  to  difcem  the  Growth  of 
Pa£)ei'y,  found  to  hare  littU 
Strength  or  Subftance  in  them, 
and  therefore  they  afterwards 
favs?  good-Reafon  to  Vote  the  con- 
trary. 


^  As  foon  as  the  Aft  -of  Uniformity  took  ^lace,  more  Plots  were  hatch'dy 
to  keep  up  the  fame  Spirit^  as  Yarrington'5  Plot  firfl  ftirrd  up.  Thomas 
Tongue,  George  Philips,  Francis  Stubb-,  James  Hind,  John  Sailers,  and 
Nathaniel  Gibbs,  were  tried  for  High  Treafon,  and  rcere  cnndemnd  in  De- 
cember, 1662,  and  an  Account  of  it  publifjyd^  entituled.^  A  Brief  Narra- 
tive of  that  Stupenduous  Tragedy,  late  .intended  to  be  a6^ed  by  the  Sara- 
nical  Saints  of  thefe  Reforming  Times.  But  whoever  reads  their  Trial, 
will  fee  Reafon  to  conclude  that  the  Court  was  very  willing  they  fl^ould  be 
thot  Guilty,  to  enflame  the  Populace  againfi  fuch  as  d  d  n>t  fall  in  with  the 
Chuich  of  England,  and  ferye  fome  other  Purpofes  which  were  then  on  foot. 


were 


-o5  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XII. 

-ri«.  1 5:: 2.  were  now  ireated  with  the  utmoft  Contempt.     The 
iilenc'd  Minifters  were  not  only  forbidden   to  preach 
*  in  Publick,  but  were  fo  carefully  wacchM  in  Private, 
,  xhat  they  could  not  meet  to  Pray  togetherj  but  it  was 

a  Seditious  ConventicJe.  Mr.  Baxter  and  Dr.  Bates 
.were  defird  to  be  at  Mr.  Beales  in  Hatton  Garden^  to 
pray  for  his  fick  Wife,  who  had  a  Feaver,  and  was  at 
ihe  laft  Extremity.  Thro'  fome  other  ncceffary  Occa- 
fions  they  fail'd  of  being  there,  and  if  they  had  not, 
they  had  been  apprehended.  For  Two  Jnftices  of 
rhe  Peace,  Living  far  diftant  from  each  other,  the  one 
at  iVcfiminJier  and  the  other  ztClerkenweli,  came  thither 
with  a  Serjeant  at  Anns  to  feize  ihem.  They  fearch'd 
the  Hon fe,  and  even  the  fick  Gentlewoman's  Cham- 
ber, and  were  difappointed.  But  tho'  they  efcapd, 
many  Holy  and  Excellent  Minifters  quickly  after  were 
laid  in  Goals  in  many  Counties  in  the  Land,  for  the  hea- 
vy Crime  of  Preaching  and  Praying.  As  Mr.  Cool{  of 
Chefter^  ( the  Sufferer  for  joining  with  Sir  George  Booth, 
to  make  Way  for  the  King's  Reftauration)  Mr.  'Nor- 
mati  of  Bridgewater,  Mr.  Allen  of  Taunton^  and 
Mr.  Bn?npfieldy  Mr.  Ince,  and  Mr.  Sachcverell^  and 
orhcrs  in  Dorfctfhlre^  &c. 
Ah.  ]563.  In  June  1663,  *  The  old  Peaceable  Arch-Bilhop  of 
Canterbury,  Dr.  Juxon  died,  and  Dr.  Sheldon  Biihop 
Ac  7;,/.<  of  London  fucceeded  him.  And  much  about  that 
Year  \66i.  Time  there  was  a  frefh  Difcourfe  rais'd  of  Liberty 
rv.t^  pxtb'  d^ffign'd  for  the  filenc'd  Minifters.  They  were  blamM 
Upj'd  an     by  many,  for  not  Petitioning  the  Parliament  5  tho'  they 

Jiff  ti  dote 

to  cure  the  Gihmitts  of  their  Trembling  for  fear  of  the  Ark,  by  Vr.  Wo- 
inackj  v;ho  tJ^o't  it  worth  his  While  to  fend  into  the  World  n  laboured  jpcr- 
formance^  in  Op^ofuion  to  an  Occafional  ILxtcmpornry  Sermon  of  my  gaod  Old 
Grand  father's.  The  World  fmil  d  at  it  ^  but  he  hnd  his  End.  His  Dedica- 
tion is  KemarJcabU.  It  rum  thui  :  To  the  Strenuous  Impugners  af  Schifm 
and  Rebellion  ;  the  ingenuous  AfTertors  of  tlie  King's  Supremacy,  Crown 
and  Dignity  i  the  zealous  Patrons  of  tb-e  Churches  Hierarchy  and  Liturgy, 
the  vigorous  Cnam^jons  of  Decency  and  Uniformity  in  God's  Publick  Wor- 
fhip  \  the  Honourable  Reprefcnrative  of  all  the  Commons  of  England  now 
in  Parliament  .ifltmbled,  under  the  mofl  Excellent  and  AuQ)icious  Majcfty 
of  Chitrla  the  Second,  Leiv?rcnce  Womack.  D.  D.  Arch-Deacon  of  Sujfoll', 
dcdicaceth  thefe  his  Occalional  Meditations,  in  Jultification  of  the  prefent 
Settlement  of  God  s  Solemn  Service  in  the  Ciiurch  of  England,  againft  the 
ScJ UJjjiatical  Fears  and  Jcaloufies,  and  the  Seditious  Hiati  and  lulinuations 

had 


.Chap.  Xn.       Mr.  ELichard  Baxter.  507 


bad  Reafon  eno*  againft  it.     Many  Members  encou-  ^«-  166$. 

rag'd    the    Expectation    of   either   an     Indulgence ,  of  Mr.  Ed- 

or  a  Comprehenfion.    And  it  was  thereupon  vjdsm- mundCaU- 

ly  debate«d,    which  of  the  Two  would  be  more  de- wj.    The 

fireable.    Some    were  for   Petitioning  for  a   General  -Author  in 

Indulgence,    thus  arguing  with    their   Brethren;   TouJ'^'^^^^i 

are  Blind,  if  you  fee  not  that  the  Jid:  of  Vniformity  was  ^•'^  ^^^^rd, 

made  fa  rigorous,  and  the  Weight  of  Conformity  fo  much    ^  '^^^ 

encreafed,  that  jo    the  dumber   of  the  Ejected- Minifters    f,^^ 

might  be  fo  great,    as   to  force    them    to  be  glad   of  a  ^J    v 

General  Toleration,  which  might  takje  in  the  Papifts.     And  ^j^^^^  ^^^^ 

if  you  thinks  to  ft  and  it  out,  they  wilt  yet  bring  you  to  it  ^^^  ^  ^ook 

in  Defpght  of  you.     They  will  encreafe  your  Burthens,  and  of  another 

lay  you  in  Vrifons,  till  you  are  glad  to  petition  for  Juch  a  Nature  c air- 

Toleration,     And  ft  and  it  out  as  long  as  you  can,  you  ft:all  fed,  Icha- 

le  forcd  to  procure  the  Papifts  Liberty  ;  and  the  Odium  bod,   or 

of  it  foall  not  lie  on  the  Bifhops,  but  on  you  that  are  fo  Five 

much  againft  it.  The  Bifhops  fhall  fppa!{^  ^g^i^ft  if,  ^'nd  they  Groans  of 

will  force  you  to  beg  for  it,  who  are  againft  it.     And  if  ycu^^^^^^^^^'^^^^ 

will  not  do  it  now,  you  do  but  ftay  till  the  Market  rife,  Pj'udently^ 

and  your  Suffering's  be  made  greater,  and  you  foal  I  be  gUd^'^^y'^^'^^'* 
1      •  J     ^'       ,.  ^T-  L  u  r    J    and  pafUo— 

to  do   It  at    dearer  l\ates.     1  o   whom  others   replied,  ^     J  ^^^  ^ 

that  they  would  fufter  any  Thing  rather  than  promote  ^^^JyJ'^^ 
Popery,  her  Second 

Tall^  tJneat- 
Tted^  by  thefe  Five  Dangerous,  tho  undifcernd  Mifcarria^es  that  camd  her 
Virft,  viz.  I.  Undue  Ordination.  2.  Loofe  Profanenefs.  ^.  Unconfcionable 
Symony.  4.  Carelefi  Non-Kef  dene  e.  5.  Encroaching'^  Pluralities.  Hum- 
bly  prefcnted  to  her  Suprcam  Head  and  Governor,  the  Kings  moft  Excellent 
Majefiy,  and  his  Great  Council  the  Parliament,&lc.  This  Book  tho'  hi^^h  eno^ 
for  the  Hierarchy,  and  the  Ceremonies,  and  li)^  fever al  Parts  of  Conformity, 
was  yet  written  with  a  very  grave  and  ferious  Spirit^  and  warmly  complains 
of  above  Three  Thoufand  Minifters  admitted  into  the  Church,  nrlio  were  unft 
to  teach  bee aufe  of  their  Touth  :  And  of  One  Thoufand  Vive  Hundred  de- 
bauch d  Men  Ordain  d  :  And  of  many  Unlearned  Men  Ordain'd  :  And  oj 
One  Thoufand  Three  Hundred  Vorty-two  Tallious  Minifers  a  little  before  Or- 
dain d  :  It  complains  alfo  (among  other  Things)  that  of  Twelve  Thoufand 
Church  Livings]  or  thereabouts,  Three  Thoufand  and  more  being  impropriate^ 
and  Four  Tlwufand  One  Hundred  Sixty-five  being  Sine-Cures  or  Kon-Kefident s 
Livings,  there  was  but  a  f-oor  Remainder  left  for  a  Painful  and  an  Honef 
Minijhy,  for  the  Glory  of  God,  and  tl?e  Salvation  of  Souls.  Mr.  Cawdrey 
alfo  thii  Tear  wrote  againf  Conformity.^  82c. 

X  2  hU.B.'iX^'er 


^g8  The  life  of      Chap.  XII. 

^^n.  i6r;.  Mr.  Br.xrcr  was  about  this  Time  confuked  by  a 
Perfon  ot  Honour  concerning  the  Matter  fo  much 
taik'd  oi :  He  preis'd  him  to  give  him  his  Judgment, 
whether  the  Way  ot  hidiilgencs  or  Ccmprchenfion  wgis 
more  dtlireablc.  He  freely  gave  him  his  Tho'ts  lo 
this  Purpofe  ;  That  he  was  not  for  Comprehcnfion  with- 
out Indulgence  ;  nor  for  Indulgence'  without  the  En- 
largement of  the  A61  of  Uniformity  to  a  greater  Com- 
pchenfioti  ;  but  tor  the  ConjurK^tion  of  both.  He  was 
not  for  Comprehenjion  alone,  becaufe  when  they  had 
goiiC  the  fartheff,  many  worthy  Perfons,  whofe  Gifts 
in  the  Chgrc^h  might  be  very  ufeful,  would  be  ftill 
left  out ;  and  there  would  be  much  want  when  all 
were  employed  ^  and  the  Lofs  by  their  being  utterly 
Siienc'd  would  redound  to  the  Souls  of  many.  He 
was  not  for  Indulgence  alcne,  uniefs  the  Law  were 
Trade  more  Comprehenfive ;  becaufe  the  Impofitions 
and  Reftridlions  of  the  Law  were  really  unaccount- 
ble  ;  becaute  nothing  can  be  more  defireable  than 
the  Strength  and  Unity  of  the  Eftabhfti'd  Body  of 
the  Clergy  ,•  and  becaufe  a  bare  Indulgence  would  be 
apt  to  Occafion  fuch  Jealoulies  and  Animofities^  as 
that  it  would  not  be  long  enjoy'd  in  Peace  :  And 
therefore  he  declar'd,  he  was  for  a  Comfrehonfion  of  as 
n^any  fit  Perfons  as  might  be  taken  in  by  Law,  and  then 
a  Power  referv'd  to  his  Majefty,  to  indulge  the  Rem- 
•nant  as  far  as  might  be  conducibie  to  the  Peace  and  Be- 
nefit of  Church  and  State. 
ۥ  the  All  But  inftead  o^  Indulgence  or  Comprehenfion^  on  the 
ag^iinfl  Laft  Day  of  June,  the  A<^  againft  Private  Meetings  for 
them,  caird  Religious  Exercifes  pafs'd  the  Houfeof  Commons,  and 
the  Cotu'cn-  Ihortly  after  was  made  a  Law.  The  Sum  of  it  was, 
tide  Alt.  srhat  every  Perfon  above  Sixteen  Tears  who  ts  frefejit  nt  any 
Meeting  under  Colour  or  Pretence  of  any  Exercife  of  ^li- 
giony  in  other  Manner  than  is  allowed  by  the  Litur"^^  or  Pra- 
Bice  of  the  Church  of  England,  where  there  arc  Five  Per^ 
fens  more  than  the  Hou/hold,  fhall  for  the  Firjl  Offence^ 
h  '^  Juflice  of  Peace  be  I^cordedy  and  fent  to  Goal  Three 
Months^  till  he  pay  5  1  ;  and  for  the  Second  Offence  Six 
Months  till  he  pay  I  o  1  ;  and  the  Third  Time  being  Con- 
I'itied  by  a  Jury^  fhall  be  B^nifl:>'d  to  fonie  of  the  American 
Plantatio7:s^  excepting  New-England  or  Virginia.  It 
ivas  a  great  Hardlhip  that  attended  this  A£f,  that  fo 
much  Power  was  given  by  it  to  Jufticcs  of  the  Peace,  to 

Record 


Chap.  XFL     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  509 

Record  a  Man  an  offender  without  a  Jury*:  And  if  ^«.  166^. 
.they  did  it  cauflcfly  there  was  no  Remedy,  feeing  every 
Juilire  was  fnade  a  Judge.      Before  the  Danger  and 
oufFei  ings  lay  on  the  Minifters  only,  but  now  the  Peo-  ^  ^ 
pie  aJlo  were  forely  try'd.  t  ^"'^^''^ 

Fol.^.  /'.'  249.  /rf^J,  That  this  is  a  wrong  Complaint,  and  a  RefledHoa 
upon  many  Qther  of  our  wholefome  Law?,  which  could  never  be  executed, 
it  Evidencenpon  Oath  before  a  Juftice  of  Peace,  could  not  make  him  To 
far  a  Judge,  as  to  pronounce  the  Penalty  exprefs'd  in  the  Letter  of  the 
Law,  without  the  Formality  of  a  Court  and  a  Jury.  It  is  fufHcienc  (fays 
he)  that  the  greater  Offences,  and  the  greater  Penalties  aifeftino  Life,  or 
Liberty,  or  Eltate,  fliall  not  be  determined  by  any  private  Jullice.^,  but  ia 
the  more  folemn  Manner  of  Court,  and  Judge,  and  Prifoner,  and  Jurj\ 
And  fo  it  was  by  this  very  Acl  accordingly  provided,  that  no  one  fliould 
be  convifted  of  the  Third  Offence,  which  incurred  Banill-iment,  without 
a, regular  Trial  by  a  Jury.  And  hereupon  hU  Margin  is  decently  "-rac'd 
with  the  Miftakes  of  the  Author  of  the  Abridgment.  But  had  this  Author 
eyer  had  his  Goods  feiz''d  and  taken  from  him,  fo  as  not  to  hare  had  fo 
Tnuch  as  a  Bed  left  to  lie  on,  (v?hlch  was  the  Cafe  of  feveral  of  the  ejeft- 
ed  Mini(iers)  purely  for  affing  according  to  his  Confcience  ;  and  this  upon 
the  Evidence  of  a  fcandaloiis  Informer,  and  Villains  hir'd  by  him  to 
fwear  what  was  for  his  coveted  Gain,  va^hich  Mr.  Viercc  honeftiy  ob- 
ferves  v^as  the  Cafe  of  the  Nonconformifis  when  this  Afl  k^^  execufed 
againft  thsm.  (  See  his  Third  Plea  for  the  Nonconformifis,  p.  75/)  I ctn 
hardly  fuppofe  he  would  have  applauded  the  Law  for  its  VV'hoiefomnefs, 
or  have  reckoned  the  charging  this  with  being  an  Hardship,  as  any  yery  great; 
Miftake. 

After  this  the  Nonconformifis  were  nor  a  little,  di- .4^.  166^. 
vided  among  themfelves,  as  to  the  Lawfulnefs  and 
Expediency  of  Worlhipping  God  in  the  Publick 
Churches,  ove»  and  above  their  Private  Meetings  ftill 
kept  up  with  great  Secrefie.  Mr.  Baxter  and  Dr. 
Bates^  and  feveral  others  with  them,  were  for  fre- 
quenting the  Publick  Churches,  when  better  Helps 
were  not  to  be  had  ;  And  for  reforting  to  them  now 
and  then,  tho'  they  had  their  Choice,  to  (how  their 
Charity.  They  were  for  having  their  moft  ufual 
Communion  with  thofe  AflembHes,  which  they  tho'c 
were  manag  d  moft  agreeably  to  the  Rule  and  End 
of  Worlhip  ;  and  yet  for  having  Occafional  Commu- 
nion with  others,  as  Members  of  the  Catholick 
Church,    to  (how  their  Catholick  Communion  with 

X  3  all 


3IO  The  LIFE  of       Ch^,  XH. 

An   1 65$.  all  the  Body  of  Chrift.     But  others  were  vehement  for 
*  ThU    an  entire  Separation*. 

fublijb'd  Mr.  Alkiirs  Call  to  Archippus  .•  Beim^  an  Humble  nnd  Earnefi 
Motion  to  the  Fjcfled  Miniflcn  by  \\  nj  of  Utter,  to  take  heed  to  their  Mi- 
wjlry  that  they  fulfil  it. 

At   length  Mr.  Baxter  finding  his  Publick  Service 
at  an  End,  retires  into  the  Country  to  Atlon  in  Middle- 
/e.v,  that  he  might  have  the  more  Leifure  for  Writing. 
He  fix'd  there  in  the  Month  of  July^    where  he  fol- 
lowed his  Studies  privately  in  Quietnefs,  and  went  eve- 
ry  Lord's-Day  to  the  Pnblick  Affembly,    when  there 
was  any  Preaching  or  Catechizing ;  and  fpcnt  the  reft 
of  the  Day  with  his  Family,  and  a  few  poor  Neigh- 
bours that  came  in. 
An.  1(565-     ^"  the  Time  of  the  Plague,   Anno  1665,    he   went 
TheFlarue.  ^^  ^^'  Hampden's  ill  Buckinghamfhire  ;    and  there  was 
Mourning  for  that  defolating  Stroke,  which  carried  off 
about  an   Hundred  Thoufand  Perfons  in  the  City  of 
London,  befides  a  proportionable  Number  in  other  Parts 
of  the  Land. 

The  lilenc'd  Minifters  had  till  this  Time  preach'J 
very  privately,  and  but  to  a  few,  (not  fo  much  ihro' 
their  Timeroufnefs,  as  in  Hope  that  their  Forbearance 
might  at  Length  procure  them  foine  Liberty  .)  But  when 
the  Plague  grew  hct,  and  the  Minifters  in  the  City 
Churches  fled,  and  left  their  Flocks  in  the  Time  of  their 
Extremity,  feveral  of  the  Nonconformifts  pitying  the 
dying  and  diftreffed  People,  that  had  none  to  call  the 
Impenitent  to  Repentance,  nor  to  help  them  to  prepare 
for  another  World  ;  nor  to  comfort  th?m  in  their  Ter- 
rors ;  when  about  Ten  Thoufand  died  in  a  Week  ; 
were  convinced  that  no  Obedience  to  the  I  aws  of  any 
mortal  Man  whofoever,  could  juftifie  their  neglcc^ling 
Men's  Souls  and  Bodies  in  fuch  Hxtrcmitics,  any  more 
rhafi  they  can  juftiiie  Parents  for  famifliing  their  Children 
to  Death.  And  thereupon  they  refolved  to  ftay  with 
:he  People,  enter  the  forfaken  Pulpits,  tho'  prohibited, 
and  give  tbc:n  what  Afliftance  rhey  could,  umler  fuch  an 
awakening  Providence,  and  alfo  vifit  the  Sick,  and  get 
what  Relief  they  couK!  for  the  Poor,  cfpecially  fnch  as 
were  fhjt  ip.  The  Perfom  that  fet  upon  this  Work, 
were  Mr.  Thomas  Vincent^  Mr,  Chejlcr^    Mr.  Janeway^ 


Ghap.  XI/.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  511 

Mr.  Turner^  Mr.  Grimes^  Mr.  Frankjyn,  and  fome  o-  An,  i66$. 
thers.  Irhofe  often  heard  them  one  Day,  who  were  fick 
the  next,  and  quickly  died.  The  Face  of  Death  did 
fo  awaken  Preachers  and  Hearers,  chat  the  former  ex- 
ceeded themfelves  in  lively  fervent  Preaching  ;  and  the 
latter  heard  with  a  peculiar  Ardour  and  Attention. 
And  thro'  the  Blelling  of  God,  many  were  converted 
from  their  Carelefnefs,  Impenitence,  and  youthful Luds 
and  Vanities ;  and  Religion  took  that  hold  on  the  Peo- 
ples Hearts,  as  could  never  afterward  be  loofed. 

And  whilft  God  was  confuming  the  People  by  this  qp  i  q     \ 
Judgment,    and  the  Nonconforraifts   were  , labouring  f^^.^^^^jj"^* 
to  fave  Men's  Souls,  the  Parliament  which  fate  at  Ox- 
fcrdy  was  bufie  in  making  an  Ad:  of  Confinement,  to 
make  the  Cafe  of  the  filenc'd  Minifters,  incomparably 
harder  than  it  was  before,  by  putting  upon  them  a  cer-    ^ 
tain  Oath,  which  if  they  refused,  they  rauft  not  come, 
(unlefs  upon  the  Road)  within  five  Miles  of  any  Ciry  or 
CorporationjEny  Place  that  fent  BurgelTes  to  Parliament, 
any  Place  where  they  had  beenMinifters,or  had  preach 'd 
after  the  kdi  of  Oblivion.    The  main  Promoters  of 
this  Adt  aaiong  the  Clergy,  were  Arch-Biihop  Sheldon^ 
arid  Bifhop  H^ard  of  Salisbury :    And  tho'  the  Earl   of 
Southampton  Lord  Treafurer  (who  was  one  that  had 
ever  adher'd  to  the  King,  but  underftood  the  Intereft 
of  his  Country  and  of  Humanity)  vehemently  oppos'd  ity 
yet  the  Lord  Chancellor  and  his  Party  carried  it  f-     f  In  the 
When  this  Adt  came  out,  thofe  Minifters  that  had  any  Lettet  frsim 

a  Ferfon  of 
Quality  to  his  Friend  in  the  Country,  in  the  Second  Folume  of  the  St^ieTi-^CXs 
of  King  Charles'5  Reign,  this  Matter  is  thus  exprefs'd.  This  was  flrongly 
oppofed  by  the  Lord  Treafurer  Southar/ipton,  Lord  H  harton.  Lord  A^dey^ 
and  others;  not  only  in  the  Concern  of  rhofe  poor  Minifters  that  werefofe- 
verely  handled,  but  as  it  was  in  ittelf  a  moft  unlawful  and  unjuftifiable 
Oath  ;  however  the  Zeal  ot  that  Time  againft  all  Nonconformifts  eafily 
paffed  the  Aft,  pag.  42.  See  alfo  Conformifls  Second  Plea  for  the  Nqa. 
conformifts,  pag.io^ii.  That  in  a  Time  both  of  Wat  and  rf  aTlague-i  fuch  an 
AB  as  the  Fire  Mile  Act  ff)ou/d  have  paj7,  vpill  amaze  all  that  da  not  kyji>t9 
the  Secret  of  that  Time  :  Says  Bijhop  Burnet,  in  his  Speech  in  the  Hoitfe  sf 
Lords,  about  the  Occaiional  Bill,  in  1 703.  And  in  another  Speech  of  his, 
in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  on  Marcli  1 6.  I  JOf'-.  upon  Occafion  of  tite  Artislei 
rf^rt/«/2'D)*.  Sacheverel,  he  has  thefe  Words  :  To  the  Word  Commiffion' d  by 
the  King,  fome  moved  that  the  Word  Lawfully  might  be  added,  to  make 
all  plain.    This  was  prefled  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons  by  Vaughan^  afcer- 

X  4  Main- 


512  The  L  I  f  tL  of     Gbap.  Xll. 


-4«.  I <56$.  Maintenance  of  their  own,  found  out  fome  Dwellings 
ward  Lord  in  o'jfcurc  Villages,  or  in  feme  few  MaTket-Towns 
CI]ief-Ja-  j.^^^  were  not  Corporaiions:  And  fome  that  had  no- 
mce  ot  the  ^^^j^^^  left  their  Wiyes  and  Chikircn,  and  hid  them- 
ommon-  f^jvcs  abroad,  and  foofietimes  canoe  kcretly  to  them  by 
The  An  Night.  Bat  the  moft,  refolv'd  hereupon  to  preach  the 
tornev  Ge-  ^^^^  freely  in  Cities  and  Corporations  till  they  went 
nerai  after- ^o  Prilbn.  Partly  becaufe  they  were  then  in  the  Way 
ward 'Lord  c>f  their  Calling,  in  which  they  could  futfer  with  the 
Chancellor  greater  Peace  ;  and  partly  becanfe  they  might  do 
Kottm-  fome  gocid  before  they  fuffered,  and  partly  becaufe 
^ham,  an-  the  People  much  dedred  it,  and  alfo  were  readier  to 
fwer'd,  relieve  fiich  as  laboured  among  them,  than  fuch  as 
That  was  (jjd  nothing  but  hide  themfelves  ;  and  partly  becaufe 
not  necef-  ^^\^q^  j^ey  lay  in  Prifon  for  Preaching  the  Gofpel, 
f^,^^y°\  both  they  and  their  Wives  and  Children,  were  like  to 
Comm:ri.n  ^"^  niore  Pity  and  Relief,  than  if  they  Ihould  forfake 
imporfcd  ^^^^^  People,  and  their  Work.  Seeing  therefore  the 
ir  i     fincc 

if  it  was  not  lawfully   iiTaed   our,    to    lawful    Perfons,   and  for  a  law- 
ful Reafon  it   was   no  CommifftoH  ;   and    the    whole    Houfe    affented  to 
this  :    Yet    in    the    Houfe  of   Lords   the    fame    Word    Lawfully    was 
prefs'd   to  be  added  by   the  Earl  of    Southamptan^    who  was   ani'wered 
by  the  Earl  of   Anrlefey^   to  the  fame  Purpoft  with  what  had  been  faid 
in  the   Houfe   of  Commons.      He   indeed  infifted   to  have    the  Word 
added,  becaufe  it  would  clear  all  Difficulties  with  many,  who  not  hav-. 
ing  heird  of  the  Senfe  givf.n  in  both  Houfes,  might  fancy  that  any    Sort 
oi  Commijjtnnhting  granted  it  would  not  be  lawful  to  refift  it.     He  did 
not  prevail  ;    for  it   was  faid,  Tliat  his  Explanation  being  the  Senfe  of 
both   Houfes,   it    would  be  foon  fpread   and   known  over  the   Nation. 
jind  yi*t  our  Late  Englifh  Hi/?  or  i  a  ft,  Tart  g.-  p.  259.*  fays,  J  h:it  the  Mac- 
.  tPrs  of  Fafl  here  delivered,  arc  very  much   to  be  qucllion'd.     /  real/y 
think    r.ot,    after  this  Elucldalion  of    my  Lord  of  SariimV,  tvhich  fl^errs  u*^ 
vchat  Grounds  my  Lord   Keeper  Bridgman  had  to  proceed  upon.     He  add'^ 
That  there  hardly  appears  to  beany  Diftin£^ionin  a  private  Perfon's  Law- 
fully or  Unlawfully  Lndcavouring  any  Alteration  of  tlic  Government  in 
Churcli  or  State,  fince  whoever  cndeavoursic,  will  befurc  to  think  it  Lriwfu] 
lo  to  endeavonr.    Kotieithfi andin^  which  there  /till  remains  as  peat  a  Diffe- 
rence between  them,   as  between  Right   and  Wrong,    Good    and  E.vil,  Juft 
and  Unj'Mt.     Afid  he  intimates,  ti)at  there  ourht  rather  to  have  been  a  D/- 
flindion  at  the  round  ExpreJJton  of  not  taking  up  Armsagainfl  thofe  Com- 
niiifionatefd  by  the    King,    in    purfuance    of  luch   Commlifion  :    And  he 
fayi^    they    mi^ht  rather  have    dcfr'd  to   have   it  thus   explain  d  or  under- 
Jhnd -^  thofc^  tf^a:  are  Leg:illy  ComnnTionated,    in    a  Leg^l  Purfuance  of 
fuch  CommifTiou.     But  1   dont  fee   why   both    Explications   were  not  yery 
dcjireable. 

Queftion 


Chap.  XII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  *        315 

Queftion  came  to  this,  whether  Beggary,  and  Famine  to  An.  166$, 
themfelves  and  Families,  with  the  deferting  of  their 
Calling,  and  the  Peoples  Souls,  was  to  be  chofen,  or  the 
faithful  Performance  of  their  Work,  with  a  Prifon  after, 
and  the  Peoples  Companion?  They  tho't  the  latter  far 
the  more  Eligible.  And  yet  when  they  had  fo  chofen, 
theic  Straits  were  great.  For  the  Country  was  fo  Im-  ' 
poveriiliM,  that  thofe  who  were  willing  to  relieve 
them,  had  generally  no  great  Abiliry.  And  yet  God 
did  mcrcifnlly  provide  feme  Supplies  for  them;  fo  that 
fcarce  any  of  them  perilh'd  for  want,  or  were  Expos'd  to 
fordid  Beggary:  But  fomefew  were  Tempted  againft  their 
former  Judgments  to  Conform.  The  Oath  impos'd  upon 
them,  was  this.  '  I  A.B.  do  fwear,  that  it  is  not  Law*- 
'  fal,  upon  any  Pretence  whatfoever,  to  take  Arms  againft 

*  the  King:  And  that  I  do  abhor  the  Traiterous  Poficion 
'  of  taking  Arms  by  his  Authority  againft  his  Perfon,  or 

*  againft  thofe  that  are  Commiflionated  by  hira,  in  pur- 

*  fuance  of  fuch  Coramifiion :    And  that  I  will  not  at 

*  any  time  endeavour  any  Alteration  of  the  Govern- 
'  ment,  either  in  Church  or  State.'  This  Oath,  fur- 
nilh'd  with  matter  of  endlefs  Debates.  But  the  Non- 
conformifts  being  in  the  Adt  which  impos'd  it,  charged 
with  Seditious  Dodtrines  and  Heinous  Crimes,  many 
were  much  concern  d.  And  hereupon  they  endeavoured 
to  find  out  a  Senfe  in  which  the  Oath  might  be  taken 
fafely,  to  prevent  their  Faffing  under  that  Brand  to  Po- 
fterity.     Dr.  Bate;   confulted  the 

Lord  Keeper  Bridgeman  who  pro-  tr»  thU  Tear  i^6^,  Orders 
fefsM  a  great  Refped  for  him,  a-  ^'^''^  /««^  fi''^  ^^'^  Anhblf/jop  of 
bout  his  taking  it  in  a  found  Senfe.     Canterbury  to  the  feveral  Bt/hops 

He  to  fatisfie  him,   promis'd  to  be  "£  ]"  ^/'"["^'^   l"!"^  Z^^^'"'*^ 

^^^1 ..c/r  j*u        ^  Heads,  of   which   thu   was  one  = 

at  the  next  Seffions,    and  there  on  ,;,^^  .^  p,ould  make  a  return  of 

the  Bench  to  declare  openly    that  ,,,^  ^^^J^  ,f  ^„  ^.^^^^  ^^^,  J, 

by  Endeavour  in  the  Oath  to  change  f^^^iji  Minijiers,  with  their  T lace 

Church  Government,    was   meant  of  Abode,  and  manner  of  Life.  It 

only    Unlawful    Endeavour,      Upon  bore  date  on  July  -jth^  this  Tear, 

which  Declaration,  he  and  fundry  And  our  late  HlUorian,  Vol.  3. 

other  Nonconformifts,  to  the  num-  p-  259.  tells  «<,  that  the  Returm 

ber  of  Twenty,  took  it  at  the  Selll-  «/  *^e  feveral  Bijhops  hereupon, 
ons,  to  avoid  the  Imputaiion  of  ^^e  fi'H  prefery'd  m  the  Umhsih 
Seditious  Dodlrine  f.  "^'^''*'-^' 

After 


314-  The  LI F E  of       Chap. XII. 

J  — - —  ■ 

An.  1666.      After  the  ceafing  of  the  PJague,  Mr.  Baxter  return'd 
to  AH  on  on  Mnrch  i,'l\   an  J  found  the  Church- Yard 
like  a  Plowed   Field  with   Graves,    and  many  of  his 
Neighbours  Dead,   but  his  own  Houfc  uninfected,  and 
his  Family  that  he  left  there  fafe.     The  number  of  Mi- 
nifters  that  were Imprifon'd,  find,  or  othcrwife  Afflict- 
ed for  Preaching  Chrift's  Gofpel,    all  this  time  was  very 
great. 
lite  Fire  of     September  3,  1666,  began  that  dreadful  Fire,  where- 
London.     jfjy  the  bell  and  one  of  the  faireft  Cities  in  the  World, 
was  turn'd  into  Afhes  and  Ruins  in  three  Days  Space. 
The  Seafon  had  been  exceeding  dry  before,    and  the 
Wind  in  the  Eait,   where  the  Fire  began.    The  People 
having  none  to  conducft  them  aright,    could  do  nothing 
to  refill  it,  but  ftood  and  faw  their  Houfes  burnt  with- 
out Remedy,    the  Engines  being  prefently  out  of  order 
and  ufelefs.     The  Streets  were  crowded  with  People  and 
Carts,   to  carry  away  what  Goods  they  could  get,   and 
they  that  were  moft  A£live  and  befriended,  got  Carts, 
and  fav'd  much:  While  the  reft  loft  almoft  all  they  had. 
The  lofs  in  Houfes  and  Goods  could  fcarce  be  valu'd. 
Among    the    reft,     the    lofs   of   Books    was    a  very 
great  detriment  to  the  Intereft  of  Piety  and  Learning. 
Moft  of  the  Bookfellers  in  St.  Pauls  Church- Yard,  car^ 
ried  their  Books  into  the  Vaults  under  that  Cathedral, 
where   it  was  tho't  almoft  impoflible  for  the  Fire  to 
come.     But  the  Church  taking  Fire,  the  weighty  Stones 
falling  down  broke  into  the  Vaults,  and  let  in  the  Fire, 
and  there  was  no  coming  near  to  fave  the  Books.    The 
Library  alfo  of  Sion  Colled^e  was  burnt,    aud  moft  of 
the  Libraries  of  the  MinLfters,   both  Conformifts  and 
Nonconformifts.     Ac  laft  fome  Sea-men  taught  them  10 
blow  up  fome  of  the  next  Houfes  with  Gun- Powder, 
which  ilopc  the  Fire,  and  in  fome  places  it  ftopt  as  won- 
derfully asii  had  proceeded,  without  any  known  Caufe. 
It  ftopt  at  Holhorn  ii>'/V»r,  and  near  Sr.  Dunjians  Church 
in   Fleet-Street^    and  at   Sepulchcr's   Church  when   the 
Church  was  burnt,    and  at  Christ-Church    when  the 
Church  was  burnt,  and  near  Alde^fgate,  and  Cripplegate^ 
and  other  Places  at  the  irnll^     and  in  Aufiti-Frynrs  the 
Dutch  Church  ftopt  it  and  efcapd  :   It  ftopt  in  Bifhops- 
gntc-Strcet,   and  Leadenhall-Strcet,    and  Fcnchurch-Street^ 
\n  the  mid  ft  of  the  Streets,    and  ihort  of  the  Tower : 
And  all  Southwarl{  cfcap  d.    This  was  a  fight  that  might 
•  have 


Chap.  XII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  315 

have  given  any  Man  a  lively  Senfe  of  the  Vanity  of  ^«.  i666. 

this  World,   and  all  the  Wealth  and  Glory  of  it,  and 

of   the  future  Conflagration  of  the  World.    To  fee 

the  Flames  mount  up  towards  Heaven,   and  proceed  fo 

furioully  without  reftraint;    To  fee  the  Streets  fill'd 

with  People  aflonifli'd,   that  had  fcarce  Senfe  left  them 

to"  Lament  their  own  Calamity.     To  fee  the  Fields 

fill'd  with  heaps  of  Goods,   and  Sumptuous  Buildings, 

Curious  Rooms,    CoftJy  Funiture  and  Houlhold-ftuff, 

yea,  Ware-houfes  and  FnrnilhM  Shops  and  Libraries, 

&c,  all  on  a  Flame,  while  none  durft  come  near  to 

receive  any  Thing.    To  fee  the  King  and  Nobles  ride 

about  the    Streets,    beholding   all   thefe    Defolations, 

while  none  could  afford  the  leaft  relief.    To  fee  the 

Air  as  far  as  could  be  beheld,    fo  fill'd  with  Smoak 

that  the  Sun  ihin'd  thro'  it  with  a  colour  like  Blood, 

&c.     But  the  dolefulleft  fight  of  all  was  afterwards, 

ta  fee  what  a  ruinous  confus'd  Place  the  City  was,  by 

Chimneys  and  Steeples,  only  {landing  in  the  midft  of 

Cellars  and  heaps  of  Rubbifh  ;    fo  that  it  was  hard  to 

know  where  the  Streets  had  been,   and  dangerous  of  a 

long  time  to  pafs  thro'  the  Ruins,    becaufe   of  Vaults 

and  Fire  in  them. 

This  unhappy  Fire,  made  the  Way  of  the  Nonconform 
mists  yet  the  plainer  to  them.     For  the  Churches  being 
Burnt,  and  the  Parifh  Minifters  gone,   for  want  of  Pla- 
ces and  Maintenance,  the  Peoples  Neceffity  became  un- 
queftionable;   for  they  had  no  Places  now  to  Worfliip 
God  in,  faving  a  few  Churches  that  were  left  flanding, 
which  would  not  hold  any  confiderable  Part  of  them. 
Whereupon  the  Nonconformists  opened  Publick  Meeting-  rbe  Puh- 
Houfes,    and  were  very  full.     And  as  Circumftances  lick  Meet- 
then  ftood,  to  have  forbid  the  People  to  hear  them,  had  inrrs  of  tire 
been  in  Effet^  to  forbid  them  all  Publick  Worlhip  of  Noncoa- 
Godj  and  require  them  to  live  like  Atheifts.  formifts. 

But  that  they  might  difcover  their  Charity  to  thofe 
from  whom  they  difFer'd,  a  confiderable  Number  of 
the  Ejed:ed  Minifters  in  the  City,  met  together  foon 
after  the  Fire,  to  confider  whether  they  ought  not  to 
join  fometimes  with  the  Parifh  Churches  in  the  Sacrament  j 
and  whether  their  total  forbearing  it  might  not  tempt 
thofe  of  che  Eftablifht  Church  to  believe  that  they  took 
their  Communion  for  Unlawful.  It  was  generally  a- 
greed  that  fuch  Communion  was  Lawful  and  Meet, 
when  it  would  not  do  more  harm  than  good.  Iq 


?i6  The  LIFE  of    Chap.XH. 


-i«.  I "^67.  In    the    Year   1667,    the  Lord 

*  The  King  in  a  Speech  to  both  ChaiKellor  HiVc  was  Jmpeach'd  and 
Houfes  of  Parliament,  on  Teb.  Difcardcd:  And  it  fecm'd  a  remark- 
10,  this  Year,  thus  exprefs'd  ab'e  Providence  of  God,  that  he 
himfelf.  One  Thing  more  I  hold  who  had  been  the  Grand  Jnftrumenc 
Tnyfelfohllid  to  recommend  un-  of  Stare  in  the  foregoing  Tranfacii- 
tf>ym  at  thU  prcfcnt,  t=^lfchif,  ^.^^^  and  had  dealt  fo  feverelv  with 
That  your.ou/d  fcrnufy  th.nh  of  ^^^  Noncmformifis,  ihould  at  length 
fomc  Courfe  to  be^^ct  a  (^^j^erL-^-  bv  his  Own  Friends  be  Caft  out  and 
on  and  Ccmpofure^     tn  the  Minds      r>'     -,,,1         ,  .,       .     ,-        ,  ^      ^     ^ 

ef  ,«y  Proteftant  St^Wh  in  mai^  ^^'^^  ^^  ^^lie  thole  whorn  hc  had 
ters  'of  Religion,  rcherehy  they  may  Pcrfecutcd  were  the  moft  Moderate 
le  induc'd not  only  to  fub'mit  quiet'  "^  his  Can fe,  and  many  for  him. 
h  to  the  Gorernment^  but  alfo  The  Dukeof  B/.'c/;/wjr/j^w,fucC.eeded 
chcar fully  give  their  Afft fiance  to  h\xn  as  Chief  Favourite.  He  was  a 
the  Support  of  it.  Man  for  Liberty  ^.    tender  him, 

the  Nonconformifis  in  Loyidcti  were 

connived  at,  and  People  went  openly  to  their  Meetings 

^  j^      without  Fear.     This  encourag'd  the  Country  Minifters, 

1667,         who  did  the  like  in  moft  parts  o( England ^zni  Crowdsof 

There  were  the  moft  Religioufly  enclin'd  People  were  their  Auditorst- 

many  In 

Pamphlets 

fublifJid  about  Toleration  and  Indulgence.  As,  Indulgence  and  Toleration 
confiderd  in  a  Letter  t$  a  Perfon  of  Honour.  Qji.  A  Peace  Offering  in  an 
Apology  and  humbU  Plea  for  Indulgence  and  Liberty  of  Confcicncc^  by  fundry 
Protellanrs  differing  in  fome  Things  from  the  Prefent  Ejiabli^jmcnt  about  the 
horj7)ip  of  God.  Mr.  Corbet  publijh^d  a  Difmurfe  concerning  the  Religion  of 
England,  and  the  Settlement  of  Reformed  Chriflianity  in  in  due  Latitude  : 
Jn  Ttpo  Parts.  To  which  an  Anfrver  was  Publifhedj  cal'Cd  Dolus  an  Virtus. 
A  Propofition  for  the  Safety  and  Happlnef  of  the  Kitig  and  Kingdom.  The  In- 
conrenip.ncici  of  Toleration  :  Or  an  Anftver  to  a  lafe  Book^  Intituled  a  PropO' 
ftion  made  to  the  King  and  Parliament^  for  the  Safety  and  Happinefs  of  thr 
King  and  Kingdom,  (^u.  AVefenceof  the  Proportion  :  Or  fame  Rcafons  rendred 
vhyths  Noncnnformi/l  Mini fter  who  coma  tohii  Paripj  Church  and  Common  Prayer., 
cannot  yet  yield  to  other  Things  that  are  injoynd,  without  fome  Moderation,  &c. 
;{  Our  Laie  Hiforiany  Part  3.  p.  271,  fays.,  it  Qiouid  be  added  to  the 
Foot  of  tliis  Account,  that  it  could  be  no  great  Credit  to  the  DifTenting 
Party,  ro  Invc  had  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  their  Oppufcr,  and  the  Duke  of  Buck- 
vfham  their  Promoter.  Tiie  firft  oppofing  them  upon  no  worfe  Principle 
than  a  Zeal  to  the  Eftablifh'd  Church,  as  the  mad  cflcvhial  Bulwark  againft 
Popery,  and  the  other  appearing  in  their  Intereft  upon  no  better  Account 
than  1  ftrong  Affef^ion  to  the  Univerfai  Liberty  of  Opinion  and  Praftice. 
But  I  (J}ould  think  if  fuch  Conjtderatiom  as  thefe  are  l>e)'e  bro't  in,  t])e  Church 
vill  Jta^e  no  great  Caufe  to  boafl,  who  was  help'd  to  her  ftron^^cfi  Law<  again/} 
the  Poor  Non^iyi^ozmifis.,  by  thofe  who  (it  appear  d  plainly  afterwards)  were 
carrying  on  a  Popljh  Inttreji :    And  yet  wiren  they  fujj'trd  unliv  thofe  Law^, 

th'-y 


Chap.  XII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  5 1 7 

In  January  1668,    Mr.  Bdxter  received  a  Letter  from  An.  166S, 
Dr.  Manton^  intimating  that  be  was  told  by  Sir  John   -^  Treaty 
Barber,   that  the  Lord  Keeper  Bridgman  defir'd'to  Con-  "^^^^^  ^^^ 
fer  with  them  Two,  about  a  Comprebenfion  and  Tokratl-  ^^^  Keener 
on.     Hereupon  he  came  to  London^  and  chey  Two  waited         S^" 
on  the  Lord  Keeper;    who  told  them  that  he  had  fent ^^\  j    ^ 
for.  them,  to  think  of  a  way  of,  their  Reftanration :  To  r^^^ 
which  end  he  had  fome  Propofals  to  offer  to  them,    .  * 
which  were  for  a  Comprehenpon  for  the  Presbyterians,  and 
a,n  Indulgence  for  the  Independents^    and  the  reft.     They 
ask'd  him,  whether  it  was  his  Pleafure,  that  they  Ihould 
offer  him  their  Opinion  of  the  Means,   or  oiily  receive 
what  he  offered  to  them.     He  Reply 'd,   that  he  had 
fomething  to  offer,  but  they  might  alfo  make  their  own 
Propofals.     Mr.  Baxter  told  him,   he  tho't  they  might 
be  able  to  offer  him  fuch  Terms  (without  injuring  any- 
one) as  might  take  in  both  Presbyterians  zwi  Indepen- 
dents,   and  all  found  Chriftians  into  the  Pubiick  Efta- 
blifh'd  Miniftry.    He  AnfwerM,  that  that  was  a  Thing 
that  he  would  not  have,  and  fo  it  was  Agreed  to  go  firft 
upon  the  Comprehevfion.     A  few  Days  after  he  fent  his 
Propofals.     After  this  they  met  with  Dr.  H^i!l{inr,  and 
Mr.  Burton,  to  Confer  about  the  Matter.- 

The  Lord  Keepers^    or  Dr.  WilldnV  Propofals 
were  thefe : 

In  Order  to  a  Comprehenfion,  it  is  humbly  Offer'd. 

**  I.  C  /  HA  T  fuch  Perfons  as  in  the  late  Times  of  Diforder 
**  have  been  Ordained  by  Presbyters,  fhall  be  ad- 


mitted to  the  Exercife  of  the  Mlniderinl  FunFiion,  by 
the  Impofition  of  the  Hattds  cf  the  Bifhop,  vpith  this  or 
the  like  Form  of  PVords :  Take  thou  Authority  to  Preach 


they  were  willing  to  accept  belief  from  any  Hani  \  as  knowing  that  what' 
eyer  Principle  they  might  be  of,  that  appear  d  for  them,  there  wa*  too  much  of 
an  implacable  Spirit  in  fuch  as  were  againft  them,  l^or  can  I  fee  they  can 
jufily  be  bUvn'd  for  rather  cboofing  Lenity  and  Mildnefs  from  a  Man  of  m 
Trinciple^  thanVining,  Imprifonment^Banijhment^  and  Ruin j  from  one  of  ftrid 
High  Church  principles.  , 


"  the 


?i8  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XII. 


An.  i662. "  the  V/ord  of  God,  and  to  Miniller  the  Sacraments  in 
"  any  Congregation  of  the  Church  of  England^  where 
"  thou  Ihalc  be  Lawfully  appointed  thereunto.  An  ex- 
'*  fcdient  much  of  this  Nature  rvai  PracHcd  and  Allow  d  of^ 
*'  in  the  Cr.fe  of  the  Catharifts  and  Meletians,  Vid.  Sfib 
"  Canon  Cone.  Nic :  And  Symdical  Epiftle  of  the  fame 
**  to  the  Churches  of  Egypt,  Gelafius  Cyzicenus,  H/if. 
"  Co7j.  iWc.  Second  Part. 

'*  2.  Thr.t  all  Perfons  to  be  admitted  to  any  Ecclefjitfiical 
"  FuncUon  or  Dignity,  or  the  Employment  of  a  Schoolmafter^ 
**  (after  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy)  {hall  (in- 
"  flead  of  all  former  Subfcriptions)  be  requird  to  Suufcribe 
"   this^    or  the  like  Form   of  H^ords.     f  A,  B.  Do  hereby 

Profefs  and  Declare,  that  I  do  approve  the  Doctrines, 

Worlhip  and  Government  Eftablifh'd  in  the  Church 

of  Englandy  as  containing  all  Things  neceffary  to  Sal- 
**  vation  ;  and  that  I  will  not  endeavour  by  myfeH  or 
'*  any  other,  diredtjy  or  indiredily,  to  bring  in  any 
**  Do£lrine  contrary  to  that  which  is  fo  Eftabliflied; 
*^  And  1  do  hereby  Promife,  that  1  will  continue  in 
"  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England^  and 
"  will  not  do  any  Thing  to  difturb  the  Peace  thereof. 

'*  3.  That  the  Gejlure  of  Kjieeling  at  the  Sacrament^ 
*'  and  the  ufe  of  the  Crofl  in  Baptifm,    and  bowing  at  the 

Name  of  Jefuf,  may  be  left  indifferent^    or  may  be  taken 

av^ay,  as  fhall  be  tho't  tnost  expedient, 

4.  That  in  Cafe  it  be  thought  fit  to  review  and  alter 
"  the  Liturgy  and  Canons  for  the  Sntisfaciionof  Dijfcnters, 
*'  that  then  every  Perfon  to  be  admitted  to  Preachy  fhaJl^ 
*'  upon  his  Inflitution,  or  Admiffion  to  Preachy  upon  fome 
"  Lord's  Day  (within  a  Time  to  be  limitted)  publickjy 
*'  and  folemnly  read  the  faid  Liturgy^  and  openly  declare 
'*  his  Ajfent  to  the  Lnwfulnefi  of  the  ufe  of  it,  and  fhall 
"  Protniffy  that  it  fhall  be  conflantly  ufed  at  the  Time  and 
'*  Place  accujlomcd. 

In  Order  to  Indulgence  of  fuch  Proteflayits  as  cannot  be 
Comprehended  under  thePublick  Eftabiifhmcnt,  it  is 
humbly  Offered, 

"  I .  That  fuch  Proteftant.^;  may  have  Liberty  for  the 
"  Ex?rcife  of  I^cligion  in  Publick,,  a7id  at  their  own  Char^ 
*'  gB^s  to  build  or  procure  Places  for  their  Publick,  iVorjhipy 
*^  either  mthin  oy  near  Tomis,  asJhitH  be  tho't  mofl  expedient, 

**  2.  That 


it. 


Chap.  XIL        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  519 


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'^  2.  That  the  Knmes  of  all  fuch   Perfons  who  are  to  An.  166^- 
^^  have  this  Liberty,   be  F{egi[iredy    together  with  the  Con- 
**  gregations  to  which  they  belong,   and  the  Names  of  their 
"  Teachers. 

"  3i  That  every  one  admitted  to  this  Liberty,  be  dlf- 
"  ahled  to  bear  any  Publicly  Office ^  but  (hall  Fine  for  Offices 
!'  of  Burden. 

"  4.  And  that  upon  (hewing  a  Certificate  of  their  being 

Li^ed  among  thofe  who  are  indulgd,   they  fhall  be  freed 

from  fuch  Legal  Penalties^    as  are  to  be  infiicied  on  thofe 

who  do  not  frecjuent  their  Parifh  Churches. 

"  5 .  And  fuch  Perfons  fo  indulged  (hall  not  for  their 

meeting  in  Conventicles,    he  funifhti  by  Confif cation  of 

Efiates. 

'*  6,  Provided  that  they  he  obliged  to  pay  all  Publicly 

Duties  to  the  Parifh  where  they  inhabit  under  Penalty. 

"  7.  Thn  Indulgence  to  continue  for  Three  Tears. 

That  the  Liturgy  may  be  aker'd  by  omitting,  &c. 
'*  By  ufjng  the  Reading  Pralms  in  the  New  Tran/lationl 
By  appointing  fome  other  Leffons  out  of  the  Canonical 
Scripture  instead  of  thofe  taken  out  of  the  Apocrypha. 
By  not  enjoining  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  when 
either  of  the  Parents  are  ready  to  anfwer  for  the  Child. 
By  omitting  that  Clatife  in  the  Prayer  at  Baptifm,  By 
Spiritual  Regeneration.  By  changing  that  Queslion, 
*^  Wilt  thou  be  Baptized, /wfo  wilt  thou  have  this  Child 
"  Baptized.  By  omitting  thofe  Words  in  the  Thankjgi- 
"  ving  after  Publick^  and  Private  Baptifm,  to  Regene- 
rate this  Infant  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  to  receive 
him  for  thy  Child  by  Adoption:  And  the  first  P^- 
brick,  after  Baptifm,  it  is  certain  by  God's  Word,  Sc^ 
By  changing  thofe  Words  in  the  Exhortation  after  Bap- 
tifm, Regenerate  and  Grafted  into  the  Body,  into  re- 
ceived into  the  Church  of  Cbrift.  By  not  requiring 
reiteration  of  any  part  of  the  Service  about  Baptifm  :n 
Publick,,  when  it  is  evident  that  the  Child  hath  b:cYt 
lawfully  Bnpti:(d  in  Private.  By  omitting  that  Claufe 
in  the  ColleFi  after  Impofition  of  Hands  in  Confirmation, 
after  the  Exan^ple  of  thy  Holy  Apoftles,  and  to  cer- 
*'  tify  them  by  this  Sign,  of  thy  Favour,  and  gracious 
Goodnefs  towards  them.  And  by  changing  that  other 
Pajfage  in  the  Prayer  before  Confirtnation,  who  haft 
5*  vouchfafed  to  Reecnerare,  ^.'.   into  who  haft  vouch- 

"fafed 


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320  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  XIL 


-^».  i66'u- "  fafed  to  receive  thefe  thy  Servants  into  thy  Church 
"  by  Baptifm.  By  omitting  that  Ci^u/i'  in  the  Office  of 
*'  M.itritnonyj  With  my  Body  I  thee  Worfhip  :  /,nd  thnt 
*'  in  the  Colhti^  who  haft  Confecratedj  &)c.  By  nllovsing 
*^  MiniUcrs  J'ome  Liberty  in  the  VifltAtion  of  the  Sicky  to 
"  life  fuch  other  Prayers  di  they  fo^Jl  judge  expedient.  By 
changing  that  CUufe  in  the  Prayer  nt  Burial^  Forafmuch 
as  it  hath  pleafed  Almighty  God  of  his  great  Mercy 
to  take  unto  himfelf,  ^c.  into^  Forafmuch  as  it  hath 
pleafed  Almighty  God  to  take  out  of  this  World, 
the  Soul,  ^c  :  And  that  CUufe ^  in  a  fure  and  certain 
Hope,  &c.  into,  in  a  full  Affurance  of  the  Refur- 
red:ion  by  our  Lord  ]efus  Chrift,  C^c  B;  omitting 
that  CUufe ^  We  give  thee  hearty  Thanks  for  that 
it  hath  pleafed  thee  to  deliver  this  our  Brother  out 
of  the  Miferies  of  this  finful  World  :  And  thnt  other ^ 
as  our  hope  is  this  our  Brother  doth.  By  changing 
that  CUufe  in  the  Communion  Service,  our  finful  Bo- 
dies may  be  made  clean  by  his  Body,  ^c  into,  our 
finful  Souls  and  Bodies  may  be  cleanfed  by  his  Pre- 
cious Body  and  Blood.  By  not  injoining  the  Binding 
of  the  Comminat.ion,  That  the  Liturgy  may  be  abbrevi- 
nted  as  to  the  length  of  it,  efpecially  as  to  Morning  Ser- 
vice, by  emitting  all  the  ^ejponfal  Prayers,  from,  0 
Lord  open  thou  our,  ^c.  to  the  Litany :  And  the  Li- 
tany, and  all  the  Prayers  from^  Son  of  God  we  befeech 
'*  thee,  &c  'j  to,  We  humbly  befeech  thee,  O  Father, 
*  &c.  By  not  enjoyning  the  tife  of  the  Lord's  Prayer 
above  once,  viz.  immediately  after  the  Abjolution,  ex- 
cept after  the  Minifters  Prayer  before  Sermon.  By  ufing 
the  Gloria  Patria  only  once,  viz.  after  the  reading 
Pfalms.  By  omitting  the  Venite  Exidtcnnus,  unlef  it 
be  tI^o*t  fit  to  put  any,  or  all  of  the  firfl  Seven  among  the 
Sentences  at  the  beginning.  By  omitting  the  Commu- 
nion Service  nt  fuch  times  06  are  not  Communion  Days  ; 
excepting  the  Ten  Commandments,  which  may  be  rend 
after  the  Creed;  And  enjoyning  the  Prayer,  Lord  have 
Mercy  upon  us,  and  incline  our  Hearts  to  keep  thefe 
Laws  only  once  at  the  end.  By  omitting  the  Colle£ts, 
Epiftles  and  Gofpels,  except  only  on  particular  Holi- 
days. By  inferting  the  Prayers  for  the  Parliament 
into  the  Litany,  immediately  ^ter  the  Prayer  for  the 
^oyal  Family,  in  tlm  or  the  like  Form  :  That  it  may 
"  t)leafe  thee  to  direct  and  profper  all  the  Confultations 

-   '^  ^  -  of 


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Ghap.  XlL     Afr.  Richard  Baxter.  ,521 


"  of  the  High  Court  of  Parliamenr,  to  the  advantage ^««.  i ^5^- 

"  of  thy  Glory,    the  good  of  the  Churcb,^  the  Safety, 

*•  Honour  and  Wdfare  of  our  Sovereign  and  his  King- 

*'  doms.     By  omitting  the  Two  Hymns  in  the  Confccration 

"  of  Bifhops,    and  the  Ordination  of  l^rieSts,     That  tifter 

*'  the  firft  Qujftion    in  the    Catechifm,    What    is   youi: 

"  Name  ?  This  may  follow^  When  was  this  Name. given 

**  you?    And  after  that,   what  was  proniisM  for  vou  iri 

"  Baptiftn  ?    AnfvQer  ;   Three  Things  were  promis'd  foe 

**  me,    ^c.     In  the   Que !t ion  before  the  Commandments 

f *  it  may  be  alter  d^   you  faid  it  was  promis'd  for  yoiij," 

*'  ^c.  To  the  Fourteenth  QueHion,  How  many  Sacraments' 

"  hath  Chrift  Ordained?  The.^nfxvermay  be.  Two  on- 

*'  ly,  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Mr.  Baxter  ind  his  Brethren  mov'd  for  other  Things 
to  be  added ;  And  Dr.  Wilkjni  profefs'd  himfejf  willing 
of  more,  but  faid  that  more  would  not  pafs.  with  the, 
Parliament.  The  Things  delir'd  to  be  added,  were 
fucb  as  thefe.  ■      .  .     i 

That  fuch  as  had  been  Ordain'd  by  Presbyters,  ^nd 
were  in  this  Way  Admitted  into  the  Eftablifh'd  Church , 
might  have  leave  to  give  in  their  Profeffjons,  that  they 
renounced  not  their  former  Ordinations,  <3c.     That  the 
Subfcription  might  be  only  to  the  Scriptures,   and  the 
Dodlrinal  Articles  of  the  Church,  ,^c.     That  the  Pow- 
er of  Bilhops,  Chancellors,  and  other  Ecclcfiaftical  Offi-'     jj  _'.    \'> 
cers  to  fufpend  or   filence   might    be.  more   limited';;^.    ;"''*''J^. 
That  there  might  be  an  explicit  owning  the  Baprifmal  ^y'**^ 
Covenant  infxfted  on  in  the  Cafe  of  all  admitted  to  full y^^^^l'f^^^J'' 
Communion:    That  a  Con^undtion  of  honeft  Neigh- /^}^V^^-  ' 
bours  for  private  Religious  Exercifes  might  np't  be  ta-  wa^  coip- 
ken  for  Conventicles :    And  that  fuch  as  deride  or  fcorn  tMd,  -^ 
at  Chriftianity  or  the  Holy  Scriptures,    might  be  num-  There  vaa^s 
bred  with  the  fcandalousSinners  mentioned  in  the  C^z2o?ziW^K' /'«6- 
and  I{ubricl{,  and  not  admitted  to  the  Communion,  C^c  *.  ^ip>^d  a      - 

.  ;  Dipourfcof 
Toleration,  in  Anfwer  to  the  Difcourfe  of  the  Religion  of  England.  A, 
Letter  to  4  Member  of  tbit  prefent  Parliament^  for  Liberty  of  Confcience, 
TAe  Toleration  Intolerable  .•  And  in  Anfrver  to  />,  Liberty  of  Confcience  tlie 
Klagiftrates  Intereft.  Findicite  Cultils  Eyangeiicf^  Or  the  Perfeftion  of 
Chrift's  Inftitutions  and  Ordinances  about  his  Worfliip,  AlTertedand  Vin- 
dicated, from  all  Ecclefiaftical  or  Humane  Inventions,  &c.  But  after  all. 
the  Difcourfe  and  Debates  upon  thU  SubjeCi^  there  was  a  ProcUmation  this  Tear ^ 
publijh'd,  for  inforcing  the  Laws  againfi  Conyenticles-^  and  a  Fate  fafs'd  in  the 
Uoiifi  of  Cmimm  for  remmng  the  aH  again fl  them  for  Three  Tears. 

Y  After 


5^22 


The  LIFE  of        Chap,  XU. 


An 


sfith  the  rchole  Matter,  hoping  to 
have  preraiTd  for  hii  concurrence 
in  it,  he  be/iirr'd  hi  mf elf  and  all 
hii  Friends,  and  made  fuch  a  Par- 
ty that  nothing  could  be  clone 
in  it. 


i66^.     Afrer  a  long  Debate  a  Bill  was  drawn  up  by  Judge 

Hale^  to  be  prefented  to  the  Farliamcp.r.     But  they  no 

Toon(?r  fate,   than  the  High  Church  Party  made  fuch  an 

Intercft,    as  that  upon  putting  it  to 

*  Sijljcp  Wilkins  v;ho  vfos  a     the  Vote,    it  was  carry *d  that  no 

Candid, ln^^enuous,andoptn  hearted     ^^n  fhould bring  an  A£l  of  thisNa- 

Man,  acljuainiing  Bijhop   Ward     ture  into  the  Houle  *;  and  fo  they 

prevented  all  Talk  or  Motion  of 
fuch    a   Thing.     And    the   Lord 
Keeper  who  fet  it  on  Foot,  grew 
as  ihdiiferent  about  it  as  any  one, 
when  he  faw  which  way  th^Stream 
was  ftrongeft. 
In  September,    this    Year  Sir  John  Baber   inform*d 
£)r.  Mnnton,    that  the  King  v/as    inclinM  'to  favour  the 
''Nonconformi^s,   and  that  an   Addrefs  now   would   be 
accepted :    And  that  it  muft  be  a  thankful  Acknow- 
ledgement of  the  Clemency  of  his  Maiefly's  Govern- 
ment,    and    the    Liberty  enjoy'd 
under  it,    (^c.     Such    an   Addrefs 
was  agreed  on,    and  prefented  by 
Dr.  Mnntorf,  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Jncomh, 
and  Mr.  Ennt).  The  King  met  them 
in  my   Lord  Alinj^torh  Lodgings, 
receiv'd  them  gracioufiy,    and  pro- 
mis'd  to  do  his  utmoil  to  get  them 
comprehended  within  the  Publick 
Eftablilhment.    But  after  all,   the 
Talk  of  Liberty,  did  but  Occafion 
the  Writing  many  bitter  Pamphlets 
againft  Toleration.     \  And  among 
other  Things  this  Year  Publifh'd, 
there  came   out  a  Br  ok   call'd,    A  Friendly   Debate  be^ 
tveeen  n   Conformilt  and  Nonconformift  ||.     The   Au- 
thor of  ir,    having   met  with  weak  Patfages  of  fome 
Difl'cnting  Miniftcrs,    fcrapes  them  together,    for  mat- 
ter  of    Reproach:     And   having  heard    fonic   crude 


t  Thu  Tear  Articles  were 
pent  d'jvtn  into  the  Country  to 
tin  Clerzj,  with  Frlvate  Or- 
ders to  pjme-i  to  male  the  Con- 
yentic/crs  as  feiv  and  inonf- 
7'he  Ei'zhth 
La/i  Article  wa^  thtii 
worded;  Uljether  do  you  think, 
they  Plight  be  eafily  fup' 
prefs'd  with  the  Afffiance  of 
the  Ci\il  Magiftrate  ?  Conf. 
Plea  for  the  Nonconf.  Fart  i. 
fage  40. 


durable  rf>   might    Ae 
and     Lad     Article 


WSir 
Matthew 
Hale  in 
hii  Jud'j^e 


ment  con- 
cerning the  Nature  oj  True  Religion,  &c.  I\trf  ^•,  Haying  a  F articular 
f.yr  to  thii  Boitky  thuf  cxfrejj'ei.  himfclf .'  I  do  remember  vhcn  Bui.  Johnlbn 
madt  hu  Flay  of  the  Alchvmift,  wherein  he  brings  in  Anaitus  in  Vcri/ion  of 
»/;-  Pcr/'/m  then  call'd  Piuic:in.s,  with  many  of  their  Fhrafcs  in  life  among 
thc'fi,  taken  .out  oj  the  Scripturcfi  with  a  Vcftgn  to  render  that  fort  of 
•ftrfoMs   r'uiiculoiHi     and  to  gain  Applaufe  to  hii  \[it  and  Jrancy^    tbo' tU 

and 


Chap.  XI f.        Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  525 

and  unmeet  Expreflions  droppM  by  Private  Perfons,  he  ^»   i6'jo. 
brings  them  forth  in  a  way  of  Dialogue,   in  which  he  P<'^M^  »'^- 
makes  the  Nonconformist  {peak  as  foohlhly  as  he  could -^^"^''^  °" 
defire,    and  only  fjch  lilly  Things  as  he  knew  he  could  '^'^'"^  "°^    , 
eafily  (hame.     And  thence  he  argues  againft  Nonccnfor-'^J^J^ ^°^ 
tnlty^    which  is  jaft  as  if  a  Man  fhould  go  to  prove  the  J^^^rr  the 
Religion  of  Chriftians  or  Protefiants  foolifh,   becaufe  n-re.it'  Ones 
there  are  weak  Perfons  to  be  found  amongft  them.  ^W  G^/- 
This  Book  was  too  much  fuited  to  the  Humours  o^Unts ,   yst 
thofe  who  not  only  hated  the  NoncvriformiUs,  but  were  h'u  Tlay 
defpifers  and  deridefs  of  ferious  Godlinefs;    who  were  tvaidiflitdi 
thereby   confirm'd  in   their  Contempt  and  Scorn   of  ^-t^d  indeed 
Religion  in  General.    This  Year,  i^/:{.  1669,    Sir  ^7/- ',^^''^^^*"'^7 
lir^m  Turner  was  Lord  Mayor  of  London,   who  never  di-  ^'^'^^/^  ^*" 
ilurb*d  ihe  Nonconforming  Mmifters;  or  troubled  Men-^^^'",^  *^  T 
for  Religion  :  And  their  Liberty  ^in  London,  did  hearten  ^^'^^'  ^  Vfr 
and  encourage  fo  many  Preachers  thro'  the  Land,   thacf/^°f  ;^|^^^] 
in  all  Probability  many  Souls  were  the  better  for  it.         ^^  ^w/j  to 

render  ths 
Puritans  tidiculotcs.     That  rehifh  teas  ^nfeemly  in  a  Poet,   tpho  made  it  his 
hujinefs  to  make  Plays,  vein  certainly  more  T-ulfume  and  Unfavoury,  in  one  vffha 
isfai  obligd  byhii  Profejjim,   Profpicere  honori  Religionis  Chriftianpe,    and 
not  to  render  it  ridiculous  and  contemptibfeyby  raillery,  and  fcurrilom  Jefiing- 

The  next  Year  came  out  a  far  more  virulent  Book, 
call'd  Ecclefiaftical  Policy,  written  by  Sam.  Parker,  who 
was  aftewards  a  Doctor  and  a  Bilhop.  A  Man  of  ex- 
traordinary Parts,  who  was  bred  up  among  the  more 
zealous  Party  of  the  Enemies  of  Prelacy,  and  feeing 
fome  Weakneffes  among  them,  and  being  one  of  an 
eager  Spirit,  was  turn'd  with  the  Times  into  the  con- 
trary Extream.  He  wrote  the  moft  fcornfuUy  and 
ralhly,  the  moft  prophanely  and  cruelly  againft  the 
Honconformifts,  of  any  Man  that  ever  Aflaulted  them. 
In  a  fiuent,  fervent,  and  ingenious  Style  of  natural 
Rhecorick,  he  pour'd  out  Floods  of  odious  Reproaches, 
He  was  firft  anfwer'd  by  Dr.  Ov^en,  and  afterwards  fo 
handled  by  the  ingenious  Mr.  Andrew  Marvel^  that  he 
grew  much  Tamer. 

Whilft  Mr.  Bixtcr  liv'd  at  //^ow,  as  long  as  the  A£i 
sigainft  Gonventicles  was  in  Force,  tho'  he  Preach'd  in' 
his  Family,  but  few  of  the  Town  came  to  hear  him : 
Partly,  becaufe  they  tho't  it  would  endanger  him,  and 
.partly   f©r  feat  of   Suffering   themfelves.     But   when 

Y  2  thS 


-24  The  LIth  of      Chap.  XU. 

■f  i67>.the  A(5l  was  expired,  there  came  fo  many,  that  he 
wanted  Room.  For  there  came  almoft  all  the  Town 
and  Fanih,  befides  a  great  many  from  Brainford,  and 
the  nc)ghbouring  Farilheg.  The  Parlon  of  the  Pariih 
was  Dr.  /^/<>f,  Dean  of  l-i^'nuifcr  and  if^clveihampton^ 
^  Parlon  cf  HafeHy  and  of  y^ffow,  and  the  Kings  Chaplain 

in  Ordinary.     His  Curate  was  a  weak,    dull,    >oung 
Man,  th^t  fpent  moft  of  his  Time  in  Ale-Houfes,  and 
read  a  few  dry  Sentences  to  the  People  but  cnce  a  Day: 
And   yet  becaufe   he   Preach'd  found  Do(^rine,    and 
there  was  no  better  at  Hand,    Mr.  Baxter  con^antly 
heard  him  when  he  Preach'd.     They  who  heard  him 
before,    ufually  went  with  him  to  Church,    there  being 
Icafce  Three  that  refus'd :    And  when  he  Preach'd  after 
the  Publick  Exercife,    they  went  out  of  the  Church 
into  his  Houfe.     This  the  Parfon  could  not  bear  the 
fight  of:    And  he  was  the  more  Offended,    becaufe  he 
came  not  to  the  Sacrament  with  him,  tho*  he  had  fome- 
times  done  it  elfewhere. 
Mr.  Bix-      At  length  the  Parfon  thus  got  an  Advantage  againft 
iviilnipn  him.     One   Brnjginile  an  Apothecary  at    f^olvcrhnmpton 
jonment      where  he  was  Dean,  wrote  him  Word  that  Mr.  B^ignolds 
upon  tht     ^YiQ  Si'enc'd  Minifter  of  that  Place  had  in  Converfati- 
J^"  on  told  him,  that  the  NoyiconformOis  were  not  fo  con- 

tempLible  cither  for  Number  or  Quality  as  they  were 
.reprclented ;  that  moft  of  the  People  were  of  their 
Mind  ;  that  Crcmvoel  tho*  an  Ufurper  had  kept  up  Rng- 
land  againft  the  Dutch,  Sec.  And  that  he  marvelled 
at  his  rieac  againft  Private  Meetings,  when  at  A8on, 
the  Dean  futfcr'd  them  at  the  next  Door.  With  this 
Inrellij^encc  the  Dean  haftens  to  the  King,  as  if  he  had 
fcmL'  Treafon  to  difcover.  The  King  upon  his  aggra- 
vating Matters,  bid  him  go  to  the  Bilhop  of  London^  as 
fom  him,  and  confujt  with  him,  about  the  Suppreffi- 
on  of  Mr.  Bfixte)'s  Meeting.  Two  Juftices  were  chofen 
for  their  Pcirpofe  ;  F{pjl^  and  Phillips :  The  former  a 
Sov,  at  Braiuford,  and  the  latter  a  Steward  of  the  Arch- 
Billi  p  of  Ctntcrhury,  They  fent  a  Warrant  to  the 
Conltablc  to  apprehend  him,  and  bring  him  to  Brnin- 
ford.  When  he  was  bro't  before  them,  and  all  Pcrfons 
but  ihemfelves  fhut  out  of  the  Room;  they  told  him 
he  was  Convitft  of  keeping  Conventicles  contrary  to  the 
Law  ;  and  fo  they  lendei'd  him  the  Oxf.rd  Oath.  He 
it)ld  (hem,   that  he  took  not  his  Meeting  to  be  contrary 

to 


Chap.  XIL     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  525 

to  Law;  and  that  the  Oxford  Oath  did  not  concern  him ;  An.  1670. 
nor  could  he  apprehend  they  were  impower'd  by  the 
Adfc  to  pucic  upon  him:  But  they  declaring  themfeivv's 
'fatisfy'd  in  what  they  did,  and  preffing  the  Oath,  he 
ftarted  fome  Difficulties  about  it,  and  deiir'd  their 
Explication,  but  in  vain.  At  length  they  committed 
him  to  New-Pnfon  Goal  at  Clerkenwcll  for  Six  Months, 
without  Bail  or  Mainprize.  And  thus  he  left  AHcrij  the 
Inhabitants  whereof  were  greatly  exafperated  again  ft 
their  Parfon,  for  this  Fa£l:  of  his:  And  really  he  could 
hardly  have  done  any  Thing  more  to  hinder  the  Succefs 
ofhisfeldom  Preaching  there.  For  nothing  certainly 
can  have  a  worfe  Afped:,  in  any  one  that  bears  the  Cha- 
radfcer  of  an  Ambaflador  from  the  Prince  of  Peace,  than 
his  feeking  to  Moleft  and  Difturbhis  Neighbours,  whofe 
defire  it  is  to  live  in  Peace  and  Qjaietnefs,  without  noife 
or  ftir  ^.  ^  In 

September 
this  Tear  fiSyo)  was  the  Trial  of  Air.  William  Penn,  and  Mr.  VVini?.m 
Mead,  at  the  Old  Baily.  The  Court  treated  them  roughly.  The  Charge  rvas 
given  to  the  furj/y  after  the  Frifoners  were  out  of  Court.^  which  was 
contrary  to  Law  and  Cufiom.  Eight  of  the  Jury  at  frfi  agreed  to  bring  them 
in  Guilty.^  and  Tour  Diffented.  At  length  they  brought  them  In  Guilty  of 
fpeaking  in  Gracious  Street.  Upon  which  the  Court  threatened  them.,  and 
they  were  confind  all  Nighty  without  Meat^  Drlttk,  Fire.^  or  any  other  Accom- 
tnodaticn.  The  Court  being  fat  the  next  Morning.,  they  gar e  the  fame  Ver- 
diil.  Hereupon  they  were  threc^end  to  be  Un'd^  Staric  d,  and  Kuind.  They 
were  kkpt  another  Nighty  without  any  Accommodation  as  before  :  And  at 
length  they  unanimoujly  brought  them  in  Not  Guilty.  For  thus  Ferdi£l  they 
•were  find  Fourty  lAarki  a  Man^  and  ordred  to  be  Imprifond  till  'twas  paid. 

In  this  his  Imprifoncnent,  Mr.  Baxter  was  manifeftly 
hardly  dealt  with  ;  for  the  AA  againft  Cof.vmticles  was 
expired  fome  Time  before.  He  was  never  Convic!Sl  of 
a  Conventicle  while  that  Law  was  in  force.  The  Oxford 
AB  fuppos'd  Perfons  ConvicSt  of  a  Conventicle-^  and  did 
not  enable  any  to  Convidt  him  without  another  Law  : 
And  there  was  none  but  the  Juftices  Man,  who  at  all 
witnefs'd  concerning  his  Preaching:  But  fuch  Things  were 
common  in  thofe  Times.  As  he  was  going  to  Prifon,  he 
caird  on  Serjeant  Fountain,  to  confult  with  him ;  who 
perufing  his  Mittimm,  advis*d  him  to  feek  htsin  Habeas 
Corpus,  Many  at  Court  mov'd  for  him :  The  Earl  of 
Orrery^  Earl  of  Manchester ,  Lord  Arlington,  and  Duke 
pf  Buckingham f  intimated  to  the  King  that  his  Impri- 

Y  3  fonnient 


326  The  LI  FE  of       Chap.  Xll- 

uin.  1670.  fonment  was  nor  for  his  Service.  And  Sir  John  Baber 
came  to  him  in  Prifon,  to  let  him  know  that  the  King 
in  Dircourfe  bad  figniTy'd  to  him,  that  be  was  not  wii-^ 
ling  ro  be  feen  to  relax  the  Law,  but  that  he  would  not 
be  offended  if  he  fought  his  Remedy  at  Law.  Accord- 
He  obtains  inglv  he  refolv'd  upon  doing  fo.  His  Habeds  Corpus  was 
«t  Habeas  demanded  at  the  Common  l^leas^  and  Granted.  The 
Corpus.  Judges  declared  the  Mittimus  InvzWd:  Becaufe  the  Wit- 
nclfes  were  not  Nam'd  ;  which  is  a  Matter  of  great 
Moment.  For  if  Perfons  may  be  Imprifon'd  by  Jufti- 
ces  upon  fuch  an  A(fl  as  the  Oxfo,d  AH^  and  the  Wit- 
nefft  s  he  unknown,  any  Innocent  Perfon  might  be  laid 
in  Prifon,  and  have  no  Remedy.  Upon  this  he  was 
Difcharg'd.  His  Imprifonmeni  was  indeed  no  great 
Suffering  to  him  :  For  he  had  an  Honeft  Goaler,  who 
fiiew'd  him  all  the  kindnefs  he  could;  He  had  a  large 
Room,  and  the  Liberty  of  a  fair  Garden  ;  and  the  fight 
of  more  Friends  in  a  Day,  than  he  had  at  home  fome- 
timcs  in  half  a  Year:  And  when  released,  he  was  very 
much  at  a  L  ofs,  for  he  was  not  acquitted  as  to  the  main 
Caufe  ;  the  Mittimus  might  be  eafily  amended,  and  he 
Connn'd  ag.iin.  He  knew  not  how  to  bring  the  main 
Point  to  a  Tryal,  whether  they  had  Power  to  impofe 
upon  hirh  the  Oxford  Oath',  and  his  Counfellors advis'd 
,  him  to  forbear,  and  not  go  to  Queftion  the  Juftices  for 
falfe  Imprifonmcnr,  leaft  he  were  Born  down  by  Pow- 
er. Ic  was  Reported  he  was  ennch'd  by  his  Imprifon- 
menr,  but  without  Ground.  For  all  the  Prefents  that 
he  receivM,  were  thefe :  ic  Broad  Pieces  from  Sir 
Jchi  Bcrvnrd:  10/.  from  the  Countefs  o^  Exeter : 
and  5  /.  from  Alderman  Bcnrd.  More  was  offer*d  him, 
but  he  refus'd  it,  for  this  defray'd  his  Law  and  Prifon 
Charges.  The  fanne  Jufticcs  as  foon  as  they  heard  of 
his  Relcafe,  made  a  New  Mittimuf^  to  fend  him  to 
Xcopgate ;  but  he  kept  out  of  their  Reach.  For  his  neact 
^  M.tny  remove  was  to  Tctteri^hc  near  B^rfict,  where  he  was 
«Vi>/«;ri     forc'd  to  take  up  with  a  few  mean  Rooms  for  a  Year*. 

Were  this 

Ten  puhlijhd  for  nnd  a^ninfl  <f  Toleration.  Amon^  the  rp/?,  Mr.  (after* 
vard^  Dr.)  VVilli;im  Afhton  fix^aliz.'d  himfelf  by  ahifcourfe.,  calld  Tole- 
ration  diOprovd  and  Condemn  d  :  Invhich  he  alled^'d  againflit^  tJ>e  jiu- 
th'^rity  of  K'ng  Jamcs  and  hi <  Council^  the  rotes  of  parliament  ini662y  The 
rrefbyteriayi  Mini  ft  tn  in  15^5,  ^«</  Twenty  of  the  Jiffembly  of  Diyines:  &C. 

Ai 


Chap.  XII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  527 


At  this  Time,  he  was  projeding  an  Agreement  with  An.  1670- 
the  IndependehtSy  for  the  ftrengthing  of  the  Common  ^^  -^^* 
Intereft.  Dr.  Ovoen  in  his  Catechifm  had  made  two  ^^^pt^  ^» 
confiderable  Conceflions,  vIt^,  That  the  People  have  not  -^g^eem^nf 
the  Povoer  of  the  Ksjis,  and  that  they  give  not  the  Power  ^'^  ^/^ 
of  the  Kjys,  or  their  Office  Power  to  the  Pajlors,  Thefe  j^j^.g 
Concellions  he  tho't  very  improveable,  and  therefore 
he  proposM  to  him,  that  they  Two  Ihould  fee  how  far 
they  could  go  towards  an  Accomtnodation,  before  the 
Matter  was  Communicated  to  others.  The  Method  he 
offer'd  was  this :  That  they  fhould  firftfix  the  Elfentials 
of  Religion  and  Communion,  which  are  the  Terms 
that  all  Chriftians  ought  to  agree  in  ;  and  then  endeavour 
to  find  out  the  Means  of  bringing  both  fides  10  Confent 
to  Communion  upon  thofe  Terms.  He  tho't  the  moft 
likely  Method  would  be  the  drawing  up  a  Writing, 
containing  all  the  Points  of  Difcipline,  Great  and  SmaiJ, 
which  the  Two  Patties  were  really  Agreed  in,  which 
would  make  the  few  Things  they  differed  in  feem  fo 
Small,  as  not  to  be  fufficient  to  hinder  Communion. 
He  was  for  each  of  them  to  draw  up  a  Draught,  and 
then  confider  the  Matter  together  j  but  the  Dodlor 
highly  approving  the  Motion,  defir'd  him  to  undertake 
it.  Whereupon  he  drew  up  a  great  many  Thefes,  as 
the  Matter  of  their  Common  Concord-  He  complain'd 
they  were  too  many,  and  might  be  Abridg'd.  Where- 
ppon  he  quickly  carry'd  him  another  Draught,  of  fo  ma- 
ny of  thofe  Things  which  both  Presbyterians  and  Inde-^ 
pendents  are  Agreed  in,  as  are  necelTary  to  their  Pra£li- 
cal  Concord  and  Communion,  with  RefpecSt  to  the 
Things  wherein  they  are,  or  feem  difagreed.  The 
Doctors  Objeflions  were  principally  Four  :  That  the 
Particulars  iniifted  on  were  too  many  for  the  firft  At- 
tempt :  That  the  Sccinians  would  Agree  to  make  the 
Creed  as  Expounded  in  the  firft  Four  Councils  the  Teft 
of  Orthodoxy;  that  feme  Expreffionsfuited  to  prevent 
Future  Divifions  and  Separations,  would  feem  to  refiedl 
on  former  Ati^ings ;  And  that  the  infifting  on  the  Pow- 
er of  the  Magiftrate,  efpecially  as  under  Civil  Coercion 
and  Punilhment,  was  not  necefTary  in  the  firft  Attemptp 
Mr.  Baxter  endeavour'd  to  Anfwer  his  Objedlions,  and 
defir'd  his  Amendments ;  and  fome  Letters  paft  about 
it,  but  in  Time  it  was  dropt,  and  carii»e  to  nothing, 

X  4  In 


528  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XII. 


uin.  1670.  In  the  Year.  1670,  the  A61  againft  Conventicles 
Jikr7  hard-  was  rciicwM,  and  made  more  ievere  than  ever.  Se- 
pii]'i  put  veral  New  Claufes  were  piK  in  :  As  thr.c  the  Fault 
^^''m^'  ,  of  the  M'laimus  Jhould  fict  dijnbh  it-,  that  all  doubtful 
))'or  Nbn-;   c/^^/I-j  in  the    aH,    fliculd   be  interpreted  cn  would  moif 

.^  ."  favour  th::  Sufprcffion  of  Conventicles;  avd  that  they 
that  fled  or  rcmovd  their   tjvpeliinjr  into   another  County^ 

*  The  fl^ould  be  furjud  ly  Execution^  8cc  *.  Dr.  Manton,  tho' 
Compiler  nfhQ  had  great  Fiieiids,    and  mighty   Piomifes  of  Fa- 

the  \d  Vol. 

of  the  Compleat  Hifiory  of  En^Undy  here  tells  «*,/»•  iSl,  That  tho'  tlie 
Wifdom  of  the  Naiion  had  very  good  Reafons  10  make  a  more  Effectual 
Law  againft  Conventicle?,  yet  'tis  certain  the  DiiTenters  had  no  great 
Reifon  to  compiain  of  the  rigorous  Execution  of  it.  It  was  a  needful 
Reftraint  and  Awe  (he  fays)  rather  than  an  Aftual  Storm  upon  them. 
^ut  he  that  vpill  confult  the  Ingenuoat  Mr.  Pierce'i  2d  Plea  for  the  Hon- 
conformifi<^'  f.  22,  ^  44,  will  be  at  a  lofs  for  the  ftrength  of  thofe  Reafotti 
uphich  this  Author  Jpeaki  of  and  will  fee  good  Reafon  fo  belieye  that  Mr.  P. 
is  in  the  right,  when  he  fays.  That  this  Aft  was  never  intended  for  the 
Good  or  growth  of  the  Church  of  England^  ox  the  Protefiant  Caufc. 
uind  th)  the  Author  forcmentiond,  fays  that  there  was  no  Storm  upon  the 
'Vijfenrers  by  this  All,  yet  if  he  had  read  the  Accounts  that  were  this  Tear 
f  1670)  pubUpj'd  to  the  World  fom  Bedfordfllire,  Suflex,  and  many  other 
Parts,  as  I  bare  done  ^  or  would  he  yet  exercife  fa  much  Self  denial  as  to 
obferve  font  County  to  County-,  in  the  Memoirs  I  have  Printed  of  the  Ejefled, 
with  what  feycrity  tins  AB  was  Executed,  (I'll  refer  him  particularly  for 
4n  In/Unce,  but  to  what  I  hay c  publifl)  d  concerning  Afr.  Collins  at  Tallaton  in 
Dtvon,)  I  can  hardly  conceive  how  he  could  pitch  upon  any  EJfentialof  ^  Storm 
that  was  wanting.  Hut  not  dilattng  upon  this,  I  fball  here  add  a  Letter  that 
was  this  fear  fent  by  the  Archbifjop  of  Canterbury,  to  the  feveral  Bijhops  of 
his  Province^  dated  at  Lambeth,  May  7t/;.  1 670,  which  that  Author  had  feen 
I  fuppofe,  which  plainly  portends  a  Storm  approaching.  It  was  in  thcfe  Words. 

"  Right  "Reverend,  and  my  very  good  Lord, 
"  T  T  hath  picas  d  his  Majcily  and  the  Two  Houfcs  of  Parliament,  out 

Jl  "  of  thtir  Pious  Care  for  tlie  Welfare  of  this  Church  and  King- 
"  dom,  by  majfing  and  puljlilhing  Oie  laie  Aft  for  the  preventing  and 
"  hipprelTing.Conv^niicleg,  to  lay  an  hopeful  way  for  the  Peace  and  Se:- 
*'  tlemtnc  ot  ilie  Churcli,  and  ilie  Uniformity  of  God  s  Service  in  the 
''  fame.  If  becomes  us  "the  Bifhops,  (as  more  particularly  Jenf: Lie  oi  tliC 
<'  good  Prcvld'^nce  of  God)  to  endeavour  as  much  as  in  us  lies,  the  pro- 
"  moling  di  fo  Blejfed  a  Worh  ;  aifd  therefore  having  well  confider'd  what 
"  will  be  {-rr.  itr  mt?to  do  ifi  my  particular  Diocefc,  1  tho't  fit  to  recom- 
"  mend  tiie'f;<n\e  'Counlel  and  Method  ("which  1  intend  God  willing  to 
'  purfue  myfelfj  to  your  Lord fliip,    and  the  reft  of  my  Brethren,  the  Bi- 

ihops  oF  my  Province,    being  thereunto  encourag'd  by  his  Ma'xcjiys  Apr 

probation,  and  exprefs  VireClion  in  this  Affair. 


Chap.  XII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  319 

vour,  was  Cent  Prifoner  to  the  Gate-Houfe,  for  preach-  An.  \6-jo. 

ing  the  GofpeJ  in  his  own  Houfe,  in  the  Parifti  where     "  In  the 

he  bad  formerly  been  Minifler ;  and  for  not  taking  the  "  fir^Piace 

Oxford  Oath,  and  yet  coming  within  Five  Miles  of  a  "  ^^^^^'^f'^^^ 

"I  advife 

"  and  re- 
"i]uireyou 
<*  that  you  call  before  you  not  only  your  Chancellors,  Archdeacons,  Com- 
*'  .miflfaries,  Officials,  Regifters,  and  other  th£  Ecclefiaftical  Officers,  but 
"  that  alfo  by  fuch  Means,  and  at  fuch  Places  as  you  (hall  judge  moft  con- 
■"  venienr,  you  Alfemble  before  you,  and  fome  grave  and  difcreet  Perfon 
^'  or  Perfons,  your  CommiflFioner  or  Conimiffioners,  the  feveral  Parfons, 
"  Vicars,  and  Curates  of  your  Diocefe  and  Jurifdittion,  within  their  feve- 
"  ral  Deanries;  and  that  you  impart  to  them  refpeftively,  as  theylhall 
"  come  before  you  or  your  Commiffioners,  the  Tenure  of  thefe  my  Let- 
<'  ters,  requiring  them,  and  every  of  them,  as  well  in  mine,  as  in  your 
•«  own  Name,  That  in  their  feveral  Capacities  and  Stations,  they  ail  per- 
*'  form  their  Duty  towards  God,  the  King  and  the  Church,  by  an  Exem- 
"  plary  Conformity  in  their  own  Perlons  and  Praftice,  to  his  Maje^'s 
*«  Laws,  and  the  Rules  of  the  Church  on  this  Behalf. 

"  I  advife  that  you  admonilh  and  recommend  to  all  and  every  of  the 
»'  Parfons,  Vicars,  Curates,  within  your  Diocefe  and  Jurifdiftion,  Striftnefs 
"  and  Sobriety  of  Life  and  Converfation,  checking  and  punifhing  fuch  as 
•*  franfgrefs,  and  encouraging  fuch  as  live  orderly,  that  fo  they  by  their 
*'  Vertuous  and  Religious  Deportment,  may  fhew  themfelves  Patterns  of 
«•  good  Living  to  the  People  under  their  Charge.  And  next,  That  you 
*'  require  of  them,  as  they  will  anfwer  the  contrary,  that  in  their  own 
*'  Perfons  in  their  Churches,  they  do  decently  and  folemnly  perform  the 
"  Divine  Service,  by  reading  the  Prayers  of  the  Church,  as  they  are  ap- 
"  pointed  and  ordered  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  without  addi- 
"  tion  too,  or  diminiQiing  from  the  fame,  or  varying  either  in  Subftance 
"  or  Ceremony,  from  the  Order  or  Method  which  by  the  faid  Book  is 
"  fet  down  ;    wherein  I  hear  and  am 

t'  afraid  too  many  do  offend^:  And  that  *  Ttjit  deferves  the  Confideration  */ 
«  in  the  Time  of  fuch  their  Officiating,  *^<'  GentUmtn  who  went  into  the 
^'  they  ever  make   Ule  of,    and  wear    ^^^r'  fP''^'"'^'"S  ^.^'^^  -  Judgment 

<.     t-    •      -r,       n/  }■  t  1      of  Dfcrction  vpas   and   would  be    left 

«  their  Iriefily  Habit,  the  Surp/ice,  and     them,   as  to  f articular  Forrm  and  Cere. 
"   Hood  5  that  fo  by  their  Due  and  Re-     monies, 
"  verend    Performance   of   fo  Holy    a 

"  Worfhip,  they  may  give  Honour  to  God,  and  by  their  Example  in- 
«  ftruft  the  People  of  their  Pariflies,  what  they  ought  to  teach  them  by 
*«  their  Doftrine. 

"  Having  thus  counfelled  the  Ecclefiaftical  Judges,  and  Officers,  and 
**  the  Clergy  of  the  Diocefe  in  their  own  particular  Duties,  your  Lord- 
*'  fliip  is  farther  defir'd  to  recommend  unto  them,  the  Care  of  tlie  People 
"  under  their  refpeftive  Jurifdidiions  and  Charges,  that  in  their  feveral 
f'  Places  they  do  their  beft  to  perfwade  and  win  all  Nonconformifts  and 
^'  DilTenters  to  Obedience   to  his  Majefty's  Laws,   and  Unity  with   the 

Corpo- 


330  '       The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XII. 


^fn.  i6ji.  Corporation.  And  he  concinued  there  Six  Months' 
••  Church  ^  And  alJ  that  Time  the  Meetings  in  London  were  df 
''  and  luch  fturbed  by  Bands  of  Soldiers,  to  the  Terror  of  many 

•'  be  rcfia- 

^  O^ory,  to  endeavoiu-  to  reduce  by  the  Cenfures  of  the  Church,  or  fuci 
*'  o.her  good  Meins  as  fhall  bj  molV  conducing  thereunto  :  To  whici 
•'  End  I  advife,  Tliac  all  and  every  of  the  faid  Hcclcfiaftical  Judges  and 
"  Officers,  and  every  of  the  Cieigy  of  your  Diocelt,  and  the  Church- 
^  waidms  of  tveiy  Parifli,  by  their  relptftive  Minilltrs,  be  defir'd 
"'  in  their  rtf^ieiflive  Places  and  Stations,  that  they  take  Notice  of  al! 
'^  Nonconform uts,  i-iolders,  Fiequtncers,  Maintainers,  Abetters  of  Con- 
"  venticies,  and  unlawful  AlTembiies,  uoder  Pretence  of  Religious  Wor- 
*■'-  fhip,  efpcciilly  of  the  Preachers  and  Teachers  in  them,  and  of  the 
*'^  Places  wlierein  the  fame  arc  held  ^  ever  keeping  a  more  watchful  Eye 
*'  over  the  Cities  and  greater  Towns,  from  whence  the  Mifchief  is  for 
**  the  moft  Part  derived,  unto  the  lelTer  Villages  and  Hamlets  i  And 
*'  wherefoever  they  tind  fucb  wilful  Offenders,  that  then  with  an  hearty 
*'  Afeliion  to  the  Worihip  of  God,  the  Honour  of  the  King  and  his  Laws, 
^'  and  tlie  Peace  of  the  Church  and  Kingdom,  they  do  addrefs  themfelves 
^  to  the  Civil  Magifirate,  Juftices,  and  others -concern 'd,  imploring  their 
"  Help  and  Ailiftance  for  preventing  and  fuppreffing  of  the  fame,  accord- 
*'  ing  to  the  late  faid  A(Jr,  in  that  Behalf  made  and  fet  forth.  And  be- 
**  ciuie  tlieie  may  be  within  the  Limits  of  your  Diocefs,  fomc  peculiar 
"  and  exempt  Jurifdiition?,  belonging  cither  to  your  Dean,  Dean  and 
••  Chapter,  Arch-Deacons,  or  to  Ibme  Ecdefiirtical  or  other  Perfons  ^ 
**  I  do  theicforc  dtiiie  that  by  fuch  Ways  and  Means  as  your  Lordfliip 
**  do  conceive  moll  proper,  you  do  communicate  this  my  Letter  unto  them, 
<'  delivering  unto  every  of  them  Copies  of  the  fame,  tor  their  better  In- 
-'  ftruition";  and  that  you  require  tnem  in  mv  Name,  that  within  their 
*'  feveral  jarifdiftions,  they  ;iJro  purfue  the  Advices  and  Directions  before 
**  let  down,  as  if  tlie  fame  had  been  given,  by  a  particular  Letter  unto 
*'  them 'Under  my  own  Hand.  Lalily  ^  Tiiat  for  the  better  Dire6lion  to 
**  all  thofe  who  11"ia)i  be  concern'd  in  the  Advices  given  by  this  Letter, 
•'  I  advife  you  wilJ  give  out  amongO  the  tcclefiallical  Officers  and  your 
*'  Clergy,  as  many  Copies  of  the  fame,  as  your  LoidQiip  ftiall  think 
*'  conducible  to  the  ^nd  tor  which  it  is  dcfign'd. 

*'  And,  now  my  Loid,  what  tlje  Siicct-fs  will  be  we  rauft  leave  to  God 
*'  Aimigh»y  ^  Yet  (my  Lord)  I  have  this  Confidence  under  God,  that  if 
t«  wc  do  our  Part?  now  az  firft  ferioufly,  /;7  God's  Help,  and  the  jijfi/iance 
^  of  the  Ci'/it  P'/wer,  conlidering  the  abundant  Care  and  Provilion  the 

"  A6^  contains  for  our  Advantazet  we 

•  -r-     ^     LI  .L   ..      J  .f.'f.     "  ^^'ill   within  a  few    Months*  fee  fo 

•  Uc  ^rcihjhop  hire  proved  d  fa!  fr  .  •      ,i       Tx^n      ix- 

ProphH  ;  for  the  hvent  wjs  far  fum  "  gi-^t  an  Alteration  lu  the  Diftraai- 
verifying  hit  Prtdidion,  in  th:  d\»fe  "  ons  of  tiiL'fe  Time.s,as«ihat  the/e</MfP<^ 
;>jjt  ht  /ntinded.  *'  People  returning   from  their  Seditious 

*'  and Sclf-fcekin^Teachcrs^  to  the  Uuity 

*n4 


i 


Chap.  XII.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  3  3 1 

and  the  Death  of  fome.     *  About  this  Time  my  Lord  An.  i6-ji. 

■L'nitderdale  going  into  Scotlandy  fignify'd  to  Mr.  Baxter 

a  ^urpofe  there  was  of  taking  off  the  Oath  of  Cano-  "  ^  ^^^^ 

nical  Obedience,    and  all  Impoficions  of  Conform  icy  '|      j^,':^'! 

there,  fave  only  that  it  fliould  be  necelTary  to  fit  in  ^^  J"^  ." 

Presbyteries  and  Synods  with  the  Bifhops  and  Modera-  ^  oTgocTs 

tors  :  And  told  him  he  had  the  King's  Confent  to  offer  ct  vvqj.- 

him  what  Place  in  Scotlnnd  he  would  choofe  ;  either  a  cc  n^jp   i^ 

Church,  or  a  Colledge  in  one  of  the  Univerfities,  or  a  c<  will  be 

Bifhoprick.    From  accepting  which  Motion  he  excufed  <«  to  die 

himfelf,  from  his  Weaknefs  and  Indifpofition,   and  the  "  Glory 

Circumftances  of  his  Family.    After  that  the  Earl  of"  of  God, 

L^.ude  dale  was  in  Scotland,    Sir  Robert  Murrey  a  great  "  ^^^^  ^^^^~ 

Confident  of  his,  fent  Mr.  Baxter  the  Frame  of  a  Body  "  ^^'^^  ^^ 
■  '  "^  "  the 

«'  Church, 

*'  the  Praife  of  his  Majefty  and  Government,  and  the   Happinefs  of  i\\^ 

'^  whole  Kingdom.  And  fol  bid  your  Lordfliip  heartily  Farewail,  and  am,- 

My  Lord, 
Lambeth- Houfe,  Tour  lord/hip's  moji  AffeCtlonate  Vrkni 

May  7.  1670.  and  Brother. 

*     GILBERT  CANT'. 

A^opy  of  a  Letter  from  the  Arch-Deacon  of  Lincoln,  to  the  feyeral  Fariffja 

vplthm  his  jfurijdiHion. 

S  I  K, 

<&  r  Have  received  a  Command  from  my  Lord  Bifhop  of  Vnco/n,  to  dif- 
1  "  perfe  Copies  of  tlie  preceding  Letter,  to  the  feveraiParilhes  wiihin 
t'  tliejurifdidtionof  the  Arch-Deaconry  oi  Lincoln.  In  Purfuance  therefore 
"  of  his  LordChip's  Order,  I  fend  this  to  you  ^  fiarneftly  deiiring  you, 
*'  to  take  efpecial  Regard  to  perform  whatfoever  is  therein  requir'd  of 
^'  you,  either  in  your  own  Perfon,  or  relating  to  yourPariQiioners.  And 
"  Iiow  you  (hall  difcharge  your  Duty  therein,  1  ihall  expert  an  Account  2it 
^'  the  next  Vifitation.     lam, 

Tour  yery  Loying  Vrlend  and  Brother^ 

J.  CAWLEY,  Archidiac.  Lincoln. 

*  Mr.  Andrew  Marvel  mmtiom  a  HoUtlch  Engine^  who  about  this  Time 
'ypas  emplofd  by  fome  Oxonians,  as  a  Mijjionary  amottg  the  Nonconformifts 
of  the  adjacent  Counties  ^  and  upon  Ve/ign,  either  gathered  a  Congregation  of 
his  own,  or  Preach' d  amongfi  others,  till  haring  got  all  their  Names,  hethrevr 
bf  the  Fizard,  and  appeared  in  hii  Colours^  an  Honeft  Informer.  Mearfal 
Tranfpros'dy  pag.  i/^. 

of 


532  '  The  LIFE  of    Chap.  Xil. 


Am.  157/.  of  Church  Difcipline  for  Scotlind,  and  deArd  bis  A- 
nimadverfions.  The  Scheme  was  haiidfomeJy  contriv'd, 
and  favour'd  of  nnch  Moderation;  but  che  Power  ot 
Synods  war  contriv'd  [O  be  in  the  King.  Mr.  Br.xter 
made  bis  Remarks  as  he  was  dcfir'd. 

In  the  Year  i^yr.f  the  Dio- 
'  '  t  This  Tear  was  fubli[J}d  a  cefe  of  SrAisburj  was  moft  fiercely 
fad  Karratiycofthe  Opprejjion  of  driven  On  CO  Conformity  ,  by 
many  Honcf  People  in  Devon,  Dr.  Seth  Hard  their  Bilhop.  Ma- 
and  other  Farts,  by  inftrmen  ny  Hundreds  did  he  profecute 
and  Ju/iica,  out  of  their  pretend-  vvith  great  Indultry  ;  and  a- 
ed  Zeal  to  put  the  Aa  a^ainjl  ^long  the  reft,  that  learned,  hum- 
Conpenticles in  Execution.  ^j^^    holy  Gentleman   Mr.    Thomus 

Grovc^  an  ancient  Parliament  Man, 
of  as  great  Sincerity  and  Integrity  as  moft  in  the 
Land.  He  ftood  it  out  a  while  in  a  Law  Suit,  but 
was  overthrown,  and  forc'd  to  forlake  his  Country, 
with  Multitudes  of  others.  During  the  Mayoral- 
ty of  Sir  Samuel  Sterli'fi^,  many  Jury-men  in  Lcndon 
were  Fin'd  and  Imprifon'd  by  the  Judge,  for  not 
finding  certain  Q^ickers  guihy  of  violating  the  Ad: 
againft  Conventicles,  They  appeal'd  and  fought  Reme- 
dy. Xhe  Judges  remained  about  a  Year  in  Sufpence  ; 
and  then  by  the  Lord  Chief  juftice  Vaiighan  delivered 
their  Refolution  againft  the  Judge,  for  the  Subjedts 
Freedom  from  fuch  Sort  of  Fines ;  he  dilated  upon  ic 
in  a  Speech  of  Two  or  Three  Hours,  which  was  re- 
ceived with  great  Joy  and  Applaufe  by  the  People  ; 
and  the  Judges  thereupon  were  cried  up  as  the  Pillars  of 
*   fig   Law  and  Liberty*. 

Compiler  of 

the  Third  Column  of  the  Compleat  Hillory  of  England,  p.  1S6,  feems  not 
^leafed  that  the  Diflenters  fhould  complain  of  Perlecution  ;  and  fays  that 
the  Lares  had  impofed  but  moderate  Penalties  upon  them  5  and  that  they  defied 
the  Juftice  of  the  Nation,  ^c.  And  fo  in  EfeSl  he  ju/iifies  all  the  Seyc- 
Titles  agamfi  them.  And  if  this  yields  him  Comfort  upon  a  cool  Eefleilion^  I 
am  far  from  envying  him  his  Satisfadion. 

The  Parliament  having  made  the  Laws  againft 
Konconformifti  Preaching,  and  Private  Religious  Meet- 
ings fo  fcvcre  as  hath  been  rcpiefcnted,  the  King  altho' 
he  confented  to  thofe  Laws,  became  the  Patron  of 
their  Liberty.  Not  by  any  Legal  Abarcmen[s,  but  by 
his  Connivance  as  to  the?  Execution  3   the  Magiftrates 

for 


Chap.  X II.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  3  35 

for  the  moft  Part  doing  what  they  "^  The  Earl  of  Briftol  called  to- 

perceived  to  be  his  Will  *      The  g'^^^'-^  ^  Meethg  of  the  chief  of 

Minifters     were     encourag'd     by  ^^^^  fffi^.   and  tenired  them  an 

Sir  John  Baber  and  others,  to  make  ^,^^^;''/ ^f''y^  andtoidthem  that 

their  Addreffes  to  the  King,  to  pro-  f  ^''f\  ^^'^'^^  "'^  ^^"-^^  --^ 

^  ):      ,     .      T         1.  J        T  ,        the  Dijfenters  K^as  noK;  £x  d^  ar.d 

fefs  their  Loyalty,    and  agknow-     ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^.^^  ^^J^^^  '^^^ 

iedge  his  Clemency;  and  they  did  ^/^^,  therefore  It  r<^  as  their  inter  efl 
fo.  The  King  told  them,  that  tho  to  maheUfe  of  all  the  Provocatlm 
fuch  Adts  were    made,    he   was  a-      theDifentersmip^htmcetwlth^and 

gainft  Perfecution,  and  hop'd  e're    to  offer  their  ui'ljift^,nce  toihemm 

long  to  (tand  on  his  own  Legs,  €rder  to  the  engaging  them  to  JBe- 
and  then  they  fhould  fee  how  much      thion  for  a  generalToleratinn  :  But 

he  was  againft  it.  By  this  Means  ^hy  '^^uld  neyer  be  brought  to  k. 
they  gaind  Peace  and  Quiet  in  ^'/^"Z'  Burner^  Speech  in  the 
their  Meetings  in  the  City:    And     f^fc  of  Lords,  about  the  Ojz- 

m  all  oir  i?»c/j4^dF<?rrfs  Mayoralty     ^  ,    j  c     a   a  .  u  i- 

,    ,    ,,  ^   r     ^   r  A  L     1.   •       fays  tny  Lord  StraiTord  to/rf  him 

(  tho  he  was  fuppoTed  one  ot  their    ^^,^^   .^  ^^^^  ^^^^^.^  ^^  ^,^^^  j^^ 

greateft,    and  moft  knowing  Ad-    ^^yj,  ^,,,,,„^  ,-,  ^^  ,,,,  ^,  ^i- 
verfaries  )    they   remain  d    undi-    ^/,g  fj^^^p. 
fturb'd.  -^  ■ 

About  January  this  Year,  the  King  Ihut  up  the  Ex' 
chequer^  which  caufed  a  general  Murmur  in  the  City. 
For  many  Merchants  had  put  their  Money'  into  the 
Hands  of  the  Bankers,  and  they  had  Lent  it  to  the  King, 
who  gave  Orders  there  (hould  be  no  farther  Payments, 
and  fo  their  Eftates  were  furprizM.  Among  others, 
Mr.  Baxter  had  a  1000  /.  there,  which  was  the  greateft 
Part  of  what  he  had  of  his  own  then  left.  Having 
no  Child,  he  devoted  it  to  a  charitable  Ufe,  intending 
to  ered:  a  Free-School,  as  foon  as  he  could  meet  with 
a  fuitable  Purchafe,  with  a  good  Title.  He  had  been 
Seven  Years  enquiring,  and  could  not  meet  with  a  tole- 
rable Bargain ;  and  let  the  Money  lie  there,  till  fome- 
thing  that  was  fuitable  offer'd  ;  and  lying  there,  it  was 
loft :  Which  made  him  admonifh  all  that  afterwards 
came  near  him,  if  they  would' do  any  Good,  to  do  ic 
fpeedily,  and  with  all  their  Might.  Prefently  after, 
the  Dutch  War  began,  which  made  the  Court  think  ic 
neceflary  to  grant  an  Indulgence  to  the  Dijfenterj,  that 
fo  there  might  be  Peace  at  Home,  while  there  was 
War  abroad.  And  upon  this  Occafion  they  had  Liber- 
ty given  them,  tho*  much  to  the  Diflatisfaciiion  of  thofe, 
who  had  had  a  Hand  in  framing  all  the  fevere  Laws  a- 
gainft  them. 

CHAP. 


334 


The  LI FE   of       Chap.XIIh 


CHAP.    XIII. 

An  Account  of  their  Cafe,  from  the  Time  of 
the  Indulgence  in  \6j2^  till  the  Death  of 
King  Charles  II. 

An.  i6j2.  A  FTER  that  the  No«cow/or;»(/?j  had  for  feveral 
^'«5:  r\   Years  ftruggled  with  the  greateft  Difficulties, 

Chailes*^  -^  -^  and  convinced  the  World,  that  they  were  neither 
Indulgence.  ^^  [j^  influenc'd  by  Severity  to  renounce  their  Principles, 
nor  provok'd  by  the  utmoft  Hardfliips  to  any  Sedition, 
which  was  an  Advantage  their  Enemies  waited  for^ 
and  would  have  greatly  rejoic'd  in  ;  at  length  they 
had  a  little  Time  ailow'd  them  to  take  Breath,  by  the 
King's  Indulgence .  The  Declaration  bore  Date  Mcirch 
15.  1674,  And  to  all  that  gave  Way  to  Reflection, 
was  a  fuflficient  Expofition  of  the  Tranfadiions  of  the 
Twelve  Years  paft  fince  his  Reftauration.  It  was  now 
pubiickly  own'd  (^s  well  as  was  in  it  felf  a  great  Truth) 
That  there  was  very  little  Fruit  of  all  thofe  forci- 
ble Courfes,  and  many  frequent  Ways  of  Coercion 
that  had  been  ufed,  for  the  reducing  of  all  Erring 
and  DifTenting  Perfons,  ^c*  His  Majefty,  *  By  Ver- 
tue  of  his  Supream  Power  in  Matters  EccleQaftical, 
took^  upon  him  to  fufpend  all  Penal  Laws  abouc  them  ; 
declaring  that  he  would  grant  a  convenient  Number  of 
Publick  Meeting  Places,  to  Men  of  all  Sorts  that  did 
not  Conform  :  Provided  they  took  out  Licences,  fet 
open  the  Doors  to  all  Comers,  and  preached  not  Se- 
ditioufly,  nor  againft  the  Difcipline  or  Government 
of  the  Church  of  England  :  Saving  that  the  Papijls 
were  to  have  no  other  Publick  Places,  but  their 
Houfes,  without  Limit ition  or  Reftri(ftion,  to  any 
Number  of  Places  or  Perfons,  or  any  Neceffity  ot 
^  'Ti'f     *  getting  Approbation*/    This  was  applauded  by  fome 

from  hence 

that  Bifhop  Stillingfleet  dates  the  Presbyterian  Separation,  and  freely  refieSls 
upon  their  Condull  at  this  Time^  in  hi>  Preface  to  tin  Unieafonablcnefs  of 
Sej>3rp.tion,  p.  2g.  Many  Writings  were  fiibllfh'd  u^on  the  Matter  at  that 
ycry  Time.  One  vftote  Toleration  not  to  be  abus'd  ^  or  a  ferinus  ^eflion 
foUrly  dubated  and  refnhcd  upon  Presbytcrinn  TrincipUs ;  \iz.  H^lnther  it  be 


Chap.  Kill.       Mr.  flichard  Baxter.  555 

among  the  Nonconformiflj,  while  others  fear'd  the  Con--4«.  i6j2, 
fequences.     For  they  well  knew,    that  the  Toleration ^-^^^'^fab/cy 
was  not  chiefly  for  their  Sakes,  but  for  the  P^.pifts  -^efpeciaf/y 
and  that  they  fliould  hold  it  no  longer  than  their  Inte-^^"'*  ^'^^ 
left  would  allow  it  them  :    And  withaj,  they  fear'd  it^.**"^^^5- 
would  continue  the  Divifions,  which  were  much  hetttr^Y"\^'r 
heard  by  a   Comprehe}iJion,     However  they  concluded  |-^-   '/*  *"' 
on  a  cautious  and  moderate  Thankfgiving for  the  King's p^^^^^^^ 
Clemency  and  their  own  Liberty,  and  were  introduc'd^o  take  Ad- 
by  my  Lord  Arlijigton.     Mr.  Baxter  was  not  very  iov-rantare 
ward  to  take  the  Advantage  of  this  Indulgence  :    He  from  his 
was  defirous  of  Liberty  in  another  Way,  and  was  fear- ^>^'y*,^y>- 
ful  what  this  Method  would  iflue  in.     But  at  length  ^'«f<^  ^W<<- 
there  being  no  Room  to  hope  for  any  better  Terms, *''^^'^'»>  ^» 
when  he  faw  the  Minifters  of  London y   generally  fettled  ^'^''■^  *''"  *'';" 
in  their  Meeting  Houfes,  he  had  a  Licence  alfo  pro- ^'^'^^^  ^''-'*" 
cur'd  for  him  by  Sir  Thomns  Player,  with  this  P^culiari-^^^^'"''" 
ty,  that  it  was  without  the  Title  of  Independent,  Pref-  -p  J  T^ ^ 
byteriiin,  or  of  any  other  Party,    but  only  as  a  Noncon-  conTrel-a- 
formift,  ]'i,^^^  ^  ' 


A'\b' 


dnA 
to  gather 


ihemfehes  into  difiinSf  and  feparate  Cimrches.  On  the  other  Side  ttfas  pulj/tj/yd  a 
TraSl  with  this  Tit/e^  Indulgence  not  to  be  re/wi W,  Comprehenfion  immbiy  de- 
fir'd^The  Churches  Peace  earnefily  endeayour'd.And  jhort  Reflexions  on  Tolera- 
tion not  to  be  abus'd,€^c. /Z'ew/w^;  t^'^t  it  is  the  Duty  of  Pres^yterians^to  tnaks 
ufe  of  the  Liberty  granted  5  And  that  it  is  no  finful  Separation,  nor  contrary  ta 
Presbyterian  Frincip/es  for  th^fe  who  are  call''d  Presbyterians  to  preach  to  and 
meet  in  Congregations  difiinfl-  from  the  Parochial  AJfemblies,  under  prefent 
Circumflances. 

The  Merchants  at  this  Time  fetting  up  a  Weekly     Mr.  Bax- 
Letiure  on  Tm^<J)' Morning  2Lt  Pinners- Ha U,  Mr,  B^x- ^^^^'s  La- 
ter was  one.    But  fo  ill  a  Spirit  was  now  got  among  ^^"'"^ '^^^^^^ 
fome  of  them,  who  bat  juft  before  were  in  a  Suffering  ^'P  "^f^^^ 
Condition,  that  by  chat  Time  he  had  preach'd  Four  ^''^ ^**^^^' 
Sermons  there,   the  City  was  full  of  Rumours  of  his'^*'^^'^' 
preaching  up  Arminianifm  :  And  many  were  much  of- 
fended at  bis  preaching  for  Union,  andagainftDivifion, 
or  unneceffary  withdrawing  from  each  other,  and  un- 
warrantable narrowing  of  the  Church  of  Chrift.     This 
gave  but  a  melancholy  Profpe6t ;   but  did  not  however 
Difcourage  him  from  what  he  apprehended  to  be  his  Du- 
ty.    On  Jan,  24.  1 67 1,  He  began  a  Friday  Lecture  at 
Mr.  T«r«ey*s  in  Fetter-Lane^  with  great  Convenience,  and 
a  confiderable  Bleffing  j  but  he  never  cook  any  Thing 

for 


336  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  Xlir 

An.  1573.  for  his  Pains.     He  refu«;M  any   fercled  Place  on  the 

^    Lords  Days,  and  preached  only  occalionally. 

^%'i^       In  F-h'-uaiT)  rhe  Parliament  mer,  and  voted  down  the 

o  jerva  !e,  Kj,-,gs  D:claradon  as  illegal  %  and  the  Kin;?  promifed 

-^  it  Ihoiild  not  be  bro't  into  Prelident,     The  Keafon  which 

more  zea-    ^^^  Houfe  of  Comn:T)n3  gave  for  their  Proceeding,  was 

/oi4i  in  op-  ^^^y  remarkable.     They  faid,  *  That  his  Majefty's  pre- 

fofin'T  this  '  tended  Power  of  fufpending  the  Penal  Laws  in  Mat- 

VecUrntion*  cerS  Ecclcfiftical,    might  tend  to  the  Interruption  of 

in   the       *  the  free  Courfc  of  the  Laws,  and  the  altering  of  the 

Houfe^than  *  LegiQative  Power,^  which  hath  been  always  acknow- 

jilderman  '  ledg'd  to  tefide  in  bis  Majefty,  and  his  two  Houfes 

Love,  aCi- '  of  Parliament/     And  it  (hould  not  be  forgotten,  that 

ty  Member  Cnkmnn  in  his  ftrft  Letter  to  Father  Le  Chaife  fpeaking 

£\{rtn'^'^  of  the  King's  Promife,  that  it  fhould  not  be  a  Precedent, 

/  J"7'  V  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^  F4m/  ^enunciation  of  it.     At  length  the  Com- 

behadmrch^^^'^  COnfulted  of  a  Bill  for  the  Eafe  O^  Protefinnt  dif- 
rather  ftUl  1^''^^^^^^  and  many  Members  profefs'd  their  Refolution 
70  without  ^°  carry  it  on.  f  Bat  when  they  had  granted  the  Tait 
their  deftred  defir'd,  they  turn'd  it  otf,  and  left  it  undone :  Taking 
Liberty^  away  from  the  Poor  Dijfenters  the  Shelter  of  the  King's 
than  have  Declaration,  and  fo  leaving  thetn  to  the  Storm  of  the 
it  in  a  Way  fevere  Laws  that  were  in  Force  againft  theni,  which  by 

that  vpould 

froye  fo  detrimental  to  the  Nation  B'fhop  Burnet  in  a  Speech  in  the  Houfe  of 
Lords  about  the  Occ^lional  Bill  in  170:5,  tooh  particular  Notice  of  this,  and 
tells  us^  7 hat  tlie  Lord  Clifford  got  fome  to  move  in  Favour  of  the  DilTfn- 
ters,  hopirfo  that  would  have  provok'd  either  the  one  Side  or  the  other  ; 
and  that  either  the  Church  Party  might  be  offended  with  the  Motion,  or 
the  DifTenters  with  the  refufing  it :  But  it  was  ftopp'd  by  Alderman  iovc, 
who  defir'd,  that  nothing  with  Relation  to  them  might  intervene,  to  ftop 
the  Security  that  tlie  Nation  and  the  Proteftant  Religion  might  have  by  the 
Teft  AO,  and  in  this  he  was  fcconded  by  moft  of  his  Party  ;  So  that  the 
A<rt  was  obtainM  in  fome  Meafure  by  their  Affiftance  ^  and  therefore  (  as 
he  voell  argues^ )  it  would  be  hard  to  turn  it  againft  them  ^  for  the  King 
was  tJien  highly  ofTendtd  with  them  for  giving  up  his  Declaration. 

f  0/t  February  tije  i^thy  the  t^owwo/is  rc/b/v't/NemineContradicente,  that 
a  Bill  be  bro't  in  for  the  Eafe  of  his  Maje/ly's  Subjects  mho  are  Diflenters, 
in  Matters  of  Religion  fromyhe  Church  of  England.  And  a  Bill  pafs''d  the 
Houfe  accordingly^  but  vfOA  ftopfd  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords.  But  the  Motion 
0/  ti)e  Lover  Houfe  in  this  Affair  teas  therefore  the  more  remarkable^  be 
caufe  it  was  the  fame  Houfe  of  Commons^  who  Ten  Tears  before  fo  warmly 
Voted  the  contrary.  A  good  Argument.,  they  were  now  convinced  of  a  greater 
Danger  of  Pjpery,  than  they  could  before  be  perfwaded  to  belieye.  Our 
late  Complete  Hiftorian^  Vol,  g.  ^.  394  ; /««ji,  T/;<jt  whatever  this  Refle£Vion 
i*^,  the  Truth  was  only  thus :  The  Commons  in  this  Parliament  were  by 

fbrtie* 


Chap.  Xllt     Mr.  Richard. Baxter.  537 


fome  Country  Juftices  were rigoroufly  put  in  Execution.^  -4«.  i 6y^, 

tho*  the  moll  forbore.  "  ,       „ 

long  hxpe- 

ricnce 

more  and  more  fenfib'le,  that  the  Papifrs  were  for  their  own  Pleafure  and 

Advantage,  playing  and  ftriking  theCinirch-menand  DifT^ntt^i-s  one  again  ft 

another.     VerywelL  :  And  therefore  they  were  for  giyhi^r  the  Bijfeniers  a  Le- 

^al  Toleration^  in  Order  to  the  prey enting  any  Thing  of  this  Kind  for  the  Fw 

tuYe  :  They  t»ere  now  conyinc''d,  That  fuch  a  Toleration  was.  IHttdfuIy  tho' 

Ten  Tears  before  they  would  nit  yield  to    it_  upon  any  Ter.ms^  which  was  all 

that    was    meant  by    the  Refieflion  pointed   at.  -But    1  think  it. is  not  im" 

proper  to   add^  That  BtJl}op  Bdrnettn  the  Speech  above  mentioned,   freely  af~ 

crlbes  the  Mildnefs  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons  toiccdrds  the  Dijfcnters  at  this  Ttme^ 

to  their  Pleafednefs  with  their'  Carriage  in  giying  up, the  Kings  Declaration. 

This  fays  he,  wrought  fo  much  on  the  Houfe  that  was  fo  zealousffor  the 

Church,  that  they  ordered  a  Bill  to  be  brought  in  for  the  Eafe  of  Prote- 

ftant  Diflenters,  in  which  little  Progiefs  was  indeed  made.^  and  yet  to  the 

End  of  that  Parliament,  Conventicles  were  held  very  Pablickly,  and  they 

never  pafs'd  a  Vote  or  made  an  Addrcfs  againllthem. 

The  Parliament  at  length  grew  into  great  Jealoufies    The  Lon^ 
of  the  Prevalence  of  Pop2>y,     An  Army  (prttended  to  -Parliament 
be  defign'd  for  Service  againft  the  Dutch)  lay  encamp'd  '^^^^en'd. 
at  Blijcl^-Heath,     Many  of  the  Commanders  were  l^a- 
..pifts.,  ,It  was  the  general  Apprehension,  rhac  having 
no  Hope  to  get  the  Parliament  to  fet  up  their  Religion 
by  Law,    it  was  cheir  Intention  to  put  down  Parlia- 
ments, and  reduce  the  Governmeiit to  i\\e  Bench  Mode], 
and  Religion  to  their  Stare,  by  a  ftandmg  Army.     All 
that  Lov'd  their  Country  had  difmal  Expecflations.  The 
Parliament   paffed  an,  A(ft    for    preventing  Dangers 
which  might  happen  from  Pcpif):'  RecufantSj  by  which  ic 
was  enacted,  That   no  Man  ftibuld  bear  any  Offi:e  or 
Place  of  Truft,  who  did  not  take  the  Oaths  of  Supre- 
macy and  Allegiance  ;  and  that  all  that  fliouid  be  ad- 
mitted into  any  Office  Civil  or  Military  after  the  firft 
Day  of  Eafter-Term  in  1673,  fhould  receive  the  Sacra- 
ment according  to  the  Ufage  of  the  Church  of  Eyiglnnd^ 
within  three  Months  after  their  Admittance^  in  ibme 
Publick  Church,    upon  fome  Lords-Day.    Upon  the 
palling  of  this  Teft  A£^,  the  Duke  of  TI^^/;  who  was  Ge- 
neral of  the  Army,  and  the  Lord  Treafurer  C/z/for^,  laid 
down  all  their  Places.    The  Parliament  met  again,  OEio- 
her  the  20th,  and  Voted  againft  the  Duke's  Marriage 
with  an  tcalian  Pafift,  a  Kin  to  the  Pope,    They  re- 

Z  new'd 


338  The  LIFE  of         Chap,  XIII. 

An.  1673.  new'd  this  Vote  in  their  next  Seflions,  and  upon  a  Mef- 
*  Tbii  Tear  ^age  fent  to  the  King  about  it,  received  this  Anfwer  ; 


(1^7?) 

Difcoune 
of  true  Re- 


ligion. 


Ht- 


reiy,Schirm 
Tolcrau- 
on,  and 
what  beft 


between 
Confor- 
mifts,  and 
Noncon- 
formif^s. 


that  it  was  too  Jate  to  ftop  it.     On  Friday,    uct,  31, 

They  pafs'd  a  Vote,  that  no  irorc  Money  Ihould  be  gi- 
ven, till  they  were  Tecur'd  againft  the  Danger  of  Popery, 
and  Po/^//^^  Counleilors,  and  their  Grievances  were  re- 
el refs'd.  And  indeed  the  Warmth  and  Bojdnefs  of  both 
Honfes  againft  the  Pafijis  grew  very  high. 

*  In  thisSeflion,  tbeEarlof  Orm 7  defir'd  Mr.  Brfjff^r 
to  draw  up  Terms  of  Union  between  the  Conforrfjifls, 
and  the  Noncojiformifts,  in  Order  to  their  joint  vigorous 
Means  may  ^PP'^fi'^g  Popery  :  And  he  told  him  that  Sir  Tbomai  Osborn 
be  us'd  a-  ^^^  New  Lord  Treafurer.  Bi(hop  Morley  of  J4^inchefter, 
gainft  the  and  feveral  other  great  Men  were  mightily  for  it :  Up- 
Growth  of  on  which  he  fent  him  Piopoials  for  that  Purpofe,  the 
Popery.  Chief  of  which  were  ihefe : 
Fropofals  "  ^^^^  "^  Covenant,  Promife,  or  Oath,  (hould  be 
raUnion  "  required  to  Ordination,  Inltitution,  or  Indudlion, 
**  but  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy  ;  the 
*'  fubfcribing  to  the  Dovftrine  and  Sacraments  of  the 
**  Church  ot  England^  as  exprefs'd  in  the  39  Articles, 
"  and  a  general  Declaration  againft  Rebellion  and 
Sedition.  That  till  the  Nonconformifls  could  be  bet- 
ter provided  for  by  Vacancies,  they  fliould  have  Li- 
berty to  be  School-maftersj  or  Alllftams  to  Incum- 
bents, or  to  preach  Ledlures  in  their  Churches,  ei- 
ther fuch  Leisures  as  were  already  endow'd  with 
Maintenance,  or  fuch  as  the  People  (hould  be  willing 
to  maintain  :  and  that  in  the  mean  Time  their  Meet- 
ing Places  that  were  convenient  (hould  be  continued 
in  L^fc  as  Chappcls.  That  Liberty  be  allow'd  for 
Neighbours  joining  together  in  Praying  to  God,  and 
Praiiing  him,  and  repeating  Sermons,  in  their  pri- 
vate Honfcs  without  MoJ:^ftation.  Thar  for  the  Li- 
turgy, <ic,  none  be  oblig'd  to  read  the  Apocryphal 
LefTons :  That  it  be  eno*,  if  an  Incumbent  once  in 
a  Quarter  or  Half  Year,  read  the  greateft  Part  of 
the  Service  for  that  Time;  and  that  it  be  at  other 
Tmics  done  by  his  Curate  or  Afliftant.  That  Lectu- 
rers be  not  oblig'd  to  read  the  Service  5  or  at  moft  that 
itbecnc/,  if  once  in  Half  a  Year,  they  read  the  great- 
eft  Partof  what  is  appointed  for  that  Time.  ThatPa- 
rents  have  Liberty  to  dedicate  their  own  Children  to 
(iod  in  baptifm.  without  being  oblig'd  to  find  God- 
fathers 


<( 


Chap.  Xflf.       Mr.  Richird  Baxter.  359 


*'  fathers  and  Godmothers.     That  the  Ufe  of  the  Sign  An.  1673. 
*'  of  the  Crofs  be  left  to  the  Minifters  Inclination  and 
'*  Difcretion.     That  Minifters  be  not  forc*d  to  Baptize 
"  a  Child  whofe  Parents  are  denied  the  Communion  of        ^ 
"  the  Church,  unlefsfome  ferious  Chriftian  undertake 
*'  for  ics  Education,  according  to  the  Chriftian  Covenant, 
"  That  none  be  forc'd  to  receive  the  Sacrament,  while 
**  untit,  or  averfe.     That  Minifters  be  not  forc'd  to  de- 
**  liver  the  Sacrament  to  any  unbaptizM  Perfons  ;  or  to 
*'  fucfa-  as  wont  own  their  Baptifmal  Covenant,  and 
"  publickiy  profefs  their  Adherence  to  it ;  or  to  fuch 
"  as  are  guilty  of  fcandalous  Immoralities,  till  they 
"  have  profefs'd  Repentance.     That  Minifters  ben'c 
'*  forc'd  to  publifti  an  Excommunication  or  Abfolution 
**  againft  their  Confciences,  upon  the  Decree  of  a  Lay- 
''  Ghancellor,G5'<r.  or  harrals'd  by  attending  their  Courts, 
**  to  bring  WitnefTes  againft  thofe,  to  whom  they  have 
*'  refus'd  the   Sacrament  upon  the  aforefaid  Reafons. 
"  That  it  be  left  to  the  Difcretion  of  Minifters,  whom 
"  they-will  abfolve  in  Sicknefs,  and  to  whom  they  will 
"  give  the  Sacrament,   and  over  whom  they  at  their 
interment  will  afe  chofe  few  Words,  which  import 
the  Juftification,  and  Salvation  of  the  Deceas  d  :  And 
'*  that  the  Sick  and  Dying  have  the  Liberty  of  choofing 
"  what  Minifters  they  will,  to  attend  ^nd  aftift  them 
"  without  Reftraint.    That  no  Minifters  be  forc'd  to 
"  deny  the  Sacrament,  to  fuch  as  think  it  unlawful  to 
'*  take  it  Kneeling.    That  the  tJfc  of  the  Surplice  be 
'*  left  indifferent.    And  that  People  who  live  under  an 
"  Ignorant  or  Scandalous  Minifter,  have  Liberty  16 
''  join  with  thofe  with  whom  they  can  better  profit^ 
m  any  Neighbouring  Church  of  the  fame  Diocefe, 
'*  paying  the  Incumbent  his  Dues.    That  no  Ordain- 
"  ed  Minifters  be  put  upon  renouncing  their  Ordina- 
'*  tion,  but  upon  Proof  of  their  fitnefs  for  the  Mini- 
"  ftry,  receive  by  Word,  or  a  written  Inftrument,  ^ 
LegalfAuthority  to  exercife  their  Miniftry  in  any  Con- 
gregation in  his  Majefty's  Dominions,   where  they 
Ihall  be  lawfully  call'd.     That  no  Excommunicate 
Perfon  as  fuch,  be  imprifon'd  or  ruin'd.     And  that 
"  after  all,  Chriftian  Lenity  be  us*d  toallcorifcientious 
*'  DiJJsnters  ;  and  that  the  Tolerable  be  tolerated,  un- 
"  der  Laws  of  Peace  and  Safety.    Upon  the  whole  he 
*'  added,  that  if  the  Sacraments  were  but  left  free  to 

Z  %  ht 


540  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XIH. 

^n.  1^7^"  be  adminiftred  and  received  by  none  but  Volunteers  j 
"  And  Liberty  granted  ro  Miniftcrs  to  preach  in  thcfe 
*'  Churches,  where  the  Common  Prayer  was  read  by  o- 
*'  thcrs;  And  the  Sublcriptions  conrain'd  nothing  that 
""  a   Confcientiovis   Man  might  need   to  Scruple  j    he 
**  tho't  it  might  take  in  all,  even  the  Independents,  as 
*'  Weil  as   Prejbyterianj."     Mr.  Baxter  gave  the  Earl  of 
X         Orreiy  thefe  PropofaJs,  and  he  after  fonce  Time  returned 
them   with  Bifliop  Mor/efs  Striciiurcs  or  Animadver- 
fions,  which  fully  difcover'd,  that  all  his  Profeiiions  for 
Abatement  and  Concord,  were  deceitful,  and  that  he 
intended  no  iuch  Thing,  for  he   would  not  make  the 
leaft  Abatement^  in  any  Thing  of  Moment. 
Other  Mo'        ^  ^^^^^^  after,  feme  great  Men  of  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
tions  that    niotis,  dtcw  Up  a  Bill  for  Accommodation,  to  take  off 
V,ay.  Oaths,    Subfcriptions,    and   Declarations,   except  the 

Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  and  Subfcriptions 
to  the  Dodtrine  of  the  Church  of  England,  according 
to  the  i3ih  of  Eli:{:  but  fiiewirg  it  to  the  Bilhop  of 
li'irichcfisr,  he  caus'd  them  to  forbear,  and  broke  the 
Defign.  And  in  the  mean  Time,  that  it  might  not 
feem  to  be  for  nothing  that  he  oft  pretended  to  be  of 
fo  peaceable  a  Difpofition,  he  furthered  an  A(St  only  to 
take  off  yJjfent  and  Conjent^  and  the  l^enuncintion  of  the 
Covenant.  But  when  other  Biftiops  were  againft  even 
this  fhew  of  Abatement,  he  told  them  openly  in  the 
.  Houfe  ;  Th/it  had  it  been  but  to  abate  them  a  Ceremony, 
he  x^ouid  not  hdve  Jpoken  in  it  :  But  he  k/iexv  that  they 
were  bound  to  the  fame  Things  ftill^  by  other  Claufes,  or 
Ohii^ations,  if  thefe  voere  repeai'd.  On  Feb.  24,  Tho'ts 
of  this  Nature  were  ended  by  the  unexpe(fied  Pro- 
roguing of  the  Parliament  to  November,  whereby  both 
Houfes  were  much  troubled,  and  Multitudes  greatly 
exafpcrated,  and  alienated  both  from  the  Court,  and 
the  leading  Bifhops,  as  the  great  Caufes  of  all  the  Di- 
flra£liorjs.  All  this  While  thofe  of  the  Clergy  that 
were  Men  of  the  Times,  and  gap'd  for  Preferment, 
gave  tbeniftlves  a  Liberty  to  write  and  preach  at  Ran- 
dom y  to  fiir  up  King  and  Parliament,  and  all 
they  came  near,  to  Violence  and  Cruelty,  againft  the 
Liberty  and  Blood  of  the  Nonconformifts,  who  liv'd 
quietly  by  them  in  I  about  and  Poverty,  and  med- 
^\td  not  with  them,  bcfides  their  neccffary  DifTcnt  from 
them.    Jult  before  the  Dilfolution  of  the  Parliament, 

one 


Chap.  XIIL     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  341      • 

one  of  this  ftamp  Preaching  to  them,  fet  himfelf  to  -4».  1 674 
perfwade  them  that  the  Dijfenters  were  obftinate,  and  ^  Norpwa^s 
not  to  be  tolerated,   nor  cur'd  by  any  Means  but  Ven-  pub!i(l)d^ 
geance  J  urging  them  to  fet  Fire  to  the  Faggot,and  teach  Cercain 
them  by  Scourges  or  Scorpions,  and  open  their  Eyes  Coniid^ra- 
withGall^  tionstend- 

mg  to  pro- 
mote Peace  and  Good  Will  amongft  Proteflants.  And  alfo  the  Noncon- 
formifls  Plea  for  Uniformity :  Being  the  Judgment  of  84  Mhufiers  of  the 
County  Taliptine  o/Lancafter :  Of  a  rphole  Frovincial  Affemhly  of  Minifiers  ami 
Eiders  in  and  aboutLondon:  And  of  fever  al  other  eminent  Treacher}^  Eng'iOi, 
Scottifli,  rf;j^New-Eng'ini,  concerning  Toleration,  4«(]JUmformicv  in  Ma  ters 
of  Religion  5  tor  ether  with  a  Refo/ution  of  this^tefiion^  Whether  the  Penalty  of 
the  Law  ought  to  be  infiilled  on  thofevffho  petend  and  plead  Confclenccin  Op^oft- 
tiontovphatthe  tatP  commands  f  with  feyeral  others  on  the  other  Side. 

The  Toleration  however  continuing,  Mr.  Baxter  held 
on  his  Preaching,  till  Illnefs  difabled  him  for  any  other 
Exercife,  fave  one  Sermon  a  Week  at  St.  James's  Mar- 
ket-Houfe,  where  fome  Perfons  had  hir'd  an  inconve- 
nient Place.  And  here  it  pleas'd  God  to  give  his  La- 
bours, abundant  Succefs.  But  as  he  was  preaching 
thei:e,  July  the  5th,  1674,  they  had  a  marvelous  Deli- 
verance ;  for  a  main  Beam,  before  weakned  by  the 
Weight  of  the  People,  fo  crack'd,  that  Three  Times 
rhey  ran  in  Terror  out  of  the  Room,  thinking  it  was 
falling  :  But  remembring  the  like  at  Dunftans  in  the 
H^ifi^  he  reprov'd  their  fear  as  caufelefs :  The  next  Day 
taking  up  the  Boards,  they  found  that  two  Rends  in  the 
Beam  were  fo  great,  that  it  was  a  wonder  of  Provi- 
dence that  the  Floor  had  not  fallen,  and  the  Roof  with 
it,  to  the  Deftrudion  of  Multitudes.  This  Crack 
fighting  away  many  of  the  Richer  Sort,  efpecially 
Women,  the  greateft  Part  of  the  Auditory  were  young 
Men,  of  the  moft  capable  Age,  who  heard  with  gr  ac 
Attention,  and  many  of  them  manifefted  fo  great  a 
Change,  as  made  all  his  Charge  and  Trouble  eafie  to 
him.  Nay  a  common  Reformation  was  evident  in  the 
Neighbourhood,  even  among  the  Ruder  Sort,  and  that 
in  their  Converfation  as  well  as  in  their  Judgment.  But 
he  was  foon  molelled.  jr^^  j^-^ 

For  his  Majefty  call'd  the  Bifliops  up  to  London^  to  ^^^^^  ^. 
give  him  Advice  what  was  to  be  done  for  the  (ecm'ingtainfi  the 
of  Religion,  ^c  ;  And  they  after  divers  Confultacions  poor  Non- 
\vith  the  Minifters  of  State,  advis'd  him   to  recall  his  confor- 

Z  5  Licences,  mills. 


^4^  The  L  1  F  n  of       Chap.  XIIL 

uln.  1674.  Licences,  and  pui  the  Laws  againft  \\\c  Koncovformifls 
in  Execution.   And  this  was  done  by  a  Deciaracion,  and 
Proclamation,  declaring  the  Licences  long  fince  void, 
and  requiring  the  Execunon  of  the  Laws  againft  P/i;?//?/, 
and  Convent icU's.    No  founer  was  the  Proclamation  pub- 
lifli'd,  but  fpccial  Informeis  were  fet  on  Work  to  pro- 
*  Of^thi  mote  the  Execution  *.     A  little  before  the  Licences  were 
inf^amnis      recali'd,  Mr.  Bnxtc  openly  declared  in  the  Pulpit,  that 
lives  and    it  was  not  in  Opprlicionto  the  Publick  Churches  that  he 
Ictmcnt^ble  kept  Up  a  Meeting  ;  bur  to  help  the  People  m  their  Ne- 
Df.7r/;.«,  .of   cefiity,  who  were  many  more  than  the  Pariih  Church 
7nuny  nt     coiild  iiold.     Hereupon  it  was  confidently  reported  that 
thejelnfor'  ^^q  ^j^j.  Conforming.     And  not  long  before,  preaching 
wen.    Sec  fcr  Love  and  Peace  at  P'Vi'vf'i-H/j//,  'iwas  reported,  that 
mi'fts    i'     ^^    declarVi  for  Juititication  by  our   own  Rigbteouf- 
Viti.  tor      "^^^>  ^"^   ^^^^"^  *^^^  Papijls  and  frotejianrs  differ  but  in 
Che  Non-    ^^"ords:  Upon  wliicli  he  was  forced  to  vindicate himfelf 
confor-        ill  a  Sheet,  calTd  an  j^fpcal  to  the  Light^  which  ftopp'd 
inifls,  \>a'^e.  not  tht  Accufation :  For  fome  had  the  Wifdom  and  Con- 
71,  6:c.       fidt  nee  to  fay,  that  that  Appeal  to  the  Light  did  more  to 
ftrengthcn  Fnpen^    than  ever  was  done  by  any  Papijis. 
Mr.  Baxter  was  the  firlt  that  was  apprehended  as  a  Co«- 
'vcnticler  after  this  Alteration  of  Affairs.     He  was  taken, 
preaching  \\\^  Thurfday  Leisure  at  Mr.  Twners.     He  went 
with  the  Conftable,  and  W^-^^  the  Informer,  to  Sit  PVil- 
finm  Pnitne/s,  who   demanding  the  Warrant  found  it 
.fign'd,  by  Hrmy  Montague,  Efq;  BaylifFof  H^cflminfler, 
Sir   If'^iiiiam  told  them,  that  none  but  a  City  Juftice, 
could  give   a  Warrant   for  apprehending  a  Man  for 
preaching  in  the  City  :  And  fo  the  Informer  was  defeat- 
ed, and  hiS  Heart  afterwards  fmoie  him  ;  and  he  came 
to  Mr.  B  ^xtcr  and  begg'd  Pardon,  and  profef^'d  Repen- 
tance.    He  freely  forgave  him,  and  admonifh'd  him  fe- 
rioully  to  amend  his  Life.     Endeavours  were  ufed  tp 
furpr:ze  Dr.  Mr,:tnn  :  But  one  Mr.  Bedford  preaching  in 
his  Room  was  apprehended.     He  had  taken  the  Oxford 
Oath  before,  and  in  that  rerpe(ft  was  not  obnoxious  : 
But  was  fin'd  10  /.  and  the  Place  40  /.  which  was  paid 
by  the  Lord  iVha  tou^  the  CountelTesof  Bedford^  Man^ 
Ji  frt(I)M-  ^^^^f"^'''f  a^^d  CUre^  and  other  Hearers. 
:  T^j/'f  for         Another  Sclflon  of  Parliament  approaching,  Biihop 
an  yiccom-  ^^">';,  and  Biftiop  fVard^  were  in  Appearance,  very 
»?'^//«;'fln  (i/fju'nfible  of  the  Danger  of  Popery^    and  therefore  very 
ti'j'  o  ifi-    forward  for  Abatements,  and  taking  in  the  Nonconfor'* 


Chap.  XIII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  545 


tnifls,  and  mov'd  ic  to  many.     At  length  Dt,  Tiliotfon,An.  167^. 
and  Dr.  StilUngflcet^   defir  a  a  Meeting  with  Dr.  Men- 
ton^  Dr.  Bates,  Mr.  I'oo/y  and  Mr.  Baxter,  in  Order  to 
conh'der  of  an  Accommodation,  and  Taid  they  had  the 
Encouragement   of  feveral   Lords  both  Spiritual    and 
Temporal.     Mr.  Baxter  at  firft  met  the  two  Dodors 
alone :    And    they    confider'd   and   canvafs'd    various 
Draughts ;    and  at  length  fix'd  on  one  in  which  they 
agreed.     This  being  communicated  to    the  Nonconfor- 
mifts,  was  fatisfadtory  :    But  when  they  communicated 
it  to  the  Bi(hop.%   there  was  an  End  of  the  Treaty;  a 
great  many  Things  could  not  be  obtain'd  *;  The  Terms     ^  Mr. 
agreed  on,  were  much  of  the  fame  Nature  with  ihofeB^^^'ter 
above  mentioned  as  proposM  to  my  Lord^Orrcr;,  with^'^''^    /^ 
very  little  Variation,  ^^-  TUlot- 

fon,  to 
know  wht' 
ther  he   might  have  leaye  to  ffenJ:  of  it,  in  Order  to  the   promotiftg  Concord^ 
and  to  flgnify  how  far  they   were    agreed,^  that  their  Thames  might  be  fome 
Advantage  to  the  Work^  and  he  thereupon  return  d  him  the  following  Letter 
dated  April  If.  l6jy 


I 


5  /^, 

Took  the  firft  Opportunity  after  you  were  wi^h  us  to  fpeak  to  the 

Biihop  of  Sal — ■ ,  wlio  promifed  to  keep    the  Matter  private, 

and  only  to  acquaint  the  BiQiop  of  Ch — with  it  in  Order  to  a  Meet- 
ing :  But  upon  fome  General  Difcourfc,  I  plainly  perceived  feveral  Things 
could  not  be  obtained.  However,  he  promifed  to  appoint  a  Time  of 
Meeting,  but  I  have  not  heard  from  him  iince.  I  am  unwilling  my 
Name  (hould  be  ufed  in  this  Matter  ;  not  bur  that  I  do  moft  heartily  de- 
fire  an  Accommodation,  and  fhail  always  endeavour  it :  But  I  am  fure 
it  will  be  a  Prejudice  to  me,  and  Signify  nothing  to  the  effeding  of 
the  Thing,  which  as  Circumflances  are,  cannot  pafs  in  either  Houfe, 
without  the  Concurrence  of  a  confiderable  Part  of  the  Bifhops,  and  the 
Countenance  of  his  Majefty,  whicli  at  prefent  I  fee  little  Reafon  to 
txpeft. 

Tom  AfeClionate  Brother 

and  Serv4fttf 

J.    TILLOTSON. 

?4  The 


344  7/je  LIFn  of     Chap.XIll. 


An.  T6y$.      The  Informers  in  the  City  went  on,  but  met  with  nria- 
rty   Difcourageinents.     The  Aldermen  were  not  fond 
,  of  them,  but  often  fhifced  out  of  the  Way,  when  they 

kneiv  tliey  would  cpme  to  them  ;  and  fome  denied  them 
their  Warrants;  tho*  by  the  A6t  they  thereby  forfeited 
an  loo  /.  Alderman  Frr'h  got  an  Informer  bound  to  the 
Behaviour,  for  breaking  in  upon  him  in  his  Chamber  a- 
gainft  hi^  Will.  Strowd  and  Mn-jha,  becarrie  General 
Informers  :  But  were  foon  fallen  upon  by  their  Credi- 
tors, and  generally  hated.  Some  of  them  fwore  a- 
gainft  ]Mr.  Bnxtyr  before  Sir  Tijomns  D/:vn ;  and  he 
went  to  him  and  vindicated  himfelf,  proving  that  he 
was  not  charreable  with  breaking  the  Law,  but  could 
not  be  regarded.  One  that  fwore  againft  him,  went 
a  J i tele  after  to  Rs^riff,  and  hearing  Three  Minifters 
Pray  and  Preach,  his  Heart  was  melted,  he  profefs'd 
his  Soirow  and  Repentance,  and  left  his  wonted 
Companions.  And  another  of  them  came  to  Mr.  Bax- 
ter in  the  Street,  and  promised  he  would  meddle  no 
more. 

When  tlie  Parliament  met,  there  was  great  Heat 
in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  upon  the  bringing  in  an  A£f, 
to  impofe  fuch  an  Oath  on  Lords,  Commons  and  Ma- 
giftrares,  as  was  impofed  by  the  Oxford  Aci  upon  Mi- 
iiifters.     The  Sum  of  it  was,  *  That  none  Commilfion'd 

*  by  the  King,  may  be  by  Arms  rcfifled,  and  that  they 

*  would  never  endeavour  any  Alteration  of  the  Go- 

*  vernment  of  Church  or  State.*  The  great  Speakers 
for  it,  were  the  Lord  Treafurer  ajid  ihe  Lord  Keeper, 
with  Bifliop  Morley  and  Bilhop  I4'ard.  The  great 
Speakers  againft  it,  were  the  Earl  of  Shaftsbury^   the 

Lord  HoUis^  the  Lord  HaUifax^ 
t  A  Urge  Account  oftheDe-  the  Duke  of  Buckn'ghanf,  and  the 
kates  on  this  Head  in  the  Houfe  Earl  of  Snlubury  :  Who  jointly  With 
of  reer<,  may  be  feen,  in  a  Let-  the  Marquis  ot  Pf^ in :1c tier,  and  the 
ter  from  a  Terfn  of  Qj^tality  to  Earls  of  B'/'/^o/,  Bcrli^fhire  and  Aks- 
his  I ricnd  in  the  Country.,  that  i^  hury^  enierd  thcit  Proteftations  3- 
fublijb'd  in  the  Second  Volume,  gainft  ic.  t  They  pleaded  that  this 
of  the  State  Trans  of  King  Qath  would  be  deHrudive  to  the 
Xharks'5  2?«;^>f,  ^.  4i,&c.  priviledge  of  their  Houfe,  which 

was  to  Vote  freely,  and  not  to 
be  prc-obiigcd  by  an  Oath  to  the  Prelates.  After  a 
great  many  Debates,    tho'  the  7  eft  was  carry 'd  by  a 

Majority 


Chap.  XIII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  345 


Majority,  yet  it  was  fo  altered,   as  made  it  incapable  of -4«.  1^75. 
ferving  the  Purpofes  of  thofe  who  a,c  firft  were  moft 
Zealous  for  it;  it  was  not  to  their  Guft,   for  they  re-^ 
lucd  it  to  thefe  Words  of  a  Declaration,  and  an  Oarh. 
I  /I,  B.  do  Declare,   that  it  is  not  lawful  on  any  Pre- 
tence whatfoever,    to  take  Arms  againft  the  King, 
and  I  do  abhor  the  TraiterousPofition  of  taking  Arms, 
by  his  Authority  againft  his  Perfon,   or  agaiaft  thofe 
that  are  Commiilion'd  by  hinni  according  to  Law,  in 
time  of  Rebellion  and  War,   in  Adting  in  Purfuance 
of  fuch  GommiHion.*    '  I  A.B.  do  Swear  that  I  will 
not  endeavour  an  Alteration  of  the  Proteflant  Re- 
ligion   now    Eftablifh'd    by  Law,    in    the   Church 
of  England,    nor   will  I  endeavour  any   Alteration 
in  the  Government  of   this  Kingdom    in    Church 
or  State,   as  it  is  by  Law  Eftablilh'd.'     And  when 
t  Paft,  the  Lords    got  in  this  Provifo,    that  it  fhould 
he  no  hindrance  to  their  free  Sfeahjng  and  Voting  in  the 
Parliament  *. 

Kpting 


*  /  thifik  it  mt  amifs  here  to  ittfeft, 
A  Utter  ji-om  Arcbbifhop  Sheldon,  to  Vr.  Compton  Blflop  of  London, 
dated  Jan.  17.  1675. 

IRigbt  'Reyerend^  and  my  -very  good  Lord, 

rHave  tliought  fit  for  ferae  Reafons  that  nearly  concei-n  the  Church,  to 
pray  and  require  your  Lordfhip,  and  by  you  the  reft  of  my  Brethren 
tlie  Bifhops  of  this  Province,  that  forthwith  upon  the  Receipt  hereof, 
you  fend  Letters  di)e£)-ed  to  the  Archdeacons  and  Commiflaries  of  your 
refpeftive  Dioctflfes,  wililng  and  ftraidy  charging  thera,  that  as  well  by 
Conference  wiiJi  tlie  Mioilters,  as  the  Church-Wardens  of  each  Parifli,  or 
fuch  others  as  may  but  give  them  the  moft  punftual  Satisfaftion,  they  par- 
ticularly inform  themfclves  as  to  the  feveral Enquiries  hereafter  mentioned: 
And  tliat  having  gain'd  the  moft  true  and  certain  Information  herein, 
that  they  are  able,  they  prefently  after  tliis  their  next  Vifitation  of  Eafier 
ended,  tranfmic  their  Account  thereupon  in  Writing  unto  their  refpeftive 
Diocefans,  and  they  to  your  Lordlhip,  by  you  to  be  Communicated  to 
nie,  with  your  Lordlhips  iirft  conveniency.  And  to  the  end  that  they 
may  be  the  more  circumfpeft  and  fudden  in  the  Execution  of  this  Aifair, 
1  think  it  not  unneceffary  that  there  be  fome  Advertifement  intimated  unto 
them,   how  that  even  they  themfelves  and  their  Jurifdiftions  are  in  fome 

meafure 


946  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XIH. 

4a.  \6-}6.  Ks^if^g  the  Informer,  being  in  Prilbn  for  Debt, 
Wrote  to  Mr.  Baxter  to  endeavour  his  Deliverance, 
which  he  did.  He  cold  him  in  his  Leccer,  that  he  verily 
believ  'd  that  God  had  lent  his  Affli6J:ion  upon  him,  as 
X  Punilhmenc  for  giving  him  fo  much  trouble  ;  and  ear- 
neftly  deiir'd  him  to  Pray  to  God  to  forgive  him.  A- 
nothcr  Inroruicr  M<ir;yfe,:/,  dy'd  in  the  Counter,  where 
he  was  clapc  up  fur  Debt:  And  ycc  others  went  on. 
Sir  Toom,:i  D^.vis  gave  a  Warrant  toDiftreiji  on  Mr.  Bax- 
ter  for  50/.  for  Preaching   bis  Le<5turc  at  Ncw-^reet. 


meafuie  herein  alfo  concern'd.    So  nor  doubting  of  your  Z,ordlhips  Care 
in  the  Premifes,  I  bid  your  Lordlhip  heartily  Fare  wel.     And  am, 
My  Lord, 

Tour  tcrdjhifi  Afe^ionate  friend  and  Brother, 

GILBERT  CANT. 

The  Inquiries. 
i.  What   Number   of   P<.rion3  are   there  by  common   Account   and 
tllimaiion  inhabiting  within  each  Parilli  fubje£t  to  your  Jurifdiftion. 

2.  What  Number  of  Popi;li  Recufants,  or  Perions  fufpeOed  for  fuch 
Reciifancy  are  there  refident  among  the  Inliabitants  afoiUaid. 

^.  What  Number  of  other  Diffenters  ire  tiiere  in  each  Paridi,  of  what 
Soft  foever,  which  either  obftinatcly  icfule,  or  wholly  abfent  themfelves 
from  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  Englt^nd^  ai  (uch  Times  a3  by 
Law  they  are  required. 

For  the  Right  Feverer.d  F/ttlur  in  0'>dy 
Henry,  Lord  Bijhop  of  London. 

This  Tear  1 67 5,  tl>epe  vas  a  Bosk  Printed,  Entituled,  The  'Eeacea'bU 
Vejign^  or  a»  Atc^unt  of  the  Nonconformifi>  Mcetlnj^^,  by  fome  Miniflen  of 
London,  tphich  Dr.  Stil^ingfieet,  w/>t  reflc^ed  upon  it  in  the  Freface  to 
his  UnreafonabIeMcf>  of  Separation^  f-  25,  J'ty^t  ^^^  Trinted  vith  a  Deji^n 
to  prefent  it  lo  the  Farli ar/ietit .  The  fame  Teat  came  uut,  fume  Eeafom 
vhich  prevail d  w'th  the  Diffenters  in  Brilrol,  to  continue  their  Meetingi^ 
hovervcr  Profccuted  or  Dijiutb'd.  fi'^vcr  alfo  tfas  puhlifh  d.  Separation  yet  no 
Schtfm^  or  Nonconflrmifis  no  Schifmaticks,  in  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Sliarp'i  Sermon 
before  the  Lord  Mayir,  by  Mr.  Thomas  Wadfworth.  uind  Mr,  Stockton's 
'Rebuke  to  Jnhrmers,  with  a  Plea  for  the  Miniflen  of  the  Gofpel,  inllcd  Non- 
ctnfcrmijii,  and  their  Meetings,  and  Adyice  to  thofc  to  vfhoni  thefe  Informers 
Addrcf  themfelves,  for  Affijiance  in  tlteir  Undrrtakinrs.  Kow  alfo  was 
Trimed  Naked  Truth,  jaid  to  be  Written  by  the  Bifhop  of  Hertford  ;  which 
contain  d  federal  bold  Truths,  and  had  feyeral  A^ftvers^  of  which  fome  weu 
Smart^  and  otlieti  mort  Mild. 

How- 


Chap.  XIII.         Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  947 

However  he  ftill  went  on,    and  Built  a  New  Meeting-  ^n.  i'j66 

Houfe  in  Oxenden-ilreet,  the  Old  Place  over  St.  Jnmess 

Market- Houfe,  being  not  tho'c  fafe;  and  when  the  New 

Chappel  was  finilhed,   and  he  had  Preached  but  once, 

a  Refolation  was  taken  to  furprize  him  the  next  time, 

and  fend  him  for  fix  Months  to  Goal  upon  the  Oxford 

j^cf.     He  knowing  nothing  of  it,    had  taken  a  Journey 

into  the  Gauntry,  and  Mr.  Seddon  a  Dnrbyjhire  Minifter 

was  procur'd  to  Preach  for  him  ••  He  was  taken  and  fent 

to  the  Gate-Houfe,  alcho*  the  Warrant  fuited  him  not, 

He  continu'd  there  near  Three  Months,   and  at  laft  was 

deliver'd  by  an  Habeas  Corpuf.     About  this  time,  12  or 

I  i  of  the  Bilhops  dining  with   that  Eminent  Citizen 

Sir  Nnthnnael  Hern  then  Sheriff  of   London^   and  Dif- 

courfing  with  him  about  putting  the  Laws  againft  the 

Diffenters  in  Execution  ;  he  told  them,    that  they  could 

not  Trade  vpith  their  Neighbours  one  Day,  and  fend  them  to 

Goal  the  next.     In  the  next  Seflion  of  Parliament,   the 

Duke  of  Buckingham  make  a  notable  Speech  againft 

Petfecution,    and   defired   the   Confent  of  the  Lords, 

that  fee  might  bring  in  a  Bill  for  the  Eafe  of  His  Maje- 

fties  Proteftant  Subjedls  in  matters  of  Religion;    but 

while  he  was  preparing  it,  the  Parliament  was  Pro- 

rogii'd. 

Mr.  Baxter  having  been  kept  an  whole  Year  from 
Preaching  in  his  New  Chappel,  in  /ipril  1676,  be- 
gan   in     another,    in  Si.  Martins 

Parilh  *.  A  little  before,  the  ^  In  i6j6,  were  pubitfh^dmori 
King  importunately  Commanded  Anlmadyerjlom  on  Naked  Truth. 
and  Urg'd  the  Judges,  and  Lcn-  I-tx  Talionis,  or  the  Author  of 
don  Juflices,  to  put  the  Laws  -^^^^^  "^^^  ^^  ft^'P^  TCahed,  410. 
againft  the  Nonconformifts  in  ^^1^-  ^niodefi  Surrey  of  the 
Execution:    and    Sir   Jofeph   Shel-     ^f   confderabe     Thngj    tn  * 

don  the  Lord  Mayor,  the  Arch-  ^'yfjf'^^  /""^ft'  -T 
i-n       »  i^-    r  J-      I        titled  Naked  Truth.     Mr.bmirlL, 

bifliops  near  Kmiman  accordingly    ^^  ^^^  ^.^.^^   .^  ^^^^ .    ^^.^^ 
did  fo  for  fome  time,    and  many     ,,,^^;„   Anmtations,     upon   the 
Mmifters  were  clapt  up   m  Goals.     Anlmadyerftom  on  Naked  Truth  : 
Mr.  Baxter  was  forcibly  kept  out     Supposd  to  be  Written  by  Andrew 
of   his    New    Meeting-Houfe    in     Marvel. 
Svffallovp-Street ,    by    a    Guard   of 
Conflables  and  Ofiicers,  for  many  Lords  Days  together. 
Bat  Mr.  H^adfworth  dying,   he  Preach'd  to  his  Flock  in 
Southwark  many  Months  in  Peace,  no  Juftice  being  wil- 
ling ro  difturb  them :   And  when  Di,  Loyd  fucceeded 

Dr, 


348  The  LI  FE  of    Chap.  XIH. 

An,  1578.  Dr.  L.tf?}plugh  in  St.  Martins  Parifli,    he  offer'd  him  his 
Chappel  in  Oxenden-Street  for  Publick  WorHiip,  and  he 
*  rhc^    accepted  ii  *. 
Gcr.tlc- 

wan  that  Com  fled  the  Third  Volume  of  the  Compkat  Hiilory  of  England, 
^uot'iM^  this  Pajfage^  /»*  41  2,  fays.  That  that  pare  of  the  Relation  as  to  the 
OfJcr  of  a  Chnppcl,  is  known  to  be  taife.  This  appearing  tc  he  a  direci 
ContradiClion  to  Mr.  Baxur  j  Relation  of  a  matter  of  fa-!},  vpJj'ch  he  himfelf 
teas  concern  d  in,  troubled  wanj.  The  rather,  iecaufe  it  fcertid  to  firihe  at 
the  Credit  of  his  vfhole  Hifiofy,  Mr.  BaxiCT  had  not  r^y  ^Jferted  in  the  Hi' 
fiary  of  his  Life,  P.  179,  that  he  waf  encoura^'d  bjJ>r:  Tillotfonto  mike 
the  offer  of  the  Chappel,  qnd  that  it  was  'iccepc-d  to  his  great  Sirisfifti- 
on;  but  he  had  mentioned  it  in  feveral  of  his  Hnrh  that  rffere  puhUpj'd  in 
bii  Life  time  :  And  particularly  in  Itis  Brey}a<e  of  the  Life  of  his  Wife-,  he 
f^y^i  p-  57  •*  That  Dr.  Lloyd  and  the  PariuJoners  accepted  of  it  for  their 
Publick  VVorfljip,  and  that  he  and  his  Wife  asked  them  no  more  Rent, 
tJian  they  were  to  pay  for  die  Ground,  and  the  Room  over  for  a  Veftry 
at  $  /;  asking  no  Advantage  for  all  tlie  Money  laid  out  on  the  Building. 
U  hit h  was  never  knoisrn  to  be  contradiclcdy  till  this  Hifiory  vfas  puhlijhd. 
Application  therefcre  was  made  to  the  Compiler  of  that  Third  Folume  in  4 
*efpc(lful  way,  and  he  was  requeued  to  ftgwfe  upon  what  Grounds  thi^  was 
thar^'d  a<i  a  Valfity.  Hereupon,  he  hke  a  Gentleman,  a  Chriflian,  and  a 
Diyine,  jrankly  ofer'd  to  confuit  rny  Lord  Bijhop  of  Worcefler  upon  the  Mat- 
ter, who  was  pleas' d  to  7  ire  it  under  his  Haytd,  (and  J  have  it  now  by  me) 
That  Mr.  Baxter  being  diiiurb'd  in  his  Meeiing-Houfe  in  OxeyJenftrcct, 
by  the  King's  Drums,  which  Mr.  Secretary  Oivei-.try  cau?"d  ro  bf  beat  un- 
der the  NViniows,  made  an  offer  of  letting  it  to  the  Parifn  of  St.  Mav- 
^irn  for  a  Tabernacle  at  the  Rent  of  Forty  Pounds  a  Year  ;  :md  that  his 
I-ordll  ip  liejiring  it,  faid  he  lik'd  it  well :  And  that  thereupon  Mr.  Baxter 
rjme  to  him  h.imfelf,  and  upon  his  propofing  ihe  f.ime  Thing  to  him,  he 
acqininted  the  Veflry,  and  they  took  it  upon  tliofe  Terras.  This  Account 
T  fuhUp/d  in  the  Narrative  prefixed  to  Mr.  Baxter'.*  Traclical  Works,  and  here 
repeat,  with  due  \ThanJcs  to  l)is  Lordjhip  for  his  franhmf<,  and  to  tl>e  Gentle- 
man who  confulted  him,  for  his  mofi  ohliginz^  readinefs  to  do  JufiiiQ  to  Truth ^ 
t^o*  not  much  to  the  Credit  of  the  Compleat  Hifiory. 

In  1678,  The  Popifh  Plot  broke  out,  which  exceed- 
ingly alarum'd  the  whole  Nation.  The  Houfcof  Com- 
mons after  many  warm  Debates,  came  to  this  Refoluti- 
on  ;  that  there  hath  been,  and  is,  r.n  Execrable  r,nd  Hjliifh 
dejign,  ccntrivd  and  carry  d  on  by  Fopifi^j  {{ecujants  for 
Ajfr.ffmating  and  Murdering  the  Kjngy  for  Jubverting  the 
Government,  nnd  for  dt'/rroyinj/  the  Protejlant  [{elision  by 
Kavo  EjUblifh'd,  Moft  of  their  time  was  fpent  in 
fcarching  into  this  Plot,  and  in  endeavouring  to  pre- 
vent the  Fatal  Qjafequences  oil  it.     Many  futfet'd  fpr 

it. 


Chap.  XIII.     Mr,  Richard  Baxtet.  349 


if,   notwithftanding  all  the  Endeavours  of  Great  Men -4».  167^ 
about  the  Court  to  fave  and  fcreen  them.     The  Parti- 
culars may  be  feen  in  the  Hiftories  of  the  time.     At 
length   on  January  the    T4th,    167^..  this  Parliament 
which  fo  long  cdrtioly'd  with  the  Criurt  in  all  their 
Defires,    which  to  Gratifie  the  Clergy,    caft  fo  many 
Worthy  Miniftersout  of  the  Chr.rch  by  the  Ad  for 
Uniformity,  and  afterwards  lard  fuch)  heavy  Burdens 
on  the  Poor  Nonednformifts;  which  improved  by  fetting, 
and  grew  more  and  more  concerned  for  the  Publick 
Welfare,    as  they  were  ??s,vakened  by  a  Senfc  of  the 
Common     Danger,    was    fuddenly   Diiroived.    This 
Diflblution  occafion'd  a  General  Ferment  in  all  Parts  of 
the  Country.    It  was  generally  efteemM  the  Common 
Concern  in  the  next  Election  to  choofe  firm  Proteftants, 
who  ftiould  heartily  apply  themfelves  to  make  Provi- 
(ion  for  the  Common  Security.     The  New  Parliament 
had  their  firft  Seifion  March  the  6th  foil-owing,   and  ^«-  167^. 
they  began  where  the  laft  Parliament  left  off.     When 
they  had  Sate  fome  tirrie,  they  were  Prorogu  d  to  /iu- 
^^y?  the  1 4th  "^ :  But  before  that  time,    they  were  Dif- ^T^/^/^^-^^y^ 
folv'd  by  Proclamation,   and  another  cali'd  to  Sit  at  1679,  ^^^ 
iVeHminfler  in  OHoher  following.    When  they  allem-  fuhUjh'd 
bledj  they  were  Ad journd till  the  i6ih  of  '^Miuary:  By  Mr.  Alfop'i 
which  'time,    a  New  Plot  was  Difcover'd  by  Danger.  Melius  In- 
field^  which  the  Papifts  had  contrived  to  lay  upon  the  quirendum. 
Diflenters.     They  were  afterwards  Adjoum'd  feveral 
times  till  OFtober  the  30th,   when  they  Sate  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Bufinefs.     Finding   no  other  way  to   keep 
Popery  out  of  the  Nation,  than  by  Excluding  the  Duke 
of  Tor l(^  from  the  Succeiiion  to  the  Crown,  they  bro't  in 
a  Bill  to  Difable  him.     On  November  the  1 1  th,  it  palTed 
the  Commons;  on  the   15  th  it  was  carryM  up  to  the 
Houfe  of  Lords  by  the  Brave  Lord   '^jfe!^   and  there 
at  the  Second  Reading  it  was  thrown  out,   by  a  Ma- 
jority of  Thirty  Voices,  of  which   1 4  were  Bilhops  f.     f  rhe¥e 
This  Houfe   of   Commons  had  before  them  a  Bill  ^as  now 
for  a   Comprehenfion^     and  another  for   an   Indulgence,  pchUflyd 
Both  of  them  were  read  twice,   and  were  before  the  a  fliorc  and 

true  Ac- 
count of  the  feveral  Advances  the  Church  of  England  hath  made  cowards 
'Rome  :,  Or  a  Model  of  the  Grounds  upon  which  the  Papifis  for  thcfe  Hundred 
Tears  hay e  built  their  Hspes  and  LxpeCiations^  that  England  would  e'er  lonr 
return  to  Foperj,    Bj  Dr.  Du  Moulin,  fometime  Hi/lory  J^rofifor  of  Oxford. 

Com- 


350  The  LIFE   of       Chap. XIII, 

An.  1 58o.  Committee.  Having  obtain'd  a  Copy  of  the  Heads  of 
a  Bitt  for  Vniting  hts  Majfji/s  Protejiant  Subje^s^  that 
was  agreed  on  at  a  Committee ,  Nov.  1 8,  1 680,  I  (hall 
here  infert  tbem. 

"  I.  All  Perfons  that  (hall  Subfcribe,  and  give  their 
Affent  and  Confent,  to  Thirty  fix  of  the  Thirty  nine  Ar- 
ticles, vi:{.  all  that  concern  the  Dodlrine  of  the  Church 
of  England  only,  (hall  be  capable  of  any  EcdeJiafti- 
cal  Living  or  Preferment,  as  if  they  had  fubfcrib'd, 
and  given  their  Aflcnt  and  Confent  to  all  the  Thirty 
"  nine  Articles. 
*'  1.  No  Perfon  to  be  admitted  to  any  Ecclefiaftica! 
Living  or  Preferment,  that  does  not  Erft  take  the 
Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  and  take  and 
lubfcribe    the    Declaration    taken    by    the   Parlia- 


<c 


ec 


ment. 


3.  The  Ufe  of  the  Surplice  to  be  wholly  taken 
away,  except  in  the  Kings  Chappel  and  Cathedral 
Churches. 

'*  4.  No  Minifter  to  be  oblig* d  to  declare  their  Af 
fent  and  Confent  upon  the  Reading  of  the  Common 
Prayer  according  to  the  Ad:  of  Uniformity. 
*'  5.  NoMinilter  to  be  obHgd  to  rtnounce  the  Co- 
venant. 

*'  6.  None  to  be  compcU'd  to  ufe  the  Crofs  in  Bap- 
tifm,  or  fa^r  for  not  doing  it :  But  if  any  Parent 
defire  to  have  his  Child  Chriften'd,  according  to  the 
Form  now  ns'd,  and  the  Minifter  will  not  ufe  the 
Sign,  it  (hall  be  Lawful  for  that  Parent  to  procure 
another  Minifter  10  do  ir.  And  if  the  proper  Mini- 
fter (hall  refufe  to  omit  the  Ceremony  of  the  Crofs, 
**  ic  (hall  be  I. awful  for  the  Parent  who  would  not 
"  have  his  Child  fo  Baptii'd,  to  procure  another  Mi- 
**  nifter  who  will  do  it  without  the  Crofs,  according  to 
"  his  Defire. 

"  7.  None  fhall  be  denied  the  Sacrament  of  the 
"  Lord's  Sapper,  tho*  they  do  nor  ufe  the  Geftures  of 
"  Kneeling  in  the  Adi  of  Receiving. 

*'  8.  If  any  Communicant  Ihall  not  think  fit  toconle 
**  lip  to  the  Communion  Table  there  to  receive  the 
**  Sacrament,  the  Minifter  of  the  Pari(h,  or  his  Curate. 
**  (hall  not  refufe  to  Adminifter  the  Sacrament  to  him, 
**  but  fhall  go  to  the  Place  in  the  Church  where  fuch 
*'  Perfou  is,  and  there  deliver  him  the  fame. 

**  A$ 


Chap.  XIII.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  551 

*'  As  for  fuch  as  notwithfianding  thefe  Alterations, -4«.  idSo. 
**  cannot  Communicate  with  the  Church  of  England; 
"  neither  the  Statutes  of  the  23  or  28  of  Eli;{  j  3  of 
"  Jarn  ;  nor  any  other  former  Laws  made  againft  Pc- 
"  pifli  Recufants ,  (hall  be  extended  to  Proteflant 
*'  Diflenters ;  vi7{.  fuch  as  (hall  make  and  fubfcribe  the 
*'  Declaration  following.  [Here  inferi  the  Deciararion 
"  when  agreed  upon.] 

''  That  ail  Perfonsrbat  ihali  take  the  faid  Declaration 
'*  fhall  be  exempted  from  all  the  Penalties  and  For- 
'*  feitures  already  incurr'd,  by  Force  of  any  cf  the  a- 
"  foreiaid  Laws  againit  Papifts,  without  any  Fee  Oi 
**  further  Charge  whatfoever. 

'*  Such  Perfons  as  Oiall  make  and  fubfcribe  the  De- 
''  claration  aforefaid,  (hail  not  be  liable  to  any  of  the 
"  Penalties  in  the  K6i  for  fuppreiTing  of  Conventicles^ 
"  nor  the  Ad:  of  the  35  th  Eli:{^  nor  be  Piofecuted  in 
*'  any  Ecciefiaftical  Court,  by  reafon  of  their  Noncon- 
"  forming  to  the  Church  of  England. 
"  But  nothing  herein  Jliall  exempt  the  Perfons  afore- 
faid from  the  payment  of  Tythes,  or  other  Duties 
due  and  payable  by  other  Proteftants  of  the  Church 
of  England^  oi  from  any  Profecution  for  the  fanoe. 
"  So  as  fuch  Perfons  do  not  meet  for  Religious  Wor- 
fhip  armed  with  Fire  Arms,  nor  in  any  Place  with 
the  Doors  (hut,  during  all  the  Time  of  Prayers  and 
Preaching,  except  during  the  Time  of  Adminiftring 
the  Sacrament. 

*'  If  any  fuch  Perfons  as  aforefaid  Ihall  be  chofen  or 
appointed  to  bear  the  Office  oi  High  Conftable,  or 
Petty  Conftable,   Church- Warden,   Overfeer  for  the 

Poor,  or  any  other  Parochial  or Office,  he  ihali 

have  Liberty  to  find  a  Deputy,  fuch  a  One  as  ihall 
be  approved  by  Two  Juftices  of  the  Peace. 
"  Neither  the  Adt  againft  Conventicles,  nor  the 
Five  Mile  A(fl  ihall  be  profecuted  againft  any  Mini- 
fters,  that  (hall  make  and  fubfcribe  the  Declaration 
aforefaid;  and  ihall  not  Preach  in  any  Place,  but  on- 
ly with  the  Doors  open  as  afoiefaid. 
"  Any  Jufticeof  the  Peace  may  require  any  Perfor? 
that  goes  to  any  Meeting  for  Religious  Worlhip  10 
make  and  fubfcribe  the  Declaration  as  aforefaid;  and 
every  Perfon  fo  refufing  ihall  be  committed  to  Pri- 
fon,  and  his  Name  certify'd  by  the  Juftice  cf  Peace 

*'  to 


C( 


U 


352  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  Xlir 

Jin,  i6So.  *'  to  the  Quarter  Seffions :  And  if  fucli  Perfon  fhall 
*'  refufe  to  make  and  fublcribe  the  Declaration  at  die 
"  Qiiarter  Scfiions,  he  ilia  11  be  taken  for  a  Papift  Qoh- 
*'  vid-,  and  fuftcr  accordingly  ;  and  be  liable  to  the 
**  Penalties  of  all  the  fa  id  Laws. 

"  No  Perfon  that  will  not  take  the  Oaths  of  Alle- 
*^  giance  and  Supremacy,  when  tendred  to  him,  lliall 
*'  be  admitted  to  take  the  faid  Declaration  that  cannot 
*'  within  Twenty  one  Days,  bring  Two  fufiicienc 
"  Witnefles  to  Certify  upon  Oath,  that  they  believe 
**  him  to  be  a  Diflcnting  Proteitnnt^  and  alio  bring  a 
"  Certificate  from  his  Congregation,  owning  him  as 
'*  one  of  them. 

"  Till  that  Certificate  fhall  be  produced,  and  the 
**  Two  Witnefles  come  to  Atteft  his  being  a  Vrotcflnnt 
**  Diflentcr  as  aforefaid,  the  Juftice  to  take  Recogni- 
**  zance,  with  Two  Sureties  for  his  proving  the  fame  ; 
'*  and  if  he  cannot  give  fuch  Securities,  to  commit  him 
*^  to  Prifon. 

**  The  Laws  againft  Perfons  not  coming  to  Church, 
"  fhall  be  ftill  in  Force  againft  all  fuch  as  do  not  come 
'*  to  fome  Church  of  the  Church  of  En^Und^  or  fome 
"  other  Congregation,  or  AlTembly  for  Religious  Wor- 
**  iliip,  permitted  and  allowed  by  this  Law. 

But  finding  this  would  not  go,   a  Bill  was  prcpar'd 
purely  for  exempting  his  Majefty's  Proteifant  SubjeiSis, 
•  Diflenting  from  the  Church  of  EnglnnH,    from  the  Pe- 
nalties impos'd  upon  the  Papifts  by  the  A^  of  i^'EiP:;. 
It  pafTed  the  Commons,    and  was  agreed  to   by  the 
Lords,  but  when  the  King  came  to  the  Houfe  to  pafs 
the  Bills,    this  was  taken  from  the  Table,  and  never, 
heard  of  more :  Which  was  not  likely  to  be  without  the 
King's  Order,    or  Connivance.     Many  Leading  Men 
fpake  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,    while  thefe  Matters 
were  under  Debate  there:   As  Mr.  Bujcowen,    Sir  Nicho- 
las CareWy    Sir  John  Mnynard,    Sir  Francn  IVinningtdri ^ 
Delates  of  ^^'  ^^^^^'^^^y->  Mr.  Titus,    Mr.  PovqcI,   Sir  I{jch/ird  Tern- 
the  Houfe  of  P^^y  Mt.  Hamhden,    M.T.  Finch,  Sir  Thomas  C Urges,  Col- 
(nmmons  at  lonel  Birch,   on  One  lide  :  &c.     And  feverai  others  alfo 
the  Parlia-  on  the  oppofite  fide.    One  Gentleman  when  the  Bill 
nent  in     of  Comprehenfion  was  Read,   was  pleas  d  to  fay,  That . 
1680.  he  tho't  it  more  Convenient  to  have  n  Law  for  forcing  the 

page  207.    Diffenters  to  the  Church,    than  to  force  the  Church  to  yield 
2iij  212.  to  them.    But  fays  a  Worthy  Gentleman  who  Ipake  if- 

ierwards» 


Ghap.  Xfli.     Mr.  Kfchard  Baxter.  55:^ 


terwards;  0'foat  Love,  Friehdfhip  or  Obediev.ce  can  the  An.  i68o' 
Church  expeH  f<om  fuch  PerfonSj  as  by  the  Execution  of 
Juch  Laws  may  be  fore  d  to  come  to  Church  ?  Hoxk>  can  they  be 
depefided  on,  or  the  Church  be  flrengtherid  P  Tju  rnay  pre- 
vent their  Conventicles',  and  force  them  either  to  come  to 
Church  or  pay  Fines,  or  be  imprifond ;  hut  you  cannot  ex- 
peB-  that  their  Opinions  or  Affeliions  fhmld  be  alter  d  by 
fuch  Proceedings^  vpithoitt  rohich  the  Church  cnn  never  he 
the  Jirongen  Afterwards  he  adds^  if  the  OxioYdi  Aci 
and  other  Laws  againji  Dijjenters^  were  pro[ec}ed  in  fa^ 
^our  of  the  Proteftahc  Religion,  it  was  Grange  that  they 
were  Jo  much  promoted,  (as  'tis  well  known  they  werej 
by  Sir  Tho.  ClifFoid,  Sir  Sol.  SwaJe  and  Sir  Roget 
Strickland,  who  have  fjnce  all  appear'^d  tobe  Papijrs,  But; 
they  had  not  time  to  bring  Thingsto  Maturity.  For  the 
King  was  diffatisfy'd  with  their  Proceedings;  his  greac 
want  was  Money,  and  they  were  refolv'd  to  give  none, 
unlefs  he  would  pafs  a  Bill  to  Exclude  the  Duke  oiTork^, 
Whereupon  on  the  14th  of  Jan.  they  were  ProroguM  : 
But  before  they  rofe,  they  came  to  thefe  Two  Refoluti- 
bns  :  I{f/olv^d  Nemine  Contradicente,  That  it  is  theOpi' 
nion  of  this  Uoufe,  that  the  Acts  of  Parliament  made  ih 
the  F(sign  of  Queen  Elizabeth  nrtd  Kjng  Jam'eS  r.gainU 
Popifh  i^ecufants,  ought  not  to  be  extended  ngain'd  PrOte- 
ilant  Dijfenters,  /ind  ^efoh'd,  that  it  li  the  Opinion  of 
thtf  Houfe,  that  the  Profecutibn  0/ Proteftant  Diffsnters 
tipon  the  Penal  Laws.,  is  at  this  Time  grievous  to  the  Suh'» 
jsB,  a  weakning  the  Proteiftant  Interefi,  an  Ryicourage^ 
went  to  Popery,  and  dangerous  to  the  Peace  of  the  Kjng- 
-dom.  After  which  they  were  firft  Prorogu'd  and  then 
Diflblv'd.  Another  Parliament  met  at  Oxford  \n  March 
following,  but  had  not  time  to  do  any  Bufinefs.  There 
was  a  complaint  then  made  of  the  nnprecedtnted  lofs 
of  the  forementiort'd  Bill  for.tbe  {Repealing  the  AH  of 
35  Eliz.  but  without  any  Satisfaction  orRedreis. 

Notwithftandmg  that  the  Fears  of  Popery  were  iii 
thefe  Times  fo  great  and  general,  and  manifeRly  but  too 
well  grounded,  yet  did  Dr.  Stillingfieet  then  Dean  of 
St.  Pauls  chink  fit  (prevaifd  on  as  is  fdppos'd  by  fome 
great  Perfons)  to  reprefent  all  the  Nonconform if^s  as 
Schifmatickj:  And  he  did  it  to  purpofe,  Ctho*  moft  Peo- 
ple tho't  very  unfcafonably)  in  a  Sermon  before  the 
Lord  Mayor,  on  May  the  zd^  1680;  Intituled  the  Mif- 
chief  of  Separation.    He  there  takes  notice  of  it  ss  an 

h  at  Ae- 


354  'T*^  LIFE  of       Chap,  XIU. 

jU.  I  58o  Acknowledgment  of  many  of  the  Dilfenting  Minifter?, 
That  Commihiicn   xv'uh  the  Publick^  Churches  was  Lawful, 

pare  1 2  12  ^^^  ^^  refers  to  their  Two  Mecdngs  to  confider  the 
'^      '  '  lawfuinefs  of  Parifh  Worfhipthat  Mr.  Baxter  had  tnen- 
tion'd  in  Piinc,  (which  have  been  before  hinted  in  this 
Narracive) :    And  yet  a  few  Pages  after,   hf  complains 
'      th^t  the  Liivpfulnefi  of.  jc^ff^^  vpith  the  Church  in  Publicl(^ 
Affemblies  vom  kpft  as  a  mighty  fecret  in  the  Brenjls  of  the 
Teachers ;    leait  they  floould  feem  to  condemn  themfehes, 
whilfl  they  preacFd  agninfi  Separation  in  n  feparate  Con" 
gregation.     But  it  appeared  to  unprejudiced  Standers  by, 
a  pleafant  Fancy,  that  he  fhould  reprefent  Men  as  having 
a  defign  to  conceal,    what  he  knew  they  had  publilh'd 
to  all  the  World  in  Print.     In  the  fame  Sermon,  the 
Dr.  lamented,    That  when  the  Diff enters  fo  genernUy  con" 
jsntpd  in  this  Cafe,    there  foould  he  fo  few  either  of  their 
Preachers  or  People  that  came  ordinarily  to  the  Publick,  Con- 
gregations.    And  adds,    That  it  is  hard  to  under (Innd  if 
''  '  '     occafional  Communion  he  Lawful ^   thdt  conjiant  Communion 
fhould  not  he  a  Duty,  Sec. 

An  Anfwer  was  Written  to  this  Sermon  by  Dr.  Owen^ 
with  great  Gravity  and  Serioufnefs ;  in  which  among 
other  fuitable  and  feafonable  Remarks,  he  upon  occa- 
fion  of  the   Doctors  caution  to  the  Nonconformifts, 

j,^2,  <i.  wo;  to  be  always  compUining  of  their  Hard/hips  and  Perfe- 
cation^  makes  this  Reply:  They  that  is  the  Nonconfor- 
mifts fay,  after  fo  many  of  them  have  died  in  Common 
Goals  J  fo  many  have  indur'^d  long  Imprifonments,  not  a  few 
^  being  at  thts  D.iy  in  the  fame  durance ;  fo  many  driven 
from  their  Habitations  into  n  wandring  Condition,  to  pre- 
ferve  for  a  while  the  Liberty  of  their  Perfons  ;  fo  many 
have  been  reduced  unto  fVant  and  'Penury,  by  the  takjng 
away  cf  their  Goods  ;  and  from  fome  the  very  Inftrwncnts 
of  their  Livelihood ;  after  the  Projecutions  which  have  been 
againil  them  in  all  Courts  of  Justice  in  tJm  Nation,  on  In^ 
formations,  Inditements,  and  Suits,  to  the  great  Charge 
of  all  of  them  who  are  fo  Perfecuted,  and  the  I{uin  of  fome  ^ 
after  fo  many  Ministers  and  their  Families  have  been  brot^ 
into  the  utmoft  outward  Str eights  which  Nature  cnn  fubfiSl 
under  •  after  all  their  perpetual  Fears  and  Dangers  when- 
with  they  have  been  exercised  and  difquieted,  they  thinl(^  it 
bard  they  fhould  be  complain  d  of,  for  complainings  by  them 
wha  are  at  Lafe,  8<c, 

Ano- 


Chap.  XIIL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  555 


Another  Anfwer  to  the  fame  Sermon,  that  was  very  An.  idSo 
Particular,  Warm  and  Clofe,  was  publilh'd  by  Mr.  Bax- 
ter,    Among  other  remarkable  Hints,  he  in  one  Place 
exprefTes  himfelf  thus :    I  voill  never  be  a  Member  of  n     ^.  ^y. 
Particular  Churchy    which  will  forbid  me  Communion  with 
all  others  that  differ  from  them  ;    yea,  that  doth  not  hold  its 
Communion  in  Vnity  with  all  the  true  Chri^ian  Churches 
on  Earth.     He  afterwards  inftances  in  many   Things     /».  58. 
that  are  Lawful,   but  not  matter  of  Duty.     And  con- 
cludes with  thefe  Words  ;    //  you  will  rather  let  in  Tole-   f.  107. 
ration  of  Popery^    than  you  will  To/?r4fe«Proteftants,  that 
fear  the  Guilt  of  Lyings   Perjury ^    and  many  other  Evils, 
fhould  they  do  that  which  you  confejl  indifferent^  let   God. be 
Judge  between  you  and  m. 

A  Third  Anfwer  was  drawn  up  with  great  "Wit  and 
Smartnefs  by  Mr.  ^Ifop,  who  oppos'd  the  Mifchief  of  Im- 
f  ofit  ions  to  ihe  Do(Sior's  Mifchief  of  Separation.  He  briskly 
turns  upon   him  his  own  Words  and  Phrafes,    and  re- 
torts  his    Charges    and   Accufations.    He    forces  the 
Do(ffcors  Text  out  of  his  Hands,  and  proves  he  mill-ook 
the  Senfe  of  it.    He  Argues  alfo  ftrenuoully  againft  him 
from  ^om.  14.    He  proves  that  occafional  Communion     p.  80. 
may  be  Lawful,   and  yec  conftant  Communion  not  a 
Duty."  He  retorts  his  Cautions  upon  him:   And  con- 
fronts his  Advices,  with  counter  Advice;  and  at  length   p.  102. 
^•concludes  with  thefe  Words :  I  muft  openly  Profefi,  after 
all  I  can  hear  or  read  againji  the  Caufe  of  Nonconformity^ 
I  am  more  confirmed,    that  i^tll  the  Wtt  of  Man  can  never 
prove  the  Dijfenters  in  their  way  of  H^orjhip  Guilty  of  the 
Mifchief s  of  Separation,   nor  jultifie  the  exaBors  of  fuch 
Terms  of  Communion  as  are  no  way  co-mmanded  by  the  H^oid 
of  God,    no  way  necejfary  to*  the  executing  of  thofe  Com- 
mands ;    but  they  muft  remain  If  ill  Guilty  of  the  Mifchief 
of  thefe  Imprcfjtions. 

A  Fourth  Reply  to  the  fame  Sermon,  was  intituled, 
a  Letter  I4^ritten  out  of  the  Country  to  a  Perfon  of  Quality 
in  the  City y  who  took.  Offence  at  the  late  Sermon  of  Or.Stil- 
lingfleet  Dean  of  St.  Pauls,  before  the  Lord  Mayor  ;  and 
was  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Howe  with  great  clearnefs  and 
ftrength  of  Reafoning.  He  (hews  how  unreafonably 
the  Dr.  endeavours  to  keep  the  Diflenters,  who  after 
the  utmoft  fcarch  could  not  be  faiisfied  to  Conform,  in 
a  State  of  Damnation  for  fcrupUng  the  Ceremonies;  ac 
leaft  in  a  neglcd  of  the  neceltary  Means  gf  Salvation. 

A  a  x  He 


550  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XIII. 

An.  :58o.  He  Ihews  his  Arguments  both  ^^  ^cm  8c  ad  Hominem 
to  be  unconcluding.  He  refleds  freely  on  the  Dodior, 
for  his  too  great  Acrimony,  and  too  little  ferioufners 
in  his  way  ot  Management ;  and  yet  cloies  with  a  very 
gcrtecl  and  handfome  Addiefs  to  iuch  as  were  offended 
with  the  Do£lors  Sermon,  to  abate  their  Indignation, 
and  moderaie  their  Cenfures,  and  ftir  them  up  to  turn 
th'.ir  Reiiedtions  upon  bim,  into  ferious  Prayers  for 
him,  for  which  he  fliews  there  is  very  juft  Occallon. 

A  Fifth  Reply  was  written  by  Mr.  harret  of  Notting- 
ham^ and  intituled,  T/jj  H^Hor  of  Svitton  committed  with 
the  Dean  cf  St,  raul's  ;  Or  a  Defence  if  Dr,  SiillingfleetV 
Irenicum,  his  Di/courfes  of  Excommunicatioti,  Idolatry ^ 
ard  other  PV/itinys,  agairji  his  late  Sermon  of  ihe  Mifchief 
of  Separation.  Wherein,  he  with  great  Modefty,  and 
a  becoming  Chriftian  Temper,  reflects  upon  thofe 
Things  in  the  Sermon  which  appear'd  to  him  the  moft 
liable  to  Cenfure.  And  he  that  would  underfland  the 
Bafinefs  of  Schifm,  and  Separation  of  the  Church,  and 
Church  Power,  and  Church  Order,  of  the  Rule  we 
are  to  Walk  by,  and  the  true  Way  of  healing  our 
Breaches,  would  do  well  to  give  the  Sermon  and  thefe 
feveral  Anfwers  a  ferious  Perufal.  And  yet  while  the 
Do(5lor  and  his  Oppofites  were  eagerly  debating  Matters, 
the  Common  Enemy  took  an  Advantage  by  their  Scuffle, 
to  advance  in  his  Progrefs towards  their  intended  Ruin. 
The  Pcor  Diflenters  were  Profecu ted  afrelh,    in  De- 

c4«.  1681.  fiance  of  the  Votes  of  the  Parliament  in  their  Favour. 
Nay,  feveral  zealous  Proteftants,  who  had  been  moft 
Active  againft  the  Papifts,  were  try'd  by  Mercenary 
Judges,  with  Pack'd  Juries,  upon  hi/h  Evidence. 
The  Ccnfeqr.ence  may  be  feen  in  the  Common  Narra- 
tives cf  ih  fe  Times.  Orders  and  Dieftions  were  fent 
from  the  King  and  Council  Board  to  fupprefs  all  Con- 
venticle^, uhich  were  follow'd  carefully  enough  by  the 
Ji  flices  '  f  fJickf's'  H'-d/^  and  in  the  Borough  of  South' 
*  rhif     rvrky  an>;  by  feme  of  the  City  Juftices  alio*. 

Tear  rcM 

f)ul)i  jL'd,  An  Appeal  of  all   the  Nonconformifts  in  England  to  God,  and 

aU  h?    IM'iei  nn  -  in  EiiK'pt",  in  Order  10  miini',e[l  their  Sincerity  in  Point  of 

C)  fr  ,  .      and  tlh  King:    iB^  Lewis  Du  Moulin.     The  Findi cation 

>  pu  'Ujfj  a  by  Dr   Faikner,    ffroy'd  no  Vindication  of  the 

,     J  ,ulnel\    and  Anticjuity  of  Set  fyrms  cf  Public k  Minifierial 

■fgcncraliy  Uid  hy.^    or  iwpoi'd  on  all  Aiini/laru    8vo.   16B1.  By 

This 


Chap.  XIII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  557 


This  Year  alfo  the  Meetings  of  the  DilTenters  were  An.  |582. 
oft  broken  up,  and  the  Laws  againft  them' vigoroufly 
executed.  Many  Minifters  were  imprifon'd,  and  they 
and  their  Hearers  fin*d.  Mr.  Baxter  was  fuddenly  fur- 
priz'd  in  his  own  Houfe  by  a  Poor  Violent  Intornner, 
and  many  Conftables  and  Officers,  who  rufli'd  in,  and 
apprehended  him,  and  ferv'd  upon  him  a  Warrant  to  . 
feize  on  his  Perfon  for  coming  within  Five  Miles  of 
a  Corporation,  and  Five  more  Warrants  to  diftrain  for 
195/.  for  Five  Sermons.  Tho'  he  was  mt^ch  out  of 
Order,  being  newly  rifen  from  his  Bed,  where  he  had 
been  in  extremity  of  Pain,  he  was  contentedly  going 
with  them  to  a  Juftice,  to  be  fent  to  Goal,  and  left 
his  Houfe  to  their  Will.  But  Dr.  Thomas  Cox,  meet- 
ing him  as  he  was  going,  forc'd  him  in  again  to  his 
Bed,  and  went  to  Five  Jufticesand  took  his  Oath,  that 
he  could  not  go  to  Prifon  without  danger  of  Death, 
Upon  this  the  Juftices  delay'd  till  they  had  confulted  the 
King,  who  confented  that  his  Itnprifonment  fliould 
be  for  that  time  forborn,  that  he  might  Die  at  home. 
But  they  executed  their  Warrants  on  the  Books  and 
Goods  in  the  Houfe,  tho*  he  made  it  appear  they  were 
none  of  his,  and  they  Sold  even  the  Bed  which  he 
lay  Sick  upon.  Some  Friends  pay'd  them  as  much 
Money  as  they  were  praisM  at,  and  he  repay 'd  them. 
And  all  this  was  without  Mr.  Baxtei'^s  having  the  leait 
Notice  of  any  Accnfation,  or  receiving  any  Summons 
r.o  Appear  and  Anfwer  for  himfelf,  or  ever  feeing  the 
Juftices  or  Accufers :  And  afterwards  he  was  in  coa- 
ftant  danger  of  New  Seifures,  and  thereupon  he  was 
forc'd  to  leave  his  Houfe,  and  retire  into  private  Lod- 
gings. Dr.  Annefly  and  feveral  others  alfo,  had  their 
Goods  diftreined  for  Latent  Convidlions,  others  were 
imprifon'd  upon  the  Corporation  hSt;  while  others 
were  worry*d  in  the  Spiritual  Courts.  Warrants  were 
fign*d  for  Diftreffes  in  Hacl^ney  to  the  Value  of  /400/. 
and  one  of  them  for  500/.  And  on  January  9,  168K 
Mr.  Vincent  wastry'd  at  tht  Surrey  ^ti^xons  upon  the  35  th 
o'iEli^,  and  Caft. 

This  Year  Dr.Sti/Ungfleet  Printed  his  Vnre^ronahle' 
nep  of  Separation :  Or  an  Impartial  Account  of  the  Hi- 
ftory.  Nature  and  Pleas  of  the  prefent  Separation  from 
the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  to  which 
feveral  Letters  are  annexed,   concerning  the  Natiire  of 

A  a  3  our 


558  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XIIL 

An.  i68:.  our  Differences,    and  the  way  to  compofe  them,  from 
f  v^ral  Eminent  Divines  Abroad.     Thefe  Letters  are  Ap- 
plauded by  our  late  Compleat  Hi- 
*;'(/.  3.  f.  593.  ftorian*,    and   by   Ceveral  others. 

But  he  that  confuks  the  Printed 
Fretich  Letters  of  Monlieur  CUude,   who  wrote  one  of 
ihofe  Letters  that  are  Printed  at  the  end  ot   Dr. StilUng- 
fleets  Book,    will  fee  no  great  Caufc  for  boafting  on 
the  Church  fide  upon  this  Occafion.     For  whereas  the 
Letter  that  the  Dr.  has  Printed,  is  the  37th  in  Number 
among   the   French  Letters  of  Monfieur    Claude^    that 
which  immediately  follows,   and  isthe3Sth  in  Num- 
ber,   and     Written    to  a  certain 
t    See   Oeuyres   Fo/ihumes   de     Lady,     and    dated     at    Pfirisy     A- 
Mcrtfieur  Claude,    Tome  Cintjui-     prill  6.  1 68 1,    giveS   no  little  Elu- 
«me,  /».  264,  &c.  cidation  to  what  went  before  f.  I'll 

therefore  add  a  part  of  the  Letter: 

"  UADAia, 
\[  TTAvingunderftood  feveral  Ways,  that  many  Per- 
■*-^  *'  fons  have  not  taken  my  Senfe  and  Exprefli- 
**  ons  concerning  the  prefent  State  of  the  Church  of 
**  England  well,  I  tho't  it  not  amifs  to  exprefs  myfelf 
"  to  you  more  particularly,  that  you  may  know  the 
**  Innocence  of  my  Thoughts  and  Intentions.  Firft  of 
**  all,  I  folemnly  Proreft  to  you,  that  when  I  wrote 
.  **  upon  this  Subjedt  to  my  Lord  Bifliop  of  L  ndorij  I 
*'  had  no  profpedt  that  my  Letter  would  be  Printed,  or 
*'  made  Pub'tck:  Nay,  I  was  fupriz'd  and  aftoniiVd 
to  fee  it  both  in  French  and  EnglifJ:  at  the  end  of  the 
Book  you  fent  me :  And  bclides,  you  may  if  you 
pleafe,  Madam,  reft  alTur'd,  that  in  what  I  wrote  I 
"  aim'd  but  at  Two  Things ;  To  juftify  us  from  a  Ca- 
'*  lumny  which  fome  charge  us  with,  as  if  we  belicv'd 
'*  there  could  be  no  Salvation  under  the  Epifcopai  Go- 
*'  vernment;  and  ro  affiftas  far  as  my  Weakncfs  would 
^'  allow  me,  in  a  gpod  and  holy  Reunion  of  the  Two 
**  Parties.  As  for  the  firft,  I  think  I  have  juftly  enough 
*^  explain'd  tiie  Senrimenisof  all  the  Praejhfus  of  thig 
"  Kingdom,  and  in  Particular,  all  thofc  that  are  ho- 
"  nour'd  wiih  our  Charadler  ;  And  I  am  alfur'd  that 
'^  the  Englijh  Presbyterians  would  i^ot  go  fo  far,  as  to 
•f  qucftion  ihe  pollibility  of  Salvation  under  the  Mi- 
r  niflry  of  Bxfliops.    They  have  too  much  Light,  and 


<c 


u 


Ghap.  Xlir.       Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  359 


a 


*'  Wifdom,  and  Chriftian  Charity  to  be  capable  of  this.  ^«.  i<582. 
**  As  to  the  fecond,  1  endeavour'd  to  keep  to  all  the 
Rules  that  ought  to  be  obferv'd  in  as  grieat  and  im- 
portant an  Affair  as  this.  I  exprefs'd  my! -if  only  in 
a  way  of  defire,  and  fignifying  what  I  could  wifti  fhe 
Presbyterians  would  attentively  ccnfider,  I  was  not 
filent  wirb  regard  lo  the  Epifcopalians.  I  condemned 
the  ExC'lTes  which  fome  run  into  oti  one  fide  and 
t'other,  and  (hew'd  as  far  as  my  little  Light  would 
"  help  me,   the  Reafons  that  ought    to   cbhge  both  f 

**  the  one  and  the  other,  to  a  juft  and  reafonable  Ac- 
*'  commodation,  ^c.  And  afterwards:  Would  it  not  be 
"  the  befl:  way,  on  one  fide  and  t'other  to  think  of  a 
"  good  Peace  and  Concord,  by  quitting  on  each  fide 
*'  what  can  reafonably  be  quitted  ?  For  I  am  affur'd  that 
"  the  Presbyterians  are  not  fuch  Enemies  of  the  Epifco- 
"  pal  Government,  as  not  to  yield  to  it  if  it  were  Mo- 
"  derated,*  and  thofe  Things  were  but  rembv'd  out  of 
*'  the  Service  and  Difcipline  which  are  moft  Offenfive  to 
**  them  ;  And  I  am  alfo  perfwaded  that  the  Bifhops  are 
*'  not  fuch  Enemies  to  their  own  Intereft,  as  not  to  yield 
*'  much  to  the  defire  of  a  numerous  People  to  Re-unite 
''  them  intireJy  under  their  Crook.  Nor  do  I  doubr, 
"  but  that  the  fear  of  God,  the  defire  of  bis  Glory,  and 
*'  the  Love  of  the  Church  of  Jefus  Chrift,-  are  firong 
enough  both  in  ihe  one  and  the  other  of  them,  to  oblige 
them,  to  feek  a  Peace  that  is  fo  profitable,  and  fo  defira- 
ble  to  all  good  People.  Thefe^  Madam,  are  my  true 
and  fincereThoughts,and  'tis  only  upon  thele  Principles 
that  1  wrote  to  my  Lord  Bifhop  of  London,  and  not 
to  irritate  any  Man :  And  I  ati%  obliged  to  you  for  gi- 
"  ving  me  an  Opportunity  of  making  ray  Sentiments 
"  known  to  you.  May  God  by  his  Providence  and 
*'  Grace  fo  over-rule  the  Confufions  of  the  World,  as  to 
*'  draw  from  thence  Good  to  his  Church,  and  Glory  to 
V-  his  Name.  I  commit  you  to  his  Protection  and  Good- 
**  ncfs,  affuring  you  that  I  am  with  all  my  Heart, 

■■^  ^'         Yours,  &c.^c. 

But  this  and  the  other  Letters  which  Dr.  St Uling fleet 
added  as  an  Appendix,  are  remedied  on  with  great  Mo- 
defty  by  Dr.  Gilbert  ^tle,  in  the  clofe  of  his  F{diionai 
Defence  of  Nonconformity ,  in  which  Book,  the  whole  Dif- 
courfe  of  the  Vnrfafonabhne/s  of  Separation  is  confide r'd 

A  a  4  Pa- 


a 


li 


m 


<£ 


:^6o  Ihe  Llfb  of      Chap.  XllK 

^iff.  1682.  Paragraph  by  Paragraph.  Mv.JoimTrou^hton^Ko  ^uh- 
lilh'd-an  Apology  for  the  Nonconformifls,  fiiewing 
rheir  Reafons  both  for  not  Conforming,  and  for  their 
Preaching  Publickly  iho*  forbidden  by  Law.  With  an 
Anfwer  to  Dr.  Stiltimjicet'*^  Sermon  and  the  Defence  of 
^  -VrtK^ic,  as  far  as  conccrneth  the  Nonconformifts  Preaching^. 

other  T fails 

Upon  (he  Controycrfy  hctrpcen  tl§p  Church  and  the  uijfenters  were  alfo  thli  Year, 
'(i<582.j  pulf/if/yd:  As  the  Harmony  between  die  old  -nwl  j.;refent  Non- 
con  roimirts  Principles,  in  Relation  to  the  Terms  of  Conformity  nvith  re- 
fpeff  to  both  the  Clevgy  and  the  Peop/cy  ^to.  A.  fad  and  lamentable  Cry  of 
Opprtjjt'/n  and  Cruelty  in  the  City  ^f  Briftol,  relating  to  the  Verfecntion  of  cer- 
tain Dijfcnting  rroteihnts.  Reafons  htmb/y  offcr'd^  prorin^r  it  inconfi/ient 
•xvith  the  IntereU  of  England,  that  the  Ciyil  Magiftrate  0)ould  put  the  Penal 
Lnxps  in  Execution  azainfi  Proteft^nt  Diffenters.  -4m  Account  of  the  Princi- 
ples and  Pracfices  of  feveral  Nonconformifis,  wherein  it  appears  that  their  Rg- 
ligion  ii  no  other  than  what  is  profefi  in  the  Clmtch  of  England.  By  Mr.  Cor- 
bee.  The  Samaritan :  Shewing^  that  many  and  unnecejfary  Impofitiom  are 
not  the  Oil  that  mufi  heal  tJje Church  :  Together  with  tlie  jl  aj  or  Means  to  do  it. 

Jin.  1^85.  The  fame«Courfe  was  perfiflcd  inthefurceeding  Year. 
200  Warrants  were  iffuM  out  for  Diih'efles  upon  Vx^ 
hrid^e  and  the  Neighbourhood,  for  going  to  ConventicJes» 
Dr.  Bates  and  feveral  others  were  diftrem'd  upon;  and 
the  Gentlemen  of  Do6tors  Commons  got  Money  apace. 
This  Year  a  New  Plot  was  trnmpM  up,  which  coft  the 
brave  Lord  F{ttjfel  and  Collonel  Sydney,  8cc.  their  Lives. 
July  the  24th,  a  Decree  paft  in  the  Univerfity  of  Oxon 
againft  certain  pernirious  Books  and  (damnable  Dodlrines. 
The  2d  of  the  Dodrines  Condemn'd  was  this  :  There  n 
a  mutual  CompaH  Tacit  or  ExpytJ^,  between  ti  Prince  And 
lis  SuijeEls'y  and  that  if  he  perfmrn  not  his  Duty^  they  are 
di/coaig'd  fom  theirs.  The  4th  this.  The  Sovereignty  of 
England,  is  in  the  Three  EJiates,  Kjng  Lords  and  Com^ 
ir.o.i,  (S^c.  The  7th  this:  Self-Prcfervation  is  the  Fun- 
elemental  Law  of  Kntutc,  and  fupcrjfdjs  the  Obligations 
t  //  yay  (f.  all  others,    whenjorver  they  Rand  in  Competition  with  it. 

-ircu  de-     t  AikI  fome  time  after,    the  Grand  Jury  of  iVejlminJler 

fryci  en- 

'■uiry.,  How  tlr  Cenfurcrs  of  thefe  Pojttions,  can  reconcile  the  Denial  of  the 
I  cond  of  tlittn  with  the  Declaration  of  the  Vacancy  of  tl>e  Throne  upon  Kin^ 
J.mcsN  yibdlcution^  upon  wire!)  Kin'r  William  wj4  .advanced  to  it.  The 
Convention  Declared  in  fo  many  li^v^lV  That  King  J  AMtS  had  endea- 
voLii  d  w  iubvert  tlie  (  onflitiuion  of  llTib  Kingdom,  by  breaking,  THE 
ORIGINAL   CONTRACT    BETWEEN    KING   and   PEOPLE,  drc. 

made 


Chap.  XIII.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  361 

made  a  very  Signal  Prefentment,  viz.  f^:>at  all  thofs  ^»-  '684, 
that   were  for  the    Bill   of    Exclufjoriy    might   he  appre- ^^  f^^  tj^^ 
hended  and   proceeded  ngainft  ;    and  all  Conventicles^  &C.  -jth    of 
Several  that  were  taken  at  the  Meetings  were  Gon-  them^   it 
vidted  as  Rioters,  and   fin'd    1  o  1.  a  piece ;    and  fome  could  mt 
Young  Perfons   ( of  both  Sexes j   taken  at  the   fame  ^fH  he  de- 
Piaces,  were  fent  to  Bridevoell  to  beat  Hemp.     About  ^^^^^  h  w 
this  Time,    one   Mr.   B^bert  HUyot    of  Oxon  a  pious  ^J^hat 
Gonformift  who  had  devoted    his  Eftate  to  charita-  7^  ^""^ 
ble  Uf^s,   gave  by  hisLaft  Will  600/.  to  be  diftri- ^^^^^'^^^^'^ 
buted  by  Mr.  Baxter  to  Sixty  poor  ejedted  Minifters,  p^/JJ  Jf 
adding,  that  he  did  it  not  becaufe  they  were  Nonconfor-  Orange 
mifi:s,  hut  becaufe  many  fuchxv ere  poor  and  pious.     But  the  K?bich  cer- 
King*s  Attorney  Sir  Robert  Sawyer,  fued  for   it  in  the  tainly  ^as 
Chancery,  and  the  Lord  Keeper  Korth  gave  it  all  to  the  and  is  inex- 
King.     It  was  paid  into  the  Chancery  by  Order,  and  cufable,  if 
as  Providence  ordered   it,   there  kept  fafe,   till  King  »°^  upon 
PFilliam  fo  happily  afcended  the   Throne,    when  xhz  ^^^^  Score  of 
Commiflioners  of  the  Great  Seal  reftor'd  it  to  the  Ufe  Self-^re- 
for  which   it   was  intended  by  the  Deceafed  ;    and  ^^^^^^»on- 
Mr.  Baxter  difpos*d  of  it  accordingly.     This  Year  alfo  „  W'^^/* 
there  was  a  moft  cruel  Order  made  by  the  Juftices  of  jyj^^^  '^ 
Peace  at  the  Quarter  Seffions  at  Exon  againft  all  Non-  -^     ^J^^ ' 
conforming  Minifters,  allowing  a  Reward  of  Forty  u^j^rg  ^c 
Shillings  to  any  Perfon  that  apprehended  one  of  them :  urdsy  on 
And  the  Bifliop  required  the  Order  to  be  read  by  all  May  16. 
the  Clergy,  the  next  Sunday  after  itftould  be  tcndred  17-^.  up- 
on Occajion 
of  Dr.  Sachevereir^   Impeachment,  mentioning  this  Pompous  Decree  at  Ox- 
ford,   takes  Notice  how  little  a  While  they  flood  to  it,  in  thefe  Words.     Three 
Days  after  we  left  Exeter,    a   Head  of  a  CoUedge  came  to  the  Prince  tu 
invite  him  to  come  to  Oxford,  afluring  him  that  the  Univerfity  would  de- 
clare for  him.     He  went  a*'  near  it  as  Abingdon,  but  then  the  fudden  Tur» 
of  Affairs  at   London  obliging   him  to  hafte  up,    the  Aflbciation  was  fent 
thither,  aud  was  fign'd  by  the  Heads  of  the  Colledges,  and  many  others 
there  -,    fome  doing  it  in  a  particular  Warmth  of  Expreffion,    and  faying 
that  their  Hearts  as  well  as  their  Hands  went   with    it.      Thus  as  he 
obferves,   they  contradiSled  their  fam'd  Decree  Five  Tears  after  it  was  made. 
And  yet  in  a  little  Time,    they  upon  fome  Dif appointments   or  other  Fiews^ 
feemd  to  take  another  Turn  back  to  it   again,  By  embracing  the  Notion  of  a 
King  de  faflo,  which   is  but  a   fofter  Word  for   an  Ufurper.     But  in  the 
Tear    1709,    thii  Decree  of  theirs  was  burnt  by  the  Hands  of  the  Common 
Hangman,  together  with  Dr.  SacheverellV  Sermons^  by  the  Order  of  the  Houfe 
of  Lords. 


£0 


362  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XIII. 

An.  1584.  to  them.    The  Order  may  be  Teen  at  large,  in  Mr.  Bax- 
ter's Nonconformitj  ftated  and  argued,    to  which    it  is 

prefix'd  *. 

This 

*  There 
K^as   noxff 

jmblifbd  The  Nonconformifls  Plea  for  Lay  Communion  with  the  Church 
of  England  hy  Mr.  John  Corbet,  together  with  an  Account  fj  the  Judgment 
And  FraCiice  of  fotnc  Mini/iery  vpho  v>ere  deprf-p'd. 

Mr.  Howe  alfo  novf  fnhlijh'd  a  Sermnn  in  the  Continuation  of  the  Morn- 
ing Exercife,    upon  this  Quejrion  ^    What  may  moft  hopefully  be  attemp- 
ted to  allay   Animofuies  among  Proteflancs,  that  our  Divifions  may  not 
be  ouv  Ruin  }     In  vfhich  fpeaklngof  Love  as  one  of  the  heft  Means  to  unite, 
ej?abli/f)^  and  preferre  Chrifiians^  hcexpreffes  himfdfthus: 
Among  thofe  that  dilTent  from  the  Church  of  England^  there  are  fome 
that  think  it  not  (imply  unlawful  to  Conform  ^  but  find  how 
f.  89.     ever  what  is  requir'd  in  the  Church  lefs  edifying  to  them  :  And 
tho'  they  can  therefore  partake  in  it  at  fome  Times,  think  them- 
fclves  more  ordinarily  bound  to  attend  fuch  other  Means  as  they  find  more 
conducing  to  their  Spiritual  Profit  and  Advantage  ,  judging  they  have  an 
undoubted  Right  from  Chrift,  anciently  alloWd  from  Age  to  Age,  in  the 
beft  Times  of  the  Chriftian  Church,  and  never  ^uftly  taken  from  them,  of 
chooling  thePaftors  to  whofe  ordinary  Care  and  Conduft  they  Ihall  com- 
mit their  Souls.     Thele  Pcrfons  accounting  the  Pubiick  Worihip 
f.  85-    fubftantialiy  agreeable  to  Divine  Inftitution,  tho*  in  fome  Acci- 
dentals too  ^iifigreeable,    tliey  think  there  is  more  to  incline 
them  at  fome  Times  to   attend  it,  than  totally  to  difown  it.    Foi-  what 
Worfliip  is  there  on  Earth,  that  is  in  all  Things  uncorrupt  ?  And  they 
appprcliend  ir  fit  to  teftify  their  union  with  the  fincere  Quiftians  that 
may  be  ftatcdiy    unJer    that  Form,  efpecially  in  a  Time  when  the  Con- 
teft  is  fo  high  in  the  World,  between  them  tliat  profefs  the  Subftance  of 
Reformed  Chriilinnity,  and  them  that  have  much  deform'd  it :    And 
conceive  it  becoming  them  at  any  Time  to  exprefs  their  own  Unconfined- 
nefs  to  a  Party,  and  to  ufe  that  Liberty,  which  they  think  fhould  not  be 
judged  by  another  Man's  Confcitnce  ^  which  yet  they  would  have  regard 
to,  where  there  are  not  greater  Reafons  to  preponderate.    They  are  in- 
deed under  a  Difadvantage  (  with  them  that  are  apt  to  ufe  a  greater  Li- 
berty in  their  Cenfures  than  they  do  in  their  Practice  in  thefe  Matters  ). 
when  it  falh  out  that  their  partial  Compliance  is  the  Means  of  their  Se- 
curity from  Penalties  :  And  their  Difadvantage  is  greater,   whofe  Judg- 
ment to  this  Purpofc  has  aot  been  formerly  dedar'd  and  mnde  known. 
"^  But  they  for  bhame  ought  to  be  lllenr,   whofe  total  Compliance  gains 
*^hem  nut  only  Immunity,  but  great  Emoluments.    And  if  it  be  faid  a- 
gainf^  them,  r^re  thty  not  at  all  Times  oblig'd  to  ufe  the  Means 
i-.  92.      which   arc  mofi  edifying.'    They  may  fay,  at  all  Times  wheii 
thty  Viave  nothing  to  out  weigh  their  own  Edification. 
Thii  Tear  A  62^,  Dr.  Withy  alfo  puhlifh'd  the  Proteflant  Reconciler,  in 
Z190   Farts:    Humbly  fUadittg  for  iondefcention   to  Viffm'mg  Brethren  in 

Things 


Chap.  XIII.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  565 

This  Year  while  Mr.  Baxter  lay  in  Pain  and  Languifli-  An.  1684. 
ing,  the  Juftices  of  the  Seflions  fent  Warrants  to  ap- 
prehend him,  he  being  one  in  a  Catalogue  whi- h  was 
(aid  to  contain  the  Names  of  aThoufano  Perfons  who 
were  all  to  be  bound  to  their  good  Behaviour.  Know- 
ing that  their  Warrant  was  not  to  break  open  Doors,  he 
refus'd  to  open  to  them,  tho'  they  were  gor  into  his 
Houfe.  Whereupon  they  fet  fix  Officers  ar  his  Study 
Door,  who  kept  him  from  his  Bed  and  Food  by  watch- 
ing all  Night,  and  the  next  Day  he  yielded.  They 
carried  him  to  the  Seflions,  when  he  was  fcarce  able 
to  ftand,  and  bound  him  in  a  Bond  of  400  /.  to  his 
good  Behaviour.  He  defired  to  know  his  Crimes  and 
Accufers  :  But  was  told,  'twas  only  to  fecure  the  Go- 
vernment againft  fufpefted  Perfons. 

He  was  fome  Time  after  carried  a-  *"  ^^'^  ^'M  <'/  Samm  in  his 
gain  to  the  Seflions  Houfe  in  great  %«^^'  /«  *''^  ^<'«^  '(^^'//^ » 703, 
Pain,  and  forc'd  to  continue  Bound    (f  \^'?^^  ^^  '^'^  ^"i^^,^'  '^?^'^" 

Herefus'd  to  ftand  Bound,  not  ^f  ^?4"\^^'"' f'^r  "T  f 
,  -         1.       1  •  u    -  ^     the  Diiienters  was  fet  on  Foot- 

knowmg  what  they  might  interpret    ^^^  ^^^^  ,^,„  ,j^,„  ^h,„  ^^^  Se! 

a  Breach  of  the  Peace  :  But  his  verities  againft  them  were  very 
Sureties  would  be  Bound,  leaft  hard,  they  were  folicited  by  the 
he  (hould  die  inCa  Goal.  He  was  car-  Agents  of  the  Court  to  Petition 
ried  thither  a  Third  Time,  and  for  a  General  Toleration,  but 
{till  bound,  tho*  for  the  moil  Part  they  could  not  be  prevail'd  on. 
he  kept  his  Bed  * 

September  the  23,d,  Mr,  Thomas  I{o/weII^  who  was  Mi-  Mr.  Rof- 
nifterof  a  Diflenting  Congregation  in  S^edriffy  was  im-  weiriC^/V. 
prifon'd  in  the  Gate'Houfe  in  H'^eflminfteYj  by  a  Warrant 
from  Sir  George  Jejferys  for  High-Treafon.  A  Bill  was 
found  againft  him  at  the  Quarter-Seffions  at  Kjngfton 
in  Surrey  ;  upon  which  he  was  arraign'd  on  OHoher  the 
2,5th,  and  tried  November  the   i8th  following,  at  the 


r.l 


Things  Indifferent  and  unnecejfary  for  the  Sahe  of  Peace :  And  jhctping  hoi» 
unnafonable  it  is  to  make  fuch  Things  the  nece/fary  Conditions  of  Commu-' 
nion,  part  I,  And  earneftly  peifn^ading  the  Vijfenting  Laity  to  join  in 
full  Communion  with  the  Church  of  England  ;  and  anfiaering  all  the  Ob- 
jeUions  of  the  Nonconformifis  againft  the  Laia>fulnefs  of  their  Submijjion  unt9 
the  Rites  and  Conflitutions  of  that  Churfh.     Part  IL 

This  Tear  alfo  was  fubUfb'i  the  Confoimifts  Plea  for  the  Nonconfor- 
niifts.    In  Four  Parts. 


364  The  LIFE  of    Chap.Xin. 


j^  1634  KJ^}^'s-B.'nch  Bar,  by  a  Surrey  Ju'-y,  before  the  Lord 
Chief  juftice  Jcfferys,  and  three  o'her  Judj^es  of  that 
Court,  I4'^ithins^  Halloway,  and  M^alcot.  The  H!gh- 
Treafon  as  laid  in  the  Indidtment  and  fworn  by  the 
WitncfTes,  was  that  in  a  Sermon  which  he  preach'd  on 
Sfptemher  the  I4ch,  he  faid  tbcfe  Words'  That  the  Pco- 
fie  (  meaning  the  Subjedts  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  the 
King)  mnk:'^  a  flockifig  to  the  faid  Sovereign  Lor-d  the) 
Jf^nv  ^pon  Pretence  of  healing  the  Kjn^\'Rvii,  which  he 
(meaning  our  faid  Sovereign  Lord  the  King)  could  not 
iic  ;  hut  thr.t  we  (meaning  himfclf  and  other  Traiierous 
PerfonsSubje6Vsof  our  faid  Lord  the  Kmg)  are  they  to 
whom  they  (  meaning  the  Subjedls  of  our  faid  Lord 
the  King  )  ought  to  fiock^^  bccauje  we  (meaning  himfelf 
and  the  faid  other  Traiterous  Perfons  )  are  Pri&fts  And 
Prcfhets,  thnt  by  our  Prayers  can  heal  the  Dolours  nnd 
Griefs  of  the  People.  iVe  (meaning  the  Subjed:s  of  our 
faid  Sovereign  Lord  the  King)  havehdd  two  wicked K^ings 
(meaning  the  raoft  Serene  Charles  the  Firft,  late  King  of 
Etigland,  and  our  faid  Sovereign  Lord  the  King 
that  now  is)  whom  we  can  refemble  to  no  other  Per/on^ 
But  to  the  77ioft  wicked  JEi{EBO AM ;  And  th/tt  if  they 
(  meaning  the  faid  evil  difpofed  Perfons  then  and  there 
fo  as  aforefaid  with  him  unlawfully  affenibled  and  ga- 
ther'd  together)  would  Jiand  to  their  Principles^  He 
(  meaning  himfelf)  did  not  fedr  hut  they  (meaning  him- 
fpjf  and  the  faid  evil  difpofed  Perfons)  would  ov?rcoi?ie 
their  Enemies^  (meaning  our  faid  Sovereign  Lord  the 
King  and  his  Subjedts)  as  in  former  Times  with  H/ims 
Horns  ^  broken  Platters,  and  a  Stone  in  a  Sling.  The  Wit- 
neffes  were  three  Women.  They  fwore  to  the  Words 
as  they  ftand,  without  the  Jnnuendos ;  the  Trial  lafted 
about  feven  Hours.  Mr.  B^ofwell  made  a  moft  full  and 
clear  Defence  of  himfelf  i  very  modeftly  and  yet  ftre- 
nuoufly  vindicating  his  Innocence,  to  the  Satisfadlion 
of  thofe  who  were  prefent ;  and  fo  as  to  gain  the  Ap- 
plaufe  of  many  Gentlemen  of  the  Long  Robe.  The 
Jury  however,  after  they  had  been  out  about  half  an 
Hour,  bro't  him  in  Guilty.  The  Women  who  were  the 
Witneflcs  were  infamous  Perfons,  laden  with  the  Guilt 
of  many  Perjuries  ;  which  had  cafily  been  prov'd  upon 
them  all,  before  the  Trial,  could  Juftice  have  been 
had  :  But  they  were  fcreen'd  by  the  Recorder,  who 
w-$  the  Pcrfon  that  laid  the  whole  Scheme  of  the  Bull- 

nc& 


Chap.  XIII.     Mr.  R.ichard  Baxter.  365 


nefs,  and  paich'd  up  the  tndicftment,  in  Terms  fuitcd  An.  1^84, 
to  his  known  Abiliries.     But  fuch  of  them  as  c  ujd  be 
met  with,  were  afterwards  oonvidied  of  Permiy^  and 
Smith  the  chief  Witneis,    was  pilloried  before  the  Ex- 
change,    Sir  John  Tiiihot  who  was  prefent,  repreff  ited     ^ 
to  King  Charles  the  State  of  the  Cafe  as  it  appeared  at  y^^^  J"* 
the.Trial ;  and  he  ordered  Jcffc-s  to  nr.d  nn  ^'*^^^^on.  j^^^^q^^.^'  ^ 
Whereupon  he  Aflignd  him   Council  afterwards,    ^^c;^'puUi(k- 
plead  to  the  Infufficiency  of  the  Indictment  in  Arreft  f/q  n^^^I 
of  Judgment;  and  the  King  gave  him  his  Pardon,  up- va rive  c^ 
on  which  he  was  difcharg'd  *.  the  Pro- 

cer-dings  of 
the  Court  of  Seffions  in  Bny^o/againfthim,  tohh  Convi^innonthe  Statute  -of 
the  ^Sth  Eliz.  and  his  Abjuration  of  all  the  Kims  Dominions-'  This  Yea/t^U" 
fo,  Mr.  Bi-Ktei-  J>ubii fly d  a  TraCl intituled ^CztholickCommamcn  defended^ 
in  tpkicb  he  ^are  his  Reafons  to  the  World  for  Communkattn^  with  ihe  Farl(B 
churches,  and  jujiifyd  them  againft  Twelve  Afgunienti  of  Dr.  Owen's  to  the 
contrary. 

About  this  Time  alfo  was  fuhliflid  a  ColieSliott  of  Cafes  written  f» 
recover  the  Vijf enters  to  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  which  w-ai 
afterwards  Abridgd  hy  Mr  Bennet  of  Cokhefter.  Some  haye  windred  tluit 
this  Colle£lion  has  not  been  difiinBly  anfwefd.  As  to  which  I  hare  this  t9 
fay,  that  it  ivas  tnce  intended  to^haye  return  dan  Anfwer  tothem  diftinlUyj^ 
and  the  Work  was  divided  among  feyeral  Ferfons,  but  at  length  laid  apde  5  not 
up$n  the  Account  of  any  peculiar  difficulty  that  was  found  in  ii^  but  ^- 
caufe  it  was  tha^t  partly  needle fs,  and  partly  unfeafonable. 

Tbefe  Cafes  are  25  in  Number-^  of  whifh  there  are  two^  viz.  the  I  ^th  atU 
the  I  ythi  the  Cafe  of  Infant  Baptifm,  and  the  Perfwalive  to  frequent  Com- 
munion, that  do  not  concern  the  Body  of  the  Dijfenters.  The  ^th,  ahoja 
a  Scrupulous  Confcience,  was  anfwer'd  long  ago^  by  Mr.  Delaane,  to  his 
Coji  and  Smart-i  as  the  World  well  knows.  The  id  and  5^,  about  Church 
Communion,  were  anfwered  by  Mr.  Nathaniel  Taylor,  in  1702  .*  And  the 
l6th,  about  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  by  Afr.  James  Pierce. 

And  he  that  needs  an  Anfwer  to  the  refl,  may  find  it  In  fome  or  other  of 
thofe  numerous  Trafls  that  hare  been  publifh'd  by  the  Dtjfenters^  upon  the  fc 
yeral  Farts  of  the  Controyerfy. 

Thus  if  any  Man  thinks  he  wants  an  Anfwer  to  Dr.  Scot,  and  Br.  Claget 
about  Forms  of  Trayer,  and  about  the  Common  Prayer,  I  recommend  to  him 
tir.  Collins'^  two  Books  about  the  Reafons  why  fome  pious  Nonconforming  Mi- 
ttiflen  in  England  i?«4f^e  it  ftnful  for  them  to  perform  their  Minifierial  A{is 
in  Fublick  Solemn  Prayer,  by  the  prefcribed  Forms  of  others,  &c.  in  Anfwer  to 
2Pr.  Falconer.  If  any  Man  wants  an  Anfwer  to  Cafe  the  lOth,  <«Wf  Scandal, 
llet  him  read  Mr.  Samuel  Clark'i  Treat! fe  of  Scandal.  And  there  is  hardly 
any  one  of  the  reft,  but  a  fu^cient  Anfwer  to  it  may  befoundj  in  Jome  of  the 
nurmrous  Writirgs  of  Mr  Baxter  on  thefe  Matters. 

—1"  January 


566  The  LIFE  of      Chap. XIV. 

An.  1 584.  January  I (),  Mr.  Jcnl{ynsditdin  Newgate,  as  did  alfo 
Mr.  Bamvfield  and  Mr.  {{alfh/oriy  and  feveral  others  in 
other  Prifons.  And  quickiy  afcer  dy*d  King  Charles 
himfelf ;  vi:[.  on  Februa  y  6,  i68t.  Tho*  he  continued 
the  Profecution  of  the  poor  DiiTenters,  yet  they  held 
on  their  Meetings  j  heartily  praying  for  his  Peace  and 
Profperity :  And  at  laft  they  were  as  much  concern'd 
at  his  Death,  as  any  People  in  the  Kingdom. 


CHAR     XIV. 

Thdr  Cafe  in  the  Reign  of  King  James  the 

Second, 

Jin     48     ^    1  "^  HAT  the  rigorous  Ufage  of  the  Dijfenters  io 
*  '   ^'      I        the  foregoing   Reign  was   owing    to  Pofijh 
-^      Counfels,  they  themfelves  never  doubted  ;  and 
tho'  fome  were  a  long  Time  before  they  would  fee  or 
at  leaft  own  ir,  yet  it  was  a  great  Comfort  to  them  af- 
ter all  their  Sufferings,    to  find  fuch  Men  as  Bifljop 
*  See  his  StilUngfl^et  at  laft  Openly  acknowledging  it.   *  They  lit- 
charre  to     ^^^  expedled  better  Treatment  in   this  Reign,    when 
his  deny,   bare-fac'd  Popery  lifted  up  its  Head  among  us ;  but  wife 
in  his  p'ri-  is  that  Providence  which  governs  the  World,  which 
ntary  Fifi-  ferves  its  own  Ends,  even  by  thofe  very  Things,  where- 
Mf*o«,p?g.  by  poor  Mortals  are  moft  difappointed.     It  is  indeed 
49*  eno'  to  amaze  any  one,  to  obferve  the  Meafures  of  this 

Reign,  with  their  Confequences,  whereby  all  Man- 
kind were  difappointed.  The  Church  Party  not  only,  ex- 
pected to  have  the  Diffenters  wholly  under  their  Feet, 
but  depended  fo  much  upon  their  Merits  in  their 
Adherence  to  the  Duke  in  his  Diftrefs,  and  his  pofitive 
Affurances,  that  they  were  very  Secure,  and  tho*t  the 
Day  their  own  :  Put  on  a  fudden  found  their  All  in  fuch 
Danger,  that  without  new  Methods  their  Religion  and 
Liberty  was  gone.  The  Diffenters  expe£tcd  not  only 
greater  Rigours  and  Severities  than  before,  butconclud- 
ed  ihey  ftiould  if  it  were  polfible,  be  extirpated  :  \VTien 
as,  to  their  Altonilhment,  they  found  themfelves  eas'd 
of  their  foregoing  Hardlhips,  and  Courted  and  Carcfs'd, 
by  thofe  who  they  knew  would  rejoice  in  their  Ruin, 

and 


Chap.  XIV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  367 


and  had  left  no  Method  unattempted  in  Order  to  it.  w4».  1685, 
The  P/ipiils  thought  by  raifing  thofe  who  had  been  fo 
long  deprefs'd,  to  have  inflam'd  thena  wish  Revenge 
againft  their  Brethren :  to  have  widened  the  Animofi- 
ties  among  Froteftants ;  that  they  might  all  be  thereby 
rend  red  the  more  fure  and  fpeedy  Sacrifice  to  their  Ma- 
lice and  Cruelty  5  and  hereby  they  did  but  drive  the 
contending  Parties  the  nearer  to  each  other,  and 
make  them  at  laft  the  more  vigorous  in  their  united 
Effort,  to  avert  that  common  Ruin,  which  hung  over 
their  Heads.  So  that  all  Parties  were  furpriz'd,  and 
found  themfelves  Miftakenj  but  an  infinitely  Wife  God 
over-ruFd  all  for  Good  *.  *  Th 

late  Com- 
fitat  Hi/iorian,  Vol-  5.  p.  445,  repeating  the  whole  foregoing  Taragraph^ 
fays,  That  there  is  fome  Difingenuity  in  this  way  of  the  Diflenters  re- 
prefenting  their  own  Cafe.  But  let  the  World.  Judge  between  us.  We  are 
yery  fenfthle^  06  he  fays,  That  the  firft  Defign  of  Popery  was  to  have  fee 
the  Church  upon  a  vigorous  SuppreOTion  of  Conventicles ,  and  a  fierce 
Execution  of  the  PjSnal  Laws  :  But  that  when  fo  many  of  the  Clergy  feli 
in  with  this  Vejignt^  ^^^^y  fhould  he  dlfappointed,  and  at  laft  he  conyinc'd 
that  they  were  puUing  down  "Ruin  on  their  own  Heads,  deferyes  a  Remark .' 
And  when  Proyidence  did  appear  for  the  Vijfenters,  whateyer  the  Vefigns  of 
Agents  were,  I  thinh  they  ought  to  take  notice  of  it,  and  be  Thankful, 

It  has  indeed  been  Common,  fince,  to  refleft  upon  the  Vijfenters  for  their  Cat' 
riage  in  this  Reign  :  But  nothing  can  he  more  Unjuft.  The  worthy  Author  of 
the  Advantages  of  the  prefent  Settlement,  and  die  great  Danger  of  a  Re- 
lapfe,  Printed  in  l6%g,,{To  he  feen  in  the  Tirft  Vol.  of  State  Trafis  in  the 
Reign  of  King  William,  P^ol.  I.  p.  26y.']  Declares,  That  the  greateft  Pare 
of  the  Diflenters  were  fo  fenfible  of  the  mifchievous  Defign  on  Foot,  that 
tho*  they  had  fraarted  fomewhat  hardly  under  the  lafh  of  the  Penal  Laws 
but  a  little  while  before,  yet  they  would  rather  venture  the  continuance 
of  them,  than  run  the  hazard  of  ruining  the  Subftance  and  Being  of  the 
Froteftant  Religion  among  us :  Nor  could  all  the  Virulent  Pamphlets 
thrown  about  to  exafperate  them,  by  a  Tragical  Commemoration  of  their 
former  Suffering  by  the  Penal  Laws,  ever  perfwade  them/o  far  out  of 
their  Senfes,  as  not  to  be  fully  aflured  that  the  little  Finger  of  the  Popilh 
Inquifition,  would  be  heavier  upon  them  than  the  Loins  of  all  the  Penai 
Laws  made  iince  the  Reformation  againfi  tliem.  And  indeed,  to  the  Fi- 
delity of  that  Party  at  that  Critical  Time,  are  we  to  afcribe  a  great 
ihare  of  the  difappointment  the  Popilh  Party  met  with,  who  were 
much  chafed  that  the  grand  Cheat  of  the  Tokiation  had  no  be»:- 
ter  Succefs. 


In 


368  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  XIV. 

jht.  1685.  In  the  Rtrign  of  King  9^^wej  the  Second,  which 
Afr.  Bax-  began  Februxry  6\\\.  i68t,  the  fame  Methods  v<rere 
ter'i  2V)<t/.  continu'd  tc    firft   as   had  been  us'd   in   his  Brothers 

Time*.  On  the  iS^h  of  Febru- 
"^ThU  may  be  a  Troof  of  It,  ''^A  Mr.  Baxter  was  Committed 
that  on  May  27,  the  Common,  Fo-  ^O  the  Kjn^^-Bench  Prifon,  by  my 
ted  that  an  Humble  Addiefs  lord  Chief  Juftice  Jefferiess 
fliould  be  prefented  to  his  Ma-  Warrant,  for  his  Paraphrafe  on 
jetty,  to  delire  him  to  Iflue  forth  the  New  Teftament,  Printed  a. 
his  Royal  Proclamation,  to  caufo  little  before;  which  was  call'd 
the  Penal  laws  to  be  put  in  a  Scandalous  and  Seditious  Book 
Execution,  againft  all  DilTenters  againft  the  Government.  On  the 
from  the  Church  ot  England  ^^^  ^f  ^^^^  ^hich  was  the  fir^ 
^^^^^^^^^^-  Day  of  the  Term,    he  appeared  in 

Pf^effminjier  Hall,  and  an  Infor- 
mation was  ordered  to  be  drawn  up  againft  him.  M47 
the  i4Th,  He  Pleaded  not  Guilty  to  the  Information. 
May  the  i8th,  he  being  much  Iridifpos'd,  niov'd  that 
he  might  have  farther  Time  given  him  for  his  Tryal, 
,  but  it  was  deny'd  him.     He  mov'd  for  it  by  his  Coun- 

cil ;  but  Jeffereys  cries  out  in  a  Paifion,  I  mil  not  give 
him  a  Minutes  Time  more  to  fnve  his  Life,  fVe  have  had 
(fays  he)  to  do  with  other  forts  of  Perfons,  but  now  we 
have  a  Saint  to  deal  with ;  and  I  l{now  how  to  deal  with 
Saints  ai  well  as  Sinners.  Tonder  (fays  he)  itands 
OATS  in  the  Pillory^  fas  he  acftually  did  at  that  very 
•  Time  in  the  New  Palace- Yard  ;)  and  he  fays  he  fuffers 
for  the  Truthy  and  fo  fays  Baxter ;  but  if  Baxter  did  but 
ft  and  on  the  other  fide  of  the  Pillory  with  him,  I  would  fay 
Two  of  the  greatest  B^gues  and  ^ifcals  in  the  Kjngdom  Stood 
there.  On  M.'iy  the  30th,  in  the  Afternoon,  He  was 
brought  to  his  Tryal,  before  the  Lord  Chief  Juftice 
Jefferys  at  Guild-HalL  Sir  Henry  Afhhurji,  who  could 
not  forfake  his  own,  and  his  Fathers  Friend,  ftood  by 
bim  all  the  while.  Mr.  Baxter  came  firft  into  Court, 
and  with  all  the  Marks  of  Serenity  _apd  Compofure, 
waited  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  GWlf  Juftice,  who 
appeared  quickly  ^fter  with  great  Indignation  in  his 
Face.  He,  no  fooner  fate  down,  than  a  (horc  Caufe 
was  Galfd  and  Try'd  :  After  which  the  Clerk  began 
to  read  the  Title  of  another  Caufe.  Tou  Blockhead  you 
(Uys  Jejferys)  the  next  Caufe  is  between  RICHARD 
BAXTER  and  the  Kfn^.  Upon  which  Mr.  Baxters 
Caufe  was  Gall'd.    The  PafTiges  mencion'd  in  the  Im- 

forntatioitv 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr,  R^ichard  Baxter.  ^^9 


formation,  were  his Paraphrafe  on  M^^  5.  19.  Af/ir^  9. -/f«.  i6B$i 
39.  Marii  ii.gl.  Mail^.  ii.  38,  39,  40-  Lt^k^e  lo;  1. 
John  11.  57.  and  y^«.'?i  15.  2.  Thcfe  Paffages  were 
pickc  out  by  Sir ^oger  LBjirange^  and  fome  of  his  Gom« 
panions.  And  a  certain  noted  Clergy-man  (who  ihall 
be  namelefs)  put  into  the  Hands  of  his  Enemies  foir.e 
Accufations  out  of  B^m.  i  3,  ^c.  as  againft  the  King, 
to  "touch  his  Life,  but  no  Ufe  was  made  of  thern. 
The  great  Charge  was,  that  in  thefe  feveral  Paffages 
he  reflecfted  on  the  Prelates  of  the  Cnurch  of  England^ 
and  fo  was  guilty  of  Sedition,  &c.  The  King's  Coun- 
fel  open'd  the  Information  at  large  with  its  Aggrava- 
tions. Mr.  PVnlbp^  Mr*  PVilUams,  Mr.  ^otherham^ 
Mr.  Atvoood^  and  Mr.  Phipps^  were  Mr.  Baxter's  Coun- 
feJ,  and  had  been  feed  by  Sir  Henry  /Iflohurfl.  Mr.  Wal- 
lop faid,  that  he  conceiv'd  the  Matter  depending  being 
a  Point  of  Dotftrine,  it  ought  to  be  referred  to  the  Bi- 
(hop  his  Ordinary  :  But  if  notj  he  humbly  conceiv'd  I 
the  Doctrine  was  innocent  and  juflifiabie,  letting  a  fide: 
the  Innuendo's,  for  which  there  was  no  Colour,  there 
being  no  Antecedent  to  refer  them  to  (i.  e,  no  Bi- 
fliop  or  Clergy  of  the  Church  o^  Englr.nd  nam'd.j 
He  faid  the  Book  accused,  /.  e.  the  Comment  on  th^ 
New  Teftament,  contained  many  Eternal  Truths ;  But 
*they  who  drew  the  Information  were  the  Libellers,  in 
applying  to  the  Prelates  of  the  Church  of  Englnnd^  thofe 
fevere  Things  which  were  written  concerning  fome  Pre- 
lates, who  deferv'd  the  Gharadters  which  he  gave.  My 
Lord  (fays  he)  I  humbly  conceive  the  Bifliops  Mr.  Br.x^ 
ter  Speaks  of,  as  your  Lordihip  if  you  have  read  Church 
Hiftory  muft  confefs,  were  the  Plagues  of  the  Church, 
and  of  the  World.  Mr.  WnlL.p^  fays  the  Lord  Chief 
Juftice,   '  I  obferve  you  are  in  all  thefe  dirty  Caufes : 

*  And  were  it  not  for  you  Gentlemen  of  the  Long  Robe^ 

*  who  Ihould  have  more  Wit  and  Honefty,  that  fupporc 
*-and  hold  up  thefe  Fadtious  Knaves  by  the  Chin^  we 

*  fliould  not  be  at  the  Pafs  we  are.'  My  Lord,  fatys 
Mr.  iVallop^  I  humbly  conceive,  that  the  Paffages  ac- 
cus'd  are  natural  Dedu£lions  froni  the  Text.  '  Yoii 
'  humbly  conceive,  ^^j  JEFFEI^TS,  and  I  humbly 

*  conceive  :  Swear  him.  Swear  him.'  My  Lord  fays  he,, 
lender  Favour,  I  am  Counfel  for  the  Defendant,  ind  if 
I  underftand  either  L<inw  or  EngUfh^  the  Informatiori 
now  bro't  againft  Mr,  Baxter  upon  fuch  a  flight  Grotind^ 

Bb  i$ 


?70 


The  LIFE  of        Chap,  XIV. 


An.  163$.  is  a  greater  Reflection  upon  the  Church  of  England^ 
than  any  Thing  contain'd  in  the  Book  he's  accus'd  for. 
Says  Jcjfrers  to  him,  '  Sometimes  you  humbJy  Con- 

*  ceive,  and   fnmetimes  you  are    very    Pofirive:   You 

*  talk  of  your  Skillin  Church  Hiftory,  and  of  your  Un- 

*  deftMPding  L^rm  and  Englifh  :  \  think  I  underftand 

*  fomething  of  them   as    well  as    you  ;    but  in   fhort 

*  muft  tell  you,    that   if  you   don't   underftand    your 

*  Duty  better,  llliall  teach  it  you.'  Upon  which  Mr.  ff^4/- 
!o^  fate  down. 

Mr.  Smother  dm  urg'd  that  if  Mr.  Baxter's  Book  had 
fharp  Reflections  upon  the  Church  of  f^ome  by  Name, 
but  fpake  well  of  the  Prelates  of  the  Church  of  England, 
it  was  to  be  prefnm'd  that  the  iharp  Refledlxons  were 
intended  only  againft  the  Prelates  of  the  Church  of 
i^?wif.  The  Lord  Chief  fuftice  faid,  Baxter  was  an  E- 
nemy  to  the  Name  and  Things  the  Offce  and  Perfons  of  Bi- 
fhops.  F(pt  her  am  sidded,  that  B^AT^^r  frequently  attended 
Divine  Service,  went  to  the  Sacrament,  and  perfwadcd 
others  to  do  fo  too,  as  was  certainly  and  publickJy 
known  ,•  and  had  in  the  very  Book  fo  charg'd,  fpoken 
very  moderately  and  honourably  of  the  Bifliops  of  the 
Church  of  England.  Mr.  Baxter  added,  my  Lord,  I  have 
been  lo  moderate  withRefpedt  to  the;  Church  o(  England, 
that  I  have  incurr'd  the  Cenfure  of  many  of  the  DiJ] enters 
upon  that  Account.  '  B //XT£  i<^  for  BiJliops,  fays 
'  y  E  F  FI^EYS^  That's  a  merry  Conceit  indeed.  Turn 
to  it,  turn  to  it.'  Upon  this  B^theram  turn'd  to  a 
Place,  where  'tis  faid,  *  That  great  Refped:  is  due  to 
thofe  truly  call'd  to  be  BiHiops  among  us  :  Or  to  that 
Purpcje  :  Ay,  fahh  Jeflreys,  This  is  your  Presbyterian 
Cant  -^  truly  calfd  to  be  Bifhops;  That  is  himfelf  and 
fuch  B^afcals,  caWd  to  be  Bifhops  of  Kidderminfter,  and 
other  fuch  Places.  Bifliops  fet  apart  by  fuch  Fa- 
dlious.  Sniveling  Presbyterians  as  himfelf  :  A  Kjdder- 
minfter  Bifhop  he  means.  According  to  the  Saying  of 
a  late  Learned  Author;  and  every  Parifli  (hall  main- 
tain, a  Tithe  Pig  Metropolitan.  Mr.  Baxter  hcgin- 
rtiti'jto  fpeak^  again  ;  fays  he  to  him^  ^ichard^  I^ichard, 
doft  thou  think  we'll  hear  thcc  Poifon  the  Court,  Scc. 
''  Pilchard.,  thou  art  an  Old  Fellow,  an  Old  Knave; 
■  thou  haft  written  Books  eno'to  load  a  Cait,  every  one 
as  ftdl  of  Sedition  (I  might  lay  Trcalbn)  as  an  Egg  is 
full  of  Meat.     Hadft  thou  been  whipp'd  out  of  thy 

'  Writing 


Chap.  XIV,       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  -      371 

Writing  Trade  Forty  Years  ago,  ic  had  been  happy.  ^«.  1585. 

*  Thou  prerendcft  to  be  a  Preacher  of  the  Gofpel  of  Peace, 

*  and  thou  haft  one  Foot  in  the  Grave; 'tis  Time forthee 

*  to  begin  to  think  what  Account  thou  intendeft  to  give. 
'  But  leave  thee  to  thy  Self,  and  I  fee  thou'lt  go  on  as 
'thou  haft  begun,  but  by  the  Grace  of  God,  I'll  look 

*  after  thee.  1  know  thoa  haft  a  mighty  Par:y,  and  I 
'  fee  a  great  many  of  the  Brotherhood  in  Corners,  wait- 

*  ing  to  fee   what  will  become  of  their  mighty  Donne, 

*  aiKi   a  Dodor  of  the  Party  {loc!{ing  to  Dr.  Bates)  at 

*  your  Elbow,  bur  by  the  Grace  of  Almighty  God,  Til 
'  Crufhyou  a!/.''  Mr.Hs^heram  fizting  down,  Mr.  Attwood 
began  to  fhew,  that  not  one  of  the  PalTages  mention  d 
in  the  Information,  ought  to  be  ftrain'd  to  that  Senfe, 
which  was  put  upon  them  by  the  Innuendo's ;  they  being 
more  natural  when  taken  in  a  milder  Senfe  ;  Nor  could 
any  one  of  them  be  apply^d  to  the  Prelates  of  the 
Church  oi  Engl  end  ^  without  a  very  forc'd  Conftradtion. 
To  Evidence  this  he  would  have  read  fome  of  the  Texc : 
But  Jeffreys  cried  out,  Ton  fhaiit  draw  me  into  a  Con- 
venticle with  your  Annotations^  nor  your  Sniveling  Per- 
fan  neither.     My  Lord  fays  Attwood^    I  conceive  this  to 

be  exprefly  within  ^ofvpell's  Cafe,  lately  before  youu. 
Lordfhip.     Tou  conceive^  fays  Jeffreys^  you  conceive  amifs : 
It  is  not.     My  Lord,  fays  Mr.  At t wood,  that  I  may  ufe 
the  beft  Authority,  permit  me  to  repeat  your  Lordfhips 
own  Words  in  that  Cafe.     No,  y^u  fhnnt^    fays   ije. 
You  need  not  fpeak,  for  you  are  an  Author  already  ; 
the'  you  Speak  and  Write  impertinently.     Says  Attwood^ 
I  can't  help  thzi  niV  Lord,  if  my  Talent  be  no  better  ; 
but  it  is  my  Duty  to  do  my  beft  for  my  Client.     Jef- 
freys thereupon  went  on,  inveighing  againft  what  Att- 
wood  had  publilh'd  :  And  Attwood  jnftify'd  it  to  be  in 
Defence  of  tht  Engl ifjo  Conftitution  5  declaring  that  he 
never  difown'd  any  Thing  he  had  Written.     Jeffreys 
feveral   Times  ordered  him  to  fit  down ;    but  he  ftill 
went  on.     My  Lord,  fays  he,  1  have  Matter  of  Law 
to  off'^r  for  my  Client  ;  and  he  proceeded  to  Cite  feve- 
ral Cafes  wherein  it  had   been  adjudged  that  Words 
ought  to  be  taken  in  the  milder  Jsenfe,  and  not  to  be 
ftrainM   by   Innuendo's.     I4^ell,   fays  Jeffreys  when  he 
had  donf^,   Tou  have  had  your  Sny,      Mr.   H^illiams  and 
Mr.   Phipps  faid  nothing,    for  they   faw  'twas   to  no 
Purpofe.    At  length  fays  Mr.  B.^x/t?- himfelfj  my  Lord, 

B  b  ^  I 


572  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XIV. 

An.  J685.  Irhink  I  can  clearly  A nfwer  all  that  is  laid  co  my 
Charge,  and  I  Ihalldo  itbrielly.-  the  Sum  is  contain'd 
in  thcfe  few  Papers,  to  which  1  Ihail  add  a  little  by  Te- 
fliiDony.  Rut  he  wculd  not  hear  a  Word.  At  length 
the  Chief  Juftice  fumin'd  up  the  Matter  in  a  long  and 
tul!onie  Haranpue.     * 'Tis  notorioufly  known  (fayshe) 

*  there  has  been  a  Defign  to  ruin  the  King  and  the  Na- 

*  tion.  The  Old  (xame  has  been  renewed :  And  this 
*"  has  been  the  main  Incendiary.  He's  as  modeft  now 
*■  as  can  be  :  But  Time  was,  when  no  Man  was  fo 
*"  ready   at   Bind  your  Kjvgs  in  Chains^    and  your  Nobles 

*  ;"//   Fetters  of  Iron  :    And  to   your  Tenti  O  IfracL      Gen- 

*  tlemen,  for  God's  fake  don't  let  us  be  gull'd  twice  in 

*  an  Age,  ^c*  And  when  he  concluded,  He  told  the 
(uiy,  that  if  they  in  their  Confciences  believed  he 
meant  the  Bifhops  and  Clergy  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
landy  in  the  Paflages  which  the  Information  referred  to, 
they  muft  find  him  Guilty  :  And  he  could  mean  no 
Man  t](e.  If  not,  they  muft  find  him  not  Guilty. 
When  he  had  done,  fays  Mr.  Baxter  to  him,  Do's  your 
Lordlhip  think  any  Jury  will  pretend  to  pafs  a  Ver- 
dict upon  me  upon  fuch  a  Trial  ?     '  Til  Warrant  you,,^ 

*  Mr.  Baxter  fays  he  ;  don't  you  Trouble  your  Self  a- 
^  bout  that.'  The  Jury  immediately  laid  their  Heads 
together  at  the  Bar,  and  found  him  Guilty.     As  be  was 

;oing  from  the   Bar,    Mr.  Baxter  told  the  Lord  Chief 
uitice  who  had  fo  leaded  him  with  Reproaches,  and 
yet  cominu'd  them,   That  *  a  Predeceflbr  of  his,  had 

*  had  other  Tho'fS  of  Him :  Vpcn  which  he  replied^ 
'  Th/it  there  was  not  an  Honeft  Man  in  England,  but 

*  what  took  him  for  a  great  Knave.'  He  had  fub- 
paera'd  fcveral  Clergy-men,  who  appeared  in  Court, 
bit  were  of  no  Ufe  to  him,  thro'  the  Violence  of  the 
Chief  jurtice.  The  Trial  being  over,  Sir  Henry  A/h- 
hurfi  kd  Mr.  Baxter  thro'  the  Crowd,  ( I  mention  ic 
10  his  Honour  )  and  convey'd  him  away  in  his  Coach. 

On  June  the  29th  following.  He  had  Judgment  given 
againft  him.  He  was  Fin'd  500  Marks;  to  lie  in  Pri- 
lon  till  he  paid  it :  and  be  bound  to  his  good  Behaviour 
for  Seven  Years, 

The  next  Year  the  Diff enters  were  profccutcd  in  the 

wonted   Manner.      Their    Meetings  were    frequently 

.  diftuib'd  boih  in  City  and  Country.     Fines  were  levy'd 

upon  ihcm.    The  Informers  broke  in  upgp  Mr.  Fleets 

wood^ 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  57:5 

rvooiJ^  Sir  John  Hartop,  and  feme  others  at  Stol^e-Nevo- An.  i6Z^. 
ington,  to  levy  DiftrefTesfor  Conventicles^  ro  Six  or  Seven 
Thoufand  Pounds,  and  many  were  excornnfiunicated, 
and  had  Cnpiaffes  ifTu  d  out  againft  them  ;  but  parti- 
cular Perf->ns,  upon  their  making  Application  to  thofe 
above,  were  more  favoured  than  had  been  ufuaJ. 
A  noble  Set  of  Concroverfial  Writings  was  now  pub- 
liflied  by  the  Divines  of  the  Church  of  England^  a- 
gainft  the  Errors  of  the  Church  of  l^me :  And  it  muft 
be  owned,  that  they  fignaHzed  themfelves,  and  gained 
in-T  ntal  Honour  by  their  Performances.  And  if  the 
Diiienters  did  not  appear  fo  generally,  nor  fo  pubiickly 
upon  this  Occafion,  it  may  without  much  DifficuJty 
be  accounted  for,  by  one  that  Confiders  all  Circum^  ^, 
fiances  *»  „-  »  -  'l 

Takes  JCotice  of  it<,  and  freely  infulti  upon  it^    That 

while  the  Church  of  England  Vhines  were  to  fo  good        +  Apparat.  ai  D  fcnC 
Turpofe  ingag'd  in  this  Controyerjy,  the  Nonconformifls     Ecclef  An„hc.  p.  8s. 
kept  Silence^    and   fetp^  if  any  of  them  durji  come  in 

to  their  Affifiance^  againft  the  Common  Enemy.  jAnd  fome  others  have  us^d 
like  Language.  But  it  jhould  be  confidefd  that  they  had  written  a/^ain/l  ths 
Romanics  yery  freely  before.^  and  had  the  lefs  Reafon  to  dq  if  at  this  Time  : 
That  they  did  not  find  their  People  fo  much  in  Danger,  as  many  that  n-ere 
edutated  in  the  Church  of  England  /  That  they  both  in  City  and  Country 
preach" d  with  great  Freedom  againji  Popery,  wh'ch  jhewd  that  if  they  wrote 
lefs  againji  it  than  others,  it  did  not  arife  from  Tear  :  That  many  of  them 
tho't  it  not  fo  proper  to  attempt  to  tahe  this  Work  out  of  the  Bands  of  the  Di- 
\ines  of  the  Church  of  England,  'who  n:t  only  did  it  well,  but  who  were 
in  Duty  bound  to  do  the  more  in  Oppoftion  to  the  Common  Danger^  becaufe 
they  had  done  fo  much  to  hajien  and  occafion  it  \  and  wIjo  fo  rlfihly  improy'd 
in  Light,  and  in  the  lavgnefs  of  their  Jv'otions,  by  being  necejjstated  to  fupport 
fome  Principles  in  thefe  Debates,  which  they  had  flighted  before,  and  feemed 
willing  to  difcard  :  And  Finally,  that  feyeral  of  the  Dijfentcrs  did  at  this 
Time  attempt  to  publi/h  fome  TraCls  againji  Popery,  but  met  with  Dif- 
couragement  when  they  fent  them  to  the  Prefs,  becaufe  they  came  from 
fitch  as  vere  not  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  feem'd  dejitom  to  ingrofs 
the  Managment  of  this  Controyerfy  at  this  Time  wholly  to  litem fchi-s.  Thi^ 
aUuatly  was  tlie  Cafe  as  to  fome  Treatifes  then  wri'.ten  by  Nonconformifts ,-.  jind 
it  need  not  feem  firange,  if  this  being  generally  known,  jl^ould  limder  others 
from  making  like  Attempts .  But  a  full  Anfwer  to  this  ObjeClion  againji  tl)e 
Dijfenters^  may  be  feeninMr.  Jong's  Defence  of  Mr.  Henry'j  Notion  of  Schifm  , 

The  King's  Difpenfing  Power  was  at  length  the 
Subjedt  of  much  Difcourfe  and  Debate.  But  at  laft 
the  Matter  was  thus  determined  by  Eleven  of  the 

B  b  3  Twelve 


574-  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XIV. 


jin.  1^85.  Twelve  Judges,  i.  *  That  the  Kings  of  England  are 
'  Sovereign  Princes.  2.  That  the  Laws  of  England 
'  are  the  Kings  Laws.  3.  That  the  Kings  of  En^- 
'  land  have  the  Sole  Power  of  difpenfing  with  the 
'  Penal   Laws  in    Cafe   of   Ncreiricy.     4.    That  the 

*  Kings  of  England  are  the  Sole  Judges  of  the  Necef- 

*  iky  of  difpeniing   with  Penal  Laws.     5.    That  the 

*  Kings  of   England  do  not  derive  this  Power  from 

*  the  People,  nor  can  on  any  Account  or  Pretence  be 
'  lawfully  deprived  of  it.     6.  That  the  Kings  of /i«^- 

*  land  can  never  depart  from  this  Prerogative. 
Injunctions  went  out  from  feveral  of  the   Bi(hops 

under  the  Seal  of  their  Offices,    to   all   Minifters  in 
their    Diocefles,    ftridtiy    to    enjoin   and    require  all 
Church- Wardens  to  prefent  thofc  that   did  not  come 
to  Church,   or  that  receiv'd  not  the  Sacrament  at  En- 
per,      Thefe    Injundtions    were    publickly    read    in 
Hertford/hire^     and    Ejjex,   and   many     other    Places. 
And  it  feem'd  to  be  a  prevailing  Opinion,  that  the  Pro- 
tcfiant  Dijfenters  muft  be  profecuted,  or   l-'opery  could 
not  be  fupprefs'd.     And  therefore  the  Juries  in  fome 
Places  at  the  Aflizes  this  Year  prefented  it   as  their 
Opinion,    that  unlefs  the   Dijfcnters   were  effe£lually 
Profecuted,   their    Dangers    could   not    be   prevented 
or  remedy'd  :    Bnt  the  iinfeafonablenefs  of  fuch    Ri- 
gours,  and  the  fcandalous  Villanies  and   Perjuries  of 
.  many  of   the   molt   Noted!    Informers    both    in    Ci- 
ty   and    Country    too,     made    fenfible    Men    foon 
weary.  . 
71)6  Com-         King  James  in  Order  to  the  carrying  on  his   De- 
miffion  for  figns  the  more  fuccefsfully,    sjranted  an    Ecckfiaflicf.l  . 
Ecclejiafti'  Commiffion,    which    was  dirciSed  to  the  Arch-Bilhop 
■>iljiffiUfs.Q{  Canterbury^    the  Lord  Chancellor,    the  BiJhops   of 
Durham  and  liochejhr^  the  Earl  of  ^cheftsr  Lord  High 
Treafurer,   the  Earl  of  S under land^  and  the  Lord  Chief 
Juftice  Herbert ^  or  any  Three  of  them,   whereof  the 
Lord   Chancellor  was  always  to   be  one,     devolving 
the  whole  Care    of  Fxcicfialtical  Arfairs  upon    their, 
!h  thelargelt  Extent  th;it  ever  had  been  known  in  £w^- 
hnd.     They  open'd  their  Commiflion  on   the  Third  of 
.-luguf}^   and  fettled  the  Method  of  Prorecding  .-    Buc    • 
the  ComtnilTioners  Names  were  feveral  Times  alccr'd.^ 
They  began  with  fufpcndini;  the  Bilhi>p  of  Lc?uh)i,  foe 

not 


Chap.  XIV.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  575 


for  not  fufpending  Dr^  Sharp  upon  the  King's  Com-  An.  16^6 » 
mand.  They  afterwards  deprived  and  fufpended 
Dr.  Pencbel,  Vice  Chancellor  of  the  Univerfity  of  C.i»a- 
hridge^  and  Head  of  Magdalen  Colledge,  for  refufing  to 
admit  one  j^lhan  Francis^  a  Benedictine  Monk,  to  the 
Degree  of  Matter  of  Arts,  without  taking  the  Oaths  : 
And  Dr.  Hough  the  Prefidenr,  and  the  Fellows  of  M^,g- 
dalen  Colledge  in  Oxford ;  for  not  complying  with  the 
Kings  Mandate  in  the  Elecilion  of  a  Prefidenr.  By 
which  Methods  ail  the  Clergy  in  the  Kingdom  were 
convinc'd,  that  the  Papifts  were  coming  to  take  Pof- 
feflion.  They  made  hereupon  fuch  Exclamations,  as 
plainly  ftiew'd  they  were  unable  to  bear  a  fmall  Share 
of  thofe  Severities  themfelves,  which  had  for  a  long 
Time  been  fo  liberally  infli£ted  upon  others. 

A  Difpenfation  or  Licence  Office  was  fet  up  this 
Year,  where  all  Comers  might  have  Difpeniations, 
paying  only  Fifty  Shillings  for  themfelves  and  their  Fa- 
milies. Many  of  thofe  who  were  profecuced  as  Cor- 
venticlers,  took  out  Difpenfations,  which  not  only 
flopp'd  all  ProcelTes  that  were  commenced,  but  gave 
ihem  Libqrty  to  keep  Meetings  for  the  Future.  Ma- 
ny were  released  from  their  Imprifonment,  and  had 
their  Fines  remitted  by  the  Kings  Pardons.  Among 
the  reft,  Mr.  Baxter  obtain'd  his  Pardon  by  the  Me- 
diation of  the  Lord  Powis'  His  Fine  was  remitted, 
and  on  Wednefday  Kovember  24,  Sir  Samuel  Aftrey 
fent  his  Warrant  to  the  Keeper  of  the  Kings  Bench 
Prifon  to  difcharge  him  :  But  he  gave  Sureties  for 
his  good  Behaviour  ;  his  Majetty  declaring,  (  for  his 
Satisfadion  )  that  it  fhoald  not  in  him  be  interpreted 
a  Breach  of  the  Good  Behaviour,  for  him  to  refide 
in  London^  which  was  not  allowable  according  to 
the  Oxford  AH ;  and  this  was  enter'd  upon  his  Bail- 
Piece  ;  7.  e.  the  Parchment  in  which  his  Bail  was 
given.  Notwithftanding  this,  he  continu'd  fome  Time 
after  in  the  Rules.  And  on  February  the  28th  follow- 
ing, removed  to  a  Houfe  he  took  in  Charter-Hmfs-Tard. 

March  the  i8th,  the  King  acquainted  the  Council, 
that  be  had  determin  d  to  IlTue  out  a  Declaration  for 
a  General  Liberty  of  Confcience,  to  all  Perfons  of 
what  Perfwafion  foever  j  which  he  was  mov'd  to,  by 
having  obferv'd,  *  That  altho*  an  Uniformity  in  Reli- 
*  gious  Worlhip  had  been  endeavour'd  to  be  eftabiilh'd 

B  ,b  4  *  within 


57^  ^/^«  LIFE  ef     Chap. y IV. 

An.  i585.  ^  within  this  Kingdom,   in   the  Succeffive  Reigns  of 

*  Four  of  his  Predecefibis,  aflifted  by  their  Refpedive 

*  Parliaments,    yet  it  had  been  ineffedtuaj  ;  that  the 

*  Reftraint  upon  the  Confciences  of  Diflenters  in  order 

*  thereunto,    had  been  very  prejudicial  to  ihis  Nation, 

*  as  was  fadly  experienced  in  the  horrid  Rebellion  in  the 

*  Time  of  his  Royal  Father  ;  that  the  many  Penal  Laws 

*  made  againft  DilTcnters  in  all  the  foregoing  Reigns, 

*  and  efpcci^lly  in  the  Time  of  tbelate  King,  had  rather 

*  increas'd  than  lelTen'd  the  Number  of  them  :  And  that 

*  nothing  could  more  conduce  to  the  Peace  and  Quiet 
of  the  Kingdom,   and  an  increafe  of  the  Number  as 

*  well  as  the  Trade  of  his  Subjedts,  than  an  intireLibcr- 

*  ty  of  Confcience,  ^c*  And  thereupon,  heorder'dthe 
Attorney  and  Solicitor  General,  not  to  permit  any  Pro- 
cefs  to  IfTue  in  his  Majefty's  Name,  againfl:  any  Diffen- 
ters  vvhatfoever.  The  Declaration  publilhed  for  this 
Purpofe,  boreDate //;?ri7the  I  ith,    1687. 

An.  i68y.      The  Difienters  were  not  fo  fond  of  hard  Ufage,  as  to 
refufe  a  Liberty  fo  freely  offered  them;  nor  did  they  think 
it  good  Manners,  to  enquire  too  narrowly  how  that  In- 
dnlgence  came  about,  fo  long  as  they  were  fhelter'd  by  it 
The  Letter  from  Oppreflion.     A  Letter  of  Advice   to  them,  was 
of  ^dyUe    hereupon  publifli'd  by  that  accomplilh'd  Statefman  the 
to  a  D'fen-  Marquis  of  Ha/Iif^x,  tho'  without  his  Name.  The  Let- 
fn.  ter  was  written  with  a  great  deal  of  Artifice,  with  defign 

to  infinuate  a  twofold  Caution  ;  That  their  new  Friends 
were  to  be  fufpecfted;  and  that  it  would  neither  beChri- 
ftianity  nor  Prudence  to  hazard  the  Publick  Sa  fety,either 
by  defire  of  Eafe  or  of  Revenge.     His  Cautions  were 
regarded  by  the  wifer  Part  of  them,  notwithftanding  the 
U|icertainty  with  what  defign  this  Application  was  made 
to  them.     As  Thankful  as  they  were  for  their  Eafe  and 
Liberty,  they  were  yet  fearful  of  thelffue  ;   neither  can 
any  Number  of  them  of  any  Confideration,   be  charg'd 
with  hazarding  the  Publick  Safety,  by  falling  in  with  the 
Meafurcs  of  the  Court,  of  which  they  had  as  great  a 
dread  as  their  Neighbours.     And  as  for  Revenge,  tho' 
they  had  a  fair  Opportunity  for  it,  yet  eould  they  not 
think  it  a  Thing  dcfircable,    either  as  Men  or    as  Cbri- 
ftian*;.    If  they  over-did  it  in  their  Addreirt:s,  ihey  tho't 
the  High  Church  Party,  who  had   been  fo   us'd  to  top- 
ping Fiijrhts  of  Complcrrenr,  when  returning  Thanks 
for  the  DiiToiving  one  of  the  beft  of  Patliaments,  had 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  377 

little  Reafon  to  Refledt  on  them  *.     But  'they  were  not  -^»*  1687- 
many  that  could  be   Charg'd:    Among  the  reft,    Mr. 
Baxter  had  no  concern  in  Addrefiing  ;    but  fet  himfelf       f  ^^ 
ztI{utUnd'Houfe  in  Charter-Houfe-Tard,   where  he  exer- ^'^^'^^  ^*'* 
cis'd   his  Miniftry  in  ConjuncStion  with  Mr.  ^y^^^^^W^^Jd'*^  - 
to  make  a  peaceable  Improvement  of  the  Liberty  afford-  dertake  to 
cd,  fp  as  to  do  all  the  good  he  could  without  Offence  vittdkatc 
to  any.     The  like  did  his  Brethren  in  other  Places,  and  aE  the  Ad- 
therefore   they   waited   in   expedtation  of  feeing   the  dieifes  that 
Effedls  of  the  Marquelfes  Declaration  on  behalf  of  the  "^ere  made 
Church  Party  ;    That  all  their  former  Haughtinep  (they  h  Diflen- 
are  his  own  Words)  towards  the  Dijfenters  was  for  ever  ^^^^  ^fi^*" 
extingulflodi    and  that  the  Spirit  of  Perfecution  was  turnd  ^^'*'  ^*^<?*'- 
into  a  Spirit  of  Peace,    Charity  and  Condefcenfjo»  ;  that  the  ^*    ^"*  ^ 
Church  0/ ENGLAND  TP^   convinced  of  its  Error  in  J^^'^^f  ^j  . 
being  fevere  to  them;    and  all  thinl{ing  Men  were  come  to  a  ^     ,       ^'^ 
General  Agreement,    no  more  to  cut  ourfelves  f>ff  f^om  the  ^j^^  qi       f 
Proteftants  Abroad,    hut  rather  inlarge  the   Foundations^  of  Enghnd 
upon  which  vpe  are  to  'Build  our  Defences  again§i  the  Com-  fljouU 
mon  Enemy,  tread  foftly 

when  they 
lay  them  to  their  Charge  5  confidefing  that  fome  of  the  Church  Men  cottcurr'd 
with  King  James  to  oyerturn  the  Legal  Efiabli/hment  :  And  fome  dignify  d 
Perfons  were  in  his  High  Commijjion,  and  found  it  no  eafy  Thing  to  wipe  off 
B.efleCiions  upon  that  Account.  Horverer,  though  there  were  high  Plights  in 
fome  of  the  Vijfenting  Addrejfes^  for  which  I  could  be  loath  to  Apologize  ; 
that  which  moji  of  them  run  upon,  was  Thanh  to  the  King  for  the  Liberty 
they  had^  and  a  Fromife  to  beha-ve  themfehes  quietly  in  the  Ufe  of  it. 

Among  other  Methods  that  were  now  taken  for  the  ThefaUad- 
promoting  of    Popery,    this   was  one.     Mr.  Obadiah^^f^^P  °f 
iVall^er^    who  was  Maf^er  of  Univerfity  Colledge  'm^^^^^^h Tro- 
Oxon ,     kept    a  Particular   Prefs    at    Work     in  the  "I'f"  ''  '^ 
Colledge,    upon  feverai  Popifh  Books,  that  were  to  be  ^'-y^"^^*"- 
fprcad  all  through  the   Nation.     Some  Gentlemen  of 
the  Univerfity    of  Oxford  ,    (whofe  Names  could  be 
mentioned  if  there  were  Occafion)  were  earneftly  de- 
firous  to  get  the  Sheets  from  the  Prefs  as  faft  as  they 
were  Printed,    that  they  might  have  Anfwers  ready  to 
his  Books  as  foon  as  ever  they  came  out,    and  an  An- 
tidote at  Hand,    to  prevent  the  mifchievous  Effeds  of 
the  Poifon  that  was  vented.    This  was  no  eafie  Matter 
to  compafs;  and  various  Methods  were  thought  of  that 
would  not  Anfwer.    Ac  length  they  fenc  to  one  E.J^ 

who 


978  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XIV. 

An.  1685. who  could  not  but  approve  the  Defign  in  oppqfition  to 
Popery,    and  did  undertake  to  give  what  Alliftance  he 
could  ;  And  he  adliially  did  help  them  to  a  great  many 
.Sheets,  which  he  got  from  a  Boy  that  attended  Mr.  I4^al' 
i{e/s  Prefs.     By  this  means  the  Sale  and  fpreading  of 
the  Popifli  Books  was  very  much  prevenicd  ;    for  there 
were  .Anfwerr.  10  tliem  out,    as  foon  as  the  Books  them- 
felves,or  before,  which  was  no  fmall Service.     hixM^'nU 
\cr  was  a.  great  while  before  he  could  difcover  how 
this  came  about:   But  watching  narrowly,  he  found  out 
that  this  Boy  deliverd  the  Sheets  to  this  E.  J.  who  he 
fuppos'd  was   empioy'd  by  the  Gentlemen  coiKcm'd, 
and  upon  the  Secret.     Hereupon  he  was  taken  up,  and 
carried  before  feveral  Juftices  who  were  unwilling  to 
meddle  in  the  Matter,  but  being  brought  before  Sir  Ed- 
iward  py^iikjir,   he  was  for  committing  him.     E.  J.  fenc 
notice  to  the  Gentlemen  with  whom  he  had  been  con- 
cern'd,  how  it  was  with  him,  and  delir'd  their  Dire£ti- 
on.     They  fenc  him  Word  that  if  he  would  conceal 
them,  and  not  let  it  be  known  who  had  the  Sheets,  they 
would  make   him  an  abundant  Amends  if  ever  Prote- 
*  When   iiant  Times  came  again*}   and  the  McfTenger  aifur'd 
Protertanr 

Times  aftefvardi  did  come  a^ain,  in  the  Re/>w  cf  Kin^  WILLIAM  and 
J^een  MARY,  thit  poor  Man  had  occafion  to  remind  thcfe  Gentlemen  of 
their  Promife.  Vnr  it  f)  happen  d-,  that  there  rva^  a  difference  hctvpeen 
Mr.  Guy  and  Mr.  Parker,  {to  tphom  thu  E.  J.  »r**  a  Seryant^  about  the 
Trefs,  and  they  were  g^'ittg  to  Laxp  •,  but  at  length  they  came  to  an  Agree* 
ment:^  and  Mr.  Guy  and  Mr.  Parker  left  the  Prmting-Houfe,  which  was 
ict  to  the  Company  of  Scationers  :^  and  one  Article  of  the  Agreement  vrasj 
that  the  Company  were  to  employ  all  the  Old  Servant<,  and  certain  Gentlemen 
of  the  Univerjity  {among  whom  were  the  yery  Gentlemen  whom  thii  E.  ].  had 
done  fuch  Service  to^  and  that  with  fuch  haz,ard  to  himfelf  and  fuch  Pro- 
.fnifcs  of  A  requital)  were  made  Deltgates  for  Printings  and  who  they  pleaid 
'Were  employ  d  and  no  other.  Hereupon,  he  apply  d  to  them  with  great  Ex- 
■'jii^Atiom:  Vi  hich  were  unhappily  jrufirated^  when  they  came  to  underftand 
■he  wa!  a  Dijfenter.  He  made  itfe  of  others,  and  particularly  of  a  Friend 
jfifjo  had  before  been  his  Bail,  rvho  gave  them  to  underftand  that  he 
<9as  no  other  Man  than  he  wa^y  when  he  at  ih:ir  d^flre  had  c.ypos'd  hlmfelf 
to  net  the  Sheets  for  their  Seryice,  but  this  would  not  do.  He  made  ufe  cf 
V)r.  W'allis  rf>  an  Htercejfor.  It  was  injificd  on  that  he  mufi  be  recommended 
by  the  Varfon  of  hit  Partfl).  He  wa<-  offended  with  him  bccaufe  he  did  not 
SaptiT.c  his  Children:  But  1)0weycr  he  applied  to  him,  and  he  rcfusdto' 
recommend  him  becaufe  he  was  a  Vijf?nter.  At  length  it  was  put  to  the 
f'^te  amongfl  all  thoft  concern  d  in  the  Management  of  the  Affair,     whether 

hhn 


Chap.  XIV^        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  379 

him  they  were  Men  of  Honour,   and  therefore  tho'  he  ^«-  16&7. 
Aifferd  for  the   Caufe,   he  might  depend  upon  their  j    r 
eiving  him  Sarisfacftion.     Whereupon,   he  fent  them  a  „'*  -'^/i^'^ 
Promile   that  he  wonld  conceal  tnem,    whatever   ^^  jfjould  he 
might  foff-r.    Being  afterwards  carried  before  Mr.  Obn.  ^^^^    ^^^ 
diah  PJ/alker  himfelf,    he  offer'd  him  if  he  would  let  to  this  poor 
him  know  to  whom  he  convey 'd  the  Sheets  when  he  Man^andhe 
receiv'd  them,   be  would  not  only  difcharge,  but  con-  be  alhwd 
liderably  Reward  him,   and  not  only  give  him  Money,  to  keep  his 
but  help  him  to  a  Place  in  the  Univerfity  that  might  be  ^i^ce^  or  U 
for  his  Life:  But  he  refus'd.     Upon  which  he  tbreaten'd  f^^»^  off 
him;    and  Sir  VViUinm  boqnd  him  over  to  the  Affizes,-^"/"  ^ 
and  he  gave  in  Bail.     Before  the  time  of  his  Appearance  ,  'J^.  '^ 
came,   Judge  HoUovoay  fent  for  him,  (having  Obndiah  ^j^^ 
Walker  with  him)    and  attempted  one  while  to  wheedle  Yean   and 
him  wirh  fair  PrQmifes,   and  then  to  fright  him  with  y^  /Jj).  ^^ 
Threats  to  make  a  Difcovery:    But  he  remain'd  im* pnft  for 
moveable :  And  upon  his  Appearance  he  was  clear'd.       Irmfelfani 

his  nume- 
rous Tamily^  tho'  all  the  refi  of-  the  Servants  were  continud  in.  The  Matter 
was  warmly  debated.^  and  he  had  fame  that  pleaded  for  him.,  hut  the  Majonity 
were  againfi  him.,  for  this  only  Reafon^  that  he  was  a  Dijfenter  :  Thus.,  after 
as  great  Obligations  as  a  Man  of  his  Eankj  could  lay  on  thofe  that  were  fo 
much  his  Supcrion^  and  after  as  fair  Promifes  ai  could  be  made^  and  after 
keeping  him  Two  Tears  in  fuj^er.ce^  the  poor  Man  was  left  deflifute^  and. 
pr'jy'd  a  ftanding  Evidence  of  the  uncertainty  ajxd  fallacioufnefs  of  High 
Church  Promifes.  For  tho' he  afjijled  to  flem  the  Tide  of  Popery  when  it  was 
■  coming  in  like  a  Floud.,  yet  he  might  have  Jlary'd,  for  being  a  Diffettter^  jf 
God  had  not  provided  for  him. 

Mohlieur  Dkkvelt  who  had  been  fometime  here  as 
Agent  for  the  Dutch  (I  am  not  certain  under  what 
Charadter)  had  his  Audience  of  Leave,  on  Mny  the  20th. 
The  King  told  him,  that  he  doubted  not  but  that  he 
fhould  have  the  Prince  of  Orange*s  Approbation  for  the 
taking  off  the  Penal  Laws  and  Tefts ;  and  would  have 
him  to  acquaint  the  Prince  therewith.  DickveU  reply'd, 
that  he  was  bound  to  acquaint  the  Prince  with  his  Ma-- 
jefties  Command,  and  would  do  fo  j  but  he  did  under- 
ftand  fo  much  of  the  Princes  Senfe,  that  he  was  bold 
to  fay,  he  was  not  of  that  Opinion.  Dickvclt  carry 'd 
ic  like  a  Confiderablc  Starefmen,  and  vigoroufly  purfu'd 
ine  Interefts  of  the  States,  and  of  the  Prince  of  Orange^ 
He  gave  ^\\  polTible  Aliurance  to  all  that  he  Conversed 

vvith^ 


580  The  LIFE  of    Chap.  XIV. 


jin^  i  578.  with,  of  the  Princes  firm  and  fetled  Refolution  to 
fland  up  in  oppolkion  to  Popery,  and  the  Defigns  of 
France,  and  to  Promote  and  Maintain  the  true  reform'd 
Protejlunt  Religion,  agiinft  all  Oppofition.  He  alfo 
Privately  gave  great  Airarance  to  the  Nonconformifts, 
that  they  IhoiiJd  find  Refpeds  from  that  Prince  when 
opponunity  offet'd^  and  that  they  might  be  fadsfi'd, 
he  was  no  Friend  to  Rigour  and  Sev  erity  in  Religious 
Matters,  but  a  great  Friend  to  Liberty  of  Confcience. 

The  King  finding  that  all  his  Meafures  would  be  in- 
evitably broken,  if  the  Penal  Laws  and  Tcfts  were 
not  taken  otf,  by  means  of  which,  his  Friends  Rood 
continually  expos'd,  refolv'd  to  leave  no  Method  un- 
attempted,  that  might  Contribute  towards  his  reaching 
this  Defign.  The  gaining  the  Concurrence  of  the  next 
Heirs,  would  have  been  a  very  plaufible  Piet  with  the 
moft  averfe  ,•  and  therefore  not  refting  fatisfi'd  with 
Dicl^veir's  Declaration,  he  refolv'd  to  try  the  Prince  and 
Princefs  of  Orange,  and  be  f jjly  certify *d  of  their  Senfe 
andliKlination.  To  that  end  he  employed  Mr.  James 
Stuarty  who  wrote  a  Letter  to  Penfionary  Fagel,  who  was 
one  in  whom  the  Prince  put  an  entire  Confidence,  and 
with  whom  Mr.  Stuart  pretended  to  no  fmall  Intimacy  : 
The  Prince  and  Princefs  were  fo  averfe  to  medlmg,  thar 
it  was  a  long  time  before  they  would  allow  the  Pcnfi- 
onary  to  make  any  Reply  upon  fo  touchy  a  Point;  fo 
that  Mr.  Stuart  by  Order  wrote  feveral  Letters  before 
he  receiv'd  any  Anfwer.  At  laft  it  being  Induftriouily 
fpread  Abroad,  that  the  Prince  and  Prmcefs  agreed  with 
the  King  in  the  Defign  of  taking  ofif  thole  Laws  which 
the  Nation  look'd  upon  as  their  main  Security;  and 
this  being  made  ufe  of  as  an  Argument  to  bring  others 
to  a  Compliance,  the  Prince  and  Princefs  tho'c  it  ne- 
ceflary  for  their  own  Vindication,  to  allow  the  Pcnli- 
onary  to  make  a  Reply,  and  difcover  their  Tnie  and 
Real  Senfe  of  the  Matter.  Accordingly  that  Wife  Mi- 
P  ^  nilter  of  State  Fagel^  in  a  Letter  from  the  Hague,  bear- 
Fapcls'j  ^"^  Date  November  4  this  Year,  knt  Mr.  Stuirt  Word, 
Letnr.  ^^^^  ^"^^  ^^  %^^^  ^^"^  ^°  underftand  that  his  Letters 
were  Written  with  the  Kings  Knowledge  and  Allow- 
ance, he  would  therefore  deal  very  plainly  with  bim 
in  the  Matter  and  without  referve  :  And  thereupon  he 
proi  eeds  to  tell  him,  '  That  it  was  the  Opinion  of  the 
*  Piincc  and  Princefs,  that  no  Chriftian  ought  ro  be  Per- 

'  fecuted 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  38 1 


fecuted  for  his  Confcience,    or  be  ill  ufed  becaufe  h^An.  1687- 
differs  from  the   Fublick  and  Eftablifh'd  Religion : 
And  therefore  that  they  could  Confenr,    that  the  Pa- 
pifts  in  England,  Scotland  and  [reldnd^  ihouldbc  fuffer'd 
to  continue  in  their  Religion,    with  as  n:iuch  Liberty 
as  is  allow'd  them  by  the  States  of  HoUnnd ;  in  which 
they  enjoy  full  Liberty  of  Confcience.     And  that  as 
to  the  Dijfrntersy   iheir  HighneflVs  did  not  only  Con- 
fent,  but  did  heartily  approve  of  their  having  an  en- 
tire Liberty  for  the  full  Excrcife^of  their  Religion, 
without  any  trouble  or  hindrance;    fo  that  none  may 
be  able  to  give  them  the  leaft  difturbance  upon  that 
Account;   and  that  their  Highneffes  were   ready  to 
Concur  to  the  Setling  and  Confirming  this  Liberty, 
and  Protect  and  Defend  it,   and  likewife  to  Confirm 
it  with  their  Guarantee,    which  Mr.  Stuart  had  men- 
tioned.    And  that  if  His  Majefty  defit'd  their  Con- 
currence in  Repealing  the  Penal  Laws,    their  High- 
nefles  were  ready  to  give  it,    provided  thofe  Laws 
ftill  remain'd  in  force,    by  which  the  Roman  Catho- 
Jicks  were  excluded  out  of  bothHoufes  of  Parliament, 
and  out  of  all  Publick  Employments,  Ecclefiaftical, 
Civil  and  Military,   and  likewife  thofe  other  Laws 
which  Confirm  the  ProteHmt  Religion,   and  which 
fecure  it  againft  all  the  Attempts  of  the  Roman  Ca- 
tholicks ;  But  that  their  HighnelTes  could  not  agree  to 
the  Repeal  of  the  Te!t^    and  thofe  other  Penal  Laws 
laft  mentioned,  that  tend  to  the  Security  of  the  Pro- 
teHnnt  Rehgion ;  fince  the  Roman  Catholicks  receive 
no  other  prejudice  from  thefe,  than  the  being  exclu- 
ded  from    Parliament    and   Publick    Employments. 
And  that  they  believed  they  fhould  have  much  to  An- 
fwer  to  God  for,    if  the  Confideration  of  any  prefent 
Advantage,    fhould  carry  them  to  confent  to  Things, 
which  they  believed,   would  be  not  only  Dangerous 
but  Mifchievous  to  the  Proteilant  Religion.*  By  which 
full  Declaration,    the  Court  was  much  difappointed, 
many  ftaggering  Perfons  confirm'd,    the  Church  Party 
reviv'd,   and  the  Diflenters  comforted,    in  Hope  the 
Liberty  they  had  obtain'd  was  like  to  prove  Lafting. 
And  yet  the  f 'ing  went  on,    Clofeting  Lords  and  Com- 
unons,    and  all  Perfons  that  had  any  Places  of  Profit  or 
Truft,  ufing  fuch  Arguments  as  were  mofl:  likely  to 
prevail  for  a  Compliance;    Many  were  dilplac'd  up- 
on 


382  Tie  LIFE   of       Chap.XlV- 

Jin.  1587.  on  their  Refufal,  anJ  fucceedcd  by  others  that  appcar'd 
more  Pliable;    which    did  but  heighten  the  General 
DilFacisfacftion  of  the  People,    to  fee  themfelves  like  to 
be  gull'd  out  of  their  main  Security.     About  this  time, 
Commiflioners  were  appointed  by  the  King,  and  fcntinto 
thc{e\.'eral  Counties  of  Enghmd^    to  enquire  what  Mo- 
ney or  Goods  had  been  Levy'd  up^on  Di(]cnters  upon 
Profccurions  for  RecuLancy,    and  not  paid  into  the  Ex- 
chequer.    Many  were  afraid  of  being  call'd  to  an  Ac- 
count ;    and  it  was  commonly  apprehended,    that  a 
ftrivft    Enquiry   would   have    caufed   great  Confufion. 
Here  the  Dijfemers  had  a  fair  Opportunity  of  being  re- 
reveng'd  on  niany  of  then  bitterefl 
"^  I  fl)ould  haye thought    this     Enemies*;     But   they   generouQy 
wjv/jt   haye   defcrv'd  the  Notice     pafs'd  all  by,    Upon  the  Promifes 
of  or.e  vfJyo  fets  up  for  a  Com-     and    i^flurances    that   were  given 
pleac  Hiftorian.  them  by  leading  Perfons  both  of 

the  Clergy  and  Laity,  that  no  fuch 
Rigorous  Methods  Ihould  ever  be  us'd  towards  them 
for  the  time  to  come,   but  that  they  might  depend'  upon 
t  There  great  Temper  and  Moderation  for  the  futuref . 

VTas  a  lorm 

of  Trayer  appointed  by  hit  Majefiys  fpecial  Command^  to  he  u^d  in  London 
and  Ten  Miles  round  it^  on  Sunday  the  lyh  of  January,  and  throughout 
England  on  Sunday  the  l^th  of  the  Jame  Alonthy  1687,  &c.  in  behalf  of 
the  Kin<r^  the  i)ueen^  and  the  Royal  Family,  upon  occafion  of  the  Queens  being 
tffith  Lhil4-. —  Tuyere  are  thefe  Exprejfons. —  BlelTtd  be  that  good  Pjovi- 
dcnce  wliich  has  vouchrifcd  us  fieCli  liopes  of  Royal  lifue  by  our  Gracious 
Qiittn  Mary.  ScrengchtnHev  we  befeech  thee,  and  pevfeft  wliat  tlioii  haft 
beg-Ill :  Comnvand  thy  Holy  Angels  to  watch  over  Her  continually,  and 
dercnd  Her  from  all  Dangers  and  evil  Accidents,  that  what  flie  lias  Con- 
<:f>ivd  may  be  happily  brought  forth,  to  the  Joy  of  our  Sovereign  Lord 
the  Kir>g,  the  further  Eftabliiliment  of  his  Crown,  the  Happinefs  and 
Welfare  of  the  wliole  Kingdom,  and  rhs  Glory  of  thy  great  Name,  (ire. 
Had  roe  poor  Dijfenters  been  ob/igd  to  Ufe  fuch  a  form,  upon  fuch  an  Occa- 
[ton,  we  fhould  have  thought  it  a  great  Hardjhip.  if  fuch  Things  dont 
ijuicken  our  'I  hunls  for  our  Liberty^  ve  are  much  to  blame. 

That  the  fnrcr  way  might  be  made  to  the  Eftab'ilhing 
an  Univerfal  Toleration  by  Adl  of  Parliament,  Changes 
were  made  in  all  the  Corporations  in  the  Kingdom,  and  a 
certain  lort  of  Men  calfd  f^^^^uintors^  who  Wltc  Perfons- 
of  mean  Fortunes  and  Abilities,  but  gre,it  forwardncfs 
^ere  fent  intu  all  Parts  to  cxamin*  Mens  Opinions, 
They  that  would  promife  to  ufe  then  IiiicrL-ft  in  Eltdi- 


Chap.  XIV.       Air.  Richard  Baxter.  583 

ons,  to  bring  infucb  into  the  Parliament  as  would  com-  Aft.  idSy- 
ply  with  the  King's  Defigns,   were  prefer'd  as  Mayors, 
Aldermen,  (^c.    which  was  proposM  as  an  Effed:ual 
Method  to  reach  his  End.     But  this  was  fo  Grols^  that 
the  Managers  became  Contemptible,   and  few  Men  of 
any  Reputation  would  have  any  Concern  with  them. 
On  the  17th  of  April,  the  King  renew'd  his  Declaration  -Aft-  1688, 
for  Liberty  of  Confcience,   with  fome  Additions,  and  a  -^^'^  ^^^^ 
Promife  to  get  it  eftablifh'd  by  Aa  of  Parliament.  declaration 

On  the  4th  of  May,  an  Order  was  pafs'd  in  Coun-^^  Liberty, 
cil,  that  the  Declaration  of  Indulgence  fliould  be  Read 
in  all  Churches  and  Chappels  in  the  time  of  Divine 
Service,  in  and  about  London  on  the  lOth  ar.d  27th  of 
that  Month  ;  and  in  all  the  reft  of  Erjgland  and  fVales 
on  the  3d  and  loth  of  June  following  ;  and  that  all  the 
Bilhops  in  their  refpedive  Dioceffes,  fliould  take  Care 
to  have  the  Order  Obey'd.  The  Refufers  were  to  he 
profecuted  by  the  Ecclefiaflical  Commiflioners.  The 
whole  Body  of  the  Clergy  refus'd  (very  few  excepted) 
and  fo  were  all  liable  to  be  Ejeded.  Seven  Bilhops  in-  7-/,^  sijhp 
terpos'd,  and  waited  upon  the  King  to  give  him  the  Teuti^n. 
Reafons  of  their  Refufal,  to  Difperfe  or  Read  his  Decla- 
ration. They  were,  Dr.Sandcroft,  Archbilhop  of  C/jk- 
terbury^  Dr.  Floyd,  Bifliop  of  St.  Afaph,  Vr,  K^nn,  Bilhop 
oiBath^ndfVells,  Dr.  Turner,  Bilhop  of  £/y,  Di.  L^k^e, 
Bifhop  of  C/;;c/?eiffr,  Dr.fV/jite,  Bi(hopof^  Peterborough, 
and  Sir  Jcnathnn  Trelaxvny,  Bilhop  of  Bristol,  They 
deliver'd  to  the  King  in  his  Clofer,  a  Petition  in  behalf 
of  themfelves  and  their  abfent  Brethren;  (hewing,  thnt 
their' unvoillingnejl  did  not  proceed  from  any  want  of  Duty 
and  Obedience  t»  His  Majeky^  nor  from  any  want  of  due 
Tendernefs  to  Diffenters,  in  Relation  to  whom  they 
were  willing  to  come  to  fuch  a  Temper,  as  (lionld  be 
tho't  fit,  when  that  Matter  Ihould  be  Confider'd  and  Set- 
led  in  Parliament  and  Convocation*:     But  among  a     '>'  The 

Bif/jofj  of 
Lincoln  (Dr.  Wake)  in  hit  Speech  in  the  Hovfe  of  Lords ^  with  Relation 
to  the  Articles  agaitt/i  Dr.  Sacheverel,  fays,  that  Dr.  Sancroft  then  Archhi- 
pop  of  Carueibiiry,  forefecing  fome  fuch  ReyJution  as  foon  after  K^as  hap- 
pily brought  about,  began  to  conjtder  how  utterly  unprepar'd  they  had  ieen  at 
the  Reftorai'ion  of  King  Charles  the  Second  to  fettle  mar.y  Things  to  the  Ad- 
y  ant  age  of  the  Church-^  and  toha*:  a  happy  Opport  unity  had  been  loft  ^  fgr 
vant  of  fuch  a  preylotii  (are,  as  he  was  tl)erefore  deJiroH^  P}ould  fintp  bt  ta- 
ken, for  the  better  and  more  perfefi  E/^abliJhment   of  it.     And  he  at  th^ 

grea.i 


384  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  XIV. 

An.  \  6%^.  great  many  ether  Cofifiderations  y  froyn  this  ejpccially^  bc 
caufe  thnt  D;clnrntion  Wtii  founded  npoti  fuch  a  Dijpenfing 
Came  Time  Power^  as  had  often  been  declared  Illegal  in  Parliament , 
yeas,  for  ^nd  TV  as  a  Matter  of  fo  great  Moment  and  Confcquence  to 
cnnjiderin<r  the  whole  Nation^  that  they  could  not  in  Prudence ^  Honour 
vshatmi£ht  or  Cotifcience,  fo  far  mal^e  themfelvcs  Parties  to  it,  at  the 
he  done  to  Diflribution  of  it  all  over  the  f\jngdomj  and  the  folernn 
^am  the  Publication  of  it  even  in  Gods  Hctife^  and  in  the  time  of 
Diflenters,  Diq^ine  Service,  mujl  amount  to  in  Common  and  R^eafonable 
without  do-  ConflruBion^  Sc  Hereupon  they  were  Imprifon'd  in 
tnganyfre-  ^j^^  Tower,  indidted  of  an  high  Mifdemeanor,  and 
^L  ^T  ^^  1  Try'd  at  the  Kincs  Bench  Bar,  but  Acquitted,  and  that 
The  Scheme  ^^^°  Univerlal  Acclamations. 

rfas  laid 

out,  and  the  federal  Tarts  of  it  iPere  committed,  not  only  with  his  Approba- 
tion, but  Dire^lion  to  fuch  Di-pinet  of  the  Church  as  were  thought  moft  proper 
to  he  itttrujied  with  it.  His  Grace  took  one  Tart  tohimfelf:,  Another  was 
committed  to  Dr.  Patrick  afterwards  Bifhop  of  Ely.  And  the  reviewing  of 
the  daily  Service  and  the  Communion  Book  was  referrd  to  a  feleB  Number 
of  Divines,  of  whom  Dr.  Sharp,  (afterwards  Archbifhop  of  Yorkj  and 
Dr.  Patrick  were  two.  The  Dejign  was  to  improve  and  inforce  the  Difcipline 
of  the  churchy  to  review  and  tnlarge  the  Liturgy,  by  correEling  of  fome 
Things,  and  aiding  of  others ;  and  (if  it  fhould  be  thought  advi fable  by 
Authority,  when  this  Matter  P)ould  come  to  he  Legally  confider'd,  firjl  in 
Convocation  then  in  Parliament, j  by  leaving  fome  few  ^Ceremonies,  con- 
fejs'd  to  be  indifferent  in  their  Natures^  ai  indifferent  in  their  Ujnge,  fo  as  not 
neccjfarily  to  be  obferv'd  by  fuch  as  jhould  make  a  Scruple  of  them.  And 
he  intimates  that  this  good  Defijn  was  known  to,  and  approved  by  the  other 
Bijhfjps,  who  joind  with  the  Archbijhop  in  thU  Petition ;  and  that  this  Faf- 
fai^e  in  their  Petition  referrd  to  it.  And  in  proof  of  it  he  quotes  a  Treatife 
fublickly  Written,  in  the  beginning  of  King  William's  ^.eign,  Licenfed  by  the 
Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  (Entituled,  A  Letter  to  a  Member  of  Parliament  in 
favour  of  the  Bill  for  Uniting  Troteflants)  in  which  there  is  this  Pajfage, 
«— No  Alteration  is  intended  but  in  Things  declar'd  to  be  alterable  by 
the  Church  itfelf.  And  if  Things  alterable  be  aker'd  upon  the  Grounds 
of  Prudence  and  Charity,  and  Things  defective  be  fupplied,  and  Things 
abufed  be  reftored  to  their  proper  Ufe,  and  Things  of  a  more  ordinaiy 
Compofition  revifed  and  improv'd,  whilft  the  Dod^rinc,  Cover nmentj 
and  M^orfhip  of  the  Church  remain  intire,  in  all  the  Subftantial  Parts 
of  them  ;  we  have  all  Reafon  to  believe,  that  this  will  be  fo  far  from 
injuring  the  Church,  that  on  the  contiary  it  will  receive  a  great  Be- 
nefit by  it. 


While 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr.  FLichard  Baxter.         '         585 


\While  the  Billiops  were  under  ch is  Profecotion,  the^»'  1628- 
iVrchbilhop  fent  certain  Articles  to  his  Clergy  through 
his  whole  Province,  bearing  dace  'J-f-tly  16.  The  Eleventh 
of  which  Anlcles  was  in  thefe  Words.  That  they  alj^ 
walk  in  \4^ifdom  towards  them  who  are  not  of  our  Commu" 
nion  :  And  if  there  be  in  their  Parjjhes  any  fuch,  that  they 
negled:  not  frequently  to  confer  with  them  in  the  Spirit  of 
MeekneJJy  feekjng  by  all y^ood  Ways  and  Weans  to  gain  and 
win  them  over  to^  our  Communion.  More  ejpecially,  that 
they  have  n  very  tender  Regard  to  our 

Brethren  \  the  Proteftant  Dijfen-  -k  5.^^  ^j^^  Bi/7)op  of  Lincoln's 
tersi  That  upon  Occafion  offer' d^  they  Charge  to  the  Clergy  of  hit  Vlocefe, 
vijjt  them  at  their  Houjes^  and  re-  in  his  Primary  Vifttation,  be- 
ceive  them  l^indly  at  their  own^  and  gun  at  Lincoln,  May  the  20th, 
treat  them  fairly  wherever  they  ^706.  Appendix j  jr«w.  6, 
meet  them;  perfwading  them  if  it  ^«^  *^^^  Bijho^  <feSt.  Afaph 
maybe,  to  a  full  compliance  with  our  '''^'""S  f''»*  ^'^J  rMge,  injm 
Churchi  orattheleafi,  that  where-  ^l^'^'  ['  '^"  ^^M  f  f!'''' 
unto  we  have  already  attained,  we  ^J'^efetnnio.m^thspmt 
„       II    I    ^}      /         r»   V  J     J\ote    upon  it.     From  this    Paf- 

may  all  walk  by  the  fame  P,ue,    and     ^         ^^       ;,.    ^^^   ^^.^. 

mmd  the  fame  Thing.     And  jn  Or^     Reader    will     I    believe    cpn- 
der    thereunto  y     that    they    ta\e    all     ^lude,     tliat    Archbilliop    San^ 
Opportunities  of    ajfuring    and  con-     croft  thought  both   the  Diiren-. 
vincing   them,    that   the   Bifhops  of     ters  at    Home,    and   the  Vrote-^ 
thvs  Church  are  really  and  fincerely    f  ants  Ahvozd,  to  be  Chriftians 
irreconcilable   Enemies  to   the  Errors^     at  leaft. 
SuperJiitionSf   Idolatries^  and  Tyran- 
nies of  the  Church  of  Rome ;    and  that  the  very  unkjnd 
Jealoufies   which  fame    have   had  of  us   to   the  contraryy 
were  altogether  groundlefl.     And  in  the  Ufl  Place^   thai ^ 
they  warmly   and  most  affeclion^tely  exhort  them  to  join, 
with  m  in  daily  firvent  Prayer  to  the  God  of  Peace^for^ 
nn  ^ZJniverfal   Bltjfed    IJnion   of ;  all  Reformed  Churches 
both  at   Hjme  and  Abroad,    againil  our  Common  Ene- 
mies, 8cc. 

The  Ecclefiaftical  Commiflioners  on  the   i6th  of     \ 
AuguH,  fent  forth  their  Mandates  to  the  Chancellors," 
Arch-Deacons,    £^c.     of  every   Diocefe   in   England,^' 
to  mjike  Enquiry?  and  fend  them  an  Account,  v;^here. 
and  by  whom  the  Kings  Order  about  Reading  the 
Declaration  had  been  Obey'd,    and  where  not,   that 
fo  all  that  had  negledted  it,    might  be  fi?verely  Pu-, 
uifti'd.    This  would  have  made  moft  woful;  Havockj 

^c  all 


^86         '  The  L  IFt  of        Chap.  XIV, 

jlfu  1 688.  all  over  ihe  Kingdom,    had  not  the  Approaching  Re- 
volution  put  an  efFedual  ftop.     But  it  was  not  long 
before  a  Rumour  began  to  Tpread,    that  the  Prince  of 
Ornuge  was  coming  with  a  Potent  Army  and  Fleet 
from  HoUnnd,  to  rcfcue  the  Nation  from  Popery  and 
Slavery.     The  King  gave  Publick  Notice  of  it   by  a 
Declaration  Dated  the  4th  of  Oclober-     Upon  which 
the  Meafures  of  the  Court  were  entirely  broken,  the 
BiHr^p  of  London  s  Sufpenfion  was  taken  off,    the  Ec- 
clefiaftical    GommiiTion    dilTolv'd,    the    City   Charter 
reftoiM,  and  ether  Illegal  Sentences  revers'd,  all  which 
was  faid  to  be  done  out  of  the  Kings  meer  Grace  and 
Favour:  But  all  the  World  knew  a  more  Subftantial 
Reafon.     The   Bilhops  waited  upon  the  King  whith 
their  Advice,    which  they  drew  up  in  "Writing;    and 
among  otlier  Things,    advis'd  His  Majefty,    to  IJfue  out- 
iViits  far  a  Free  nnd  Regular  Parliament^     in  which  the 
Church  of  England  might  be  fecur'd  according  to  the  AB 
of  V^iifcrmity,    Provifion  made  for  a  due   Liberty  of 
Confcience,    The  Liberties  and  Properties  of  the  Subject 
fecur'd^    and  a  good  Vnder^anding  obtain  d  between  His 
Mqeiiy  and    his   People,     Great  Notice  was   taken  of 
their  fo  freely  mentioning  the  Diifentcrs,  both  in  their 
Petition,  and  in  this  Advice.     A  Writer  of  that  time, 

*  thus    Expreffes    himfelf     upon 
*  An    Account   of  the    late     the   Occafion    of    it.     '  I  do  af- 

Tropofali ,  of  the  Archbijhop  '  fure  you,  and  I  am  certain  I 
nf  Canterbury,  with  fome  0-  *  have  the  beft  Grounds  in  the 
ther  Bip)opi  to  his  Majefty^  in  '  whole  World  for  my  Affurance, 
a  Letter  to  M  B.  Lfq-,  '  that  the  Bilhops  will   never  ftir 

*  one     Jot     from    tljpir    PETI- 

*  T  I O  N ;   but  that  they  will  whenever  that  happy 
'  Opportunity  Ihall  offer  itfelf,   Jet  tTie  Proteftant  Dif- 

*  fentcrs  find,  that  they  will  be  better  than  their  Word 
The  Arri-*  8^^^"  ^"  ^^^^^  famous  PETITION.*    On  the  5th 

ya/  of  the  of  November^     the  Prince  of  Orange  Landed  at  Torbay 
Prince  of    in  thc  County  of  Devon,     In  his  Declaration  which 
Orange.      wa<?  Dated  at  the  Hagtie,  Ofiober  the  lotb,    in  which 
he  gave  an  Account  of  the  Reafons  of  his  Expediti- 
on  into   England^    he  alfares  the  World,     '  That  he 
'  earned  upon  no  other  Defign,    but  to  have  a  Free  and 

*  Lawful  Parliament  AlTemblcii  as  foon  as  was  poffiblc; 

*  that  none  might  be  fuffcr'd  to  choofe  or  to  be  cho- 
-  ~  ■  -fen 


Chap.  XIV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  587 

ii       — ■ — — - — —————^— —————— —  '  I  ^ 

'  fen  Members,  bin  fuch  as  were  Qualify 'd  by  Law,  ^^.  1588. 

*  and  that  being  lawfully  Chofen,    they  mighc  Meet 

*  and  Sit  in  full  Freedom;    that  fo  the  Two  Houfes 

*  might  Concur  in  the  preparing  fuch  Laws,   as  they 

*  upon  full  and    free  Debate  (hould  judge  NecefTary 

*  and  Convenient,    both  for  the  confirming  and  exe- 

*  curing  the  Law  concerning  the  Teft,   and  fuch  othec 
$  Laws  as  were  neceffary  for  the  Security  and  Main- 

*  tenance    of  the  Proteftant  Religion;     as  likewife 
'  for  making  fuch  Laws  as  might  Eftablilh  a  good 

*  Agreement  between   the   Church    of   England   and 

*  all  Proteftant  Diffenters,  C^c*  The  Body  of  the 
Nation  heartily  fell  in  with  the  Prince,  and  a  mighty 
Revolution  was  brought  about  without  Blood-lhed. 
Intereft  wrought  a  Change  in  Mens  Opinions. 
They  that  always  condemn'd  the  Principles  of  ta- 
king up  Arms  in  Defence  of  Liberty  and  Property, 
now  thought  it  both  Lawful,  highly  Laudable  and  ab- 
folutely  Neceffary.  But  one  hardship  they  were  un- 
der at  the  Time  of  the  Revolution,  which  was  a  fen-  . 
fible  Conviction  to  many,  of  the  great  Inconveni- 
ence of  being  under  a  Confinement  to  particular 
Forms  in  Divine  Worlhip;  while  they  privately 
Fray'd  for  the  Prince  of  Orange's  Profperity,  they 
were  forc'd  in  Publick  to  Pray  according  to  the  Li- 
turgy, that  God  would  be  the  Defender  and  Keeper  of 
King  Jnmes^  and  give  him  Vid:ory  over  all  his  Enemies. 
But  God  to  the  unfpeakable  Comfort  of  the  Nation, 
prefer'd  their  Private  Prayers,  before  thofe  that  were 
Publick. 

The  Prince  came  to  St.  James'son  December  the  i8rh: 
And,  on  the  One  and  Twentieth  following,  a  few  of* 
the  Diffenting  Minifters  waited  upon  him,  together 
with  the  Bilhop  of  London^  Congratulating  him  up- 
on bis  Glorious  Expedition,  and  its  Happy  Succefsj 
and  the  Biihop  lignify'd  to  his  Highnefs,  that  there 
were  fome  of  their  Diffenting  Brethren  with  him^ 
who  herein  were  intirely  of  the  fame  Senfe  with 
the  Clergy  of  the  Eftablifli'd  Church.  But  on  the  Se- 
cond of  January^  thfe  Diffenting  Minifters  in  a  Body^' 
to  the  Number  of  Ninety  or  upwards,  attended  the 
Prince  at  St.  James's,  and  were  inttoduc'd  by  the 
Earl  of  Dtvovjhire^   the  Lord  l^^jarton^   and  the  Lord 


^88  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XlV. 

.'-^t  kViltfhire,    Ic  was  figmfy'd  to  bis  Highnefs,  by  one  in 
the  Name  of  all  the  reft. 

"  That  they  profefs'd  their  grateful  Senfe  of  his 
**  Highneircs  hazardousand  Heroical  Expedition,  which 
"  the  Favour  of  Heaven  had  made  fo  furpnzingly  Pro- 
**  fperous. 

"  That  they  efteem'd  it  a  Common  Felicity,  that  the 
*'  Worthy  Patriots  of  the  NobiUty  and  Gentry  of  this 
*'■  Kingdom,  had  Unanitroully  concur'd  unto  His 
"  HighnelTes  Defign;  by  whofe  moft  prudent  Ad~ 
*^  vice,  the  Adminiftration  of  Publick  Affairs  was  de- 
"  yolv'd  in  this  difficult  Conjundure,  into  Hands 
*^  which  the  Nation  and  the  World  knew  to  be  apt  for 
*'  the  grcateft  Undertakings,  and  (o  fuitable  to  the  prc- 
"  fent  exigency  of  our  Cafe. 

"  That  they  promis'd  the  utmoft  Endeavour,  which 
**  in  rheir  Stations  they  were  capable  of  affording, 
**  for  the  promoting  the  Excellent  and  moft  defirable 
*'  Ends  for  which  his  Highnefs  had  declared. 

"  That  they  added  their  continual  and  fervent 
"  Prayers  to  the  Alqyghty,  for  the  Prefervation  of 
"  his  Highneffes  Perfon,  and  theSuccefs  of  his  Future 
**  Endeavours,  for  the  Defence  and  Propagation 
"  of  the  Proteftant  Intereft  throughout  the  Chriftian 

"  That  they  fhould  all  moft  willingly  have  cho- 
.**  fen  that  for  the  Seafon  of  paying  this  Duty  to  his 
'*  Highnefs,  when  the  Lord  Bilhop  and  the  Clergy  of 
*""*  London  attended  his  Highnefs  for  the  fame  Pur- 
*''pofe,  (which  fome  of  them  did,  and  which  his 
^'  Lordfhip  was  pleas'd  condefcendingly  to  make 
"  mention  of  to  his  Highnefs,  )  had  their  Notice 
**  of  that  intended  Application  beenfo  early,  as  to  make 
*^  their  more  general  Attendance  pofTible  to  them  at 
"  that  Time. 

"  That  therefore  though  they  did  now  appear  in  a 
^'  diftindl  Company,  they  did  not  on  a  diftindk  Account, 
'*  but  on  that  oi)ly  which  was  Common  to  them,  and  to 
*'  all  Protcstnnts. 

"  That  there  were  .  fome  of  Eminent  Nbte, 
"  Vw'hom  Age  or  prcfenT  Infirmities  hindred  from 
"  coming  with  them,  yet  they  concurr'd  in  the 
*-  fame  grateful  Senfe  of  our  Common  Delive- 
"  rtnce. 

Hir 


Chap.  XIV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  389 


His  Highnefs  received  them  favourably,    and  r(- An.  168-?. 
fur'd   them,    *  That    he   came    on    Purpofe  10  De- 
^  fend  the  Proteftant  Religion,    and  that  it  was  his 

*  own  Rehgion,    in  which  he  was  born  and  bred  ; 

*  The   Religion  of   his  Country,    and  of  his  Ance- 
'  ftors:     And  that  he  was  refolv'd  by  the  Grace  of 

*  God,     aJways  to    adhere  to    it,     and    to    do    his 

*  utmoft     Endeavours     for     the      Defence,    of    ic,  1 

*  and  the  promoting    a  firm  Union    among  Prote- 

*  ftants. 

There  were  fome  who  though  Concurring  with  tlie 
Prince  in  his  Expedition  for  their  own  Security, 
were  afterwards,  when  their  Fears  were  over, 
for  compromifing  Matters  with  King  James,  and  truft- 
ing  his  Promifes  afrefh  :  But  the  Convention  that  was 
fummon'd  by  the  Princes  Letters,  when  Alfembied 
together,  after  warm  Debates,  declar'd  the  Throne 
Vacant,  King  James  having  Abdicated  the  Government, 
and  broken  the  Original  Con^raB  with  his  People :  To  the 
no  fmall  Mortiffcation  of  fuch  as  had  all  along  ftifiy 
denied,  that  there  was  any  Contract  between  the  King 
and  his  Subjects.  Hereupon,  drawing  up  a  Decla^ 
ration  for  Vindicating  the  Ancient  Rights  and  Liber- 
ties of  the  People,  they  ofFer'd  the  Crown  to  the  Prince 
and  Princefs  of  Orange,  who  accepting  it,  were  pro- 
cJaim'd  King  and  Queen  of  England  on  February  the 
I3tb,  and  publickly  Crown'd  ^t  H^eftminfter  on  April 
the  nth  following,  with  Univerfal  Acclamation;  and 
none  had  a  greater  Ihare  than  the  Dijfenterj  in  the  Coni- 
mon  Joy. 


Cc| 


Char 


390  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XV. 

C  H  A  P.     XV. 

Mr*  Baxter'/  Manifold  Temptations,  His 
Imfrovements  and  Alterations  as  he  ad- 
vanced  in  Tears.  His  Deliverances  and 
Snpporis.  His  laU  Sicknefs  and  Death: 
And  Intereii  in  Men  of  iSlote  and  Figure 
in  the  Days  he  Livd  in. 


B 


UT  that  we  may  return  to  Mr.  Baxter]  from 
whom  Publick  Matters  have  diverted  us.  1  Ihall 
pick  up  fome  remarkable  Things,  concerning  hina^ 
that  would  not  have  been  aptly  reducible  to  any  of  the 
former  Chapters,  and  then  Accompany  him  to  his 
Grave;  And  afterwards  go  on  with  the  Hiftory  of  the 
Dijfenters.  ^ 

Few  ever  had  more  Weaknefs  and  Bodily  Illnefs  to 
imbitter  their  Lives  than  this  good  Man  had.  It  has 
been  obferv'd  how  this  Heighten'd  and  Cberifh'dthe  pe- 
culiar Serioufnefs  of  his  Spirit ;  Which  could  not  indeed 
be  any  other  than  remarkable,  when  he  apply'd  himfelf 
.  to  every  Thing  as  one  that  was  juft  upon  the  brink  of 
Eternity ;  juft  upon  entring  another  World. 

But  once  being  under  an  unufual  bodily  Diftecnper, 
which  put  him   upon  the  prefent  Expe<^ation  of  bis 
Change,  going  for  Comfort  to  the  Promifcs  of  the  Co-r 
venant  as  he  us*d  to  do ;   the  Tempter  firongly  aflaulted 
Mr.  Baxter  ^^^  Paith,  and  would  have  drawn  him  into  the  height 
tempted  to  oi  Infidelity.     Before  his  Entrance  upon  the  Miniftry, 
Jnjid:iitj.     hisapprehenfion  of  the  hardnefs  of  his  Heart  and  doubt- 
ings  <of  his  own  Sincerity,  gave  him  the  mofl- Diltur- 
bance.     But  afcervvards,  his  mofttroublefomc  Temptati- 
ons were  to  quefiion  the  Truth  of  the  Scriptures,  and 
the  Life  to  come,    and   the  Immortality  of  the  Soul. 
Which  f)rt  of  Tempcations  did  not  aifault  him  as  they 
ufuaily  do  M^'laticholy  tevfons  with  vexing  importuni- 
fy,  but  with  the  lliew  of  Sober  Rcafon.     Hereupon   he 
,blam*d  himfelf  for  fo  long  negledling  the  well  fctling  of 
his  Foundations,   while  he  fpent  fo  much  ticre  about 
the  Supcrftru(Sure.    So  that  being  this  way  aifaulted, 

the 

4'  ■ 


Chap.  XV,       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  591 


the  Reafons  of  his  feeble  Faith  were  fuddenly  enerva- 
ted, and  he  had  been  pverfet,  if  God  had  not  been  his 
Strength.  But  it  was  a  Mercy,  (and  he  efteena'd  it  fo) 
that  he  had  fome  experimental  Acquaintance  with  Vi- 
tal Religion,  before  he  w^s  this  way  Ihaken.  Had  he 
been  fooner  fo  terribly  aflaulted,  his  Recovery  had  been 
much  "more  difficult;  Not  but  th^t  Temptations  of  this 
Nature  had  before  been  o^calionally  Started,  but  he 
call  them  alide,  as  fitter  to  be  Abhor'd  thanConfider'd  ; 
But  he  could  not  now  be  any  longejrfsitisfy'd  that  way, 
but  was  forc'd  to  dig  to  the  very  Foundations,  and  fe- 
rioufly  to  Examine  the  Reafons  of  Chriftianity,  and  to 
give  a  Hearing  to  all  that  could  be  faid  againft  it ;  that 
fo  his  Faith  might  be  indeed  his  own  5  and  at  laft  he 
found,  that  nothing  is  fo  firmly  believed,  as  that  which 
hath  been  fome  Time  doubted  of. 
'  In  a  Storm  of  this  Temptation,  he  qupftioned  a 
while,  whether  he  were  indeed  a  Chriftian  or  an  Infi- 
del, and  whether  Faith  could  Confift  with  fuch  Doubts 
as  his.  For  he  had  oft  found  it  Alferted,  that  if  a  Man 
^fhould  le^d  a  Godly  Life,  from  the  bare  'Apprehenfions 
of  the  Probability  of  the  Truth  of  Scripture,  and  the 
Life  to  come,  it  would  not  Save  him,  as  being  no  true 
Faith  or  Godlinefs.  But  Dr.  Jackfons  Deteniiiination 
in  the  Ca,fe,  fatisfy'd,  and  much  fupported  him  :  That 
as  i;i  the  very  affenting  Adt  of  Faith,  there  maybe  fuch 
JW'eaknefs  as  may  make  us  Cry  Lord  encreafe  cur  Faith  : 
TVe  believe^  Lord  help  our  Vnbelief:  So  when  Faith  and 
Unbelief  are  in  their  Conflid:,  it  is  the  EfFeds  mud 
fhew  us,  which  of  them  is  Victorious  5  and  that  he  that 
hath  fo  much  Faith  as  will  caufe  him  to  deny  himfelf, 
take  up  his  Crofs  and  forfake  all  the  Profits,  Honours 
and  Pleafures  of  this  World,  for  the  Sake  of  Chrift, 
the  Love  of  God,  and  the  Hope  of  Glory,  hath  a  faving 
Faith,  how  weak  foever :  For  God  cannot  condemn  the 
Soul  that  truly  Loves  and  Seeks  him  5  and  thofe  thac 
Chrift  bringeth  to  Perfevere  in  the  Love  of  God,  he 
bringeth  to  Salvation  j  and  there  were  divers  Things 
that  in  this  Alfault,    provd  great   Afliftances  to  his 

F^^^^-      ^^y  Bh -Relief 

That  the  Being  and  Attributes  of  God  were  fo  clear  ^^^^^y 
to  him  ;   He  being  to  his  Intelledt  like  the  Sun  to  his  Tem^tati- 
Eye,  by  which  he  faw  itfelf  and  all  Things.    On  whiph  ota  of  this 
AQCQunt  he  could  not  but  look  upon  him  as  Mad,  wfio  kind, 

C  c  4  queftion  d 


392  The  LIFE  of      Chap. XV. 

quertion'd  whether  there  were  a  God ;  or  could  Dream 
that  the  Worjd  v/as  made  by  a  Conflux  of  Irrational 
Atoms,  or  that  Realon  could  come  from  that  which  had 
no  Reafon,  or  that  Man  or  any  inferiour  Being  was 
Independent ;  or  that  ail  the  Being,  Power,  Wifdom 
and  Goodnefs,  that  we  continually  Converfe  with,  had 
not  a  Caufe  which  in  Being,  Power,  ^Vifdom  and 
Good  nets  Exceifd  all  that  it  had  Caus'd  in  the  World. 
Being  herein  firmly  fix'd,  when  the  Devil  went  to  Af- 
fault  him  here  among  the  reft  of  his  Temptations,  the 
reft  were  the  more  eafily  overcome,  becaufe  of  the  o- 
verwhelming  cogent  E'  idences  of  a  Deity,  which  were 
always  before  the  Eyes  of  his  Mind. 

And  it  help'd  him  much  to  difcern  that  this  God  muft 
needs  be  Related  to  us  as  our  Owner,  our  Governor 
and  our  Benefad:or,  in  that  he  is  Related  to  us  as  our 
Creator ;  And  that  therefore  we  are  Related  to  Him  as 
His  own.  His  Siibjeds  and  His  Beneficiaries:  Which 
as  they  all  proceed  by  undeniable  Refultancy  from  our 
Creation  and  Nature,  fo  do  our  Duties  thence  arife, 
which  belong  to  us  in  thofe  Relations,  by  as  undeniable 
Refultarjcy  ;  fo  that  Godlinefs  is  a  Duty  fo  undeniably 
reqair'd  in  the  Law  of  Nature,  and  fo  difcernablc  by 
Reafon  itfelf,  that  nothing  but  unreafonablenefs  could 
Contradi(5t  it. 

And  then  it  feem'd  utterly  Improbable  and  Incon- 
ceivable to  him,  that  this  God  (hould  fee  us  to  be  loofers 
by  our  Love  and  Duty  to  him;  or  that  Perfons  (hould  be 
the  more  Miferable,  by  how  much  the  mOre  Faithful 
they  were  to  him :  And  he  faw  that  the  very  PofTibility 
or  Probability  of  a  Life  to  come,  would  make  it  the 
Dmy  of  a  Reafonable  Creature  to  feek  it,  tho'  with  the 
lofs  of  all  below.  Withal  he  faw  by  undeniable  Expe* 
riencc,  a  ilrange  Univerfal  Enmity  between  the  Hea- 
venly and  the  Earthly  Mind,  and  the  Godly  and  the 
Wicked,  as  fulfilling  the  Fredidlion,  Gen.  3.  15.  And 
he  faw  no  other  Religion  in  the  World,  which  could 
ftand  in  Competition  with  Chriftianity.  Hcathenifm 
and  Mahomet anifm  are  kept  up  by  Tyranny  and 
Bcaftly  Ignorance,  and  Blufh  to  ftand  at  the  Bar  of 
Reafon,  and  Judnifm  is  but  Chriftianity  in  the  Egg; 
and  meer  Dcijm  which  is  the  nioft  Plaufible  Compe^ 
^  titor,  is  fo  turn'd  out  of  almoft  all  the  World,  as  if 
Nature    made  its  own  Confcifion,    that   ivithout  a 


Chap.  XV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ^^^ 

Mediator  it  cannot  come  to  God.     And  he  perceived 
that  all  other  Religions  leave  People  in  their  Worldly, 
Senfual  and  Ungodly  State :    even  their  Zeal  and  De- 
votion in  them,  being  commonly  the  Servants  of  their 
ilelhly  Intereft  :  And  the  Nations  y/here  Chriftianity 
is    not,   being  drowned  in    Ignorance   and   Earthly 
Mindednefs,  fo  as  to  be  the  Shame  of  Nature.    And 
•he  faw  that  Chrift  brought  up  all  his  Serious  and  fin- 
cere  Difciples  to  Real  Holinefs,  and  Heavenly  Minded- 
nefs ;    and  made  them  new  Creatures,    and  fet  their 
Hearts  and  Defigns  and  Hopes  upon  another  Life,  and 
brought  their  Senfe  into  Subjection   to  their  Reafon, 
and  taught  them  to  refign  themfelves  to  God,  and  love 
him  above  all  the  World ;   neither  is  it  conceiveable, 
that  God  would  make  ufe  of  a  Deceiver  for  fuch  a 
real  Vifible  Recovery  and  Reformation  of  the  Nature 
of  Man.     And  here  he  faw  an  admirable  Suitablenefs 
in  the  Office  and  Defigns  of  Chrift  to  the  Ends  of  God, 
and  the  Felicity  of  Man :  And  how  excellently  fuper- 
natural  Revelations  fall  in,  and  take  their  Place  in  fub- 
ferv  iency   to  natural  Verities ;   and  how  wonderfully 
Faith  is  fitted  to  bring  Men  to  the  Love  of  God,  when 
it  is  nothing  elfe  but  the  beholding  his  amiable  attra- 
£l-ive  Love  and  Goodnefs,  in  the  Face  of  Chrift,  and 
the  Promifes  of  Heaven,  as  in  a  Glafs,  till  we  fee  his 
Glory.    He  had  withal  felt  much  of  the  Power  of  his 
Word  and  Spirit  upon  himfelf  doing  that  which   he 
found  muft  be  done  ;  and  could  not  queftion  his  Phyfi- 
cian,  when  he  had  done  fo  much  of  the  Cure,  and  re- 
covered his  depraved  Soul  fo  much  to  God.    And  as 
his  Faith  had  thefe  AfUftances,    fo  he  perceiv'd  that 
whatever  the  Tempter  had  to  fay  againft  it,  was  ground- 
ed on  the  Advantages  he  took  from  his  Ignorance,  and 
his  Di/lance  from  the  Times  and  Places  of  the  Matters 
of  the  facred  Hiftory  and  fuch  like  Things,  which  every 
Novice  meeteth  with  in  all  other  Sciences  at  the  firft. 
Thefe  Afiiftances  were  at  Hand,  before  he  came  to  the 
immediate  Evidences  of  Credibility  in  the  facred  Oracles 
themfelves  ;   and   when  he  fet  himfelf  to  fearch  for 
thefe,  he  found  more  in  the  Do6trine,  the  Predidtions, 
the  Miracles,    Antecedent,    Concomitant   and  Subfe- 
quent,  than  ever  he  before  took  Notice  of :  As  may 
be  feen  at  large  in  his  Reafons  of  the  Chriftian  Reli- 
gion,   From  this  Affault,  he  was  forc'd  to  take  Notice, 
'      '    '  thac 


594  T^^  LIFE  of       Chap.  XV, 

<<■      ■  '  — ■ 

« that  it  is  the  Belief  of  the  Truth  of  the  Word  of  God, 
and  the  Life  to  come,  that  is  the  Spring  that  fets  all 
Grace  on  Work,  and  with  which  it  rifes  or  falls, 
flouriihesor  decays,  is  actuated  or  ttands  ftill ;  and  that 
it  is  from  Unbelief,  arifes  the  Love  of  the  World, 
boldnefs  with  Sin,  and  neglecft  of  Duty.  For  he  eafily 
obferv'd  in  himfelf,  that  if  Satan  at  any  Tinie  did 
more  than  ordinarily  Ihake  his  Belief  of  Scripture  and 
the  Life  to  come,  his  Zeal  in  every  Religious  Duty 
abated  with  it,  and  he  grew  more  indifferent  in  Reli- 
gion than  before  ;  he  was  more  inclined  to  Confor- 
mity, in  thofe  Points  which  hs  had  taken  to  be  finful  ; 
and  was  ready  to  think,  why  Ihould  he  be  lingular  and 
offend  the  Bilhops,  and  make  himfelf  contemptible  in 
the  World,  and  expofe  himfelf  to  Cenfures,  Scorns 
and  Suffering,  and  all  for  fuch  little  Things  as  thefe, 
when  the  Foundations  themfelves  have  fo  great  Diffi- 
cultiesj  as  he  could  not  overcome  :  But  when  Faith  re- 
vived, then  none  of  the  Parts  or  Concernments  of  Re- 
ligion feem'd  fmall,  and  Man  feem'd  nothing  to  him, 
and  the  World  a  Shadow,  and  God  was  all.  At  firli 
he  doubted  not  of  the  Truth  of  the  Scriptures,  or  of 
the  Life  to  come,  becaufe  he  faw  not  the  Difficulties 
that  might  caufe  Doubting  :  After  that  he  faw  them 
and  doubted,  becaufe  he  faw  not  that  that  ihould 
fully  fatisfie  the  Mind  againft  them  :  Afterwards  having 
feen  both  Difficulties  and  Evidences,  his  Faith  was  much 
the  Stronger,  and  the  more  Confirm'd  j  and  yet  till  the 
3aft,  he  found  Caufe  to  make  it  his  daily  Prayer,  that 
God  would  encreafe  his  Faith-  From  firft  tolaft  he  bad 
his  Exercifes,  and  yet  obfervM  a  great  Difference  be- 
tween his  Younger  and  his  Elder  Years. 

He   found   the  Temper   of  his   Mind   alter  fome- 
The  Vife-  ^jjjj^g  ^jjjj  ^j^g  Temper  of  his  Body.     V/hen  he  was 

r^'^v^/  °  '  ^^^^^t  ^^  ^^^  more  Fervent,  Vigorous  and  Affedtionate 
himfelf  h^-  ^"  ^r^^ching,  Conference  and  Prayer,  than  he  could  or- 
t-tveen  '  dinatily  be  in  his  advanced  Age  :  But  then  he  found  his 
Tout h  and  Judgment  more  Fix'd  and  Solid.  HisUnderAanding 
ji.r^,  when.  Young  was  quicker,  and  could  more  eafily  ma- 

nage Things  prefented  on  a  fudden  :  But  Age  and  Ex- 
perience better  acquainted  him  with  the  Ways  of  Truth 
and  Error,  and  with  a  Multitude  of  Common  Miftakes. 
In  his  Youth  lie  was  quickly  paft  his  Fundamentals, 
and  was  running  yp  into  a  Multitude  of  Conyoverlie^, 

and 


Chap.  XV.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  595 

and  greatly  delighted  with  Metaphyseal  and  Scholaftick 
Writings :    But  the  Older  he  grew,-  the  fmaller  Strefs 
he  laid  upon  thefe  Controverfies  and  Curiofities,  as 
finding  a  great  deal  lefs  Certainty  in  them  and  lefs 
Ufefulnefs,  even  where  there's  the  greateft  Certainty, 
than  he  before  apprehended  ;   the  Fundamental  Do- 
cftrines  of  the  Catechifm  he  moft  highly  valued,   ^nd 
daily  tho't  of,  and  found  moft  ufeful  to  himfelf  and  o- 
thers.    The  Creed,  Lords  Prayer,  and  Ten  Command-    * 
ments,   found  him  the  moft  acceptable  and  plentiful 
Matter  for  his  Meditations  ;  they  were  to  him  as  his 
daily   Bread  and  Drink.    And  as  be  could  fpeak  or 
write  of  them  ovar  and  ovei  again,  fo  he  chofe  rather 
to  hear  or  read  of  them,  than  of  any  of  the  School 
Niceties  which  once  fo  much  pleas'd   him.  *  Among 
Truths  certain  in  themfelves,he  did  not  find  all  equally 
certain  unto  him ;   and  even  of  the  Myfteri^s  of  the 
Gofpel,   the    fubjedlive  Certainty  he   found    could 
not  go  beyond   the  obje<5tive  Evidence :   And  there- 
fore   the  Older  he  grew,    the    more  clearly  he   dif- 
cern'd  the  Neceflity  of  a  methodical  Procedure  in  main- 
taining Chriftianicy,   and  beginning  at  natural  Truths, 
as  prefuppos'd  Fundamentally  to  Supernatural.     In  his 
younger  Years  his  trouble  for  Sin  was  moft  about  his 
actual  Failings,  in  Thot't,  Word  or  Deed :  But  after- 
wards, he  was  much  more  troubled  for  inward   De- 
feds,   and  the  Omiflion  or  want  of  the  Vital  Duties  or 
Graces  in  the  Soul.     His  daily  Trouble  was  moft  for 
his  Ignorance  of  God,  and  Weaknefs  of  Belief,  and 
want  of  greater  Love  to  God,  and  Strangenefs  to  him 
and  to  the  Life  to  come,  and  for  want  of  a  greater 
Willingnefs  to  die,  and  longing  to  be  with  God  in  Hea- 
ven.    Had  he  all  the  Riches  of  the  World,  he'd  have 
given  them  for  a  fuller  Knowledge,  Belief  and  Love 
of  God  and  Everlafting  Glory  :  his  Defeats  here,  were 
the  Burthen  of  his  Life.     At  fir  it  he  plac'd  much  of 
his  Religion  in  Tendernefs  of  Heart,  and  grieving  for 
Sin,   and  Penitential  Tears,  and  lefs  of  it  in  the  Love 
of  God,   and  ftudying  his  Love  and  Goodnefs,  and  in 
his  joyful  Praifes  than  afterwards.    Then  he  was  ht- 
tle  fenfible  of  the  Greatnefs  and  Excellency  of  Love 
and  Praife,  tho  he  fpake  freely  in  its  Commendation  : 
But  afterwards  he  was  lefs  troubled  for  the  want  of 
Grief  and  Tears,  and  his  Coulcience  look'd  at  Love 

and 


596  The  LIFE  of    Chap.  XV. 

and  Delight  in  God,  and  praifing  him,  as  the  Top  of 
all  his  Religious  Dunes,  for  which  he  valu'd  and  us'd 
the  Reft.  His  Judgment  was  afterwards  much  more 
for  frequent  and  (erious  Meditation  on  the  Heavenly 
Bleffcdnefs  than  in  his  Younger  Days.  Nothing  fo 
pleased  him  at  firft  as  the  Dodkrine  of  Regeneration, . 
and  the  Marks  of  Sincerity  :  Which  was,  becaufethefe 
Things  were  then  molt  fuitable  to  him.  But  after- 
wards, he  had  rather  read,  hear,  or  meditate  on  God 
and  Heaven,  than  on  any  otjaer  Subjed:  ;  for  he  found 
that  *tis  not  only  ufeful  to  our  Comfort,  to  be  much  in 
Heaven  in  our  believing  Tho'ts  ;  but  that  it  jnuft 
animate  all  our  other  Duties,  and»  fortifie  lis  againft 
every  Temptation  and  Sin  ;  and  that  the  Love  of  the 
End,  is.it  that  is  the  Poife  or  Spring,  which  fetteth  eve- 
ry "Wheel  a  going,  and  nrmft  put  on  to  all  the  Means  ; 
and  that  a  Man  is  no  more  a  Chriftian  indeed  than  he 
is  Heavenly.  At  firft  he  meditated  moft  on  his  own 
Heart,  and  was  wont  to  dwellali  at  Home  and  look 
jittle  highe;:  ;  He  was  ftill  poring  on  his  Sins  or  Wants, 
or  examining  his  Sincerity  :  But  afterwards,  tho*  he 
was  greatly  "convinced  of  the  Need  of  Heart  Acquain- 
tance and  Ennployment;  yet  he  faw  move  Need  of  an 
higher  Work,  and  that  he  fiiould  look  oftner  upon 
God  and  Chrift  and  Heaven,  than  upon  his  own  Heart. 
At  Home  he  could  find  Diftempers  to  trouble  him,  and 
fome  Evidences  of  his  Peace:  But  Above  he  found 
he  mufl;  fee  Matter  of  Delight  and  Joy,  Love  and 
Peace  itfelf.  As  his  Knowledge  cncreas'd,  he  alfo  ob-^ 
ferv'd  he  grew  more  acquainted  with  his  own  Igno- 
rance. He  had  alfo  a  far  greater  Opinion  of  learned 
Pcrfons  and  Books  at  firft  than  afterwards  :  And  there- 
fore was  more  apt  to  take  Things  upon  an  Authors 
Credit  at  firft,  than  when  he  came  to  confider  Things 
more  maturely  ;  for  then  he  could  diflcnt  in  fome 
Things  from  him  that  he  liked  beft,  as  well  as  from  o- 
thers.  At  firft  he  was  greatly  incUn'd  to  go  with  the 
higheft  in  Controvclics  on  one  Side  or  other  :  But  he 
afterwards  fo  caiily  faw  what  to  fay  againft  both  Ex- 
treams,  that  he  was  much  more  inclinable  to  reconci- 
ling Principles:  And  whereas  he  in  his  more  injudicious 
Age,  tho't  that  Conciliators  were  but  ignorant  Men, 
that  were  willing  co  pleafc  all,  and  would  pretend  to 
reconcile  the  World  by  Principles  which  they  did  not 

uuder- 


Chap.  XV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  397 

tJnderftand  thernfelves  ;  he  afterwards  perceived,  that 
if  the  amiablenefs  of  Peace  and  Concord  had  no  Hand 
in  the  Bufinefs,  yet  greater  Light  and  fironger  Judgment 
ufually  is  with  the  Reconcilers,  than  with  either  of 
the  contending  Parties.  At  firft  the  Stile  of  Authors 
took  as  much  with  him  as  the  Arguments,  and 
made  the  Arguments  feem  more  forcible  ;  but  at 
Length  he  came  to  that  Pafs,  as  not  to  judge  of  Truth 
at  all  by  any  fuch  Ornaments  or  Accidents,  but  by 
its  naked  Evidence.  His  Judgment  of  Perfcns  much 
alterd  with  Age.  He  found  few  fo  Good  when  he 
came  near  them,  as  he  apprehended  them  at  a  Di- 
ftance  ;  and  few  fo  bad,  as  the  Malicious  and  the 
Cenfofious  do  imagine.  In  fome  indeed,  he  found 
Humane  Nature  corrupted  into  a  greater  likenefs  to 
Devils,  than  he  tho't  any  had  on  Earth  been  capa- 
ble of:  But  even  in  the  wicked,  he  found  there  was 
ufually  more  for  Grace  to  make  Advantage  of,  and 
more  to  teftifie  for  God  and  Holinefs,  than  he  onc^ 
could  believe  there  had  been.  He  by  Degrees  became 
a  lefs  Admirer  of  Gifts  of  Utterance,  and  a  bare  Pro- 
feffion  of  Religion.  For  he  by  Experience  found  what 
odious  Crimes  may  confift  with  high  Profeffion ;  and 
that  great  Piety  and  Devotion,  may  lie  comparatively 
conceal'd  and  unobferv'd  in  an  unexpected  Quarter. 
He  grew  by  Degrees,  lefs  Narrow  in  his  fpecial 
Love,  and  in  his  Principles  of  Church  Communion.- 
He  was  not  for  robbing  Chrift  of  any  of  his  Flock  ; 
and  yet  he  grew  more  and  more  apprehenfive  of  the 
Ufe  and  Need  of  Eccielisftical  Difciplme  :  For  that  no- 
thing could  be  more  to  Chrift's  Difhonour,  than  when 
the  Church  Ihall  be  as  vicious  as  Pagan  and  Maho- 
metan AlTemblies,  and  differ  from  them  only  in  Cere- 
mony and  Name.  He  grew  more  and  morefenfible  of 
the  Evil  of  Scbifm,  and  the  pernicious  Tendency  of 
Pride,  Self-conceit  and  Fa£lion  in  ProfeiTors :  And  yet 
more  fenfible  alfo  of  the  Sin  and  Mifchief  of  ufing 
Men  cruelly  in  Matters  of  Religion,  and  pretending 
their  Good  and  the  Order  of  the  Church,  for  Adts  of 
Inhumanity  or  Uncharitablenefs.HisGhsirity  grew  much 
more  Extenfive  in  his  advanced  Age.  His  Soul  was 
more  affli(^ed  with  the  Tho'ts  of  the  miferable  World, 
and  more  drawn  out  in  a  Defire  of  their  Converfion 
than  before.    He  was  not  fo  inclmed  to  pafs  a  peremp- 

tory 


598  The  LIFE   of       Chap.  XV. 

tory  Sentence  of  Damnation  Upon  ail  that  never  heard 
of  Chrift.     He  was  not  fo  fe\  ere  in  his  Cenlures  even 
on  the  Papifts  as  formerly.     At  firft  it  would  difgrace 
any   Dndfcrinc  with  him,    to  hear  it  cail'd  Popi(h  and 
Antichriftian ;  but  he  afterwards  learn  d  to  be  more 
Impartial,  and  to  diflike  Men  for  bad  Doctrine,  rather 
than  the  Do£lrines  for  the  Men  ;  and  to  know  that  Sa- 
tan can  ufe  even  the  Names  of  Popery  and  Antichrifl 
againft  a  Truth.     He  grew  more  deeply  afflidted  for 
the  Difagreements  of  Chriftians,  than  in  his  Younger 
Days.     He  fpcnt  much  of  his  Time  in  ftudying  the 
Terms  of  Chriftian  Concord,  and  found  that  the  true 
Terms  of  Peace  were  obvious  and  eafie  to  an  impartial 
willing  Mind.     He  laid  very  little  Strefs  upon  the  Ex- 
ternal Modes  and  Forms  of  Worfliip,  one  Way  or  ano- 
ther.,  He  grew  much  lefs  regardful  of  the  Approbation 
of  Man,  and  fet  much  lighter  by  Contempt  and  Ap- 
plaufc,  than  in  his  Younger  Days.     He   grew  more 
and  more  pleas'd  with  a  folitaiy  Life,    in  order  to  the 
clofer  Convcrfe  with  Cod  and  Confcience,  and  the  in- 
vifible  World.     He  found  it  eafie  to  be  loofed  from  this 
World,  but  hard  to  Jive  by  Faith  Above :  Eafie  to  de- 
fpife  Earth,  but  not  fo  eafie  to  be  Acquainted  and  Con- 
verfant  in  Heaven.    He  grew  more  and  more  apprehcn- 
live  of  the  Odioufnefs,  and  the  Danger  of  the  Sin  of 
Pride  and  Selfifhnefs.     He  more  and  more  lamented 
,  •  the  Unhappinefs  of  the  Nobility,  Gentry  and  great  ones 

of  the  World,  who  live  in  fuch  Temptations  to  Sen- 
fuality,  Curiofity  and  wafting  of  their  Time ;  and 
faw  more  of  the  Goodnefs  of  God  in  fixing  PerfonS 
in  a  middle  State,  without  either  Poverty  or  Riches. 
He  grew  more  and  more  fenfible^  that  Controverfies 
generally  have  more  need  of  right  Stating  than  De- 
bating. He  became  more  Solicitous  about  his  Duty 
to  God,  and  Icfs  Solicitous  about  his  Dealings  with 
him,  as  being  affar'd  that  he  will  do  all  Things  well. 
Tho'  he  never  had  any  Tho'rs  of  proper  meriting,  yet 
one  of  the  moft  ready,  conflant,  undoubted  Evidences 
of  his  Uprightnefs  and  Intercit  in  the  Covenant,  was 
the  Confcioufnefs  of  his  living  as  devoted  to  God.  He 
found  a  great  Mutabdity  however,  as  to  Degrees  of 
Grace ;  and  that  he  could  never  have  kept  himfelf ,  if 
God  wore  not  his  Keeper.  He  grew  much  more  caute- 
lous  in  the  Belief  of  Hiftory,  Iceing  fo  rrany  by  aft  by 

inceiert 


Chap.  XV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  399 

, ■  -■  > 

Intereft  and  Fa(5tion,  in  the  Age  he  lived  in  ;  and  look 
which  Way  he  would,  he  found  great  Caufe  to  lament 
his  Defedls  and  manifold  Diforders,  for  which  he  was 
ready  to  beg  Pardon  both  of  God  and  Men :  Which 
Frame  and  Temper  he  carried  with  him  to  his  Grave. 

He  was  from  firft  to  Jaft  very  obfervant  of  Provi-  His  Re- 
dence,  and  took  great  Notice  of  God*s  Dealings  with  ^a^^'Me 
him.  ■  God  doth  indeed  often  Manifeft  a  particular  Care  ^^^'"^e- 
of  thofe  that  are  his ;  and  were  Divine  Appearances  in  ^^"^^^* 
their  Favour  duly  Noted  and  wifely  Recorded,  they 
would  much  recommend  a  Holy  Life.  Mr.  Baxter  had 
many  ftrange  Deliverances  which  he  never  could  forget. 
When  he  was  Seventeen  Years  of  Age,  as  he  rode  out  on 
a  great  unruly  Horfe  for  Pleafurc,  which  was  wont  on  a 
fudden  to  get  the  Bit  in  his  Teeth,  and  fet  a  running  ; 
as  he  was  in  a  Field  of  high  Ground,  there  being  on  the  o- 
ther  Side  a  quick-fee  Hedge,  a  very  deep  narrow  Lane  a- 
bout  a  Stories  Hight  below  him,  fudden ly  the  Horfe  got 
the  Bridle  in  his  Mouth,  and  ran  moft  violently  -,  and  oa 
a  fudden  turn'd  afide,  and  leapt  over  the  Hedge  into 
that  Lane.  He  was  at  the  Ground  a  little  before  th6 
Horfe  ;  and  as  the  Mire  fav'd  him  from  Hurt  in  the 
Fall,  fo  it  pleas'd  God  the  Horfe  never  touch'd  him  ; 
but  two  of  his  Feet  came  to  the  Ground  on  one  Side 
of  him,  and  two  on  the  other ;  iho*  the  Place  made 
it  feem  ftrange,  how  his  Feet  could  fall  befides  him. 
At  another  Time  about  the  fame  Age,  he  had  a  mar- 
velous Deliverance  from  a  Great  Temptation  to  be  a 
Gamefter.  Being  at  Ludlow-CMc,  where  a  great  ma- 
ny idle  Gentlemen  had  little  elfe  to  do,  he  was  learn- 
ing to  play  at  Tables  of  the  baft  Gamefter  in  the 
Houfe.  Once  playing  with  him,  when  his  Oppofite 
had  fo  much  the  better  that  it  was  an  Hundred  to  One, 
befides  the  Difference  of  their  Skill,  he  ftill  held  on, 
tho*  both  he  and  the  Standers-by  all  laught  at  him  fos 
not  giving  up,  and  told  him  the  Game  was  loft.  He 
was  fo  confident  of  it  as  to  offer  an  Hundred  to  One, 
and  actually  laid  down  Ten  Shillings  to  Six-Pence. 
When  the  Wager  was  laid,  he  told  him  there  was  no 
Poffibility  of  the  Game,  but  by  one  Caft  often  ;  and  it 
fo  fell  out,  that  he  had  that  fauve  Caft  for  fevcral 
Times  fucceffively,  fo  that  by  that  Time  one  could  go 
Four  or  Five  Times  aboutthe  Room  his  Game  was  gone, 
vhich  caus'd  great  Admiration.    He  took  the  Hint, 

fear'd 


400  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  XV. 

fear'd  that  the  DcviJ  had  the  Ruling  of  the  Dice,  and 
did  it  to  entice  him  to  be  a  Gamefter,  and  fo  gave  him 
his  Ten  Shillings  again,    and  relblv'd  never  more  to 
play  at  Tables  whillt  he  liv'd.     At  another  Time  Tra- 
velling from  London  into  the  Country  about  Ckriftmns 
in  a  very  deep  Snow,  he  met  on  the  Road  a  loaded 
Waggon,  where  he  could  not  pafs  by,  but  on  the  Side 
of  the  Bank  ;    pafling   over  which,  all  his  Horfes  Feet 
ilippM  from  under  hiin,  and  all  the  Gins  broke,  fo  that 
he  was  caft  juft  before  the  Waggon  Wheel,  which  had 
gone  over  him,  but  that  it  pleas'd  God  the  Horfes  fud- 
denly  ftopp'd,  without  any  difceinable  Caufe,  till  he 
got  out  of  the  Way.     Many  a  Time  was  he  broughc 
very  low  while  he  was  at  t\ederminfter  fo  as  to  receive 
the  Sentence  of  Death  in  himfelf  when  his  poor  honefl 
Same  re-  playing  Neighbours  there  met  together,  and  upon  iheir 
ntarkable    f2i.^[^g  and  earneft  Prayers,  he  hath  been  recovered. 
Ar.jwcTi  oj  Qjj^g  when  he  had  been  very  low  for  three  Weeks  to- 
''^P"       gether,  and  was  unable  to  go  Abroad,  the  very  Day 
that  they  prayed  for  him,  which  was  Good-Friday,   he 
fuddenly  recover'd,  fo  as  to  be  able  to  Preach  and  Ad- 
minifter  the  Sacrament  to  them,  the  next  Lord's  Day, 
Another  Time,  he  had  a  Tumour  rofe  on  one  of  the  Ton- 
fils  of  his  Throat,  white  and  hard  like  aBone  ;  above  the 
Hardnefs  of  any   Schyrrous  Tumour.      He    fear'd   a 
Cancer,  and  applied  fuch  Remedies  by  the  Phylicians 
*  Advice  as  were  tho't  fitteft  ;  but  without  Alteration,  for 
it  remain'd  hard  as  at  firft.    At  the  End  of  a  Quarter  of 
a  Year  he  was  under  fome  Concern  that  he  had  never 
prais*d  God  particularly  for  any  of  the  Deliverances  he 
had  formerly  afforded  him.    And  thereupon  being  fpeak- 
ing  of  God's  confirming  our  Belief  cf  his  Word,  by  his 
fulfilling  his  Promifes,  and  hearing   Prayers  (as  it  is 
publifli'd  in  the  Second  Part  of  his  Snints  Reji^)  he  an- 
nexed fome  thankful  mention  of  his  own  Experiences, 
and  fuddenly  the  Tumour  vanifh'd,    leaving  no  Sign 
where  it  had  been  remaining :  Tbo*  he  neither  fwal- 
low'd  it  down,  nor  fpit  it  out,  nor  could  ever  tell  what 
became  of  it. 

Another  Time  having  read  in  Dr.  GerJji:rdt}\e  admi- 
rable Effedls  of  the  fwallowing  of  a  Gold  Bullet  upon 
his  own  Father,  in  a  Cafe  much  like  his:  He  got  a 
Gold  Bullet,  between  Twenty  and  Thirty  Shillings 
Weight,  and  having  taken  it,  he  knew  not  how  to  be 


Chap.  XV.     Air.  Kichard  Baxter.  401 


again  deliverd  of  it.     He  took  Clyfters  and  Purges  for 
about  Three  Weeks,  bur  noihiiig  Itir'd  it  -•  And  a  Gen- 
tleman having  done  the  like,  the  Bullet  never  cam?  from 
him  till  he  died,    and  it  was  cut  out.     Buc  at  la  ft  his 
Neighbours  fee  aparc  a  Day  to  fait  and  pray  fjr  him, 
and  he  was  freed  from  his  Danger,  in  the  Beginning  of 
that  Day.   At  another  Time  being  in  Danger  of  an  Mgi- 
Jops,  he  had  alfo  fudden  Relief  by  their  Prayers.    God 
marveloully  honour'd  his  praying  Neighbours  at  Ksder^ 
minjier^  by  hearing  their  Prayers  in  a  great  n-  any  In- 
ftances.    One  Mrs.  Giles  had  a  Son  of  about  Fourteen 
or  Fifteen,  who  upon  the  Removal  of  a  Fever  fell  into 
a  violent  Epilepfy  ;    and  had  Four  or  Five  violent  Fits 
in  a  Day,  in  which  they  were  forc'd  to  hold  a  Key  be- 
tween his  Teeihj  to  fave  his  Tongue.     The  Phyficians 
us'd  all  ordinary  Means  for  a  long  Time  in  vain,  but  at 
laft  the  People  of  the  Town,  at  her  Requeft:,  kept  a 
Day  of  Fafting  and  Prayer  ai:  her  Houfe ;  and  the  fe- 
cond  Day,  he  was  fuddenly  cur*d,  and  never  had  a  Fit 
afterwards.     One  Mr.  Cook-,  removing  from  Kjntar  to 
J\ederminfter,  and  meeting  with  Difficukies  in  his  Con- 
cernments,  fell  into  a  Melancholy,   which  afterwards 
turned  to  Madnefs.     He  €<"  ntinu'd  in  it  feveral  Years  j 
the  beft  Means  that  could  be,  being  us'd  to  little  Pur- 
pofe.     Some  were  for  fetting  upon  Fafting  and  Prater 
on  his  Account  ;  but  Mr.    haxter  difcourag'd  it,  hav- 
ing no  hope  of  Cure,  his  Oiftemper  being  Natural  or 
Hereditary  to  him  ;    his  Father,   having  much  about 
his  Age  fallen  Mad    before  him,   and  never  recoi-er'd. 
When  he  had  continu'd  in  this  Condition  about  Ten 
or  Twelve  Years,  fome  would  not  be  diffwaded,  but 
fafted  and  prayM  at  his  Houfe  with  great  Iinportunity; 
and  continu'd  it  once  a  Fortnight,  for  feveral  Months : 
At  length  he  fenlibly  mended,   and  by  Degrees  finely 
recover'd. 

At  another  Time  Mr.  Baxter  riding  upon  a  great 
hot  metled  Horfe,  as  he  ftood  upon  a  floping  Pave- 
ment in  H^orcefier,  the  Horfe  rear'd  up,  and  both  his 
hinder  Feet  dipt  from  under  him  ;  fo  that  the  full 
Weight  of  the  Body  of  the  Horfe  fell  upon  his  Leg, 
which  yet  was  not  broken,  but  only  bruis'd ;  when 
confidering  the  Place,  the  Stones,  and  the  Manner  of 
the  Fall,  it  was  a  wonder  bis  Leg  was  not  broken  ail 
to  Pieces.    Another  Time  as  he  face  in  his  Study,  the 

D  d  weight 


4C2  .    The  LIFE  of        Chap,  XV. 


Weight  of  his  greateft  Fvolio  Books,  brake  down  Three 
or  Four  of  the  bigheft  Shelves,  when  he  fate  clofe  un- 
der them  ;  and  they  fell  down  on  every  Side  of  him, 
and  not  one  of  them  hit  him,  except  one  upon  the 
Arm.  Whereas  the  Place,  the  Weight,  and  Great- 
nefs  of  the  Books  was  fuch,  and  his  Head  ]uft  under 
them,  that  it  was  a  wonder  they  had  not  beaten  oui 
his  Brains,  or  done  him  an  unfpeakable  Mifchief: 
One  of  the  Shelves  juft  over  his  Head,  having  Dr.  H^aL 
tons  polyglot  Bible  ;  all  Auftins  Works,  the  Bibliotheca 
Patrunt  ;  and  Marlor^te,  Sec,  Another  Time,  vi:(. 
March  16.  1 66 5,  as- he  was  Preaching  in  a  private 
Houfe,  a  Bullet  came  in  at  the  Window,  and  pafs'd  by 
him,  but  did  no  Hurt.  It  was  alfo  a  very  remarkable 
Prefervation,  which  he  received  over  St.James's  Market- 
Houfe  mention'd  before.  And  indeed  his  being  car- 
-  ried  thro*  fo  much  Service  and  Suffering  too,  under  Co 
much  Weaknefs,  was  a  conftant  wonder  to  himfelf, 
and  all  that  knew  him,  and  what  he  us'd  himfelf  of- 
ten to  take  Notice  of  with  Expreflions  of  great  Thank- 
ful nefs. 

He  continued  his  Publick  Work  as  long  as  he  was 
able  ;  which  was  much  longer  than  either  he  or  any 
one  elfe  could  have  imagin  d,  he  (hould  have  done.  Af* 
ler  his  Settlement  in  Charter-Houfe  Yard,  with  Mr.  Syl- 
vefter^  he  gave  him  and  his  Flock  his  Pains  Gr^/w  every 
Lords  Day  in  the  Morning  ;  and  every  oihcr  Thurfda^ 
Morning  at  a  Weekly  Le£lure.  And  thus  he  continu'd 
for  about  Four  Years  and  a  Half,  and  then  was  alto- 
gether difabled  by  his  growing  Weaknefs  for  Publick 
Service  :  «And  ftili  he  continued  even  for  the  fmall 
Refidue  of  his  Life,  to  do  good  in  his  own  hired  Houfe  j 
where  he  open'd  his  Doors  Morning  and  Evening  every 
Day,  to  all  that  would  come  to  join  in  Family  Worlhip 
with  him  ;  to  whom  he  read  and  expounded  the  Scrip- 
tures, with  great  Serioufnefs  and  Freedom.  But  at 
length  his  Diftempers  took  him  off  from  this  alfo,  and 
His  Jutft  confin* d  him  firft  to  his  Chamber,  and  after  to  his  Bed. 

Sicknefi      Then  he  felt  the  Approaches  of  Death,  which  ufually 

AidDcath.  reveals  the  Secrets  of  the  Heart. 

But  Mr.  Baxter  was  the  fame  in  his  Life  and  Death.' 
His  Laft  Hours  were  fpent  in  preparing  others  and 
himfelf  to  appear  before  God.  He  faid  to  his  Friends 
that  yifired  hiai,  Tou  corns  hither  to  learn  to  Die  :  I  am 

not 


Chap.  XV.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  405 

not  the  only   Per/on  that  muft  go  this  Wny  j  I  can  tiffure 
you  J  that  your  whole  Life  be  it  never  fo  long  is  little  eno  to 
prepare  for   Death.     Have  a  Care  of  thii  vain  deceitful 
World y   and  the  Lttfts  of  the  Flefh,     Be  fure  you  chcofe 
God   for    your    Portion,    Heaveft  for  your    Home^     Gods 
Glory  for  your  Efid,  his  Word  for  your  Rule,  and  then  you 
need  never  fear^  hut  we  fhall  meet  with  Comfort.     His  re- 
fign'd  Submillion  to  the  Will  of  God  in  his  fharpSick- 
nefs   was   eminenr.     When   Extremity  of  Pain   coii- 
ftrain'd  him  earneftly  to  pray  to  God  for  his  Relcafe  by 
Death,  he  would  check  himfelf  and  fay  :   J^  is  not  fit 
for  me  to  prefcribe  ;  vphen  thou  voilt^  what  thou  wilt^  hovo 
thou  wilt.     Being  often  ask'd  by  his  Friends,  how  ic 
was  with  his  inward  Man,  he  replied,    I  hlefs  God,  I 
have  a  well  grounded  AJfurance  of  fny  Eternal  Happinefs^ 
and  great  Peace  and  Comfort  within  ;  but  it  was  his  Trou- 
ble he  could  not  Triumphantly  exprefs  it,  by  Reafon  of 
his  extream  Pains.     He  faid,  Flepo  muji  perifh,  and  we 
mufi  feel  the  perifhing  of  it :  And  that  tho^  his  Judgment 
fubmitted,  yet  Senfe  would  Ji ill  make  him  Groan,     He  gave 
excellent  Counfei  to  young  Minifters  that  vi(ited  him, 
and  earneftly  pray*d  to  God  to  blefs  their  Labours,  and 
make  them  very  fuccefsful  in  converting  many  Souls  unto 
Chrift.    And  exprefs'd"  great  Joy  in  the  Hopes,   that 
God  would  do  a  great  deal  of  Good  by  them,  and  blef- 
fedGod,  that  they  were  of  moderate  and  peaceful  Spi- 
rits.     He  often  pray'd,    that  God  would  be  merciful  to 
this  miferablcy  dtftraHed  World  :    And  that  he  would  pre-* 
ferve  his  Church  andlnterefl  in  it.     During  his  Sicknefs, 
when  the  Qpeftion  was  ask'd  him  how  he  did,    his  An* 
fwer  w^s;  almoji  well.     And  at  laft  heexpir'd  on  De- 
cember  the  ?>ihy  1 691.     And  was  a  few  Days  after  in- 
terr'd  in  Chrijl  Church,  whither  his  Corps  was  attended 
by  a  moft  numerous  Company,  of  all  Ranks  and  Qua- 
lities, and  efpecially  of  Minifters,  fome  of  whom  were 
Conformifts,  who  tho't  fit  to  pay  him  that  laft  Office  of 
Refped.     There  were  Two  Difcourfes  made  upon  Oc- 
cafion  of  his  Funeral  ;  one  by  Dr.  Bates,  and  the  other 
by  Mr.  Sylvefter^  which  are  both  fince  publilh'd.     The 
former  may  be  met  with  in  the  Doctor's  Works,  and 
the  latter  at  the  Ead  of  Mr.  Baxter''^  Life  in  Folio, 

He  had  fet  his  Houfe,  and  all  his  Concerns  in  or- 
der, fome  Time  before  he  left  this  World.  It  had  been 
his  Cuftom  all  along,  to  keep  a  Will  continually  by 

Dd  ^  him* 


ii 


if. 


404  Tke  LI tE  of      Chap.  XV . 

him.     His  Laft  Will  bore  Date,  July  the  7th,  1689- 
The  Beginning  of  it  was  peculiar,  and  pretty  remarka- 
ble.    It  ran  thus; 
H«  VilL         "  I  Kjd.Kird  B^ixter  of  Loytdm,  Clerk,  an  unworrhy  Ser- 
vant of  Jcfus  Chrift,  drawing  to  the  End  of  rhisTran- 
Iirory  Life,  having  thro  God's  great  Mercy  the  free 
Ufe  ot  my  Underfianding,  do  make  this  my  Laft 
Will  and  Teftament,  revoking  all  other  Wills  for- 
merly made  by  me.   My  Spirit,  I  commit  with  Truft 
**  and    Hope    of  the    Heavenly    Felicity,     into    the 
*'  Hands  of  jefus.  my  glorify  d  Redeemer,  and  Inter- 
"  ceffor  J  and  by  his  Mediation  into  the  Hands  of  God 
**  my   reconciled  Fathef,   the   Infinite   Eternal  Spirit, 
*^  Light,   Life  and  Love,  moft  Great,  and  Wife  and 
"  Good,   the  God  of  Nature,   Grace,  and  Glory  ;  of 
**  whom,  and  through  whom,   and  to  whona  are  all 
*'  Things;  my  abfolute Owner,  Rv^kr  andBenefa<3:or; 
•  *  whofe  1  am,and  whom  I  (the*  imperfectly)  ferve,  feek, 
-*'  and  truft;  to  whom  be  Glory  forever.  Amen.    To 
*'  him  1  render  moft  humble  Thanks,  that  he  hath  filled 
*'  up  my  Life  with  abundant  Mercy,  and  pardon'd  my 
**  §in  by  the  Merits  of  Chrift,  and  vouchfafed  by  his 
*'  ^\>\r\i  to  renew  me,  and  Seal  me  as  his  own,  and  to 
*'  moderate  and  blcfs  to  me  my  Long  Sufferings  in  the 
"  Fielh,  and  at  Laft  to  fweeten  them  by  his  own  In- 
"  rercft,  and  comforting  Approbation,  who  taketh  the 
.*'  Caufe  of  Love  and  Concord  as  his  own,  ©"c. 

He  ordered  his  Books  to  be  diftributed  among  poor 

Scholars :  And  all  that  remain'd  of  his  Eftate,   after  a 

few  Legacies  to  bis  Kindred,   he  difpos'd  of  for  the 

Bench c  of  the  Souls  and  Bodies  of  the  Poor.     And  he 

-left  Sir  Uenry  Afhhurjr,  B^vpland  Hunt  of  Boraton,  Efq; 

:Mr.    Thomas     Hunt    Merchant,    Edward    Harly    Efq; 

Mr.  Tl  omiis  Cook,  Merchant,  Mr.  Thomas  Trench  Merchant, 

and  Mv .K^hert  Bird  Gentleman,  his  Executors. 

jo   Be  "^as  one  that  was  always  fond  of  a  retir'd  Life, 

and  yet   it  was  not  in  his  Power,  fo  to  conceal  his 

Worth,  as  that  it  (hould  not  be  obferv'd  and  refpedled, 

both  by  fuch  as  were  near  him,  and  fuch  as  liv'd  at  a 

remote  Difiance  from  him. 

My  Lord  Broghill  ( afterwards  Earl  of  Orrery,  and 
Lord  Preficient  of  Mwifter)  had  a  great  Value  for  him, 
rominated  bitn  as  one  of  the  Committee  to  State  the 

Fundr.^ 


Chap,  XV.     Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  405 

Fundamentals  of  Religion  ;  And  entertain  d  him  very  re- 
fpecftfuUy  at  his  Houfe. 

While  he  concinu'd  there,  he  became  acquainted      h^  Con- 
with  the  pious  and  learned  hich-Eifhop  Vfioer^  who  then  yerfation 
Uv'd  at  the  Earl  of  Peterborough's  in  St.  Martins  Lane  •  -K^'th  ^irch- 
and  their  mutual  Vifits  and  Interviews  were  frequent,  ^'f^^op  u- 
There  having  been  a  Difference  between  Dr.  K^endaH,  ^^^  i  -^.^^ 
and  Mr.  Baxter  about  the  Extent  of  Redemption,  they  ^'^^^^'^/^  '^ 
by  Agreement  met  at  the  Arch-Biftiop's  Lodgings,  Jea- ^^"Jy"^'''*^* 
ving  it  to  him  to  Arbitrate  between  them  :  Who  freely 
declar'd  himfelf  for  the  Dodrine  oiVniverfai  f^edemp" 
tion^  and  own'd  that  he  was  the  Perfon  who  brought 
both  Bifhop  Davenant^  and  Dr.  Prclion  to  acknowledge 
it.     Having  given  his  Judgment,  he  perfwaded  boch 
to  forbear  a  farther  Profecution  of  the  Controveifie, 
which  ihey  readily  promis'd. 

In  his  Converfation  with  Biftiop  Vfloer^  he  defirM  his 
Judgment  about  his  Propofals  for  Concord  with  the  E- 
pifcopal  Party;  which  werethefe;  That  a  Paflor  he  Go- 
fvennor  as  well  as  Teacher  of  hit  Flock,     That  where  there  <:re 
Several  Presbyters  in  a  Pari/h,  one  he  the  Stated  Prejident, 
That  in  each  Market  Toupw,  (or  fome  fuch  Divifion)  there 
be  frequent  Affemblies  of  Pnrochial  Paftors  for  Concord^ 
and  mutual  Ajfiftance  in  their  H^orl{^  voith  a  fiated  Prefi- 
dent  alfo.     That  in  every  County  or  Diocefe  there  be  a  Gene- 
ral Affemhly  cf  the  Minifters,  once  in  a   Quarter,  Half  a 
T^ar,  or  Te/ir  •  having  lil{evQife  a  fixed  Prefident^  without 
whom  nothing  be  done  in  Ordination^  or  any  Matters  of  Corri' 
mon  Concernment,  and  that  the  Coercive  Power  or  Sword  be 
appropriated  to  Magiftrates.     He  told  him  they  were  fuf- 
ficient  to  unite  moderate  Men ;  but  would  be  rejedled 
by  others.    And  in  Difcourfe  about  his  Predidlions  as 
to  the  Return  of  Popery^  he  declared,  he  pretended  not 
to  any  Prophetical  ^Revelation,  but  only  was  under  that 
Apprehenfion  from  his  Converfe  with  the  Apocalypfe. 
The  Bilhop  alfo  gave  him  his  Judgment  for  the  Validity 
of  Presbyters  Ordination  ;  and  told  him  that  the  King 
at  thellle  of  JVight^  ask'd  him  where  he  found  in  Anti- 
quity, chat  Presbyters  ordain'd  any  alone ;  and  that  he 
replied,  he  could  fliew  much  more,  even  where  Presby- 
ters alone  fucceflively  Ordaind  Bilhops ;  the  Presbyters 
of  Alexandria  choofing  and  making  their  own  Bilhops, 
-from  the  Days  of  St.  Mark,  till  Heraclas  and  Dionyfm 
[as  faith  St,  Bierom  in  Epijl,  ad  Evagrium,"}  He  moreover 

P  d  3  own'd 


4o6  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XVI. 


owa'd  to  him,  ibnt  the  I{edu3ion  of  Epifcopacy  to  the 
Form  of  Synodicd  Government^  which  went  about,  was 
\\\?t :  And  with  a  great  deal  of  AfTurance  gave  it  him  as 
his  Judgment,  That  Synods  are  not  property  for  Government^ 
but  for  Agreement  nmang  the  Pajlors  ;  and  a  Synod  of  Bi- 
fhopSy  are  not  the  Governor 3 y  of  any  cne  Bi/hop^  there  pre" 
fent. 

While  the  Debates  continued,  after  the  Reftauration 
of  King  Charles  about  an  Accommodation  of  Ecclefiafti- 
cal  Matters,  Mr.  Baxter  as  appears  from  the  foregoing 
Account,  was  often  with  the  Earl  of  Clarendon^  Lord 
Chancellor,  who  carried  it  with  a  great  fhew  of  Refpedt 
to  him  :  And  his  Intereft  in  him  was  fuch  as  to  engage 
him  to  do  good  Service  to  the  People  o^  •Ncxo-England^ 
on  whofe  Behalf,  h$  oft  pleaded  with  him.  The  Cafe 
was  this. 

Mr.  Ellioi  having  learnM  \ht. American  Language,  and 
converted  many  of  the  barbarous  Natives  to  Chriftiani- 
ty,  was  defirous  of  fettling  regular  Churches  among 
them.  In  Order  hereto,  it  was  firft  necefHry  to  build 
them  Houfes  and  draw  them  together,  (  who  were 
us'd  to  live  difpers'd  like  wild  Beafts)  and  to  get  a 
Maintenance  for  Mlnifters  to  preach  to  them,  and 
Schoolmafters  to  teach  and  inftracSt  their  Children.  For 
this  Purpofe  Cromwell  in  the  Time  of  his  Government, 
had  a  General  Collection  thro'  the  Land.  The  People 
gave  liberally  for  fo  good  a  Work ;  and  the  Money  was 
^ut  into  the  Hands  of  a  Corporation  fettled  on  Purpofe 
to  difpofe  of  it  to  tne  bcft  Advantage ;  who  keeping 
fome  in  Stock,  purchafed  7  or  800  /.  a  Year  in  Land, 
which  was  appiopriated  to  the  Service  of  the  Gofpel  in 
tbofe  Parts.  The  Land  was  bought  of  one  Col.  Bedding- 
field,  a  P^piJ^y  and  an  Officer  in  the  King's  Army.  Up- 
on the  King's  Reftauration,  the  Colonel  feiz'd  the  Land 
again  for  his  own  Ufe,  and  refus'd  either  to  furrender 
it,  or  repay  the  Money,  pretending  the  Corporation  was 
illegal  and  null.  Hereupon  Alderman  Afhhuift  who 
was  Treaforcr,  calFd  the  Corporation  together,  per- 
fwaded  thofe  who  were  Members  of  it,  that  were  ob- 
noxious, to  recede,  that  he  might  fee  if  the  reft  might 
be  continued,  more  fit  Men  added,  and  the  Land  re- 
covered. Mr.  Baxter  urg'd  the  Lord  Chancellor  about 
it,  and  found  him  Hearty.  When  the  Matter  had  de- 
pended a  Twelve-month,  he  granted  a  Decree  for  a 

new 


Ghap.  XVI.        Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  407 


-new  Corporation.  Some  Lords  were  made  Members  of 
it ;  Mr.  Boyle  was  made  Prefident,  and  Mr.  Afhhurft  con- 
tinu'd  Treafarer,  and  the  Matter  was  happily  fettled. 
Whereupon  Mr.  Baxter  received  Letters  of  hearty 
Thanks,  from  the  Court  and  (governor  m  New- England^ 
and  from  Mr.  Elliot^  and  Mr.  'Norton,  ail  acknowledg- 
ing the  fignal  Service  he  had  done  them. 

After  Mr.  Baxter  was  (iJenc'd  with  the  reft  of  bis  Bre- 
thren, he  had  Letters  from  Foreign  Divines  full  of  re- 
•fpedt,  and  courting  him  to  a  Correfpendence  with  them, 
which  he  durft  not  yield  to,  for  fear  it  Ihould  be  Mif- 
interpreted.  Among  others,  he  receiv'd  a  Letter  from 
Monfieur  AmyraU,  upon  Gccafion  of  a  Word  of 
Dr.  Louis  dti  Moulin^  who  had  faid  that  he  had  heard 
that  Amyrald  had  fpoken  flightingly  of  the  Englijh  Nm- 
conformifts :  And  another  from  Monfieur  SolUcojfer,  a 
Minifter  in  Sxvit:(erland^  who  defir'd  his  Advice  about 
fetting  up  the  Work  of  Minifterial  Inftrucftion  of  the 
particular  Families  and  Perfons  of  their  Charge.  But 
fear  of  Offence,  prevented  his  anfwering  thefe  and  o- 
iher  Letters  from  Foreign  Parts,  tho'  he  was  often  ap- 
plied to. 

In  the  worft  of  Times,  he  had  feveral  even  at  Court  D«ife  Lqu- 
and  about  the  King,  who  were  verf  refpe£lful  to  him.derdaie. 
Among  the  reft  Duke  Lauderdale  profefs'd  great  Kind- 
nefs  to  him.  But  he  being  a  Perfon  generally  tho't  ill 
off,  and  one  whom  the  Parliament  voted  an  evil  Coun- 
fellor,  many  were  offended  at  his  having  any  Correfpon- 
^ence  with  him  :  Which  he  gave  Way  to,  partly  to  a- 
void  Rudenefs  after  abundant  Civilities,  and  partly 
that  he  might  make  Ufe  of  his  Intereft  in  him  for  the 
doing  Good  upon  Occafion  :  In  which  he  fometimes  was 
not  without  Succefs. 

While  he  liv'd  at  ABon,  he  had  the  Happinefs  of  free  ^.  ^^ 
Converfation  with  that  MirroE  of  Juftice,  that  Orna- ^^^^  ^j"^^ 
ment  of  King  Charles  his  Reign,  the  worthy  Sir  Mat- 
thew  Hale,  Lord  Chief-Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  who 
liv'd  in  his  Neighbourhood.  Their  Converfation  ran 
much  upon  the  main  Points  of  Religion,  the  Immorta- 
lity of  the  Soul,  and  Certainty  of  a  Future  State,  C^c, 
His  Gonverfe  was  highly  pleafing  and  profitable.  He 
found  him  to  be  a  great  Lamenter  of  the  Extremities  of 
the  Times,  and  the  Violence  of  fome  of  the  Clergy, 
and  a  great  defirer  of  fuch  Abatements  as  might  take  in 

Dd  4  all 


4o8  The  L  IFk  of     Chap.  XV. 

all  Ufefoi  Perfons.  He  manifefted  his  Relped  to 
Mr.  Br.xtrr^  by  giving  an  h*»ph  Encomium  of  him,  both 
for  Piety  and  Learning,  before  fell  the  Judges  ac  the  Ta- 
Wc  at  Sc'jeMits  Inn^  at  the  Time -when  he  was  in  Pri- 
fon  \»pr^n  the  Oxff>rii  /J8  ;  and  by  leaving  him  a  Legacy 
of  Forty  Shillings  in  his  Wiij. 

The  Eail  of  Bnlcr.rres  who  was  driven  out  of  Scotland 
by  Crtimvo^el^  and  Went  to  KingC^«r/p.f  in  his  Exile,  had 
alfo  a  great  Value  for  him  ;  which  was  occa(\on'd  by  his 
leading  Mr.  'B^.xt-e/*s  Books,  upon  the  Lord  Lauderdnle% 
recommendation.  This  Earl  of  B^lcHfiies  tvas  a  very 
confidcrable  Man,  taken  for  the  Head  of  the  Presby- 
terians with  the  Ktng  ;  but  unhappily  he  fell  out  with 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  was  afterwards  forbid  the 
Court,  and  in  fomeTimedied  of  aConfumption.  The 
Lady  Bnlcmres  was  not  (hort  of  her  Lord  in  Refpcdfcs  to 
Mr.  Baxter, 

When  he  was  building  a  new  Meeting-Houfe  in  O^en^ 
den-ftreet,  tho'  he  meddled  not  with  it  himfelf,  he  had 
Contributions  fent  in  freely  by  many  Perfons,  to  Mr.  T/jc- 
m/ts  Stanley,    who  undenook  the  Care  of  the  Disburfe- 
ment,^^:.  Alderman  /J fhhurft  and  Mr.  Booth  fem  in  loo  k 
collected  among  their  own  Acquaintance ;  Sir  '^ohti  M^t- 
nard^ol.  The  Lady  ^rwiwf  60 1.  The  Countefs  of  W^^jr- 
tv/c/j^  20  J.    Mr.  Brooi{e  Bridges  2o-l.    Sir  James  Langham 
10  \.  The  Countefs  of  CUre  i  o  1.  Sir  Edward  Harln  \  o  L 
Mr.  Trench  and  Mr.  Brand  20  1.  The  Countefs  of  Trecon^ 
97el6  J.  The  Lady  Clinton  5  1.  The  Lsidy  Ehattor  Hollis  5  f. 
The  Lady  Fft:(.  James  6  1.   The  Lady  I{jchards  5  J.  Mr. 
Hampden  8 1.  Mr.  Henly  5  1.  and  many  others,otherSums. 
He  was  much  confulted  about  Cafes  of  Confcience. 
Scarce  a  Man  in  England  had  more  applying  rhemfelves 
to  him  upon  that  Account  than  he.     OneP^riTage  is  too 
The-Refo-  remarkable  to  be'paft  by.     In  1 665,  the  Lord  /jhley  fent 
hthnof  a  a  Letter  to  Sir  Jolyn  Trevor  at  jlkon,  fignifying  that  a 
Cafe  of  Con-  good  Friend  of  his,  in  whofe  Cafe  the  King  did  great- 
fcience.        jy   Concern  himfelf,  had  all   his  Fortunes  caft    upon 
Mr.  Bax*ter's  Rcfolntion  of  th's  one  Qlfe  :  Mljcther  a 
Proteftant  Lady  tfflriH  Education^  mi^t  marry  a  Papijl^ 
in  hope  of  his  Cifrtveyjjon,  he  fromifirtg  not  to  dijlurb  her  in 
her  F(eligion.     The  Lady  told  thofe  that  Were  concern'd, 
^hat  fhc  would  not  Confent,  unlefs  Mr.  Baxter  fatisfy*d 
her'rhat  it  was  lawful.     The  Cafe  was  Nice ;  he  weigh- 
ed it  vTcU  :  AnB  this  was  theS«bftanceof  his  Refolution. 

In 


Chap.  XV.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ^q^ 

In  General,  it  cannot  be  faid  to  be  limply,  and  in  all 
Cafes  unlawful  to  Marry  an  Infidel  or  Heathen^  much 
lefs  a  Papist.    Nay,  it  may  be  Lawful  in  Cafe  of  true 
Necefficy  where  better  is  not  to  be  had  ;  and  in  Cafe  it  be 
very  likely  to  prove  fome  great  Commodity  to  Church 
or  State.     But  ordinarily  *tis  Sinful,  what  Hopes  foever 
there  may  be  of  the  Husbands  Converlion.     For  a  Huf- 
band"  ought  efpecially  to  be  a  meet  helper  in  Matters 
of  the  greateft  Moment;    and  he  that  is  no  helper  in 
Religion,   muft  needs  be  a  binderer ;   Marriage  is  none 
of  the  Means  that  God  hath  requir'd  in  order  to  Con- 
verfion :  A  Wife  in  fuch  a  Cafe,  may  rather  fear  being 
Chang'd  by  a  Husband,   than  reafonably  hope  to  work 
a  Change  upon  him :  Or  if  fhe  be  fo  happy  as  to  efcape 
Perverlion,   there  is  little  hope  of  her  efcaping  a  fad 
Calamitous  Life :   His  Religion  will  not  allow  him  to 
Love  her  otherwife,   than  as  a  Child  of  the  Devil,  in 
a  State  of  Damnation  may  be  Lov'd.     And  therefore  it 
can  neither  be  for  the  Glory  of  God,  nor  the  true  Com- 
fort of  the  Party  concern'd. 

In  the  whole  Courfe  of  his  Life  he  had  fcarce  'a 
Friend  whom  he  more  Valu'd  and  Refpecfted,  and  by 
whom  he  was  more  Belov'd,  than  that  Noted  Citizen 
Henry  y^flohurfi ^E{q;  commonly  call'd  Alderman  Afhhurfl^ 
who  was  the  moft  exemplary  Perfon  for  Eminent  So- 
briety, Self-denial,  Piety  and  Charity,  that  London 
could  Glory  of.  He  was  a  Chriftian  of  the  Primitive 
Stamp,  and  did  good  to  all  as  he  was  able,  efpecially 
needy,  lilenc'd  Minifters;  To  whom  in  Lancafloireir 
lone,  he  allow'd  looi  per  Annum,  He  left  behind  him 
the  Perfume  of  a  moft  Honoured  Name,  and  the  Me- 
morials of  a  moft  Exemplary  Life,  to  be  imitated  by 
all  his  Defcendents.  Mr.  Baxter  gave  him  his  true 
CharacSter  in  his  Funeral  Sermon. 

Many  Foreign  Divines  wrote  to  him  with  abundance 
of  Refpedl.  As  particularly  Monfieur  Brunfenim, 
Chaplain  to  his  Eledtoral  Highnefs  of  Brandenburg  ^ 
who  fent  him  Word,  that  he  had  employed  feveral 
Perfons  to  Tranflaie  fome  of  his  Pradkical  Works  into 
Lmn,  which  were  Difpers'd  and  Sold  throughout  that 
Country,  and  ofFer*d  him  bis  utmoft  Service  in  any 
Thing,  wherein  he  was  Capable  of  obliging  him.    « 

"Dt.  Spencer  alfo,  Chaplain  to  the  Duke  of  Saxony^ 
direfted  Mr.  Chriftopber  Minin,  a  Divine  who  liv'd  in 

his 


4IO  The  LIFE  of       Chap.  XVI. 

his  Houfe,  to  Write  a  very  kind  and  refpedlful  Letter 
to  "bAiL-Baxter^  and  tell  him  how  much  his  Books  had 
i)romoted  Practical  Religion  in  thofe  Countries,  fince 
they  were  Tranflated  into  Latin,  and  how  wonderfully 
God  had  Bleft  them  for  the  good  of  many.  But  tho' 
he  was  not  a  little  refpedted  by  many  both  at  Home 
and  Abroad,  yec  he  was  alfo  moft  mifcrably  traduc'd 
and  cenfur'd,  and  often  falily  AccusM.  No  Man  had 
more  Written  againft  him  by  Perfons  of  different  De- 
nominations; nor  bad  any  Man  more  falfe  Reports 
lais'd  of  him. 

In  fhort,  Living  and  Dying,  he  was  as  much,  Re- 
fpedied  by  fome,  and  as  much  Slighted  by  others,  at 
any  Man  of  the  Age. 


CHAP.     XVI. 

His  Works  ^^^  Writings. 


I 


TS  well  known  Mr.  Baxter  was  a  Confiderable 
Writer,    and  few   ever  Wrote  to  better  Purpofe. 
His  Books  for  the  if  Number  and  Variety  of  Mat- 
ter in  them,  make  a  Library  .-  They  contain  a  Treafurc 
of  Controverlial,    Cafuiftical,    Pofitive  and  Pradical 
Divinity.     This  at  leaft  was  the  Senfe  of  the  Judicious 
¥  See  his  ^r.  Bates^.     Neither  was  he  alone  in  this  Sentiment  j 
Sermon  at  for  the  Excellent  Bilhop  fVilkins  did  not  flick  to  fay, 
bif  fnneral.thsxhe  had  Cultivated  every  Subject:  he  handled.     A 
Compleat  Lift  of  his  Works  is  .therefore  added  for  the 
Satisfa£tioa  of  the  Curious. 

The  firft  Book  he  publifli'd,  was  his  Aphorifms  of  Jufti" 
fication  and  the  Covenants,  with  their  Explication 
annexed:  Wherein  alfo  ic  opened  the  Nature  of  the 
Covenants,  Satisfadlion,  Righteoufnefs,  Faith  and 
Works,  ^c.  lis.  This  was  Printed  in  1649,  and 
was  difpleafing  to  many,  on  Account  of  fome  Pecu- 
liarities. He  Received  and  AnfwerM  Objcdions  fenc 
him  agaioft  it,  by  Mr.  Burgefi^  Mr.  PVanen^  Dr.  H^al- 
ipSj  Mr.  Cnrtvoright  and  Mr.  Law/on :  And  to  the  Jaft 
adher'd  to  the,  Subiiance  of  itj   tho'  he  could  have 

wilh'd 


Chap.  X V.l         Mr,  B^ichard  Baxter.  41 1 

wilh'd  fome  Things  a  little  otherwife  exprefs'd,  and 
'    that  he  had  lee  Perfons  alone  when  be  touch'd  upon 
their  Errors.    He  defir'd  that  his  Confeffion  of  Faith 
(after  mention d)  might  betaken  for  a  fuller  Explica- 
tion of  thifi^  Book. 
In  1650,  He  pubiilh'd  his  Saints  Everlafting  Z^^if,  Or  a 
.    Treatife  of  the  Bleflfed  State  of  the  Saints,  in  iheir  En- 
joyment of  God  in  Glory,  /^to.  which  he  Wrote  in 
a  very  Languiihing  Condition,  when  in  the  Sufpence 
of  Life  and  Death,    and  yet  it  has  the  Signatures  of 
a  moft  Holy  and  Vigorous  Mind.    This  is  a  Book  for 
which  Multitudes  will  have  Caufc  to  Blefs  God  for 
ever.     Among  others,   Holy  yix.John  Janervay  was 
thereby  Converted  *.  ^  See  hh 

The  fame  Year  he  publifh*d,    Plain  Scripture  Proof  of  Life,  ]^.  6* 
Infants  Church  Memher/hip  and  Baptifm,  ^to.  which 
were  the  Arguments  us'd  in  a  Publick  Difpute  with 
.  Mr.  Tombes  the  Anabaptift  at  Bewdley ;   which  Book 
recover'd  many   from  Anabaptifm,    and  Eftablilh'd 
more. 
In  1653,    He  publi(h*d  the  right  Method  for  Peace  of 
Conjcience  and  Spiritual  Comfort ^  in  3  x  DireBions,  1 2s, 
He  wrote  it  for  the  Satisfa6lion  of  Collonel  John 
Bridges  his  Lady.     This  Book  pleas'd  Dr.  Hammond^ 
and  Comforted  many;  But  fome  have  been  difturb'd 
wiih  what  he  there  fays  about  Perfeverance, 
A  little  after,    he  pubiilh'd  hts  Judgment  about  the  Perfe^ 
verance  of  Believers^  to  remove  fome  Objedtions  upon 
that  Head,   ftarted  upon  Occafion  of  the  foregoing 
Difcourfe. 
The  fame  Year  he  publifliM  his  Chrijiian  Concord:  Or, 
the  Agreement  of  the  Affociated  Paftors  and  Churches 
of  iVorceFterJhire,  with  its  Explication  and  Defence, 
and  an  Exhortation  to  Vnity,  /^to. 
As  alfo,   the  PVorcefler/hire  Petition  to  the  Parliament,' 
for  the  Miniftry  of  England,  with  the  Defence  of  it; 
in  Anfwer  to  Sixteen  Queries,    Printed  in  a  Book, 
caird  a  Brief  Difcovery  of  the  Threefold  State  of  Anti- 
Christ  :    And  there  is  alfo  added  Seventeen  counter 
Queries,    and  an  humble  Admonition  to  the  Parlia- 
ment, People,  and  Minifters,  in  /^to. 
In  1654,  He  pablilh'd  Two  Affize  Sermons,  entitulcd 
true  Chriftianity,     One  of  Chrift's  Dominion,  and  the 
ath€rx)f  his  Sovereknty  over  all  Men  as  Redeemer,  S^'o. 

The 


412    "  The  LIFE  of    Cbap.XVI. 

The  fame  Year  he  publilh'd  hiB  Apolofj^  in  Anfwef  to 
JS/ir.  Blaise,  Dr. /C^«//^/,  Ludiomcew  ColvinWy  or  Lu4o- 
vJcus  MoUn^ui^  Mr.  Cmndav^  and  Mr.  Eyres,  ^to. 

In  1655,  Hepublifh'd  his  Confejfion  of  Faith;  efpecially 
concerning  the  liiterelt  of  I^epentance^  and  fincere  O- 
hedience  to  Cbrift,  in  our  Jvftification  and  Saivation, 
In  Defence  of  his  Aplx»i[mSy  and  in  Oppolicion  to  An- 
tinifnianifm^  ^tc, 

Tiie  fame  Year  came  out  hxsMunMe  Advice  to  the  Ho- 
nourable Members  of  Parlianaent :  Being  the  Sub- 
ftance  of  fomc  Dicedlions  he  deliver'd  in  a  Sermon 
in  H'tj^wmflef  Abbej,  in  Order  to  Church  Reforma- 
tion and  Peace. 

As  alfo  a  Sermon  of  making  Light  of  Chrift ;  and  ano- 
ther of  Judgment. 

He  this  Year  alfo  put  forth  the  ^ai^ers  Catechifin :  Or 
the  Quakers  queftion  d,  J^fo. 

And  the  XJnrcnfonablenejl  of  Infidclhy^  in  Four  Difcour- 
ies.    With  a  Defcripcion  of  .the  Blafpheming  againft 
the  Holy  Ghofti  and  a  Poftfcript  againft  Mr.  Lyford  : 
'  And  the  ArrogaiKy  of  Rcafon  againft  Divine  Reve- 

lations reprefemcd :  h%iMi^  Clement  Writer,  8vo» 

In  1656,  He  pabli(h*d  his  Gildoi  Sahianw,  or  i^eformed 
Pafiour,  Svo.  Prepared  to  be  deliver'd  at  a  Day  of 
Fafting  and  Prayer  among  the  pyorcefierfhire  Mini- 
fters,  and  afterwards  Enlarg  d. 

The  Agreement  of  the  faid  Worcejier/hire  Mini  Hers  for 
Catechifing  or  Perfonal  Inftrwding  all  their  wiiling  Pa- 
nihioncrs,  ^vo. 

Certain  Difputations  of  ^ght  to  Sacraments,  and  the 
True  Nature  of  Vifibic  Cbriftianity,  againft  Mr. 
Blake. 

In  1657,  He  publith'd,  the  Safe  Heligiony  or  Three  Dif- 
putations for  the  Reformed  Catholick  Religion,  a- 
gsiwiH  Popery^  %vo. 

A  Treatife  of  Converfion,  At^o. 

Several  (ingle  Sheets,  for  their  better  Spreading.  As  a 
Winding  Sheet  for  Vopery.  A  Sheet  for  the  Mmiftry 
.(Againft  Malignanis.  A  Sheet  agair>ft  the  Quakers. 
/A  Second  Sheet  for  the  Miniltry.  A  Sheet  Directing 
Juftices  in  Corporations  to  Difchargc  their  Duty  to 
God. 

A  CfiH  to  the  Vmtnvevted.  A  Book  blafs'd  by  G^d  with 
macveilous  Succefs  in  reclaim it)g  Pcrfons  fiom  tberr 

Im- 


Chap.  XVL     Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  ^        413 

Impieries.     Six   Brothers  were  once  Converted   by 
Reading  that   one   Book*.    Twenty   Thoufand   of ^ Dr.Bites's 
them  were  Printed  a^id  Difpers'd  in  a  little  more  than  Sermon  at 
3.  Year.     It  was  Tranflaced  into  French^    and  Dutch^  Mr.  Bax- 
and  other  Europ<ean  Languages :   And  Mr.  Ellioc  Tran-  ^^^^'^  f»- 
flated  it  into  the  Indian  Language:    And  Mv. Cotton  ^^^"^^^ 
Mniher,  in  his  Life,   gives  an  Account  of  an  Indian 
Prince,  who  was  fo  affeded  with  this  Book,   that  he 
fate  reading  it  with  Tears  in  his  Eyes  till  he  Dy'd, 
not  Suffering  it  to  be  taken  fronj  him.    'Twas  Tran- 
llated  alfo  into  Pf^elch.    A  good  Man  faid  of  this 
Book,  that  he  thought  it  fufficient  to  perfwadc  a  Man 
to  any  Thing  but  to  Holinefs. 

In  1658.  He  publifli'd,  Hhe  Crucifying  of  the  Wcrld  by 
the  Crofi  of  Chriif,  ^to. 

Of  Saving  Faith ;  whether  it  is  fpecifically  or  gradually 
different  from  Common  Faith.  In  Anfwer  to  Serjeant 
Shepherd,  and  Dr.  Barlow  ^  ^to. 

Confirmation  and  ^ejiauration,  the  necejjary  Means  of  i^f- 
formation  and  B^conciliation,%vo,  This  Book  was  high- 
ly Commended  by  Dr,  Patrick,^  late  Bifhop  of  Ely,  in 
his  /Iqua  Genitalis y  page  47 1 . 

DireBions  and  Perfwafions  to  a  found  Converfion,  to  fhew 
the  Confequents  of  a  counterfeit  or  fuperficial  Change. 
%vo.  Which  Book  hath  been  marvelloufly  Ufeful  to 
many  Souls,  by  preventing  thofe  Miftakes  in  Pra<£ti- 
cal  Religion,  which  are  often  Fatal. 

Five  pi^utations  of  Church  Government,  4^0.  A  Book 
Pleading  for  Moderation,  at  the  Time,  when  Bi- 
fhops,  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  were  mod  decry'd 
and  opposed. 

The  Judgment  and  Advice  of  the  Affociated  Minifters  of 
M^orcefier/hire,  concerning  Mr,  John  Dury'j  Endeavours 
after  Ecclefiaftical  Peace,  ^to. 

Pour  Difputations  of  Jujiification,  ^to.  In  Anfwer  to 
Mr.  Anthony  Burgefi,  and  a  Treatife  of  Mr.  fVarner, 
of  the  Office  and  Objedl  of  Juftifying  Faith. 

Mk  Vniverfal Concord,  in  lis.    Giving  an  Account  of 

■H  the  Terms,  which  all  Chriftian  Churches  may  hold 
Communion  upon. 

the  Grotian  Religion  Difcoverd,  izs,  "Written  againft 
Dr.  Pmcf;  containing  a  Vindication  of  the  Do£lrine 
of  the  Synod  of  Dort^  and  the  Old  Puritans, 

»   ■  •  In 


414  The  LIFE   of       Chap.XVI. 

In  1659.  He  publilh'd  his  Ksy  for  Catholicl{s,  ^to. 
Opening  the  Jughng  of  the  Jefuites ;  and  (hewing  in 
the  Second  Part  thofe  who  arc  for  the  Supremacy  of 
a  Council  as  to  the  Legillative  Power,  that  there 
never  was  a  General  Council,  nor  can  it  be  expected 
there  fliould  be  one. 
His  Holy  Common  Wealth.  Or  Political  Aphorifms 
opening  the  True  Principles  of  Government,  againft 
Harringtons  Oceana^  and  F4we's  Healing  Queftion,8z;o. 
An  Appendix  is  added,  concerning  the  Caufe  of  the 
Parliaments  firft  War. 
A  Treatjfc  of  Death,     Preach'd  at  the  Funeral  of  Mrs.' 

Eli:{/il;eth  Bnl^er^  and  afterwards  Enlarg'd,  ^vo. 
A  Treatife  cf  Self-Denial^  \to.     The  Subftance  of  feve- 

ral  Sermons,  which  found  very  good  Acceptance. 
Several  Sermons.     As,  Catholick,  Vnity^  izs.    The  True 
Catholick,^  and  Catholick^  Church  Defcrih*J,   i  is.     A  Ser- 
mon of  I{epentance,   before  the  Houfe  lof  Commons, 
April  30.  4^0.     A  Sermon  of  Flight  H^ejoycing^   before 
the  Lord  Mayor,  May  10.  4^0. 
The  Life  of  Faith^  as  it  is  the  Evidence  of  Things  un- 
feen.     A  Sermon  Preach'd  before  the  King,    as  his 
Chaplain,  July  the  2ii/. 
The  Succeffive  Vifibility  of  the  Churchy   of  which  the  Pro- 
teftants  are  the  founded  Members.     Againft  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Johnfon,  Svo. 
The  Vain  Religion  of  the  Formal  Hypocrite^    and  the  Mif- 
chief  of  an  unbridled  Tongue,  lu.     Being  Sermons 
Preach'd  in  Wfjlminjier- Abbey. 
The  Fools  Projperityy    1 2s,     A  Sermon  at  Covent  Garden, 
Publilh'd  upon  occafion  of  fome  Offence  and  Mif- 
reports. 
The  laft  IVork^of  a  Believer ^  4;^.     A  Funeral  Sermon  for 

Mrs.  Miry  Hanmer. 
In  1 66 1.  He  drew  up  feveral  of  thofe  Papers,  which 
were  Prefented  to  the  King  and  Bilhops,  in  Order 
to  an  Accommodation  of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Matters 
in  Difference ;  which  were  partly  Publilh'd  in  a 
Quarto  Volume  that  Year,  which  came  out  by 
Stealth  from  Private  Copies:  and  are  partly  con- 
tain d  in  his  Life  in  Folio,  Belides  his  concern  in 
the  reft,  The  Petition  to  the  Bilhops  for  Peace ;  and 
the  Additional  Forms  or  f(e formed  Liturgy,  were  his 
entirely.  Which  Reformed  Liturgy,  hath  by  many 
'  been 


Chap.  XVI.       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  415 


been  efteem'd  the  beft  Attempt  of  that  Kind  that  ever 
was  made. 

In  166 1.  He  publiih*d.  The  Mifchiefs  of  Self-Tgnorance^ 
itnd  the  Benefits  of  Self' Acquaintance,  DeUver'd  in  fe- 
veral  Sermons  at  Sr.  Dunjians  in  the  TVeJl^  8vo. 

An  Account  to  the  Inhabitants  ot  Kjderminjicr^  of  the 
Caufe  of  bis  being  forbid  to  Preach  amongft  them, 
by  the  Bilhop  of  fVorceJler-,  with  the  Bilhops  Letter 
in  Anfv/er  to  it,  and  fome  Animadverfions  upon  the 
fa  id  Bilhops  Letter. 

ji  Saint  or  a  Brute,  4to.  Shewing  the  Neceflity,  Profit,' 
Safety,  Honour  and  Pleafure  of  an  Holy  Life. 

In  1663.  He  put  forth  a  Treacife  call'd  Novp  or  Never, 
Defign*d  to  Juftifie,  Encourage,  Excite,  and  DirciS-, 
the  Holy,  Diligent,  Serious  BeUever ;  And  to  con- 
vince Oppofers  and  Negledlers  by  the  Light  of  Scrip- 
ture and  Reafon. 

In  1664.  Came  out  his  Divine  Life.  In  Three  Trea- 
tifes:  Of  the  Knowledge  of  God ;  of  Walking  with 
God;  of  ConverGng  with  God  in  Solitude,  ^to. 

In  1665.  He  publilh'd  only  fome  Sheets.  Two  for 
Poor  Families :  And  one  of  Inftrudtions  for  the  Sick, 
in  the  Time  of  their  Vifitation  by  the  Plague. 

In  1667.  He  publiih'd  his  ^eajons  for  the  Chrifiian  I{eli' 
gion.  Proving  the  Being  of  God,  the  Neceflity  of 
Holinefs,  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul,  and  the  cer- 
tain Truth  of  the  Chrifiian  Belief.  A  Book  that  hath 
been  a  Prefervative  to  many,  when  under  Tempta- 
tions to  Infidelity. 

In  1 66p.  He  publilh'd  his  Dire^ions  for  we/i}{  Didemper'^d 
Chrijiians,  to  grow  up  to  a  confirm'd  State  of  Grace : 
With  Characters  of  a  found  and  a  weak  Ghriftian, 
and  a  Hypocrite,  ^vo. 

In  1670.  He  publifh'd  his  Life  of  Faith,  with  confidei- 
able  Additions,  for  the  Confirmation  of  Believers  in 
the  Chrifiian  Faith;  and  their  Direction  how  to  live 
by  Faith,  and  Exercife  it  upon  all  Occafions,  4^0. 

— »' — -His  Cure  of  Church  Divilions,  Svo.  In  Op- 
pofition  to  uncharitable  Principles  and  Practices  of 
all  forts.  Which  was  a  Book  at  which  many  were 
offended. 

In  1 67 1.  Came  out  a  Defence  of  the  Principles  of  Livey 
8vo.    In  Vindication  of  the  foxe-m€;Aaoned  Book. 


41 6  The  LIFE  of     Chap.  XVI. 

■   ■  An  /infver  to  Exceptions  again.^  the  'ireAtifi  for 

Love  nndZJnJry^  8vo. 

The  Divine  Appointmentof  the  Lords  D^y,     And 


the  CefTacioii  of  the  Seventh  Day  Sabbath;    againft 
Mr.  Francis  Br.mfield^   8vo. 

•The   Duty  of   Heavenly   Meditation  I{evivd. 


Againft  the  Exceptions  of  Mr.  Giles  Firmin,  4to. 

How  far   Holinejl  is  the   Defigrt  of  Chrijlianity, 


Upon  Occafion  of  Mr.  (afterward  Bilhop)  Fowler*s 
Treatife  on  that  Subject,  ^to, 

•The  Difference  between  the  Power  of  Magi- 


ftrates  and  Church  Paftors,  and  the  ^man  Kingdom 
and  Magiftracy,  under  the  Name  of  a  Church  and 
Church  Government  UfurpM  by  the  Pope:  Againft 
Dr.  Louis  dit  Moulin^  j^to. 

A  Vindication  of  Gods  Goodnefs;   for  the 


Relief  of  a  Melancholy  Perfon,  ii/. 

•A  Second  Admonition  to  Mr.  Edw.  Bag/havt : 


Writ  to  Vindicate  the  Nonconformijis  Minifters,  from 
the  Unjuft  Imputation  of  Schifmatical  Principles, 
8vo. 

In  1672.  He  put  forth,  More  I{eafons  for  the  Chrifiian 
£{eligiony  and  no  {{eafon  againft  it :  With  an  Anfwer 
to  the  Lord  Herbert  de  Veritate,   i  2/. 

■  Sacri  e^ious  Defertion  of  the   Holy  Miniftry  l{e- 

hul(dy  and  Tolerated  Preaching  of  the  Gofpel  Vin- 
dicated, againli  a  Book  call'd  Toleration  not  to  be  A- 
hufed,  8vo. 

The  Certainty  of  Chriftianity  without  Pope- 


ry ;  or  whether  the  Gatholick  Proteftant  or  the  Pa- 
pift  have  the  furer  Faith ;  in  Anfwer  to  the  Papifts 
Challenges,  %vo. 

A  Third  Anfwer  to  Mi.  Edw,  Bag/haw,  4^0. 


In  1673.  Came  out  his  Chriftian  DireHory  ;  Or  Body 
of  Practical  Theology,  Fol.  Of  Private  Duties ; 
Family  Duties;  and  Church  Duties ;  and  Duties  to 
Neighbours  and  Rulers.  Anfwering  many  Cafes  of 
Confcience.  The  moft  Compleat  that  is  Extant  in 
the  Engiifh  Language,  or  perhaps  in  any  other. 

In  1674.  He  publilh'd  his  Methodm  Theologize,  Lat.  FoL 
This  Book  coft  him  the  moft  Pains  by  far  of  any  of 
his  Works.  He  was  a  great  many  Years  about  it. 
It  coft  him  One  way  or  other  about  500/.  the  Prin- 
ting j  for  he  was  forcd  to  Print  it  at  bis  own  Charge  : 

■  -     -'  And 


Chap.  XVL     Mr.  Kichard  Baxter.  417 


And  after  ail,  'cis  generally  eftcem'd  fo  Abftrufe  and 
ScholaftrcaJ,  that  few  have  been  willing  to  be  at  the 
Neceflary  Pains  to  underftand  it.  Bar  fuch  as  will 
excufethe  L<ttin  of  it,  will  find  a  more  than  ordinary 
Accuracy  in  it. 

-Full  and  Eafie  Satisfaction,  which  is  the  Tnre 


and  Safe  Religion  ?  In  a  Conference  between  a 
Doubter,  a  Papift,  and  a  Reform'd  Catholick :  A- 
gainft  Mr.  l>Vray^  4to. 

*'— — The  Poor  Mans  Family  Book  :  In  Nine  Days 
Conference  between  a  Teacher  and  Learner,  in  a  Fa- 
miliar Way  :  Teaching  how  to  become  a  true  Chri- 
ftian,  how  to  Live  as  fuch,  and  to  Die  fuch.  With 
Forms  of  Prayer,  Praife  and  Catechifm,  for  the  Ufe 
of  Families,  8vo.  A  Book  that  was  well  Accepted, 
and  hath  been  very  Ufeful :  Many  Thoufands  of 
them  being  diftributed  thro'  the  Nation. 

■  ■  ,  ' — An  yJppeal  to  the  Light.  In  a  SerOiOn  on 
Ephef,  I .  verfe  3 .  4to. 

In  1675.  Ca.me  out  his  Caehoh'cl^Theolof J,  Vol.  In  which 
he  undertakes  to  Prove,  that  befides  Things  unreveal- 
ed,  and  known  to  none,  and  ambiguous  Words,  there 
isnoconfiderabledifference  between  the  ^r;?2?Kj4«/  and 
Calvinifis,  except  fome  very  tolerable  Difference  in 
the  Point  of  Per/everance.  For  which  Book  he  ex- 
pected to  befallen  upon  by  both  Sides,  but  had  the 
Happinefs  to  efcape :  Neither  has  it  as  I  know  of  been 
anfwer'd  to  this  Day. 

„.,  ■  ..^More  Proofs  of  Infants  Church  Mewherfhip,  and 
confequently  their  Right  to  Baptifm.  Againft  Mr; 
TombeSy  ^nd  Mr. Danvers,  8vo. 

r-^Two  Difputntions  of  Original  Sin  ;    As  from  A- 


dam,  and  as  from  our  nearer  Parents. 

'Seled:  Arguments  tignin^  Popery^  /:i^to. 

'A  Treat ije  of  Jujiifying  B^ghteouf/tcjl^    againft 


Dr.  luUie^    and  Mr.  Chri  flop  her  Cartvoright^  8'.  o. 
A  Sermon  in  the  Morning  Exercife  againft  Popery ;  A- 

gainft  any  meer  Humane  Head  of  the  Church  of 

Chrift,  either  Perfonal  or  Colledive :    Being  the  5th. 

in  Number. 
In  1676.   Came  out  the  Judgment  of  Nonconformifts, 

of  the  Intereft  of  Reafon  in  Matters  of  Religion, 

4to, 

E  e  —A 


4i8  ^TheLIFEof       Chap,  XV\. 


A  Review  of  the  State  of  Chriftian  Infants, 

againft  Mr.  Hutchinfofi^  Mr.  Danvers,  and  Mr.  Tombej, 
8vo. 

•The  Judgment  of  Nonconformifts,  about  the 


Difference  between  Grace  and  Morality,  4to. 

•Their  Judgment    about  Things  Indifferent, 


commanded  by  Authority,  4to. 

•Their  Judgnicnt  about  Things  Sinful  by  Acci- 


dent, and  of  Scandal,  4:0. 

What  meer  Nonconformity  is  not,  410. 

'Roman  Tradition  Examin'd,   as  urg'd  as  in- 


faliiblc  agamft  all  Mens  Senfes,  in  Anfwer  to  a  Book 

called  3.^ationnl  Difcowfe  of  Trnnjubfiantiation^  410. 
In  1 677.  Came  out  Knk^-'d  Popery :  An  Anfwer  to  a  Book 

call'd  the  Catholick  Naked  Truth,   Or  the  Puritan 

Convert  to    Apoftolicai  Chriftianity;    Written  by 

William  Hutchinfop^  alias  Berry, 
In  1678.  He  pubJiftieda  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mr.  Henry 

Sti-hs,  8vo. 
In  1679.  He  put  forth  a  Treatife,  StiPd,    Which  u  the 

true  Church :    The  whole  Chriftian  Wvrld  ai   Headed  by 

Chrift,  or  the  Pope  and  his  SubjeHs  ?  In  Anfwer  to  Mr. 

Jvhnfo?!^  4tO. 
. The  Nonconformifts  Plea  for  Peace;  Naming 

the  Matters  of  Conformity,  8vo. 
In  1680.  He  publifhed  a  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mrs.  Airf- 

ry  Cox^  caird  the  true  Believers  Choice  and  PJea- 
•  *  fure,  8vo. 
. The  true  and  only  way  of  Concord  of  all  the 

Chriftian  Churches;  Againft  Mr.  Do^weZ',  8vo. 

The  Defence  of  the  Nonconformifts  Plea  for 


Peace,  againft  Mr.  Chc:-iy\  Anfwer,  ^c.  8vo. 

—The  Second  Part  of  the  Nonconformifts  Plea 

for  Peace.     Their  Principles  about  Civil  and  Ecclefi- 
aflical  Authority,  Obedience  and  Refiftance,  4to. 
A   Moral  Prognoftication  of  what  muft  be  cx- 


pe<5Vcd  in   the  Churches  of  Chriftendom,    till  the 
Golden  Age  returns,  4to. 

'Church  Hiftory  of  the  Government  of  Biihops 


and  their  Councils,  4to. 

An  Anfwer  to  Dr.  Stilling  fleets  Charge  of  Sepa- 


ration, in  his  Sermon  before  the  Lord  Mayor,  410. 
In  1 681,  Came  out  his  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy,  410. 


Chap.  XVL       Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  419 

• —A  Funeral  Sermon  for  Henrjf  /i(hktirft^  Efq;  410. 


•v-Poetical  Fragments,   i  2S. 
■An  Apology  for  the  Nonconformifts  Miniftry; 


containing  the  Reafons  of  their  Preaching;  an  An- 
fwer  to  the  Accufations  urgd  as  Reafons  for  their  Si- 
lencing; and  Reafons  proving  it  the  Duty  of  Bilhops 
and  Conformiftsto  endeavour  their  Reftauration,  410. 
-i~Of  an  Univerfal  Humane  Church  Supremacy, 


againft  Mr.  Dodwe/f,  4to. 

—An  Account  of  his  Diflent  from  Qr.  Sherlocl;,  4to. 

——A  fearch-for  the  Englifh  Schifmatick,  4to. 

A  Third  Defence  of  the  Caufe  of  Peace,  againft 


—  —  7i 

the  Accufation  of  Mr.  Hlnklcy  and  others,  8vo. 

•A  fecond  true  Defence  of  the  meer  Nonconform 


mifts;  agaitlft  Dr.  Sf////w^j?f(rA,  Mr.  Glanvil,  &c. 
—A  Breviate  of  the  Life  of  Mrs.  Margaret  Baxter  ; 


vrho  died  June  14th  j68o,  4to. 
In  i68z,  Game  out  an  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Dociwel*s  Letter^ 
calling  for  more  Anfwers,  410. 

■A  Specimen  of  the  prefent  Mode  of  Controver- 
fie  in  England^  with  Remarks  on  VEJlmrge,  410. 
The  true  Hiftory  of  Councils  Enlarged  and  De- 


fended, 4to. 

■  A  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mr.  John  Corbet^  4to. 
-Of  the  Immortality  of  Man's  Soul,  and  the  Na- 


ture of  it,   and  ocher  Spirits  :  Againft  a  Letter  to  an 
unknown  Donbter,  8vo. 

•Of  the  Nature  of  Spirits,    efpecially  Man  s  Soul, 


in  a  Collation  with  Dr.  Moore,  8vo. 

-A  Sermon  of  the  cure  of  Melancholy;    in  Dr. 


Atwe/Iy*s  Morning  Exercife,  4to. 

Compaftionate  Counfel  to  Young  Men,  efpecially 


Londort  Apprentices,  Students  of  Divinity,  Phyfick, 
and  Law,  and  the  Sons  of  Magiftrates  and  rich  Men, 
8vo:  Of  which,  he  gave  away  1500. 

•How  to  do  good  to  many  :  Or  the  Publick  Good 


the  Chriftians  Life.     A  Sermon,  410. 
In    1683.    He   put  forth   his  Family   Catecbifm :    A 

Teacher  of  Houiholdcrs,  how  to  teach  their  Houfe- 

holds  the  Principles  of  Rehgion,  8vo. 

— Additions  to  the  Poetical  Fragments,  8vo. 

— — Obedient  Patience  in  General,   and  in  20  Parti^ 

cular  Cafes,  €^c.  8vo. 

E  e  X  —A 


420  The  LIFE  of      Chap.  XVI. 

A  Farewel  Sermon  prcpar'd  to  have  been  Preach'd 
to  his  Hearers  in  KJddertninfter^  4to. 

'His  dying  Thoughts;    Written  for  his  own  Ufc, 


in  the  latter  Times  of  his  Corporal  Pains  and  Weak- 
nefs.  The  Noble  Lord,  iVilliavi  B^uffcl^  who  dy*d  a 
Martyr  for  the  Liberty  of  his  Country,  a  little  before 
^^  his  Death,  by  a  trufty  MefTenger,  Tent  Mr.  Baxter  his 

hearty  Thanks  for  this  Book^  which  had  made  him 
better  acquainted  with  the  other  World  than  he  was 
before,  andgnot  a  little  contributed  to  his  Relief  and 
Support,  and  to  the  fitting  him  for -what  he  was  to 
go  through. 

The  dangerous  Schifmatick  clearly  detected,  and 
fully  Gonfuted,  410. 

The  id.  Part  againft  Schifm :   Or  Animadver- 


lions  on  a  Book  of  Mr.  ^tlphfons^  4to. 

•A  Survey  of  the  Reply  to  Mr.  Humphrey,   and 


Mr.  Baxter,  concerning  Dr.  Stillwgfleet,  Sec.  410. 
In  1684.  Came  out  Caiholick  Communion  Defended: 

Realons     for   Communicating     with    the     Parifli 

Churches,  410. 
■  An  Anfwer  to  Dr.  Owen's  Arguments  againft  that 

Praiftice,  410. 
— —  Whether  Parifli  Congregations,  be  true  Chriftian 

Churches?  Againft  Mr. Lo/^,  4to. 

•A  ftiort  Anfwer  to  the  chief  Objedlions  in  a  Book 


Entitl'd  a  Theological  Dialogue,  4to. 

Catholick  Communion  doubly  Defended,  4to: 

-The  Judgment  of  Sit  Mat  hew  Hale  of  the  Nature 


of  true  Religion,  4to. 

In  1685.  Came  om  Vnum  Necejfarium,  or  Chrift's  Ju- 
ftificaion  of  r.'y.rfs  Choice,  8vo. 

• A  Partiphrafe  on  the  New  Teftament,  4to.    For 

thi*  Rook  the  Author  was  very  feverely  handled,  by 
the  {]clp  of  fuch  Innuendoes  as  would  Arraign  the 
ver.'  Scriptures  themfelves. 

In  ^689,  Came  out  his  Senfe  of  the  Subfcribed  Ar- 
ticles, by  the  Minifters  of  L^w^o;;,  Concerning  Reli- 
gion.  4tO. 

The  En^rlifo  Nonconformity  as  under  King  Charles 

the  II.  And  King  y<jmcj  the  II.  Stated  and  Argued, 4to. 
A  Book  that  hath  remain'd  hitherto  without  a  Reply. 

•s A  Treatife  of  Knowledge  and  Love  compar'd,  4to. 

— — Ciiin  and  /ilfci's  Mali£nity,  8vo. 

In 


Chap.  XVI.     Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  421 


1111690.  Hepubliftied,  the  Scripture  Gofpel  Defended, 
and  Chrift's  Grace,  and  Free  Juftification  Vindicated 
againft  the  Libertines  in  50  Comroverfies  of  Juftifi- 
cation, 8vo. 

A  Defspce  of  Chrift  and  Free  Grace,  againft  the 
Antinomians ;  Upon  occafion  of  the  Reprinting  Dr, 
Cr/jf's  Works,  8vo. 
In  16^1.  He  pubUlhed  his  end  of  Dodlrinal  Contro- 

verfies,  8vo. 
. — =^The  Glorious  Kingdom  of  Ghrift-Defcrib'd  and 
Vindicated  againft  Mr.  Tho  Beverly,  4to. 
>A  Reply  to  Mr.  Tho,  Beverly,  4to. 
■Of  National  Churches ;  Their  Defcription,  Inrti- 
tution,  Ufe,  Prefer vation,  Maladies  and  Cure,  410, 

Againft  the  Revolt  to  a  Foreign  Jurifdidion,  8vo. 

-Church  Concord ;   Perfwading  againft  Divifions 


and  Separations,  4to. 

—His  Penitent  Gonfeffion  and  Neceflary  Vindica- 


tion, 4to. 

■*The  Certainty  of  the  World  of  Spirits:   Or  an 


Account  of  Apparitions  and  Witch-crafts,  8vo. 

Since  Iqk  Death  have  been  Puhlipoed^ 

The  Proteftant  Religion  truly  Stated  and  Juftify'd : 
Writ  againft  a  Book,    call'd  the  Touch-Stone  of  the 
Reformed  Gofpel,  8vo.  1692. 
A  Paraphrafe  on  the  Pfalms  of  David  in  Metre  j  with 

other  Hymns,  8vo.  1692. 
A  Treatife  of  Univerfal  Redemption,  8vo.  1694. 
His  Narative  of  the  moft  Memorable  Paffages  of  his 

Life  and  Times,  Vo\.i6^6, 
The  Mothers  Catechifin,  or  a  Familiar  way  of  Catechi- 
zing Children,  8vo.  1701. 

Befides  all  which  Writings  of  his  own,  he  wrote  more 
Prefaces  to  the  Works  of  others,  than  any  Man  of  his 
Time.  We  have  a  Preface  of  his,  before  Mr.  Swinficclis 
Book  of  Regeneration;  another  before  a  Book  of  Mr. 
Hopkins ;  another  before  a  Book  of  Mr.  Ecdes ;  another 
before  Mr.  Pool*s  Model  for  advancing  Learning ;  ano- 
ther before  Mr.  Benjamin  Baxter^  Book ;  another  before 
Mr.  Jonathan  Hanmer's  Exercitation  of  Confirmation ; 
another  before  Mr.  Lavorence  of  Sicknefs ;  two  before  two 
of  Mr.  Tombe's  Books;    Another  before  a  Difcourfe  of 

Ee  3  Mr. 


±22        Some  Hiflorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


Mr.  iVilliam  BelPs  of  Patience  ;  An  Introdudtion  to 
Mr.  Jof.  Aliens  Life.  A  Preface  to  his  Alarum  to  the 
Unconverted  :  Another  to  Mr.  Hi^iv's  Bleffednefs  of  the 
Righteous  :  Another  to  Mr.  Clnrk's  Annotations  on  the 
>J2W  Teftaraent:  Another  ro  Mr.  Abraham  Clifford's 
Dif  ourfe  on  the  Two  Covenants :  Another  to  one  E- 
ditioii  of  Mr.  P^cvolcts  Book  of  the  Sacrament:  Another 
to  the  nth  Edition  of  Scudders  Daily  Walk:  Another 
to  Mr.  lV:irnm  Allen  of  the  Covenant.  Another  to  a 
Book  of  Dr.  Bryansk  of  Dwelling  with  God :  Another  to 
Mr.  F:/chkJs*s  Forgivenefs  of  Sin :  Another  to  Mr. 
Gouge's  fureft  and  ifafcft  way  of  Thriving :  Another  to 
Mr.  Ohed  tViUs  of  Infant  Baptifm,  againft  Mr.  Danvers. 
And  one  to  Mr.  Corbet's  Remains;  with  many  Others. 

I  might  add  the  Cenfures  pafs'd  by  Eminent  Men  up- 
on his  Works :  But  Til  be  contented  with  that  of 
the  Learned  and  Ingenious  Dr.  Barrovp,  who  gives 
this  as  his  Judgment :  His  PraEiical  Pf^ritings  were  ne- 
ver mended,  and  hn  Controverfial  ones^  feldom  Confuted' 

His  Pradtical  "Works  have  fince  his  Death,   been 
Printed  altogether  in  Four  Volumes,  in  Folio. 


CHAP.      XVIL 

An.  1688.  7]5e  Caje  of  the  DiJJenters^  and  their  Treat- 
ment-^ And  the  New  State  of  Things  in  the 
beginning  of  the  Reign  of  King  William 
and  Sixteen  Mary. 

KING  William  when  he  was  Prince  of  Orange, 
in  his  Declaration  publifh'd  at  the  Time  of  his 
Expedition  into  Engla7id,  promis'd  to  endeavour 
a  good  Agreement  between  the  C hutch  of  England,  and  all 
Proteftant  Dljfcnters,  and  to  cover  and  fecurc  all  thoje  who 
would  liv*  Peaceably  under  the  Government y  from  all  Perfe- 
cution  upon  the  Account  of  their  B^Ugion.  And  it  is  but  a 
piece  of  Juftice  that  is  due  to  him,  to  acknowledge 
that  he  kept  his  Promife  5  and  that  if  he  proceeded  not 
-  •  as 


Chap.  XVir.  after  the  Revolution  iff  l688,       423 


as  far  as  he  at  firft  defign* d,   in  getting  thofe  depriv'd  of  An.  1688. 

the  Power,  thac  wanted  not  for  Will  to  bear  hard  upon 

their  Neighbours,    the  Obilru6tion  came  from  others, 

who  had  Defigns  of  their  own  to  ferve,    by  preventing 

the  guod  Effects  of   his  Endeavours,     as  will  appear 

from  the  Sequel. 

There  were  great  Expedlacions  concerning  the  Con- 
fequences  of  the  fudden  Alteration  here  in  England* 
All  Europe  was  furpriz'd  with  the  Report  of  it;  and  we 
at  Home  were  not  fooii  able  to  recover  out  of  our  Amaze- 
ment. Never  was  the  Throne  of  Engl^.nd  better  a- 
dorn*d  and  fiU'dthan  by  this  noble  Pair;  and  the  greateft 
Contention  at  firft  feem'd  co  be,  who  Ihould  Ihew  them 
the  moft  Refpedt.  They  were  nofooner  Proclaim'd 
than  the  Joy  Eccho'd  from  all  Parts.  Among  the  reft, 
the  Dijfenting  Minifters  in  and  about  the  City  of  Loh" 
don,  Prefenred  an  Addrefs  to  their  Majefties,  at  which 
Tinne  Dr.  Bates  made  the  Two  following  Speeches. 

To  the  KING. 

May  it  pkafe  your  Mttjefty, 
^  'np  H  E  Series  of  fuccefsful  Events  that  has  attended 
-*•    '  Your  Glorious  Enterprize  for  the  faving  thefe 

*  Kingdoms  from  fo  imminent  and  DeftrucSlive  Evils, 
^  has  been  fo  eminent  and  extraordinary,    that  it  may 

*  fprce  an  Acknowledgment  of  the  Divine  Providence 
''  from  thofe  who  deny  ic,   and  raifes  Admiration  in  all 

*  who  Believe  and  Reverence  it.  The  Beauty  ^and 
'  Speed  of  this  Happy  Work  are  the  bright  Signatures 
'  of  his  Hand,    who  creates   Deliverance  for  his  Peo- 

*  pie.  The  Icfs  of  Humane  Power,  the  more  of  the 
'  Divine  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs  has  been  Confpicu- 
'  ous  in  it.  If  the  Deliverance  had  been  obtained  by 
^  fierce  and  bloody  Battels,  Vi(5toryitfelf  had  been  de- 
'  jeded,   and  fad,   and  our  Joy  had  been  mix'd  with 

*  affliding  Bitternefs.  But  as  the  Sun  afcending  the 
'  Horizon,    difpels  without  noife  the  Darknefs  of  the 

*  Night;  fo  Your  Serene  Prefcnce  has  without  Tu- 

*  mults  and  Diforders,  chafed  away  the  Darknefs  that 

*  invaded  us.     In  the  Senfe  of  this  aftonilhing  Deli-? 

*  verance,  we  defire  with  all  poffible  Ardency  of  Af- 

*  fedion,  to  magnifie  the  glorious  Name  of  God  the 

E  e  4  ^  Atithpf 


424  Sorne  Hiflorkvl  Additions     Chap.  5^V1I. 


An.  i638 


Author  of  ic,  by  whofe  entire  Efficacy  the  Means  have 
beefA  fuccefsful:  And  we  cannot  without  a  warm 
Rapture  of  Thankfulnefs,  recount  our  Obligations 
to  Yonr  Majefty  the  Happy  Inftrument  of  it.  Your 
llluftrious  Greatncfs  of  Mind  in  an  Undertaking  of 
fuch  vaft  Expence;  Your  Herolck  Zeal  in  expofing 
Your  moik  precious  Life  in^^fich  an  adventurous Expe- 
,  di:ion;  Your  wife  Conduifi:  and  unfhaken  Refolution 
in  prolerining  Your  great  Ends,  are  above  the  lofticft 
Fiights  of  Language,  exceed  all  Praife.  We  owe  to 
Your  Majefty  the  Two  greatel^  and  molt  valuable 
Bieirings  that  we  can  enjoy,  the  Prefer vation  of  the 
true  Religion,  our  moft  facred  Treafure,  and  the  re- 
covery of  the  falling  State,  and  the  Eftablifiiing  it  up- 
on juft  Foundations.  According  to  our  Duty  we 
Promife  unfaincing  Fidelity,  and  true  Allegiance  to 
Your  Majefties  Perfon  and  Government.  JVe  are  en" 
ccuragd  oy  Tour  Graciom  Promife  upon  our  firfl  Addrefi, 
humbly  to  defire  and  hope,  that  Tour  Majefty  voill  be  pleafed^ 
by  your  Vi^ifdom  and  Authority,  to  eflablifo  a  firm  XJnion 
of  your  Proteftant  Subje(3^s  m  the  hiatters  of  I{eligton^ 
by  makjng  the  I{ule  of  Chriftianity  to  be  the  J^ule  of  Con- 
formity, Our  Blejjed  XJnion  in  the  Purity  and  Peace  of 
the  Gojpel,  will  mal^e  this  Church  a  fair  and  lovely  Type 
of  Heaven,  and  terrible  to  our  Antichrijiian  Enemies  ", 
Toti  will  mnl{e  England  the  Heady  Centre  fom  whence  a 
powerful  Influence  will  be  derivd  for  the  Support  of  I^e~ 
formed  Chriftianity  Abroad:  This  will  bring  Immortal 
Honour  to  Tour  Name,  above  the  Trophies  and  Triumphs  of 
the  jnoit  renowned  Conquerors^  M^e  do  Ajfure  Tour  Ma- 
i^fty*  ^hat  we  (hall  cordially  embrace  the  Terms  of  XJnion, 
which  the  ruling  H^ifdom  of  our  Saviour  has  prefcrib'd  in 
his  PVord.  We  fhall  not  Trefpafs  farther  upon  Your 
Royal  Patience,  but  (hall  offer  up  our  fervent  Prayers 
to  the  King  of  Kings,  that  he  will  pleafe  to  direft 
Your  Majefty  by  his  unerring  Wifdom,  and  always 
encline  your  Heart  to  his  Glory,  and.encompafs  Your 
Sacrtrd  Perfon  wuh  his  Favour  as  with  a  Shield,  and 
make  your  Government  a  Univerfal  Blefling  to  thefe 
Kingdoms. 

His  Majefty  was  gracioufly  pleas'd  to  make  this  An- 
Uv^x,  J  tal{e  kindly  yaur  ^ood  I'f^ijhes ;  and  whatever  k 
ih  my  Power  fknll  be  employed  for  obtaining  fuch  a  ZJnion 
n'm^ng  you.  I  do  Ajfure  you  of  m)  Protection  and  Kjnd- 
neJJ.  To 


Ghap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       425 


An,  1688. 

To  ^/je  dUEEN. 

Ma'i  it  pleafe  your  Majefty^ 

*  VT  OUR    happy  Arrival  into  Your  Native  Coun- 
-*-    '  try,  and  Accelfion  to  the  Crov^fl,  has  diffus'd 

*  an  Univerfal  Joy  thro'  this  Kingdom.  Tis  an  aufpi- 
'  cious  Sign  of  Publick  Felicity,  when  Supreme  Ver- 

*  tue,  and  Supreme  Dignity  meet  in  the  fame  Perfon. 

*  Your  inviolable  Firmnell  in  the  Profeflion   of  the 

*  Truth,  and  exemplary  Piety,  are  the  moft  radiant 

*  Jewels  in  Your  Grown.    The  Luftre  of  your  Con- 

*  verfation,  unftain'd  in  the  midft  of  Tempting  Vani- 

*  ties,  and  adorn*d  with  every  Grace,  recommends  Re- 

*  ligion  as  the  moft  honourable  and  amiable  Quality, 
'  even  to  thofe  who  are  averfe  from  hearing  Sermons, 

*  and  apt  to  defpife  ferious  Inftrudlions  and  Excitations 
to  be  Religious.     fVe  humbly  defire  Tour   Majedy  voili 

*  be  pleas' d  by  Your  PJ/ifdom  and  Goodnefs  to  compofe  the 
^  Differences  between  Tour  Proicftant  SubjeBs^  in  Things 
'  of  lefs  Moment  concerning  Religion.     We  hope  thofe  i^f- 

*  verend  Perfons  X9ho  ccnfpire  with  us  in  the  main  End,  the 
'  Glory  of  God  and  the  Publicly  Good^   will  Conjent  to  the 

*  Terms  of  ZJnion^  wherein  all  the  Reformed  Churches  agree, 

^  We  fhall  fincerely  Addrefs  our  Requefts  to  God,  that  . 

*  he  will  pleafe  to  pour  down  in  a  rich  Abundance,  his 

*  Blellings  upon  Your  Majefty's  Perfon  and  Government, 

*  and  preferve  You  to  his  heavenly  Kingdom. 

*  Her  Majefty  was  gracioufly  pleas'd  to  Anfwer  them 

*  thus  :  I  will  ufe  all  Endeavours  for  the  obtaining  a  V' 
'  niony    that  is  neceffary  for  the  edifying   of  the  Church, 

*  J  defire  Tour  Prayers, 

This  was  a  Publick  Fad:,  and  the  Speeches  were  af- 
terwards printed,  whereby  the  Dijfenters  in  Effe£l  de- 
clared to  all  the  World,  their  Readinefs  to  yield  to  a 
Coalition  with  the  Eftablifti'd  Church.  But  little  No- 
tice was  taken  of  it.  They  had  receiv'd  Encourage- 
ment to  expe£t  great  Things.  The  Bifhops  and  Clergy, 
the  Nobility  and  Gentry,  with  great  Unanimity  before 
the  Revolution  profefs'd  themfelves  fenfible  of  the  Ne- 
ceility  of  making  the  Ecclefiaftical  Foundations  wider, 
and  having  a  clofer  Correfpondence  with  the  Protefiant 
Churches  Abroad,  ^c.  Among  the  reft,  they  found  a 
celebrated  Writer  at  the  latter  End  of  the  foregoing 

Reign 


426  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 

An.  1688.  Reign,  when  apologizing  for  the  Church,  flndherpafs'd 
^  An  Ap')-  Proceedings,  thus  *  expreiTing  himfelf.  It  ts  not  to  be 
lo<ry  for  the  doubted y  but  tho  fome  weaker  Men  of  the  Clergy  may  flill 
Church  of  retain  their  little  ^eevifh  Animofities^  agr.inft  the  Diffen- 
England,  ters,  yet  the  wifcr  r.nd  more  feriom  Heads,  of  that  great  and 
fifith  Ret  a-  vporthy  Body,  fee  now  their  Error.  They  fee  who  drove  them 
tion  to  the  ^„  /;,  {(^  ^///  ([jgy  hopd  (q  have  ruirid  them  by  it.  And  ai 
Spirit  of  ^f^gy  jj^^g  appear'' d  againji  Popery,  with  as  great  Strength 
Ferfecution  ^j:  i^^^yni^g^  and  a&  firm  Steadinefs  ai  can  -perhaps  be  met 
for  which  ^.^1^  .^^  ^^  Church'HiJiory,  feif^  cannot  be  doubted^  but  their 
^u        jc  RefleHions  on  the  DnnTers  into   which  our  DiviGons  have 

CMS  (1,1)22  0.     y-'  ,  .  K  ,r     •  '   t    r.    ,      ■ 

'■  "  thrown  us,  have  given  them  truer  Notions  with  B^lation  to  a 
rigorous  Conformity  ;  And  that  the  juji  Detejiation  which 
they  have  exprejfed  of  the  Corruptions  of  the  Church  of 
Rome,  has  led  them  to  confider  and  abhor  one  of  the  worji 
Things  in  itj  viz.  Their  Severity  tow^irdsHeretickj.  And  the 
ill  Vfe,  that  they  fee  the  Court  has  made  of  their  ^eal  for 
fupporting  the  Crown  tojufiifie  the  Suhverfion  of  our  Govern' 
menty  that  is  now  fet  on,  from  fome  of  their  large  and  un- 
wary Exprejfions^  will  certainly  make  them  hereafter  more 
cautious  in  meddling  with  Politicks :  The  Bi/hops  have  un- 
der their  Hands  both  difowned  that  wide  Extent  of  the  Pre' 
rogative,  to  the  over  turning  of  the  Law^  and  declared  their 
Difpofition  to  come  to  a  Temper  in  the  Matter (  of  Confor- 
mity ;  and  there  feems  to  be  no  dcuht  left,  of  the  Sincerity  of 
their  Intentions  in  that  Matter,  Their  Piety  and  Uertue^ 
,  and  the  PrcfpeEi  that  they  new  hai^e  of  Suffering  themfelves, 
put  us  beyond  all  Doubt  as  to  their  Sincerity  5  and  if  ever 
God  in  his  Providence  brings  us  again  into  a  fettled  S(ate^ 
out  of  the  Storms  into  which  our  PaJJions  and  Folly,  as  well 
as  the  Treachery  of  others  hnve  brought  us,  it  cannot  be 
imagined^  that  the  Bifhops  will  go  off  from  thofe  Moderate 
J^folutions,  which  they  have  now  declared:  And  they  con- 
tinuing firm  ^  the  weal^  and  indijcreet  Pafjions  of  any  of  the 
Inferior  Clergy,  mufi  needs  vanifh,  when  they  are  under  the 
Conduct  of  wife  and  worthy  Leaders,  And  I  will  boldly  fay 
this,  that  if  the  Church  of  England  after  /he  has  got  out  of 
this  Storm,  will  return  to  hearken  to  the  Peeviflonefs  of  fome 
fowr  Men,  [he  will  be  abandon  d  both  of  God  and  Man^ 
and  will  fet  both  Heaven  and  Earth  againfi  her.  The  N/J- 
tion  fees  toovifibly^  how  dear  the  Difpute  about  Conformity^ 
has  cofl  us,  to  fiand  any  more  upon  fuch  PunQi lie's :  And 
thofe  in  whom  our  Deliverance  is  wrapt  up,  underfiand  this 
Matter  too  welly  and  judge  too  right  of  it,  to  imagine  that 

ever 


Chap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       427 

ever  they  will  be  Prieft  ridden  in  this  Point.  So  that  all  -^n.  1^8.8. 
Confiderations  concur  to  make  us  conclude^  that  there  is  no 
Danger  of  our  (flitting  a  Second  Time  upon  thefr^me  J^cck^: 
And  indeed  if  any  Argument  were  wanting  to  compleat  the 
Certainty  of  this  Pointy  the  wife  and  generous  Behaviour  of 
the  main  Body  of  the  Diflenters,  in  this  frefent  Junciure  ; 
has  given  them  fo  jufl  a  Title  to  our  Friend/hip,  that  we 
muif're/olve  to  fet  all  the  TVorld  againfl  us,  if  we  can  ever 
forget  it,and  if  we  do  net  make  them  all  the  B^turns  of  Eafe 
and  Favour  when  it  is  in  our  Power  to  do  it. 

But  the  fame  celebrated   Writer  has  fince  told  the 
World,  how  little  his  and  others  Expediations  in  this 
Refpe£t  were  anfwerd.     For  fays  he  elfewhere  *,  The    ^  The  Bl- 
Bifhops  in  the  former  B^ign  had  in  that  Petition  upon  which  P)op  &/*Sa- 
theyfufferd  fo  glorioujly,  exprefs*d  a  ^eadinefs  to  come  to  a  i"iJrn'5 1?e- 
juft  Temper  in  all  the  Matters  of  Difference  Among  us,  when  fi^^^°^^  °^ 
they  Jhould  be  bro^t  before  them  in  Convocation  or  Parlia-  ^  ^°^^'  ^°'^' 
ment.     And  among  other  Mejfages  that  were  fent  over  to  "f'V"'^  ^'^ 
the  King,  Being  then  Prince  of  Orange,  one  was,  that  he    ^'^J.^^  jL 
would  uje  all  his  Inter efi  among  the  DifTenters,  to  hinder  them  ^^     ^  . 
from  running  into  the  Declaration^    and  to  the  Dejign  that  ^      .^     ' 
was  then  promoted,  of  animating  them  againft  the  Church, 
Of  this  (fays  he)  I  maybe  allow'*  d  to  f peak  confidently^  be^ 
caufe  it  faffed  thro*  my  own  Hands ;  and  1  drew  the  Dire- 
Bions  that  were  given  to  an  eminent  Perfon  who  was  employed 
in  it,     Upon  thefe  I{eafons  it  was,  that  the  Prince  promised 
in  his  Declaration  with  which  he  came  over^  that  he  would 
ufe  his  Endeavours  to  bring  about  the  fo  much  deflr^d  ZJniori, 
between  the  Church  of  England  and  the  DifTenters.     So 
their  Majefiies  were  under  Engagements  to  make  the  Expe^ 
riment.     It  is  true,  it  did  not  fucceed,  a  form'd  B^folution 
of  confenting  to  no  Alterations  at  all  in  Order  to  that  XJnion^ 
made  that  the  Attempt  was  laid  ajide,     I  will  not  enter  into 
an^  further  j^fieBions  on  Mens  Behaviour  at  that  Time ;  it 
■plainly  appear  d,   it  was  not  a  proper  Seafon  to  try  to  make 
Peace,     Attempts  that  way  were  more  Ukely  to  create  new 
T^ents,  than  to  heal  the  old  Ones.     So  that  the  Dijfenters 
taking  this  Publick  Opportunity  of  declaring  to  their 
Majefties  prefently  after  their  afcending  the  Throne,  a 
readinefs  on  their  Pjart,  to  confent  to  the  Terms  of  Vnion^ 
wherein  all  the  Reformed  Churches  agree,  muft  be  acquitted 
by  all  Mankind  from  being  the  Hinderers  of  the  de- 
defir'd  Agreement.    And  this  worthy  Prelate  plainly 
tells  us  where  the  Blame  muA  be  laid. 

Imme- 


428  Sorde  Hijiorkal  Additions     Chap.  X VIL 

An.  1639  Immediacely  after  our  happy  Settlement,  great  Ani- 
mofities  appear'd  among  the  Church  Party,  which  fpread 
all  over  the  Land.  The  Dirference  lay  both  in  Political 
and  Ecclefiaftical  Matters.  The  Political  Difference 
referr'd  to  the  taking  the  Oaths  to  the  New  Govern- 
ment, which  many  fcruplcd  while  King  James  was 
living,  to  whom  they  had  fworn  Allegiance  already. 
The  Ecclefiaftical  Difference,  referr'd  to  Alterations  and 
Emendations  in  the  Conftitution,  Worfliip,  and  Disci- 
pline of  the  Church,  which  fome  were  for  in  Order  to 
the  ftrengthning  our  FoundatiQns,  and  others  againft, 
as  feeing  no  Need  of  Amendments.  Both  thefe  Con- 
troverfies  were  manag'd  with  great  "Warmth  and  Eager- 
nefs ;  while  the  DiJJentsrs  flood  by,  making  their  Re- 
marks, hoping  they  fliould  be  no  Loofers  in  the  Iffue  by 
fuch  Debates.  And  in  this  Hope  they  were  much  en- 
courag'd  by  obferving  the  good  EfFedts  of  their  former 
Difputes  with  the  Papifis,  upon  fuch  Principles  as  had 
fee  the  Authors  themfelves  more  Upright  than  before 
ihey  had  been. 

When  it  was  once  determind  the  vacant  Throne 
fhould  be  fiiled,  the  Debate  about  Alterations  ahd  A- 
mendments  in  the  Church  quickly  made  a  Noife.  They 
who  tho'r  we  were  arriv'd  at  Perfedlion,  were  apprehen- 
five  their  Majefties  were  inclin'd  to  be  too  yielding  to 
Dijjenterj,  and  therefore  us'd  great  Art  and  Induftry  to 
firengthcn  their  Intereft,  that  to  we  might  continue  up- 
<3n  the  old  Bottom.  Some  few  there  were  that  could 
hardly  think  fit  to  allow  the  Dijfenters  Liberty  ;  but 
even  thofe  who  were  fo  generous  as  to  retain  fuch  a 
Senfe  of  their  paft  Dangers,  and  the  Promifes  and  Af- 
furances  then  given^  as  to  be  free  for  Liberty,  were 
generally  backward  to  a  Coalition,  tho'  much  preft  by 
many  indifferent  Standers-by. 

There  were  many  and  warm  Debates  in  the  Two 
Houfes  of  Lords  and  Commons  about  a  Comprebenfiorj, 
and  an  Induhence  ;  for  Bills  were  bro't  in  for  both  ; 
and  both  were  canvals'd.  Some  who  were  of  a  nar- 
row Spirit,  forgetting  former  Promifes,  and  repeated 
Declarations,  were  for  keeping  the  Dijfenters  under  a 
Brand  :  But  thinking  Men,  were  of  a  more  generous 
Temper.  Their  Cafe  was  at  that  Time  fairly  repre- 
fented  by  an  impartial  Hand,  and  ftrenuoully  argu'd, 
in  the  Compafs  of  a  Sheet  of  Paper,  which  being  liable 

to 


Chap.  XVIf.  after  the  Re7JolH^i^n  in  1688.       4^9 

to  be  loft,  I  think  my  (tM  obligeu  ko  inferc  vi  here,  in  Or-  -dn.  8^89. 
dec  to  their  Satisfaction  in  the  Principles  and  Pleas  oF 
the  Protefiant  Dijfentc-s,  who  have  noc  Leifure  or  Incli- 
nation to  perufe  larger  Wricings- 

^'Tfaey  are  under  one  common  Obligation  with  the     ^^^  ^  ^ 

*  reft  of  Mankind,  by  the  univerfal  Law  of  Nature, oPtbeixi- 

*  to  \VorO?i.p  God  in  AlTemblies.  teftant 

'  Men  of  all  Sorts  of  F{eliglojis,  that  have  ever  obtained  DilTenters 

*  in  the  fVorldj   Jews,    Pagans,    Mahometans,   Chri-  refrefentei 

*  ftians,    have  in  their  PraHice  acl;nowledg'd  this  Obliga-  and  argud 

*  tion.     Nor  can   it  be  underftoody    how   fuch  a  Pratiicein  i68p. 

*  fbould  be  fo  Vniverjal,  othenvi/e  than  from  the  Dictate 
'  and  Imfrejfion  of  the  Vniverfal  Law. 

*  Whereas  the  Religion  profeft  in  England,  is  that 

*  of  Reformed  Chriftianity,  fome  Things  are  annexed 
'  to  the  allowed  Publick  Worfliip,  which  are  acknow- 

*  ledged  to  be  no  Parts  thereof  nor  in  themfelves  ne- 

*  celTary  ;  but  which  the  Dijf enters  judge  to  be  in  fome 
f  Fart  fmfuL 

*  They  cannot  therefore  with  good  Confcience  to- 

*  wards  God,  attend  wholly  and  folely  upon  the  Pub- 
'  lick  Worlhip  which  the  Laws  do  appoint. 

*  The  fame  Laws  do  ftricftly  forbid  their  Affem- 

*  bling  to  Worftiip  God  otherwife. 

*  PVaich   is  in  EjfeH  the  fame  Things   as  if  they  who 

*  made,  or  (kail  continue  fuch  Laws,  fhould  plainly  fay, 

*  if  you  will  not  Confenl  with  us  in  our  fupcradded  I\iteSy 

*  and  Modes f  againft  your  Confcienccs,  you  fhall  not  H^^or^ 

*  fhip  God:  Or  if  you  will  not  accept  of  our  additions  to 

*  the  Chrifiian  B^ligion,  you  (hall  not  be  Chrifiians ;  and 
'  manifeftly  tends  to  reduce  to  Paganifm  a  great  Part  of  a 

*  Chrifiian  Nation, 

'  They  have  been  wont  therefore  to  meet  however 
'  in  Diftindt  AlTemblies,   and  to  Worlhip  God  in  a 

*  Way  which  their  Confciences  could  approve ;  and 

*  have  many  Years  continued  fo  to  do,  otherwife  than 
I  as  they  have  been  hindred  by  Violence. 

It  is  therefore  upon  the  whole  fit  to  enquire, 

Queft,  I.   *  Whether  they   are   to   be    blam'd    for 

*  their  holding  Diftind  Meetings  for  the  Worlhip  of 
JGod? 

'  For 


43 o         Some  Hifiorkal  Additions     Chap.  XVI f. 

_^___^__^_^____^_. — »  

An.  i6B^.  *  For  Anfwer  to  this,  it  cannot  be  expedted  that  all 
the  Controverfies  fliould  be  here  determined,  which 
have  been  agitated  about  the  Lawfulnefs  of  each  of 
rhofe  Things  which  have  been  added  to  theChriftian 
Religion  and  Worlhip,  by  the  prefent  Conftitution 
of  the  Church  of  England. 

"  But  luppofing  they  were  none  of  them  fimply  un- 
lawful, while  yet  the  mif-inform'd  Minds  of  the  Dif- 
J^nters  could  not  judge  them  lawful,  tho'  they  have 
made  it  much  their  Bufinefs  to  enquire  and  fearch ; 
being  urg'd  alfo  by  fevere  Sufferings  ;  which  thro* 
a  long  Tra6i:  of  Time  they  have  undergone,  not  to  rc- 
fufe  any  Means  that  might  tend  to  ih^ir  Satisfaction ; 
they  could  have  nothing  elfe  left  them  to  do,  than  to 
meet  and  woiihip  diftindly  as  they  have. 

*  For  they  could  not  but  erteem  the  Obligation  of  the 
XJnive^f'iK  Naturaiy  Divine  Laxv^  by  which  they  Were 
bound  folemnly  to  worfhip  God,  Icfs  queftionable  than 
tl).it  of  a  L/n?,  which  was  only  Poficivc,  Topical  2Lnd 
Humane^  requiring  fuch  and  fuch  Additaments  to 
their  Worfhip,  and  prohibiting  their  Worlhip  with- 
out them. 

*  The  Church  of  England  (  as  that  Part  affects  to  be 
caird  )  diftinguifh'd  from  the  reft  by  thofe  Additio- 
nal to  Chriftian  Religion  (pretended  to  be  indif- 
ferent, and  fo  confefsM  unneceiTary  )  hath  not  only 
fought  to  engrofs  to  it  felf,  the  Ordinances  of  Divine 
H^orfhip,  but  /ill  Civil  Power,  So  that  the  Priviledges 
that  belong  either  to  Chriftian  or  Humane  Society  are 
inclofed,  and  made  peculiar  to  fuch,  as  are  diftin- 
guirti'd  by  Things  that  in  themfelves  can  fignifie  no- 
thing to  the  making  of  Perfons  cither  better  Chri- 
ftians,  or  better  Men. 

Queft,  z.  '  Whether  the  Laws  enjoining  fuch  Addi- 
tions to  our  Religion,  as  theexclufive  Terms  of  Chri- 
ftian Worlhip  and  Communion,  ought  to  have  been 
made  ;  when  it  is  acknowledged  on  all  Hands,  the 
Things  to  be  added,  were  before  not  necelfary  ;  and 
when  it  is  known,  a  great  Number  judge  them  fin- 
ful,  and  muft  thereby  be  reftrain'd  from  worlhipping 
the  true  and  living  God  ? 

yh  '  The  Queftion  to  any  of  common  Senfe,  An- 

fwcrs  it  felf.    For  it  is  not  put  concerning  fuch  as 

[  diflcnt  from  any  Part  of  the  Subftance  of  Worlhip 

!  which 


Chap.  XVll.  after  the  Revolutionin  1688.       43 


*  which  God  hath  commanded  ;  but  concerning  fuch  -dn,  1689. 

*  Additions  as  he  never  commanded.     And  there  are 

*  fufficient  Tefts  to  diftinguilh  fuch  Dijfenters^  from 
'  thofe  that  deny  any  Subftantial  Part  of  Religion,    or 

*  affert  any  Thing  contrary  thereto.     Wherefore  to  for- 

*  bi^  fuch  to  worfhip  that  God  that  made  them,  be- 

*  caufe  they  can't  receive  your  devifed  Additions,  is  to 
'  exchide  that  which  is  necejjary^  for  the  meer  want  of 
'  that  which  is  unnecejfnry. 

^  And  where  is  that  Man  that  wilj   adventure  to 

*  ftand  forth,  and  avow  the  hindering  of  fuch  Perfons 
'  from  paying  their  Homage  to  the  God  that  made 

*  them  ?  If  we  thus  expoftulate  the  Matter  on  God's  be- 

*  half  and  their  own  ?    Will  yoa  cut  off  from  God  hif. 

*  B^ght  in  the  Creatures  he  hath  made  ?  Will  you  cut 

*  off  from  them  the  Means  of  their  Salvation  upon  thcfe 

*  Terms  ?  What  Reply  canihe  Matter  admit? 

'  *Tis  commonly  alledg'd,  that  great  Deference  is  to 
^  be  paid  to  the  Laws  ;  and  that  we  ought  to  have  for- 

*  born  our  Aifemblies,  till  the  PabHck  Authority  re- 

*  called  the  Laws  againft  them.  And  we  will  fay  the 
^  fame  Thing,  when  it  is  well  prov'd,  that  they  who 
'  made  fuch  Laws  made  the  World  too. 

*  And  by  whofe  Authority  were  fuch  1  aws  made  ? 

*  is  there  any  that  is  not  from  God  ?  And  hath  God  gi- 
'^  ven  any  Men  Authority  to  make  Laws  againft  him- 
'  felf,  and  to  deprive  him  of  his  juji  Bights  from  his 

*  own  Creatures  ? 

'  Nor  if  the  Matter  be  well  fearch'd  into,  could 

*  there  be  fo  much  as  a  Pretence  of  Authority  derived 
'  for  fuch  Purpofes  from  the  People,    whom  every  one 

*  now  acknowledges    the  Firfi   P^eceftncle  of   derived 

*  governing  Power.    God  can,  'tis  true,  lay  indifpu- 

*  table  Obligation  by   his  known    Laws,   upon  every 

*  Confcience  of  Man  about  Religion,  or  any  Thing  elfe. 

*  And  fuch  as  reprefent  any  People,  can  according  to 

*  the  Conftitution  of  the  Government,  make  Laws  for 

*  them,    about  the   Things  they   entruft  them   with.* 

*  Biit  if  the  People  of  England  be  asked  Man  by  Man, 

*  will  they  fay,  they  did  entruft  to  their  ^eprefenta- 
'  fives,  their  J^ligion,  and  their  Confciencei,  to  do  with 
^  them  what  they  pleafe  .>  When  it  is  your  own  Turn 
I  to  be  lepiefented  by  others,  is  this  Part  of  the  Truft 


432  Some  HiHoricdl  Addit'wnf      Chap.  XVI I. 


An.  1689. 

Vindication 
of  fame 
Proteftqnt 
TrincifUs^ 
&C.p.  52. 


^  Aihy 
Numi 
from  his 
Egeria. 
And  their 
Trie/ts  to 
Tffhom  the 
Regulation 
of   fuch 
Matters 
9pas  left^ 
were  gene- 
ally    ^e- 
liey''d  to  be 
inffifd. 


you  commit?  What  Dr.  S/^c> /or/;  worthily  fays,  con- 
cerning a  Bilhop,  he  might  (and  particularly,  after, 
doth  )  fay  concerning  every  other  Man,  He  can  be  no 
more  reprcfeutcd  in  a  Council,  than  at  the  Day  of  Jvdg" 
ment ;  every  Man's  Soul  and  Confcience  mufl  be  in  bis  ovpn 
Keepings  and  can  be  rcprefentcd  by  no  Man.  • 

'  It  ought  to  be  coniidered,  that  Chriftianity,  where- 
in it  fuperadds  to  the  Law  of  Nature,  is  all  Matter 
of  Revelation.  And  'tis  well  known,  that  even  a- 
mong  Pagans  in  the  fettling  Rites  and  Inftitutes  of 
Religion  *,  Revelation  was  pretended  at  leaft,  upon 
an  imply'd  Principle,  that  in  fuch  Matters  Humane 
Power  could  not  oblige  the  Peoples  Gonfciences. 
'  We  muft  be  excufed  therefore,  if  we  have  in  our 
Practice  exprefs'd  lefs  Reverence  for  Laws  made  by 
no  Authority  received  either  from  God  or  Man. 
'  We  are  therefore  injurioufly  reflcdled  on,  when 
it  is  imputed  to  us,  that  we  have  by  the  Ufe  of  our 
Liberty,  ackowledg'd  an  illegal  difpenfing  Power. 
We  have  done  no  other  Thing  herein  than  we  did 
when  no  Dilpenfation  was  given  or  pretended,  in 
Confcience  of  Duty  to  him  that  gave  us  our  Breath. 
Nor  did  therefore  Pradtife  otherwife,  becaufe  we  tho't 
thofe  Laws  difpenfed  with,  but  becaufe  we  tho't  them 
not  Laws. 

'  Whereupon  little  need  remains  of  enquiring  far- 
ther. 

Quefl,  3.  *  Whether  fuch  Laws  Ihould  be  continued  ? 
*  Againft  which,  befides  what  may  be  colle(5ted 
from  that  which  hath  been  faid,  it  is  to  be  confi- 
der'd,  that  what  is  moft  principally  grievous  to  us, 
was  enacted  by  that  Parliament,  that  as  we  have 
too  much  Reafon  to  believe,  fuffer'd  it  felf  to  be 
dealt  with,  to  enflave  the  Nation  in  other  Refpedis, 
as  well  as  this ;  and  which  (to  his  immortal  Ho- 
nour )  the  Noble  Earl  of  Danby  procured  to  be  dif- 
folved,  as  the  firft  Step  towards  our  National  Deli- 
verance. 

'  And  let  the  Tenor  be  confider'd  of  that  horrid 
Law,  by  wh  ch  our  Magna  Chart  a 'WTL'i  torn  in  Pieces  | 
the  worft  and  moft  infamous  of  Mankind,  at  our 
own  r.yi  cp("e^  hired  10  accufe  us  ;  Multitudes  of 
Perjuric^  -.'.mitted;  Convi£lions  made  without  a 
Jury,  and  wiuiout  any  hearing  of  the  Perfons  accu- 

'  fed 


Chap.  XVIL    after  the  Revolntion  in  i6%d,      4:55 

icd  Penalties;  inflidted  ;  Goods  rifled  ;  Eftates  feized  ^«.  1689. 
and  embezl'd  •  Houfes  broken  up  ;  Families  difturb'd 
often  at  moft  unfeafonabJe  Hours  of  the  Night,  with- 
out any  Caufe,  or  Shadow  of  a  Caufe,  if  only  a  ma- 
licioas  Villain  would  pretend  to  fufpe(5t  a  Meering 
there.  No  Law  in  any  other  Cafe  like  this.  As  if 
to  worfhip  God  without  thofe  Additions,  which  were 
corifeft  unnecetfary,  were  a  greater  Crime  tiian  Thefr, 
Felony,  Murder  or  Treafon  !  Is  it  for  our  Reputation 
to  Polterity,  that  the  Memory  of  fuch  a  Law  Ihould 
be  continued  ? 

'  And  are  we  not  yet  awakenM,  and  our  Eyes  open  d 
enough  to  fee,  that  the  Making  and  Execution  of  the 
Laws,  by  which  we  have  fuffer'd  fo  deeply  for  many 
by-paft  Years,  was  only,  that  Protellants  might  de- 
ftroy  Proteftants,  and  the  eafier  Work  be  made  for 
the  IntrodiKftion  of  Popery,  that  was  to  deftroy  * 
ihe  Relidue  ? 

*  Nor  can  any  Malice  de«y,  or  Ignorance  of  obferv- 
ing  Englifk  Men  over  look  this  plain  Matter  of  Fadt : 
After  the  Diflblution  of  that  before  mentioned  Parlia- 
ment, Diflenters  were  much  carefled  and  endea- 
voar'd  to  be  drawn  into  a  Subferviency  to  the  Court 
DefignSj  efpecially  iii  the  EIe<£tion  of  after  Parlia- 
ments. Notwithitanding  which  they  every  where 
fo  entirely  and  unanimoufly  fell  in  with  the  fober 
Part  of  the  Nation,  in  the  Choice  of  fuch  Perfons  for 
the  three  Parliaments  that  next  fucceeded,  (two  held 
at  tVejiminfler^  and  that  at  Oxford)  as  it  was  known 
would,  and  who  did  moft  generoufly  alfert  the  Li- 
berties of  the  Nation,  and  the  Proteftant  Religion. 
Which  alone,  ( and  not  our  meer  DilTent  from  the 
Church  of  Englnfid  in  Matters  of  Religion,  wherein 
Charles  11.  was  fiifficiently  known  to  be  a  Prince  of 
great  Indifferency  )  drew  upon  u"?,  foon  after  the 
'Diflblucion  of  the  laft  of  thofe  Parliaments,  that 
dreadful  Siorm  of  Perfecution,  that  deftroyed  not  a 
fmall  Number  o^  Lives  in  Goals,  and  ruin'd  Multi- 
tudes of  Families. 

*  Let  Eyiglifh  Freemen  remember,  what  they  cannot 
but  know,  that  it  was  for  our  firm  Adherence  to  the 
Civil  Interefts  of  the  Nation  (not  for  our  different 
Modes  of  Religion  from  the  Legal  Way,  tho'  the  Laws 

*  gave  that  Advantage  againft  us,  which  they  did  not 

F  f  *  againft 


434         Some  Hi  fieri  cal  Additions     Chap.  XV II. 


An.  1689. 


againft  orhers)  chat  we  endur'd  the  Calamities  of  fo 
many  Years. 

*  "When  by  the  lace  King  fome  Relaxation  was  gi- 
ven us,  what  Arcs  and  Infinuations  have  been  us'd 
with  us,  to  draw  us  into  a  Concurrence  to  Defigns 
tending  co  the  Prejudice  of  the  Nation  ?  And  with 
how  little  EfFedl  upon  the  generality  of  us,  it  muft 
be  great  Ignorance  not  to  know,  and  great  Injuftice 
to  deny. 

*  But  he  that  knows  all  Things,  knows  that  tho'  in 
fuch  Circumrtances,  there  was  no  Opportunity  for 
our  receiving  Publick  and  authoriz'd  Promifes, 
when  we  were  all  under  the  Eye  of  watchful  Jea- 
loufy  ;  yet  as  great  AlTurances  as  were  poflible,  were 
given  us  by  fome  that  we  hope  will  now  remember 
ir,  of  a  future  eftabliih'd^  Security  from  our  former 
PrefTures.  We  were  told  over  and  over,  when  the 
Excellent  Beer  Fage/ts  Letter  came  to  be  privately 
communicated  from  Hand  to  Hand,  how  eafily  better 
Things  would  be  had  for  us,  than  that  encourag'd 
Papjjis  to  cxpedt,  if  ever  that  happy  Change  fhould 
be  brought  about,  which  none  have  now  beheld  with 
greater  Joy  than  we. 

*  We  are  loth  to  injure  thofe  who  have  made  us  hope 
for  better,  by  admitting  a  Sufpicion  that  we  Ihall 
now  be  difappointed  and  deceived  (as  we  have  for- 
merly been,  and  we  know  by  whom )  or  that  we 
fhall  fuffer  from  them  a  I{eligioiis  SUvery,  for  whofe 
Sakes  we  have  fuffer'd  fo  grievous  Things,  rather  than 
do  the  leaft  Thing  that  might  tend  to  the  bringing 
upon  itiem  a  Civil  Slavery, 

*  We  cannot  but  expedt  from  Bnglijh  Men,  chat  they 
be  jutt  and  true.  We  hope  not  to  be  the  only  Inftan- 
ces,  whereby  the  Anglica  Fides  and  the  Punier,  fhall 
be  tho'r  all  one. 

*  But  if  we  who  have  conftantly  defir'd,  and  as  we 
have  had  Opportunity,  endcavour'd  the  faving  of 
the  Nation,  muft  however  be  ruin'd,  not  to  greatcn 
(one  Hair)  the  Wealth  and  Dignity,  but  only  to  gra- 
tifie  the  Humour  of  them  who  would  yet  deftroy 
it;  we  who  are  competently  inurM  to  Sufferings, 
(hall  thro'  God's  Mercy  be  again  enabled  to  endure: 
But  he  that  fits  in  the  Heavens,  will  in  his  own 
Time  ']ud^  our  Caufe,  and  we  will  wait  his  Piea- 

*  furc  ; 


Chap.  XVH.   afrerthe  Revalfith.tin  x6S3.   _     435 


fure,    and  We  hope  furfer  all  that  can  b^  influitl'^,  4«-  i^8p. 
rather  than  betray  the  Cauie  of.ReformaJ  Chriitiahicy  , 
in  the  WorM. 

*  But  our  Affairs  arc  in  the  Handiof  Men  of  Worth 
and  Honour,  who 'apprehend  how  liccie  grattfuj '  a 
Name  they  fliould  leav.e  to  Poderity,  or  obtain,  now 
with  good  Men  of  any  PejrTwafion,  if  under  a  Pre- 
tferice  of  Kindne/s  to  us,' they  Ihould  now  repeat  the  • 
'Arts  of  ill  Men  tfi' an  ill  Time.  Great  Minds  will 
think  it  beneath  them  to  fport  thernfelves-with  their 
own  Cunning  in  deceiving  oth^r  Men,  which  were 
really  in  the  prefent  Cafe  coo  thni  not  to  be  fcen 
through,  and  may  bt  the  eafi,e  At^tainment  of  any  . 
Man,  that  hath  enough  of  Opportunity,  and  Integrity, 
little  enough,  for  I'uch  Purp' fes.  ,  And  'cis  as  much 
tbo  grbfs'  to  endeavour  to  abufe  the  Ai^orfty  of  a 
Nation,  by  going  about  to  make  that  otoop  to  fd 
tiiean  a  Thing,  as  to  niake  a  Shew  of  intending  vvhaE 
they  relolve  to  their  uttermoft  ihall  never  be. 

'  But  fome  may  think  by"  Concellions  to,  us^  the 
Church  of  Etigland  will  be  ruin'd,  and  a  greaic  Ad- 
vantage be  given  10  the  bringing  in  of  Popery.., 

*  To  which  we  fay,  the  Generality,  of  the  Diffenters 
differ  from  the  Church  of  England^  in  no  ^.yibOan-  • 
tials  of  Do(5lrine  and  Worfhip,   no  nor  of  Go v'er^-jqxent;^  .. 
provided  ic  be  fo  managed,    as'  to  attain  it^-t^u,^  ac- 
knowledged End  ;   the  favouring  of  lis  therefore  will 
as  muchriuii  th^  Church,  a^  its  Enlargement  and  ad^  . 
ditionai  Strerigth  will  fignifie  to  its  Ruin.  ..  ..  .'    ' 

"'  And  doth' "not  the'  Wprld^knoA/v^  that  wherein  we 
.'cfifFer  froiVi  them,'  we' differ  from'the  'P.^;'//?fCOQ?  And 
that  for  the 'niolt  Part,'  v^hercjih  they  differ  from  us,^ 
they  feem  to  agree  with  therh  ? 

,,*  W§  acknowledge  their  Strong,  Brgve  and  Profpe- 

tous  Oppofition'co  Popery:  But  they'have  oppos'd  it 

by  the  Things ,  wherein  they  ag?ee  with  us  ;"  their 

Differences  frorri  us  are  no  more  a.  bence  againft  Popery^ 

than  an  In'clofure  of  Strawis  againila.Flame  of  Fire. 

'  But  'tis  wont  to  be  faid,  we  agree  not  among  out? 

felves, .  and  know  not  what  we  would  have. 

.  *  And  do  all  that  go  under  the  Name  of  the  Church 

oi  Ev^land  agree  among  them  ielves  .>  Wc  can  Ihew 

more  cdojSderabre  t)ifagreements  anaong  them,  than 

tny  can  tetween  the  moift  of  us,  and  a  confiderablc 

"       '  Ff  2  r  Pars 


456        Some   Hlflorkal  Addition.      Chap,  XVII. 


An-  1689. 


Part  ot  them.  They  all  agree 'tis  true  in  Conformity : 
And  we  all  agree  in  Nonconformity  ;  And  is  not  this 
meerly  accidental  to  Chriftianity  and  Proteltantifm  ? 
and  herein  is  it  not  well  known,  that  far  the  greater 
Part  of  Reformed  Chriftendom  do  more  agree  with 
us  ? 

'  An  arbitrary  Line  of  Uniformity,  in  fome  little 
Accidents,  fevers  a  fmall  Part  of  the  Chriftian  World 
from  all  the  reft  :  How  unreafonably  is  it  expeded, 
that  therefore  all  the  reft  muft  in  every  Thing  elfe  a- 
gree  among  themfelves  ?  Suppofe  any  imaginary 
Line  to  cut  off  a  little  Segment  from  any  Part  of 
the  Terrettrial  Globe,  'tis  as  juftly  expedled  that  all 
the  reft  of  the  Wc^rld  fhould  be  of  one  Mind.  If  one 
Part  of  EngUnd  be  Taylors,  they  migiit  as  well  ex- 
pect: ihat  all  the  People  befides  (hould  agree  to  be  of 
one  Profeflfen. 

*  Perhaps  fome  imagine  it  dilhonourable  to  fuch  as 
have  gone  before  them  in  the  fame  Ecclefiaftical  Sta- 
tions and  Dignities,  if  now  any  Thing  fhould  be  al- 
tered, which  their  Judgments,  did  before  approve  and 
think  fit. 

*  But  we  hope  that  Temptation  will  not  prove  in- 
vincible, vi:{.  of  fo  cxceflive  a  Modefty  as  to  be  afraid 
of  feeming  "Wifer  or  better  Katur'd,  or  of  a  more 
Chriftian  Temper  than  their  Predeceffors. 

*  But  the  moft  of  us  do  agree  not  only  with  one 
another,  but  in  the  great  Things  above  mentioned 
with  the  Church  of  EngUnd  too  ;  And  in  ftiort,  that 
the  Reproach  may  ceafe  for  ever  with  thofethat  count 
it  one  ;  they  will  find  with  us,  when  they  pleafe  to 
try,  a  very  extensive  Agreement  on  the  Terms  of 
King  Charles  II,  his  Declaration  about  EccleHaftical 
Aflfairs,  Anno  1660. 

Q^ieji.  4.  *  Whether  it  be  reafonablc  to  exclude,  all 

that  in  every  Thing  conform  not  to  the  Church  of 

Eno/anJ,  from  any  Part  or  Share  of  the  Civil  Power  ? 

*  The   Difference  or  Nonconformity  of  many  is  fo 

Minute,  that  it  would  be  as  reafonable  to  exclude 

all  whofe  Hair  is  not  of  this  or  that  Colour. 

'  And  what  if  we  lliould  make  a  Dif-termination,  by 

the  Dccifion  this  Way  or  that  of  any   other  difputcd 

Qiicftion,  that  may  be  of  as  fmtll  Concernment  to 

Reiigion  ?    Suppofe  it  be  that  of  eating  Blood  ;  for 

*the 


Ghap.  XVH,  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       457 


the  Deciiion  whereof,   one  Way,  there  is  more  pre- -^««  1689. 
tence  from   God's  Word,  than  for  any  Point  of  the 
difputed  Conformicy  :    Would  it  not  be  a  wife  Con- 
ftitution,  i:heit  whofoevcr  thini^s  it  lawful  to  eat  Blacky" 
Puddingy  Jhc.ll  he  capable  of  no  Ojffice  ?    Sec. 

*  But  we  tremble  to  think  of  the  Exclufive  S/icramen- 
tal  T^,   brought    down  as  low 
as  to  the  Keeper  of  an  Ale-houfe. 

*  Are  all  fit  to  approach  the  Sa- 
cred Table,  whom  the  fear  of 
Ruin,    or    hope  of   Gain  may 
bring  thither?     We  cannot  but 
often    remember    with    Horror, 
what    happened    three    or  four 
Years  ago :  A  Man  that  led  an 
ill    Life,     but    frequented     the 
Church,    wa?  obferved    not  to 
come    to  the  Sacrament,     ^nd 
preftby  the  Officers  to  come  ;  he 
yet  declined    knowirig    himfelf 
unfit ;  at  length  being  threatned 
and  terrified  came  :   But  faid  to 
fome  prefent  at  the  Time  of  that 
folemn  Adlion,  that  he  came  on- 
ly to  avoid   being  undone,   and 
took  them  to  Witnefs  that  what 
he^ere  receiv'd,   he   took  only 
as    common    Bread  and  Wine, 
not  daring   to  receive  them   as 
the   Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift. 
'Tis  amazing,  that  among  Chri- 
ftians,  fo  venerable  an  Inititution  fhould  be  proftitu- 
ted  to  the  ferving  of  fo  mean  Purpofes,   and   fo  fo- 
reign to  its  true  End  I     A^nd  chat  doing   it  afcer  the 
Manner  of  the  Church  of  England  muft  be  the  Qua- 
lification !  As  if  England  were  another  Chriftendom  ; 
or  it  were  a  greater  Thing  to  conform  in  every  Pun- 
ctilio CO  the  Rules  of  this  Church  than  of  Chrift 
himfelf! 

*  But  vye  would  fain  Ijjnow  whofe  is  that  Holy  Ta- 
ble ?  Is  it  the  Table  of  th;s  or  that  Party,  or  the 
Lord's  Tabled  If  the  Lord's,  are  not  Perfonsto  be  ad- 
mitted or  excluded  upon  his  Terms  ?  Never  can 
there  be  Union  or  Peace  in  the  Chriftian  World,  till 

Ffa  \m 


*  A  Certain  warm  hut  namt- 
lefs  High  church  Triend^  wha 
was  pitas  d  lately  to  fayour  me 
with  a  Facie t  of  Remarks  and 
Obfervations^  asks  me.  Why  I 
will  repeat  fuch  a  Notorious 
Lie  as  this  ?  and  whether  1  ever 
knew  one  Inftance  of  it  ?  Andin 
his  free  and  familiar  Way^  he  bids 
me  for  Shame  leave  this  out  in 
my  next  Edition.  But  I  have  no$ 
feen  Reafon  to  follow  his  Advice. 
The  Faper  feems  to  me  to  /peak 
a  great  deal  of  Reafon.  And 
far  an  Infiance  of  debarring  Pcr- 
fons  from  felling  Ale  ffithout 
taking  the  Sacrament^  I  refer 
\ny  Admonljher  to  the  Tarip)  of 
St.  Giles  Cripple-gate,  and  the 
pjflurbance  which  the  prefent 
worthy  Biffjqp  of  Gloucefter  met 
with  there,  a  few  Years  be* 
fore  this  Paper  was  written  ;  of 
which  the  World  has  bad  an  Af' 
iount  in  Print. 


^]8  Some-Hifii/ncdl  Addit'ims     Chap.  XVH. 


Jin.  idSp.  *  vve  cake  dawn  our  arbitrary  Inclofuces,  and  content 
/  Qurfclves  with  thofe  which  our  common  Lord  hath 

*  ^le^..'   If  (le  fells  under  a    Curfe   that  alters  .Mens 

*  Land- Marks,   to  alrer  God's  is  ijot  likely  to  infer  a 

*  Bitiilng. 

.'  The  Matter  is  clear  as  the  Light  of  the  Sun,  -that 

*  as  inany    Perfons  ,oF  excellent  Worth,    vSobriecy  and 
'  Godlinefs,    are   entirely  in  the  Communion   of.  the 

*  Church  ot  Evglnnd  j  fo  that  there  are  too  many  -of'-a 

*  ^vorfe  Character  that  are  of  it  too  5  a^d  divers  Pju- 

*  dent,  Pious  and  Sober  minded  Perfons  that  ar^  not 

*  of  it.     Let    common  Reafon   be    confulted    in   ihis 

*  Cafe  ;    fuppofd  the  Tables  turn'd,  and  that  the  Riile 
••  wtre  to  be  made  the  contrary  Way,  vi:{.    That  to  do 

*  this  Thing,  but  not  by  any  Means  afcer  the  Manner 
'  of  the  Church  of  England^  were  to  be  the  Quahfica- 

*  tion  j  and  now  fuppofe  one  of  meaner  Endowments, 

*  as  a  Man  and  a  Chriftian,  do  what  is  requir'd,  and 
'  not  in  the  Way  of  the  Church  of  Englnnd  ;  another 

•  .'V  *  that  is  of  much  better,  do  the  fame  Thing  in  that 

*  Way  ;   were  it  fuiuable  to  Prudence  or  Juftice,   i;hat 

*  becaufe  it  is  done  after  the  Way  of  the  Church,  of 

*  Ergl'and^  a  fitter  Man  Ihould  be  reckon  d  unqualifi- 
'  ed  ?     And  one  of  lefs  Value  be  taken  for  quahfied 

*  becaufe  he  does  it  a  different  Way  ?     Then  is  all  that 

*  folid  Weight  of  Wifdom,  Diligence,   Sobriety  and 

*  .Gocdnefs,  to  be  weighed  down  by  a  Feather.     :        ' 

*  It  mufk  furely  be  tho't  the  Prudence  of  any  Go- 
'  vernment,  to  comprehend  as  many  ufeful  Perfons  as 

*  it  can,  and  no  more  to  deprive  it  felf  of  the  Service 

*  of  fucb,  for  any  Thing  lefs  confiderable   than  tbofe 
Qualifications  are,  by  which  they  are  ufeful,  than  a 

*  Man  would  tear  off  from  himl'clf  the  Limbs  of  his 
'  Body  for  a  Spot  upon  the  Skin. 

'And  really  if  in  our  Circumfiances,  we  thus  nar- 

*  row  our  Intertft,  all  the  reft  of  the  World  will  fay, 
^  that  they  who  would  deflroy  ns,  do  yet  find  a  Way 
^  to  be  our  lnJ[lru<ftors,  and  our  common  Enemies  da 
*"  teacli  us  our  Politicks. 

K  5.  '  The  Namesof  Mr.  H^/^of£4riJ«Co//^4?^,  and 
'  of  a  later  moft  renowned  Bifliop  of  the  Church  of 
'  Ejiglahd^  who  affertcd  ihis  Principle,  That  if  Things  pc 
*.i?7ifo:\{  under  the    Notion   of  inditfcrcnt^    which   many 

thinli 


Chap.  XVIL  after  the  Revolution  in  1 68^.       439 


*  think^  Sinful  J    and  a    Schifm  follovo  thereupon,  the  bn-  An.  1689. 

*  fofers  are  the   Schifinaticks  5    will    be   great  in  £«/,- 

*  land  as  long  as  their  Writings  fhall  live,  and  good 

*  Senfe  can  be  underftood  in  them.'     Thus  far  the 
Paper. 

His  Majefty  in  one  of  his  Speeches  to  theTwoHoufes  of  the  sa- 
told  thenn,  he  hbfd  they  would  leave  [{pom  for  the  admif-  mental 
fionof  all  Proteftants  that  were  willing  and  able  to  Jerve  Teft. 
him,  which  was  a  Thing  would  tend  to  the  better  unitirg 
them  among  themfelves,  and  the  flrengthning  them  agaivft 
their  common  Adverfaries,      *  Pur» 

fuant  hereto    vjhtnthe  Aa  for  the  ^  ^j^^  ^^  ^.^^^^  ^f 

abrogating  of  the  Oaths  of  Alle-  £„^/^„^^  ^,/.  3  ^  518,  hereob- 
glance  and  Supremacy,  and  appoint-  y,,^,,^  ^;,^^  ^;,^  Arciibiihop  and 
ing  other  Oaths ^  was  read  a  Second  Bifliops,  and  many  of  the  Clergy 
Time  in    the    Houfe  of  Lords :   A       had  been  fo    addicted  to  the  hi<^h 

Claufe  was  ordered  to  be  brought  Notions   of   Paffwe    Obedience, 

in,  to  take  away  the  NeceiSity  of  Norx-refiftance,  and  the  Divine 

receiving  the  Sacrament,  to  make  Right  of  an  Hereditary  Monar- 

a  Man  capable  of  having  an  Of-  "^^'Y^  ^'^^^  ^''^  ^«^«^  "°^  '^°^  ^^ 

fice.     Such   a  Claufe  being  after-  reconcUe  the  Kcvoluuon  to  thofe 

wards  reported  to  the  Houfe,   was      ^-'f^^  f ;«f  ^7'  r  """^t^'T 

-    n     1  /^  X  X   -      •  i_    »       Keafon  tho'  they  hM  earneji/y  de- 

rqeded  by  a  great  Majority,  tho  ^^, j  ^^^^  ^^^J^  ^„^.„ .^  ,„^  ;,,^ 

the     Lords     Delamere,     Stamford,  theChiefofthemaddnfUtohim, 

North  and  Grey,  Chejierfield,  mjar-  ^^ter  he  was  come,  to  take  the  Ad- 

ton^   Lovelace,     and   Vaughan,     in-  mlnifirathn  of  Affairs  upon  him-, 

lifted,  *  That  an  hearty  Union  a-  yet  as  if  they  would  have  hira 

mong  Proreftants,  was  a  greater  their  Redeemer,  without   bein^ 

Security  to  the  Church  and  State,  their  Froteeior,  they  did  not  care 

than  any  Teft  that  could  be  in-  to  M  ^^y  Allegiance  to  him,  mv 

vented:  That  this  Obligation  to  ^^  ^^^o^^^e  their  obligations  te 

receive    the   Sacrament,    was  a  ^'^J^mes.    This  Eoc ample  of 

Teft  on  the  Proreftants,  rather  '^''  ^^f  f^^  '^"^  ^^'^-^^  "  ^ 

■  t,  1        n      -n         T-r  vreat    Influence    on    many    other 

than   on    the  Papifts  :  That   as     Ir,^,^,,,^/,/,,  church  of  Eng- 
long  as  It  was   continud,  there     j^^^  .  ^„^  -^  ^^,  ^heir  Difaf- 

could    not    be     that   hearty    and  feaion,  that  made  the  King  more 

thorough     Union     among     Pro-  inclinable   to  favour  DillcrKers, 

teftants,     as     had     always    been  wh-.m  he  generally  looked  upon  as 

Wiflied,    and    was   at    this  Time  better  affefied  to  his  Ferfon    and 

indifpenfibly     necelfary.       And      Tit/e. 
Laftly,  That  a  greater  Caution 
ought  not  to  be  required  from  fuch  as  were  admitted 
into  Offices,    than  from  the  Members  of  the  Two 

F  f  4  !  Houfes 


440        Some  Hiftortcal  Additions      Chdp.  XVll. 


An-  1689.*  Houfes  of  Parjiamenr,  who  are  not  obliged  to  receive 

*  the  Sacrnment,   to  enable  thtm  to  fie  in  either  Houfe. 

But  atrer  this,  another  Claiifc  was  inferted  by  the 
Court  Party  in  the  atorefaid  Bill,  by  which  it  was 
provided,  that  any  Man  fhouU  be  fufficientlv  ^ualifted 
for  any  Office,  Employnicnr,  or  Place  of  Truft,  who 
within  a  Year  before  or  after  his  AdmifTion  or  Entrance 
thereinto,  did  receive  the  Sacrament  of  the Lord^s  Sup- 
per, cither  according  to  the  Ufage  of  the  Church  of 
Evglnnd,  or  in  any  other  Proteftant  Congregation,  and 
could  produce  a  Cetrilic;ue  under  the  Hands  of  the 
Miniftcr,  and  two  other  credible  Perfons,  Members  of 
fuch  a  Proteftant  Congregation.  The  Queftion  being 
pnt,  Whether  a  Claufe  of  this  Nature  Ihould  be  made 
Part  of  the  Bill,  it  paffed  in  the  Negative.  Leave  was 
given  to  fuch  Lords  as  would,  to  enter  their  Diflenc  ; 
and  fix  Lords  did  enter  their  DifTent  in  the  Rcifons  fol- 
lowing. 

I.  "  Becaufe  it  gives  great  Part  of  the  Proteftant 

*  Freemen  of  England  Reafon  ro  complain  of  Inequa- 
lity  and  hard  Ufage,  when  they  are  excluded  from 
publick  Employments  by  Law  :  And  alfo  becaufe  it 
deprives  the  King  and  Kingdom  of  divers  Men,  fit 
and  capable  to  ferve  the  Publick  in  feveral  Stations  ; 
and  that  for  a  raeer  Scruple  of  Confcience,  which 
can  by  no  Means  render  them  fufpedted,  much  lefs 
difaffc^led  to  the  Government. 
1  '  Becaufe  his  Maiefty,  as  the  Common  and  In- 
dulgent Father  of  iiis  People,  having  exprefs'd  an  ear- 
neft  defii'e  of  Liberty  for  tender  Consciences  to  his 
Proteftant  Subje(^s  ;  and  my  Lords  the  Bifhops  ha- 
ving divers  of  them,  on  feveral  Occafions  profefled 
an  Inclination  to,  and  own'd  the  reafonablcnefs  of 
fnch  a  Chriftian  Temper  :  We  apprehend  it  will  raife 
Sufpicion  in  fome  Mens  Minds,  of  fomething  cKt 
than  the  Care  of  Religion,  or  the  Publick,  and  dif- 
ferent from  a  Dcfign  to  heal  our  Breaches,  when  they 
find  that  by  confining  Secular  Employments  to  Eccie- 
fiaftical  Conformity,  ihofe  are  (hut  out  from  Civil 
Affairf?,  whofe  Doclrine  and  Worlhip  may  be  tolera- 
ted by  Authority  of  Parliament,  there  being  a  Bill 
before  us  by  Order  of  the  Houfe  to  that  Purpofej  ef- 
pccially  when  without  this  cxclufive^  Rigour,  the 
Church  is  fecured  in.  all  her  Piiviledges  and  Prefer- 

*  vatvx 


Chap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      441 

raenc,  no  Body  being  hereby  let  into  them  who  is  An.  1589. 
not  ftric^ly  conformable. 

3.  '  Becaufe  to  fet  Marks  of  Diftindiion  and  Hu- 
miliation on  any  Sort  of  Men,  who  have  not  ren- 
dred  themfelves  juftly  fufpeded  to  the  Govern- 
ment, as  it  is  at  all  Times  to  be  avoided  by  the  Makers 
of  Juft  and  Equitable  Laws,  fo  may  it  be  particular- 
ly of  ill  EfFec5t  to  the  Reformed  Intcreft  at  Home  and 
Abroad  in  this  prefent  Conjun6lure,  which  ftands  in 
need  of  the  united  Hands  and  Hearts  of  all  Prote- 
ftants,  againft  the  open  Attempts  and  fecret  Endea- 
vours of  a  reftlefs  Party,  and  a  potent  Neighbour, 
who  is  more  zealous  than  B^me  it  felf,  to  plant  Po- 
pery in  thefe  Kingdoms,  and  Labours  with  the  ut- 
moft  Force  to  fettle  his  Tyranny,  upon  the  Ruins  of 
the  Reformation  all  thro*  Europe. 

4.  *  Becaufe  it  turns  the  Edge  of  a  Law  (we  know 
not  by  what  Fate)  upon  Proteftants  and  Friends  to 
the  Government,  which  was  intended  againft  Papifts, 
to  exclude  them  from  Places  of  Truft,  as  Men  a- 
vowedly  dangerous  to  our  Government  and  Religion : 
And  thus  the  taking  the  Sacrament,  which  was  en- 
joyned  only  as  a  Means  to  difcover  Papifts,  is  novv 
made  a  diftinguifting  Duty  amongft  Proteftants,  to 
weaken  the  whole,  by  cafting  off  a  Part  of  them. 

5.  '  Becaufe  Myfteries  of  Religion  and  Divine 
Worfiiip,  are  of  Divine  Original,  and  of  a  Nature 
fo  wholly  diftindt  from  the  fecular  Affairs  of  Poli- 
tick Society,  that  they  cannot  be  applied  to  thofc 
Ends ;  and  therefore  the  Church  by  the  Law  of  the 
Gofpel,  as  well  as  common  Prudence,  ought  to  take 
care  neither  to  offend  tender  Confciences  within  it 
felf,  nor  give  Offence  to  thofe  without,  by  mixing 
their  Sacred  Myfteries  with  Secular  Interefts. 

6.  '  Becaufe  we  cannot  fee  how  it  can  confift  with 
ihc  Law  of  God,  common  Equity,  or  the  Right  of 
any  Free-born  Subjed,  that  any  one  be  punilhed 
without  Crime.  If  it  be  a  Crime  not  to  take  the 
Sacrament  according  to  the  Ufage  of  the  Church  of 
Englnnd^  every  one  ought  to  be  puniflied  for  it, 
which  no  Body  affirms :  If  it  be  no  Crime,  thofe 
who  are  capable  and  judg'd  fit  for  Employments  by 
the  King,  ought  not  to  be  puyfli'd,  with  a  Law  of 

J  Ext 


442  Some  H'ijlorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII* 

An.  1689.*  Excluiion,  for  no:  doing  that  which  'tis  no  Crime 

*  to  forbear. 

'  If  it  be  urg'd  fiill  as  an  efTedtual  Teft,  to  difcover 

*  and  keep  oucPapilts;    the  taking  the  Sacrament  in 
*"  thefe  Pi  oteitanc  Congregations,  where  they  are  Mem- 

*  bcrs  and  known,  will  be  ac  leaft  as  effediual  to  that 

*  Purpofe. 

Subfcribed,  OXFORD,  J.  LOVELACE, 
VVHARTQN,  MOKDANT,  R.MOUNTA- 
GUE,  W.  P;AGET. 

On  the  4th  of  April  when  the  Lords  had  under  their 
Coniideration,  the  Reports  of  the  Amendments  in  the 
Bill  for  uniting  their  Majeftiss  Protejiant  Suhjecis,  the 
Queftion  was  pur,  Whether  ro  agree  with  the  Com- 
mittee in  leaving  out  the  Claufe  about  the  indijferency 
cf  the  Pofture  at  receivivg  the  Sticrament  ?  and  the  Votes 
were  equal  ;  and  therefore  according  to  Cuftom,  it 
was  caned  in  the  Negative.  And  the  next  Day  the 
Lords  refumed  ihe  Debate  of  the  Report  of  the  faid 
Amendfrents,  particularly  of  the  Claufe  concerning  a 
Conimiirion  to  be  given  out  by  the  King,  to  the  Bifliops 
and  others  of  the  Clergy,  and  it  was  propos'd  that 
fome  Laymen  (hoald  be  added  in  the  Commidion. 
The  Queftion  being  hereupon  put,  the  Votes  (taking 
in  the  Proxies)  were  equal,  and  fo  according  to 
the  ufual  Rule  in  fuch  Cafes,  it  was  taken  for  a  Nega- 
tive. Leave  was  given  to  any  Lords  to  enter  Diflents, 
and  accordingly  four  Lords  did  enter  their  Diflents,  in 
the  Reafons  enfuing. 

I.  '  Becaufe  the  Adi  it  felf  being,  as  the  Preamble 
fets  forth,  defign'd  for  the  Peace  of  the  State,  tbe 
putting  the  Clergy  into  CommiiTion,  with  a  total 
Exclufion  of  the  Laity,  lays  this  Humiliation  on  the 
Laity,  as  if  the  Clergy  of  the  Church  of  Englnnd 
were  alone  Friends  to  the  Peace  of  the  State,  and 
the  Laity  lefs  able,  or  lefs  concerned  to  provide  for  it, 
i  a.  '  BecauXe.  thi^  Matters  to  be  confidered,  being  bare- 
ly of  Humane Conftitmipn,  ^>'i\,  the  Liturgy  andCe- 
rea.onics  of  the  Church  of  Ey^gland^  which  had  their 
Eftabli(]ip[ient  from  King,  L©rd«  Spiritual  and  Tem- 
por^f,  ,and  Commons  alfembk-d  in  Parliament,  there 
can  be  no  Reafon  why  the  CommilTioners  for.altering 
f  any  Thing  in  that  Civil  Conftitution,  Ihould  confift 

'  only 


Chap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       440 


oiily  of  Men  of  one  Sort  of  them  ;   unlefs  it  be  fup-  An-  1689. 
pos'd,  that  Humane  Reafon  is  to  be  quitted  in  this 
Affair,  and  the  Infpiration  of  Spiritual  Men  to  be  a* 
lont  depended  on. 

3.  *  Becaufe,  tho'  upon  i^owj//^  Principles  the  Clergy 
may  have  a  Title  to  meddle  alone  in  Matters  of  Re- 
ligion, yet  with  us  they  cannot,  where  the  Church 
is  acknowledged  and  defined  to  confift  of  Clergy  and 
Laity  5  and  fo  thofe  Matters  of  Religion  which  fall 
undfer  Humane  Determination,  being  properly  the 
Bufinefs  of  the  Church,  belong  equally  to  both  ;  for 
in  what  is  of  Divine  Inftitution,  neither  Clergy  nor 
Laity  can  make  any  Alteration  at  all. 

4.  *  fBecaufe  the  pretending  that  Differences  and 
Delays  may  arife,  by  mixing  Lay-men  with  Eccle- 
liafticks,  to  the  fruf^rating  the  Defign  of  the  Com- 
n:iiirianj  is  vain  and  out  of  Ddors,  unlefs  thofe  that 
make  ufe  of  this  Pretence,  fuppofe  that  the  Clergy 
Part  of  the  Church  have  diftind  Interefts  or  Defigns 
froni  the  Lay-part  of  the  fame  Church,  and  will  be  2 
R€afon,  if  Good,  why  one  or  other  of  them  fhould 
quit  this  Houfe,  for  fearof  obftruding  theBufinefsof  it. 

5 .  *  Becaufe  the  Conrtmiffion  being  intended  for  the 
Satisfadion  of  DiJfenterSj  it  would  be  convenient 
that  Lay-men  of  different  Ranks,  nay,  perhaps  of 
different  Opinions  too,  ihould  be  mixed  in  it,  the 
better  to  find  Expedients  for  that  End,  rather  than 
Clergy-men  alone  of  our  Church,  who  are  ge- 
nerally obferv'd  to  have  all  very  much  the  fame  Way 
of  Reafoning  and  Thinking. 

6.  *  Becaufe  it  is  the  moft  ready  Way  to  facilitate 
the  palling  the  Alterations  into  a  Law,  that  Lay-  ^ 
Lords  and  Commoners  fhould  be  joined  in  the  Com- 
miflion,  who  may  be  able  to  fatisfie  both  Houfes  of 
the  Reafons,  upon  which  they  were  made,  and 
thereby  remove  all  Fears  and  Jealoufies,  ill  Men 
may  raife  up  againit  the  Clergy,  of  their  endeavour- 
ing to  keep  up,  without  Grounds,  a  diftind  Intereft 
from  that  of  the  Laity,  whom  they  fo  carefully  ' 
exclude  from  being  joined  with  them,  in  Confulta- 
tions  of  common  Concernment,  that  they  will  not 
have  thofe  have  any  Part  in  the  Deliberation,  who 
muft  have  the  greateft  in  d,€termining. 


444         Some  Hifiorical  AddHions     Chap.  XVII. 


An,  1689.  7.  *  Becaufe  fttch  a  leftrain'd  Commiflion  lies  liable 
to  this  great  Objection,  that  it  might  be  made  Ufe 
of  to  elude  repeated  Promifes,  and  the  prefent  gene- 
ral Expedtation  of  Compliance  with  tender  Con- 
fciences,  when  the  providing  for  it  is  taken  out 
of  the  ordinary  Courfe  of  Parliament,  to  be  put 
into  the  Hands  of  thofe  alone,  wh6  were  lateft  in 
admitting  any  need  of  it,  and  who  may  be  tho't  to  be 
the  more  unit  to  be  the  fole  Compofers  of  our  Diffe- 
rences, when  they  are  look'd  upon  by  fome  as  Parties. 
LaAly,  '  Becaufe  after  al],  this  carries  a  dangerous 
Suppofition  along  with  it,  as  if  the  Laity  were  not 
a  Part  of  the  Church,  nor  had  any  Power  to  meddle 
in  Matters  of  Religion ;  a  Suppofition  direftly  oppo- 
(ite  to  the  Conftitution  both  ot  Church  and  State  : 
Which  will  make  all  Alterations  utterly  impof- 
lible,  unlefs  the  Clergy  alone  be  allow'd  to  have 
Power  to  make  Laws  in  Matters  of  Religion,  fince 
what  is  eftablifli'd  by  Law  cannot  be  taken  away, 
but  by  Confentof  Lay-men  in  Parliament,  the  Clergy 
themfelves  having  no  Authority  to  meddle  in  this  very 
Cafe,  in  which  the  Laity  is  excluded  by  this  Voce, 
but  what  they  derive  from  Lay  Hands, 

Subfcrib*d,  PVINCHESTEIi,  MOBPANT, 
LOVELACE. 

*  I  Diflent  for  this  and  other  Reafons ;  becaufe  it  ig 
contrary  to  three  Statutes  made  in  the  Reign  of 
Henry  VIII,  and  One  in  Edward  VI,  which  impower 
Thirty  two  Commiflioners,  to  alter  the  Canon  and 
EccJcfiaftical  Law,  ^c.  whereof  Sixteen  to  be  of  the 
Laity,  and  Sixteen  of  the  Clergy. 

STAMFOHP. 

The  ji^  for       ^^y  th«  24th,  The  A  Ft  for  exempting  their  Majefties 
Liberty  of    Proteftaut  SiibjeBs,  Diffenting  from  the  Church  of  Eng- 
Confiienee.     land,  froyn  the  Penalties  of  certain  Laws  3  received  the 
Pvoyal  AfTcnr. 

It  was  hereby  enacfted,  That  none  of  the  Penal  Laws 
to  which  they  before  were  liable^  fhould  thence  forward-  he 
ccnjirued  to  extend  to   any  Perfons    diffenting  from  the 
Church  of  England,  that  fhould  tak^e  the  Oaths  to  the  Go- 
vernment^ 


Chap.  XVII.  after  the  H evolution  7^  1 6SS.      445 


vernment^  Sec.  That  all  Preachers  and  Teachers  among  An.  i68p. 
them^  taking  the  Oaths ^  and  fubfcribing  the  Articles  of 
the  Church  0/ England,  excepting  the  i^th^  '-i^fh^  and 
36th,  and  Part  of  the  loth,  and  Licenfing  the  L' laces  in 
which  they  meet^  and  keeping  the  Doors  of  fuch  Places 
unbarr  d,  and  unbolted,  fhould  have  free  Liberty  to  VQor~ 
fhip  God  according  to  their  Confcien- 

cei,  ^  *  And  that  vehofoever  fhould  ^  Trt^emy  Tears  after  the  paf- 
come  into  any  of  their  Congregations.,  flng  of  this  AB^  it  became  a 
and  give  them  Difturbancc^  ormifuje  Quefiion,  whether  it  ti> as  a  To- 
aiiy  Preashcr  or  Teacher,  upon  Proof  leration  or  not.  Vr.  Sachevetel 
given  before  a  '^ujiice  of  Peace  by  Two  ''^ould  by  no  Means  allow  it  ^  andit 
or  more  PVitneJfes^  foould  find  Txvo  ^'''  ^he  Sccor.d  of  Tour  Articles 
Sureties  to  be  bound  by  I{ecogni:(at?ce  ^P°^  ^^''^h  he  was  ImpeacFd^ 
in  the  Penal  Sum  0/50/.  and  in  De-  f""  l'"'  ^'^""^  Indulgence  or  To- 
fault  of  fuch  Sureties  be  committed  to  ^''f''  ^['^^'^^  !'  D:f enters,  m 
n   T       \'it  /-  /        r\       .         Order  to  the  uniting  Trote ft  ants  in 

Pnfon,  till  next  General  or  Quarter     ,„,^^^^  ^^^  ^^        ^ ^^^  y 

Seffions,  when  upon  Conviaton  they  j,-^  reprefentcd  as  unrcafonabie, 
fhould  ftiffer  the  Penalty  of  20  I.  ^„^  ^/,,  allowance  of  It  as  un- 
&C.  And  that  all  fuch  Preachers  warrantable :  And  he  was  char^'d 
and  Teachers  in  feparate  Congregations  with  ajferting,  that  he  is  a  falfe 
fhould  be  thenceforth  exempted,  from  Brother  with  'Relation  to  Cod,  Re- 
ferving  upon  any  Jury,  or  from  beiyig  Ugion^  or  the  Churchy  who  defends 
chcfen  or  appointed  to  bear  the  Offce  Toleration  or  liberty  of  Con- 
of  Church-warden,  Overfeer  of  the  p'^»^e. 
Pcor^  or  any  other  Parochial  or  H-^ard 

Office.^  or  other  Office  in  apy  Hundred  of  any  Shire,  City,  Town^ 
Parifh,  Divifion  or  Wapentake^  8cc. 

From  that  Time  they  were  eafie  and  thankful ;  tho' 
many  of  them  would  have  been  glad  to  have  been  taken 
into  the  National  Eftablilhment ;  fome  Hopes  of  which 
were  flill  left  them,  becaufe  there  was  a  Bill  for  that 
Purpofe  yet  depending  in  Parliament,  which  pafs'd  the 
Houfe  of  Lords;  and  when  it  came  down  to  the  Houfe 
of  Commons,  they  defir'd  his  Majefty  to  fummon  a 
Convocation,  and  lay  the  Matter  before  them. 

Dr.  Nichols  *  tells  us,  that  while  this  Bill  was  de-      *  Appa- 
pcnding,   Dr.    Tillotfon  who   was    then   Chaplain    to  ^^^'  i^ 
King  Willliam^   perfwaded  the  King  to  take  another  Det.Eccier. 
Method,     in    order    to   the    accompiifhing    his    De-    ^^"  ^*  ^'' 
fires.     And  he  fays,  that  in  Order  to  it,  be  reminded 
him  of  the  unhappy  Jeft  often  caft  upon  the  Reforma- 
tion by    the  B^manijis,   becaufe  it   was  owing   to   a 
Parliamentary  Authority ;  And  mov'd  that  no  farther 

Occafion 


44^  Some  Hi(ior I cal  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


jSjt.  i58p.  Occafion  might  be  given  to  a  Charge  of  that  Narurc. 
He  intimated  that  that  Matter  was  fitter  to  be    referred 
to  an  Ecclefiafticai  Synod,    whofe    Determinations  in 
the  Cafe  would  be  more  agreeable  totheCleigy,  and 
be  more  Religioufly  obferv'd  by  the  People  ta(j.     Ad- 
ding,  that  for  fear  of  delay  if  fuch  an  Affair  Ihould  be 
put  into  toT  many  Hands,  it  would  be  beft  (as  had.  been 
prac^is'd  formerly,)    for  the  King  by  his  Letters  Pa- 
tents,   to  Authorize  a  fele(5t  Number  of  Learned  Di- 
vines, to  meet  together  and  debate,  and  confuit  about 
the  propereft  Methods  of  healing  the  Wounds  of  the 
Church,  and  fixing  a  durable  Peace :  That  fo  what  they 
agreed  upon  being  laid  before  a  Synod,  might  firil  have 
their  Approbation,  and  then  have  a  Parliamentary  San- 
dlion.     And  he  fays  that  it  was  upon  his  Advice,   that 
the  King  fummon'd  a  Convocation,  and  iffu'd  out  alfo 
a  Commiflion  to  Thirty  Divines,   to  prepare  Matters  to 
be  laid  before  them.     I  doubt,  however,  that  he  after- 
wards faw  Occafion  to  repent  of  this  Advice  :    And  am 
well  alTar'd  that  it  is  the  wifli  of  many,  (not  to  fay  'twas 
afterwards  his)  that  when  the  next  fit  Opportunity  arrives 
for  fuch  an  healing  Attempt,  (the  proper  Method  for  which 
is  plain  enough  whenever  Perfons  are  really  willing  to 
purfue  it)  it  may  be  taken  with  more  vigour  and  lefs 
Formality.     The  Reformation  had  never  been  brought 
about  had  it  been  left  to  a  Convocation  ;    nor  will  our 
•  Breaches  be  ever  heal'd  but  by  a  true  Englilh  Parliament. 
And  let  but  them  fct  about  it  in  earneft,   and  they'l  do 
it  with  eafe,    as  far  as  is  neceflary  ;   ftill  leaving  Men 
a  Liberty  to  judge  for  thcmfelves,    without  being  liable 
to  any  Hard  (hip  or  Severity.     Accordingly  the  King 
fumm.on'd  a  Convocation  ;    and  iflued  out  alfo  another 
Commilfion  to  Thirty  Divines  to  prepare  Matters  to  be 
confider'd  by  the  Convocation.     The  Commifiion  was 
as  follows: 
The  m-ttf      *'  Whereas  the  Particular  Forms   of  Divine  Wor- 
Ecclefafil'  "  fhlp,  and  the  Rites  and  Ceremonies  appointed  to  be 
cal  Com-     "  usM  therein,  being  Things  in  their  own  Nature  in- 
mijjion.        "  different  and  alterable,  and  fo  acknowledged  ;    it  is 
"  but  reafonable,   that  upon  weighty  and  important 
Confiderations,  according  to  the  various  Exigencies 
of  Times  and  Occafions,  fuch  Changes  and  Alterations 
lliould  be  made  therein,  as  to  thofe,  that  are  in  Place 

r~       *'and 


it 


Chap.  XVII.   after  the  Revolntion  in  i68S.       447 


il 


c< 


(( 


and  Authority,  ihonld  from  Time  10  Time  Teem  ^«.  1689. 
either  Necefiary  or  Expedient, 
"  And  whereas  rhe  Book  of  Canons  is  fit  to  be  re- 
viewed, and  made  more  fuitable  to  the  State  of  the 
"  Church  ;  and  whereas  there  are  Defedls  and  Abufes 
*'  in  the  Ecclefiaftical  Courts  and  Jmifdiiflions ;  and 
**  particularly  there  is  not  fufficient  Frovifion  made  for 
"  the  "removing  of  fcandalous  Minifters,  and  for  the 
"  Reforming  of  Manners  either  in  Minifters  or  People: 
*'  And  whereas  it  is  moft  fit  that  there  Ihould  be  a  ftri£l 
*'  Method  prefcrib'd  for  the  Examination  of  fuch  Per- 
"  fons  as  defire  to  be  admitted  into  Holy  Orders,  both 
**  as  to  their  Learning  and  Manners. 

"  "We  therefore  out  of  our  Pious  and  Princely  Care 
*'  for  the  good  Order  and  Edification,  and  Unity  of 
the  Church  of  Englnnd,  committed  to  our  Charge 
**  and  Care ;  and  for  the  reconciling  as  much  as  is  polli- 
"  ble,  of  all  Diiferences  among  our  good  Subjects,  and 
to  take  away  all  Occafion  of  the  like  for  the  Future, 
have  thought  fit  to  Authorize  and  Empower  you,  ^c. 
"  And  any  Nine  of  you,  whereof  Three  to  be  Bi(hops, 
'^  to  meet  from  Time  to  Time,  as  often  as  ihall  be 
**  needful,  and  to  prepare  fuch  Alterations  of  the  Li- 
"  turgy,  and  Canons,  and  fuch  Propofals  for  the  Re- 
"  formation  of  Ecclefiaftical  Courts,  and  to  confider 
"  of  fuch  other  Matters  as  in  your  Judgments  may  m»oft 
"  conduce  to  the  Ends  above-mentioned. 

Ten  of  the  Commiflioners  were  then  Bifhops ;  V7\, 
Dr.  Lamplugb  Archbifhop  of  Tork^  ■■  Dr.  Ccmyton^  Dr. 
Mew^  Dr.  Lloyd,  Dr.  Sprr.t,  Dr.  Smirh^  Sir  Jonathan 
Trelauny^  Dr.  Burnet,  Dr.  Humfreys,  and  Dr.  Stratford* 
who  were  the  Bilhops  of  London^  PT^inchcFrer,  St.  Ajnph^ 
^cheHer,  Cnrlijle,  Exeter,  Sdisht-iry^  Bnngor,  and  Che- 
fler.  Twenty  other  Dignitaries  were  added  to  them : 
As,  Dr.  Stilihigfleet,  Dr.  Pntikk.,  DT.Tillotfon,  Dr.  M?^- 
got.  Dr.  Shnrp,  Dr.  KJdder,  Dr.  Aldridge,  Dr.  Jatic, 
Dr.  Hall,  Dr.  Beaumont,  Dr.  Mountague,  Dr.  Goodman^ 
Dr.  Beveridge,  Dr.  Bnttely,  Dr.  Alfion^  Dr.  Tennifon, 
Dr.  Scot,  Dr.  Fowler,  Dr.  Grove,  and  Dr.  iVilUams. 

ThefeCommiffioners  often  met  and  debated  Mat- 
ters, but  were  Deferred  by  Dr.  Janc^  and  feveral  others. 
They  drew  up  fundry  Alterations ;  an  exad:  iCopy  of 
which  I  once  had,  bat  unhappily  and  irrecoverably  ioii 
by  lending  it  out.    But  thus  much  I  ihall  venture  to  fay, 

that 


44  8  Some  Hiftorical  AdditioHs     Chap.  XVII. 

uin.  1689.  that  fach  Ammendments  as  thofe   were,   with  fach  an 

Allowance  in  the  Point  of  Orders,   for  Ordination  by 

Presbyters,    as  is  made  13  Z;//:^.  Cap.  12*;  would  in  all 

*  ^^       Pi;:f)bability  have  bro't  in  Two  Thirds  of  the  Dijfenters 

unTrnown    ^"  England.     Which  being  done,    and  at  the  fame  Time 

Ui^jj  a  Liberty  continu'd  to  fuch  as  could  not  be  Comprchend- 

church        ed,  would  have  been  greater  Service  to  Religion  than 

Friend,  in    can  eafily  be  imagin'd  f , 

hvi  Packet  Many 

of  Hints 

to  me,  which  I  have  teferf'i  to,   once  and  again  before,  calls  it  a  prevarica- 
ting with  God  and  Man  to  wreft  the  Aft  of  13  Eliz.  to  Ordinations  by 
Presbyters.     He  tells  me  that  I  know  that  that  Statute  was  made  to  oblige 
all  Priefts,    who  had  been  Ordain'd  by  Popilh  Bilhops  to  Siibfcvibe  the 
Articles  ;    And  that  Presbyterian  Ordination  was  not  then  tho't  off,  ^Jrc 
27;o*  /  was  far  from  knowing  or  believing  any  fuch  Thing,  yet  the  Gentle 
man  being  fo  yery  confident,  I  took  the  pains  once  more  to  read  the  ASl  over  ; 
find  all  that  I  can  find  there  is,    that   Subfcription  to   the  Doctrinal  Articles. 
ii  recjutr'd  of  all  in  Tojfeffion  of  Livings  by  the  Chri/imasDay  next  following^ 
and  that  fuch  Subfcribers  which  way  foevef  Ordain  d,  were  admitted  to  Offi- 
ciate in  the  Chmzh  of  England  as  Minlfiers,  e^c.     And  I  find  that  Fuller 
in  his  Chufch  Hiflory,    upon  that  very  Tear,    declares  that  this  Afi  was  made 
with  refpeCl  to  the  Nonconformifls.     Tho*  it  was  favourable   to  them,  if  com- 
pard  with  what  is  now  requlr,d,  when  to  capacitate  for  a  Livings  not  only 
Epifcnpal  Ordination  is  re^uird,  and  a  Subfcription  to  the  Articles,  but  alfo 
a  Subfcription,  and  an  AJfent  and  Confent,   to  all   and  every  Thing  contained 
in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  the  Btok  of  Ordering  Bifhops,  Priefis  and 
Deacons,  &c.    wlicreln  are  confiderable  DoCirinal  Additions,    and  the  fuppoft' 
tion  of  the  Jure  Divino,  of  the  Three  Orders,  of  Bifhops,  Priefls,  and  Deacons 
amon<^  the  refl.     And  tho   this  Gentlemen  is  pleas  d  to  tell  me  that  Presbyte- 
rian Ordination  was  not  then  thot  of,  yet  if  he" I  take  the  pains  to  look  intCt 
Air.  Strype'i  Hifiory  of  the  Life  and  ASis  of  Blffjop  Grindal,    he  I  find  in  the 
Appendix,  Numb.  17,  a  Copy  of  a  LIcenfe  granted  to  one  John   Morrifon  a 
Sirotdi  Alan,  to  Preach  and  Adminifter  Holy  Things  throughout  the  Province  of 
Canterbury,    tho'  this  John  Morrifon   (a^  the  Licenfe  takes  notice^  was  only 
Ordain'' d  in  Scotland,  in  the  way  of  the  Presbyterians ;  which  fort  of  Ordina- 
tion  ( and  they  had  7to  other  in  Scotland j  Is  exprcfy  approved  in  the  Vcenfe. 

t  This  faying  of  mine  is  partic:4larly  taken  notice  of  by  Mr.  Ollyffe,  in  hii 
Epiple  Dedicatory  to  his  Defence  of  Minifterial  Conformity  ^  and  by  Mr. 
Hoadly  in  his  Brief  Defence  of  Epifcopal  Ordination;  and  alfo  by  the 
Compjeat  Hiflory  of  England,  yd.  7,.  f.  5$2.  And  I  mufi  own  I  never 
yet  faw  Reafon  to  retraCh  it.  Tor  though  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Church  of 
England  fomwo»/j  y>y  of  the  Dijfenters,  that  they  don't  know  what  would 
fathfy  them,  yet  they  have  been  often  told,  Bifhop  Ufhers  Model  and  King 
Charles  the  Seconds  Declaration  would  fatisfy  them.  Hay  King  Charles's 
Declaration  alone  confirmed  by  ACl  of  Parliament,  and  reduc'd  to  Pra^ice^ 
would  have  bid  fair  for   brin^in^  in  Fifteen  Huntfted  of  the  Two  Thoufand 

Minlfiers 


Chap.  XVII.   after  the  Revolution  in  1 68?^ .         449 


Many  being  fo  defirous  to  be  inform'd  as  to  this  ^^.  1^89. 
Matter,  I  (hall  pick  up  what  Light  I  can  about  it.     And 
firft  the  Bifhop  of  Snrum  *  gives  us  this  Account.    'In     "^  in  hit 
'  the  Reign  of  King  James  thofe  of  the  Church,    who  Triennial 
faw  the  P/J/i/?^  drawing  in  the  Dijjenters  to  concur  ^'Matton 
with  them,   in  taeir  Defigns  againO  the  Church,  appli- ^^■'^''^e. 
ed  to  the  then  Prince  of  Oranve^  defiring  him  to  make  ^"-  ^  7^4- 
ufe"  of  his  Intereft  in  them,    for  diverting  them  from 
that :    And  in  thofe  Letters  which  are  yet  extant,  Af- 
furances  were  given,  that  the  Church  was  then  in  fuch 
a  Temper,   and  fo  well  convinced  of  former  Errors, 
that  if  ever  flie  got  out  of  that  Diftrefs,  all  ihofe  Dif- 
ferences would  be  certainly  made  up;    And  to  make 
this  Aflfurance  more  Publick,    the  Archbifliop    and 
Bifhops  in  the  Petition,  for  which  they  were  imprifond 
and  Try'd,  Declared  that  they  were  ready  to  come  to 
a  Temper  in  thofe  Matters  both  in  Parliament  and 
Convocation,     Upon   this  it  was  that  the  Prince  of   • 
Orange  promised  in  his  Declaration,   to  ufe  his  Endea- 
vours to  heal  all  thofe  Divifions :  In  order  to  the  per- 
forming this,  He  by  a  fpecial  Comroiffion  appointed 
all  thofe  Bilhops  who  ownM  his  Authority,  He  being 
then  fet  on  the  Throne^  together  with  a  great  many  o£ 
the  Clergy,    to  draw  out  the  Grounds  upon  which  the 
Diffenters  had  feparated  from  us,  and  to  offer  Expedi- 
ents in  order  to  the  healing  our  Breaches.     We  had 
before  us  all  the  Books  and  Papers  that  they  had  at  any- 
time offered,   fetting  forth  their  Demands;  together 
with  many  Ad  vices  and  Propofitions  which  had  been 
made  at  feveral  times,   by  moft  of  the  beft  and  moft 
Learned  of  our  Divines ;  of  which  the  late  moft  Learn- 


,x^ 


Mhifters  vfho  were  Eje^ed  in  Sixty  Ttpo.  And  fuch  Concejjions.  as  Kinr 
Williara'5  Commifjioners  vffould  have  yielded  to,  had  made  the  Body  of  the  Fre- 
fent  Nmconformift  Minifters  very  Thankful,  with  the  Allow arsce  of  the  tuh  of 
Eliz.  in  point  of  Orders.  For  the  fcrupled  Ceremonies  being  left  indifferent^ 
and  the  Liturgy  amended  as  to  the  exceptionable  Pajfages,  and  nothing  that 
re  as  capable  of  being  interpreted  an  owning  the  Authority  of  the  impofers  beinr 
injifled  on,  that  which  now  incapacitates  Ui  from  exer.cifing  our  Mini/try  in 
the  Eflablijh'd  Church  would  rani/I)  away^  tho"  there  might  yet  remain  room 
for  many  Amendments,  and  fame  of  them  very  defirable  too,  efpeclally  as  to 
the  Courts  that  are  called  Ecclefiafiical  ^  which  {with  fome  other  Thin<rs^  we  hoji 
the  Lhuuh  r^iU  fome  time  or  other,  for  her  own  fake^  take  care  to  hare  amended. 

G  g  *  ed 


45 o        Some  Hljlorkal  Addition.     Chap,  XV 11. 


jU.  i6%$. 


ed  Bifhop  of  Worceftcr  had  a  great  Collection :  So  wc 
prepar'd  a  Scheme  to  be  laid  before  the  Comocation ; 
but  did  not  think  that  we  ourfelves,   much  lefs  that 
any  other  Perlcn,  was  any  way  limited,  or  bound  to 
comply  with  what  we  refolv'd  to  propofe.     On  the 
contrary,  wciaid,  if  we  faw  better  Reafon,  we  would 
change  our  Minds.     Yet  this  which  was  only  a  Coun- 
cil created  by  the  King  to  prepare  Matters,  was  com- 
plain'd  ot  as  an  impoling  on  the  Convocation^  and  as  a 
limiting  of  it  ;    add  thoi^gh  a  i^o;/?/  Licence   was  fent 
them,    yet  a  previous  Refolution  was  taken  to  admit 
of  no  Amendments.     Wtjen  we  faw  that,  we  rclblv'd 
to  be  quiet,   and  leave  that  matter  to  better  Times: 
But  then  the  Enemies  of  the  Civil  Government,  be- 
gan to  work  on  the  Jealoufies  and  Fears  of  many  well 
minded  Men ;  and  the  peferving  the  Chw ch  was  given 
out  as  the  l4^ord,  by  thofe  who  meant  France  or  St. Ger- 
mains  by  it. 

I  fliall  next  refer  to  what  I  have  before  mention  d, 
vi:(.  the  Account  given  by  the  Biihop  of  Lincoln^  in  his 
Speech  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  on  March  the  i7tb,  i7tt, 
upon  the  Second  Article  of  the  Impeachment  againft 
Dr.  Sacheverell.  '  The  Perfon  (lays  he^  who  firft  con- 
certed thlsfuppofed  Defign  againft  cw  Church,  was  the 
late  moft  Reverend  Dr.  Snncroft^  A>chb:fhcp  of  Canter- 
bury. The  rime  was  towards  the  end  of  that  unhappy 
B^ign^  of  which  fo  much  was  faid  upon  Occafion  of 
the  foregoing  Article.  Then  when  we  wer^  in  the 
heighth  of  our  Labours,  defending  iht  Church  of  Eng- 
land againft  the  /fjf^ults  of  Popery^  and  thought  of  no- 
thing ejfc,  that  wife  Prelate  forefeeing  fome  fuch  I{e» 
volution  as  foon  after  was  happily  brought  about;  be- 
gan CO  confider  how  utter  unprepared  they  hid  been 
at  the  I{c  ft  or  at  ion. 

*  No  fooner  were  their  late  Majefties  of  Glorious 
Memory,  feated  in  their  Thrones,  but  this  Defign 
was  openly  efpous'd  by  them.  kCommiJfion  was  ilTu'd 
our,  under  the  great  Seal  of  England,  to  a  large 
Number  of  Bifljops  and  other  Eminent  Divinej,  to 
meet  together  and  to  cunfider  of  thefe  Matters.  And 
whatever  they  did,  it  was  to  have  been  carried  on 
from  them  to  the  Two  Convocations  of  Canterbury  and 
Tvrk^ :  And  after  it  Ihould  have  pafs'd  their  Approba- 
'  tions,  it  was  finally  to  have  been  laid  before  the  Two 

I  Houfes 


Chap.  XVIL   after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      45 1 

*  Houfei  of  Parliament^    and  fo  to  hive  gone  on  to  the -4».  id89» 

*  l(p)al  Jffent.  This  Wis  the  Courfe  through  which  all 
'  that  was  defign'd,  or  [hould  have  been  done  in  this 
'  Matter,   muft  have  pafsM  ;    and  I  am  perfwaded  no- 

*  thing  very  injurious  to  our  Churcbei  Welfare,  will  ever 

*  be  able  to  pafs  through  all  thefe. 

From  the  Account  of  thefe  Two  Bifhops  it  appears, 
that  the  Defign  was  begun  by  Archbilhop  Snncroft  at  the 
latter  end  of  King  J^iw^j's  Reign,  partly  out  of  tender- 
nefs  to  the  Diflenters,  and  partly  that  the  Church  might 
not  be  unprovided  upon  the  B^volution  as  they  were  at 
the  time  of  the  ^flauration :  And  that  what  was  done  in 
King  PVilliarns  time,  was  but  a  continuation  of  what 
was  begun  in  the  latter  end  of  the  Reign  foregoing. 

I  (hall  now  add  the  Account  that  is  given  us  by  Dr. 
Nichols  *,  of  the  Proceedings  of  King  iVilliiims  Eccle- 
(iaftical  Commifiioners.    He  tells  us,  *  They  began  with  ^  -^p^^^^^ 
'  reviewing  the  Liturgy.    And    firft  they  ,examin  d  ^  ^   P*-' * 
the  Calendar  I    in   which  in  the  room    of  Apocryfhal  ^^  Jf  ".'. 
Lejfom^   they   ordred  certain   Chapters  oi  Canonical  ^  ^^^^'^'^^ 
Scripture,  to  be  read,  that  vrere  more  to  the  Peoples 
advantage.     Athannfiuis  Creed,    being  diflik'd  by  ma- 
ny becaufe  of  the  Dnmnatory  Clnufe^   it  was  left  to  the 
Minifters  Choice  to  ufe  it,  or  change  it  for  the  Aprjlles 
Creed.    New  ColleHs  were  drawn  up,   more  agreeable 
to  the  Epiftlcs  and  Gofpefs,    for  the  whole  Courfe  of 
the  Year.     And  thefe  the  Dodtor  tells  us  were  drawn 
up  with  that  elegance  and  brightnefs  of  Expreflion^" 
and  fuch  an  heat  and  flame  of  Devotion,  that  nothing 
could  more  affedt  and  excite  the  Hearts  of  the  Hear- 
ers, and  raife  np  their  Minds  towards  God.     He  fays 
they  were  firft  drawn  up  by   Dr.  Patrick,^    who  was 
reckoned  to  have  great  Ikill  in  Liturgical  Compofures  2 
Dr.  Burnet  added  to  them  yet  farther  Force  and  Spi- 
rit;   Dr.  Stillingfleet  afterwards  examin'd  them  with 
great  Judg'nent,    carefully  weighing  every   Word  in 
them:    And  Dr.Tillotfon  had  the  laft  Hand,    giving 
them  fome  free  and  mafterly  ftrokes  of  his  free  and 
fweet  and  flowing  Eloquence.     Dr.  Kjddcr^  who  Uras 
well  versM  in  the  Oriental  Tongues^    made  a  new  Ver- 
fion  of  the  Pfalmf,   more  agreeable  to  the  OriginaL 
Dr.  Tennifon  made  a  ColIec5tion  of  the  Words  and  Ex-* 
prefTions  through  the  Liturgy^    which  had  been  excep- 
ted againft,  and  proposed  others  in  their  room  that 

Gg  *  [titt^ 


452  Some  Hi florical Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


Jbt.  i68p.'  were  clear  and  plain,  and  lefs  liable  to  exception. 
Other  Things  alfo  were  propos  d,  that  were  left  to  be 
determin'd  by  the  Convocation.  As,  fi.)  That  the 
Crofs  in  Baptifm  might  be  either  us'd  or  omitted  at 
the  choice  of  the  Parents.  (2.)  That  a  Nonconfor- 
mift  Minifter  going  over  to  the  Church,  fiiould  not  be 
Oidain'd  according  to  the  common  Form,  but  lather 
Conditionally,  much  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  bap- 
tizing of  Infants  is  ordered  in  the  Chnrch,  if  there  be 
not  evidence  of  their  being  Baptiz'd  before,  with  the 
Addition  of  the  Epifcopal  Benedidtion,  as  was  cuflo- 
mary  in  the  Ancient  Church,  when  Clerks  were  re-  ~ 
c^iv'd  that  had  been  Ordain  d  by  Hereticks.  Dionyf, 
Alexandr,  ap.  Euftb,  Hifi.  E.  Lib.  7.  Cap.  i.  Cone.  Nic,  I. 
Can.  8.  Jufi.five  Anth.  f{efp.  ad  Orthod.  F{e^.  18.  Theod, 
Hi  a.  Eccl.  Lib.  I  •  Cap.  8.  in  which  way  of  Ordain- 
ing Archbifhop  BramhaU  had  given  a  Precedent, 
when  he  receiv*d  fome  Scotch  Presbyters  into  the 
Church. 

To  all  which  I  Ihall  add  an  Account  which  I  re- 
ceiv'd  from  a  Friend  whom  \i  is  not  neceffary  to  Name, 
which  in  the  main  1  have  Reafon  to  think  is  right, 
though  in  fome  Refpedls  defedtive:  And  fo  I  believe 
will  all  our  Accounts  be,  till  the  Original  Papers  come  to 
be  publilh'd  to  the  World,  •  as  1  believe  and  hope  they 
will  be  in  time. 

j4n  Account  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Com- 
mijfionersj  to  prepare  Matters  for  the  apfro ach- 
ing Convocation.,  in  i68p. 


7U  Pro- 
ctedims  of 


Cham- 
and  Le- 


TH  E  Committee  being  met  in  the  Jeruf^lem 
ber,  a  Difpute  arofe  about  the  Authority 
Kin^^  vvil.  gaiity  of  the  Court.  (The  Bilhop  of  E{pchcfter,  though 
^^^'^•^^"^^'  ^^  ^^^  ^'^  lately  adled  in  an  Illegal  one,  being  one 
of  thofc  that  queftion'd  it.)  The  Grounds  of  this 
fcniple,  were  the  Obligations  the  Clergy  lay  under  by 
Adl  of  Parliament  of  King  Henry  the  VIII,  not  to  enter 
into  any  Debates,  about  making  any  Alterations  in 
Church  Affairs  without  the  King's  fpecial  and  immc- 
-diate  Privacy,  and  Direction  firft  given  concerning  fuch 
Alterations.    Ic  was  a^fwet'd,  that,  that  muft  be  done 

either 


ftafiical 

Commijji' 

oners. 


Chap.  XVI L   after  the  RevolkUon  in  i69%,        452 


cither  by  an  Aa  of  the  Kings  own  Judgment,  or  by  zAn,  1689 
private  Cabal,  (both  which  ways  would  be  very  excep- 
tionabl'^)  or elfe  by  his  Majefty's  Commiflion,  to  a  cer- 
tain number  of  Ecclefiafticks  to  confuJt  about,  and  pre- 
pare what  was  neceffary  to  be  alter'd,  as  it  was  in  the 
prefent  Cafe  ;  For  moreover,  the  Ccimmiflioners  pre- 
tended not  to  make  thefe  Alterations  obligatory  by  Ver- 
tue  of  a  Law,  but  only  to  get  them  ready  to  Jay  before 
the  Convocation :  The  very  Reports  being  not  fo  much 
as  to  be  refcrr'd  to  the  Privy  Council,  leaft  they  might 
be  fubjedt  to  be  canvas'd  and  cook'd  by  Lay  Hands. 
Howiever,  The  Biihops  of  I4^inchefter  and  {{ochefter 
Dr.  fane  and  Dr.  AldriHge  withdrew  diffatisfied ;  and 
the  reft,  after  a  Lift  of  all  that  feem'd  fit  to  be  changed, 
was  read  over,  proceeded  very  unanimoufly,  and  with- 
%^t  any  Heats,  in  determining,  as  follows,  {each  Article 
ds  foon  its  agreed  on,  being  Signd  by  the  Bi/hop  0/ London  ) 

That  the  Chaunting  of  Divine  Service  in  Cathedral 
Churches,  (hall  be  laid  afide,  that  the  whole  may  be  ren- 
dred  intelligible  to  the  Common  People. 

That  befides  the  Pfnlms,  being  read  in  their  Courfe 
as  before,  fome  proper  and  devout  ones  be  feledled  for 
Sundays. 

That  the  Apocryphal  Lejfons,  and  thofe  of  the  Old 
Teftament  which  are  too  Natural^  be  thrown  out ;  and 
others  appointed  in  their  ftead  by  a  new  Calendar, 
Alvhich  is  already  fully  fetled,  and  out  of  which  are 
omitted  all  the  Legendary  Saints  Days^  and  Others  not  dir 
recSly  referr'd  to  in  the  Service  Book. 

That  not  to  fend  the  Vulgar  to  fearch  the  Canons, 
which  few  of  them  ever  faw :  A  Kubrick  be  made,  fet- 
ting  forth  the  ufefulnefs  of  the  Crc(l  in  Bnptifw,  not  as 
an  effeotial  Part  of  that  Sacrament,  but  only  a  fit  and 
decent  Ceremony ;  However,  if  any  do,  after  all  in 
Confcience  fcruple  it,  it  may  be  omitted  by  the 
Prieft. 

That  likewlfe  if  any  refufe  to  receive  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  IQteeiing^  it  may  be  Adminiftred  to 
them  in  their  Pews. 

That  a  Kubrick  be  made,  declaring  the  Intention 
of  the  Lent  Fafts^  to  confift  only  in  extraordinary  Ads 
of  Devotion,  not  in  diftindlion  of  Meats.  And  a- 
nother  to  ftate  the  meaning  of  I{pgation  Sundays  and 

G  g  3  £???- 


454        Some  Hi  ft  or  kd  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


An.  1689.  Ember  Pf^eel^s ;  and  appoint  that  thofe  Ordained  with- 
in the  Quneuor  Ternpora^  do  Exercife  ftri£V  Devo- 
tion. 

That  the  Rubrick  which  obliges  Minifters^  to  read  Qt 
ht2iV Common  Prayer,  publickly  or  privately  every  day, 
be  changed  to  an  Exhortation  to  the  People  to  frequent 
thofe  Prayers. 

That  the  Ahfolutlon  in  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer 
may  be  read  by  a  Deacon  ;  the  Word  PrieU  in  the  Ku- 
brick being  changed  into  MinOier,  and  thofe  Words 
and  H^mifjion^  be  put  out  as  not  very  intelligible. 

That  the  Gloria  Patri^  fhall  not  be  repeated  at  the  end 
of  every  Pfalm,  but  of  all,  appointed  for  Morning  and 
Evening  Prayer. 

That  thofe  Words  in  the  Te  Deum,  thine  Honourable 
True  and  only  Son,  be  thus  turn  d,  thine  only  begotten 
Son,  Honourable^  being  only  a  civil  Term,  and  no  where 
ufed  in  Sacris. 

The  Benedicite  (hall  be  changed  into  the  1 18  Pfalm ; 
and  other  Pfalms  likewife  appointed  for  the  BenediSw 
and  Nunc  dimittis. 

The  Verficle^  after  the  Lord's  Prayer,  ^g.  fhall  be 
read  Kneeling,  to  avoid  the  trouble  and  inconveniences 
of  fo  often  varying  Poftures  in  the  Worlhip.  And  after 
thefe  Words,  give  Peace  in  our  Time  O  Lord,  ihall  fol- 
low an  Anfwer,  promifory  of  [fomewhat  on  the  Peoples 
.  Pare,  of  keeping  God*s  Laws,  or  the  like :  The  old  Rc- 
fponce  being  grounded  on  the  Predeftinating  Do£trine, 
taken  in  top  firid  an  Acceptation. 

All  high  Titles  or  Appellations  of  the  King,  Queen, 
^c.  Ihall  be  left  out  of  the  Prayers,  fuch  as  MoSi  lUu- 
Jlrioui,  I{eligicu.(y  Mighty^  8cc.   and  Only  the  Word  So- 
vereign retain'd  for  the  King  and  Queen. 

Thofe  Words  in  the  Prayer  for  the  King,  Grant  that 
be  may  vanquifh  and  overcome  all  htf  Enemies,  as  of  tOO 
large  an  Extent,  if  the  King  engage  in  an  unjuft  War^ 
ihall  be  turn'd  thus  ;  Projper  all  his  Righteous  Vnderta- 
kings  against  thy  Enemies^  or  after  fome  fuch  Man- 
ner. 

Thofe  Words  in  the  Prayer  for  the  Clergy,  who 
alone  xvork^eft  great  Marvels  ;  as  fubje£l  to  be  ill  interpre- 
ted by  Perfons  vainly  difpofed,  (hall  be  thus,  who 
alone  art  the  Author  of  all  good  Gifts:  And  thofq 
Words,   the  healthful  Spirit  of  thy  Grace,    ihall  be  thq 

Holy 


Ghap.  XVll,  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       455 


Holy    Spirit    of    thy    Grace,     healthful    being    an^»-  1^89. 
Abfolece  Word. 

The   Prayer   which  begins,  O  God  whofe  Nature  and 
tProperty,  fhall  be  thrown  ont,  as  full  of  ftrange  and  im- 
pertinent Exprelfions^  and  befides  not  in  the  Original, 
but  foifted  in  finceby  another  Hand 

The  Collects,  for  the  moft  part  are  to  be  changed,  for 
thofe  the  Bifliop  of  Chichejler  has  prepared ^  being 
a  review  of  the  old  ones  with  Enlargenrients,  to  render 
them  more  fenfible  and  affefting,  and  what  Expreffion^ 
are  needful,  fo  to  be  retrenched. 

If  any  Minifter  refufe  the  Surplice^  the  Bi(hop  if 
the  People  defire  it,  and  the  Living  will  bear  it,  may 
fubftitute  one  in  his  Place  fhat  will  officiate  in  it; 
but  the  whole  Thing  is  left  to  the  difcretion  of  the 
Biftiops. 

If  any  defire  to  have  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  omit" 
ted,  and  their  Children  prefented  in  their  own  Names 
to  Baptifm^  it  may  be  granted. 

About  the  Athenafian  Creed,  they  came  at  laft  to  this 
Gonclufion.  That  leaft  the  wholly  rejedbing  it  (hould 
by  unreafonable  Perfons  be  imputed  to  them  as  Soci- 
nianifm,  a  Kubrick  (hall  be  made,  fetting  forth,  or  de- 
claring the  Curfes  denounced  therein  not  to  be  reftrain'd 
to  every  particular  Article,  but'  intended  againft  thofe 
that  deny  the  Subftance  of  the  Chriftian  Religion  in 
General. 

Whether  the  Amendment  of  the  Travflation  of  the 
reading  P/alms,  ^as  they  are  cali'd)  made  by  the  Bifhop 
of  St.  i^fnph  and  Dr.  Kjdder^  or  that  in  the  Bibh^  ftiall 
be  inccrted  in  the  Prayer  Book,  is  wholly  left  to  the 
Con\ocation  to  confider  of  and  detlermine. 

In  the  Litany^  Comrnunion  Service,  8cc.  are  fome  Al- 
terations made,    as  alfo  in  the  Cnvons,   which  I  cannot 
yet  learn  fo  particular  Acrouut  of  as  to  give  them  yoa 
with    the   reft,    as  perhaps   I    may    hereafter  be  able  • 
to  do.    Thus  far  my  Friends  Narrative. 

On  November  the  \  6th,    the  Reverend  Bifliop  of  5<f- 
runt,    gave  an  excellent  Exhortation  to  Peace  and  Uni- 
on,  in  a  Sermon  Preacb'd  at  St.  Lavprence  Jury,  on 
A^s  7.  26,    'Tis  Pity  it  (hould  be  forgotten.    Say& 
he  there,    Page  1 4.     ff^e  here  in  England  have  had  a 

G  g  4^  /o«^. 


456  Some  Hifiorhal  Additions     Chap.  XVIf. 

An.  1 6S9.  long  fierce  ConteH:   about  Things^    which  xve  all  Confefi  are 
indifferent    in  their  own    Nature.     Thu    j^nimcfity  iVorl^s 
Hill  fo  high  among  w,  that  many  tal^e  Fire  upon  the  fmalleft 
itcfs  that  can  be  made  tovoards  the  healing  fo  great  a  Breach  ; 
nnd  fill  all  Places  vpith  Tragical  Out-cries,  as  if  the  Church 
of  England  -svs'e  to  be  fulC d  dovon  :    l^hile  the  chief  PrO" 
moters  of  th'jfe  ^ports^    {(now  well  how  falfe  they  are,  and 
that   inftead   of  Offering  at   any   Thing   that  can  in   any 
fort   weaken  our  Churchy    every  Thing  which  has  been  en^ 
deivour'*d  muft  prove   its  Strength  as  well  as  it  Glory,  if 
xve  are  fo  happy  ai   to  weigh  all  in  even  Ballances.     The 
Toings  that  are  proposed  are  of  themf elves  defireable,  though 
there  fhould  not  be  one  Di(kntet  gained  by  thefn;    and  are 
jfiich  ai  will  tend  to  the  nfnking  all  the  Parts  of  our  Offi- 
ces both  more  unexceptionable^    and  more  edifying,     Buf 
Difiempers  are  far  gone,   when  the  Patient  Images  at  the 
fi'Ft  mention   of  a   Medicine.     H^e  have  lofi  many  hap- 
py Opportunities,  fince  the  fir^  Beginning  of  the  Refor- 
mation amcng  m^  for  the  healing  our  Breaches :    One  is 
fofr\y  to  remember  them,    and  wifhes  that  fuch  fatal  Bnors 
could  be  covered  from  the  Kjiowledge  of  aU  fuccee ding  Ages 
for  the  fal{e  of  the  Churchy    and  of  thofe  who  have  govern  i 
it.     But  if  we  do   again   repeat   former   Errors,    and  let 
the  prefent  Advantages  that  we  have  now  in  our  Hands 
flip  from    Ui,    what  is  *to  be  faid  upon  it^    but  that  this 
is  of  the  Lord^    who  by  it  is  punifhing   us  for  our  other 
S^ns,  f'r  cw  remifnef  in  our  Duties i    for  our   7iegleB  of 
the    Pjjioral  C  ire ;    for   our    flackyiing  that   flricinefl  of 
Life  which  becomes  our  Profcffion ;    for  our   indulging  our 
fclves  too  much  in  Serjunlity  and  La:{inepy  and  for  all  thofe 
Mal.2, 8,9.  other  Sins,  by  which  we  have  departed  from  his  Law,  and 
have  corrupted  the  Covenant  a^  Lcvi^   and  made  many 
10  Humble  at  the  Law;    and  that  therefore  God  tvill 
^er.  lo.  21.  make  us  become  bafe  and  contemptible  before  the  Peo- 
p\c ;  and  thnt  all  our  FJocks  fhail  be  fcarter'd.     But  we 
might  hope  for   better  Things,    if  everyone  would  put  away 
all  Prejudices,  all  PViath^  /In^er,  and  Eleven ge ;  and  would 
put  on  Bowels  of  Mercies  and  Kjndnef^  remctnbtino  that  we 
are  Brethren,  fo  that  havingpu' iff  d  ouf elves  from  Humour, 
Paffion,  Inter tH' J     and  every  Thing  elf e  that  may  corrupt  our 
iPe/.  1.22  Minds,  unto  the  unfeigned  Love  of  the  Brethren,    we 
wo  f\d  refoJv^  to  Love  one  another  with  a  pure  Heart 
f<.T-V€i)rly.      And  if  irfead  of  tie  Pride  of  not  yielding  to 
one  another  in  any  Things    we  Jhould  rather  engage  into  a 

Holy 


Ghap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        457 


Holy  Emulation  of  trying  vifho  could  yield  molt  for  the  heal-  An.  1689. 
ing  of  tbofe  TVounds^  that  have  been  fo  often  Of  end,  and 
that  begin  now  again  to  bleed  afrefh.     He  adds,  Page  17, 
God  he  thanked  for  it,  that  there  is  an  End  put  to  all  Perfe^ 
vution  in  Matters  of  Confcience  5  and  that  the  Firfi  and 
Chief  Right  of  Humane  Nature^  of  following  the  Dilates 
of  Confcience  in  the  Service  of  God  is  fecured  to  aU  Men 
arnmg^  us ;   and  that  we  are  freed,  I  hope,  for  ever,  of  all 
the  Remnants  of  the  worji  Part  of  Popery  that  we  had  too 
long  retained,  I  mean  the  Spirit  of  Perjecutiori,     If  this 
pi^es  IJneafinefs  to  any,  it  foews  that  their  Eye  is  Evil^ 
becaufe  the  Eye  of  our  hegijlntors  has  been  good  towards 
thqfe,  who  tho   they  may  be  mijlaken  in  their  Notions^  yet 
have  ftill  the  Rights  of  Men,    and  of  Chrijiians,     But 
after  all  phis,  it  is  to  he  remembred,  that  Men  may  he  flill 
Perfecutors,  tho    they  are  viot  able  to  perfecute  any  longer, 
■according  to  our  Saviour  s  charging  the  Guilt  of  intended 
Sins^  on  thofe  who  never  aBed  them  :  For  as  long  as  we  en^ 
tertain  Hatred  and  Malice  in  our  Hearts,  and  wifh  that  it 
were  in  our  Power  to  do  hurt  to  others,  fo  long  we  become  guilty 
hefore  God^  andfo  do  wrong  to  our  f elves,  tho*  we  are  not  in 
Condition  to  do  them  any  ;  but  if  we  do  them  all  the  wrong 
we  can,  we  fhew  what  our  Tempers  are,  and  that  we  would 
do  more  if  it  were  in  our  Power,     If  we  Love  to  keep  up 
old  Differences,  or  to  create  new  Ones,  if  we  will  continue 
to  make  the  Terms  of  Communion  with  us  asjirait  as  poffibly 
we  can,  and  fhut  out  all  Perfons,  as  much  as  in  us  lies,  from 
joining  Labours  with  us,  becaufe  they  do  not  in  all  Things 
think  as  we  do  :  If  we  will  by  Turns  imploy  all  the  Inter efi 
we  have  in  any  Turn  of  Government  that  is  /-/w^  to  us,  to 
do  wrong  to  others,  either  by  loading  them  withfalfe  Accuf ac- 
tions, by  aggravating  fame  leffer  Matters,  or  by  an  undue  Pro- 
fecution  of  real  but  repented  of  Faults  ;  all  thefe  are  thefe- 
*veral  Infiances,  in  which  an  injurious  Temper  fhew s  it  felf  5 
and  while  fuch  Things  are  among  us,we  are  under  the  Guilt 
that  is  charged  on  tbef&  Ifraelites  in  my  Text,  who  tho*  they 
were  Brethren,  yet  did  wrong  one  to  another. 

Ail  the  Difcourfe  now  was  about  this  famous  Ec-  ^  ^'f" 
cleftafiical  Commiffion,  which  was  fo  diflferent  from  ^^y^^^/^T 
that  of  the  foregoing  Reign.  Some  were  earneft  for  ^x^i^Jn^ 
it,  and  others  as  warm  againft  it-  They  that  were  ca/Commik 
for  it,  afferted  *  that  it  was  every  Way  agreeable  to  fion,  pj  int- 
the  Laws  of  the  Land.  That  it  was  juftified  by  feve-  ed  hrRi- 
ral  Precedents  fince  the  Reformation,  in  the  Reigns  ofehardchif- 

Edward  we//,i62^. 


4 5 8         Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Ghap.  XVII. 

A^.  i6%^:Edvpnrd  VI,  Queen  Elis^abethy  King  James,  and  King 
Charles  II.     That  fuch  a  Commilfion  was  fo  far  from 
being  prejudicial  to  a  Convocation,  that  it  was  likely 
to  be  ufeful  CO  it,  by  Way  of  Preparation,  to   get 
Tbuigs  ready  for  fuch  a  Body  ;  which  mufk  to  be  fure 
to  be  done  by  a  few.     That  the  refult  of  their  Delibe- 
rations was  Propo/als  only,  not  hnpofitions.     That  the 
Perfons  employed  in  this  Commiflion  were  unexceptio- 
nable ;  all  Church-men ;   fuch  Men  as  would  fit  in 
Convocation  ;    Biftiops,    Deans,     and  Arch-deacons : 
Mea  of  known  Abilities,  Probity,  and  Worth.     That 
all  Churches  in  procefs  of  Time,  tho*  at  fiift  as  well 
conftituted  as  the  Age  and  Cafe  would  bear,  may  ad- 
mit of  Alterations  and  Improvements.    That  notwith- 
ftanding  the  Review  in  ^i,  the  Conftitution  was  ftill 
capable  of  another.    That  they  were  convinced,  that  if 
ihey  at  that  Time  bad  Reafon  for  the  Alterations  they 
made,  which  were  computed  to  be  about  Six  Hundred, 
there  was  equal,  if  not  greater  Reafon  for  fome  farther 
Improvements.    That  if  they  at  that  Time  had  o£Gcred 
to  move  much  farther,  a  Stone  would  hav?  been  laid 
under  tbeir  Wheel  by  a  fecret  but  powerfnl  Hand. 
That  the  beft  Church  is  not  abfolutely  perCe(^  in  all 
circumftantial  Things,  nor  carv  it  ever  be  made  fo  here 
on  Earth.     That  it  would  be  comfortable  to  the  Con- 
fcrmifis^   by  fitting  Alterations  to  have  Strength  and 
.  Beauty  added  to  that  Houfe  in  which  tbey  refolved  to 
live  and  die  .-    And  that  as  for  the  Diffentersii  they 
were  not  thereby  gain  d  upon,  they'd  be  left  inexcufa- 
ble.     That  there  was  then  a  very  ftt  ]un<Sture  for  fucfa 
a  Defign :    Becaufe  of  the  Defire  of  their  Majefties'; 
the  Concurrence  of  the  Lords  in  their  Bill  of  Union  ; 
and  the  Expectation  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  who 
Jook'd  that  fometbing  (hould  then  be  done,  that  might 
make  for  Peace  and  Union. 
Fox  ihri,       To  this  It  was  replied  ;    to  what  Purpofe  is  it  to 
^>age  14,    f»egin,  wiienwe  fee  not  where  toxnd  ?  Is  it  not  bettet 
iS,  ^(-     to  endure  feme  Inconveniences  ( as  in  all  Conftitutions 
fome  will  be)  than  to  expofe  our  Selves  to  certain  Mif- 
chiefs  ?     And  what  can  we  expe(5l,  when  the  Six  Hun- 
dred Aiierations  in  166 1,  had  no  competent  Effect,  but. 
were  rejected  with  Scorn  ?    'Twas  added,  that  the  true, 
Confoimifij  were  very  well  fatisfy'd  with  their  Houfc^ 
and  contented  to  live  and  die  in  it :   Sue  thai  if  the 

Dijfentcri 


Chap.  XVll.    after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       459 

Dijfenters  would  go  to  make  Breaches  in  that  Houfe,  An.  1689. 
take  Poffcflion,  deface  its  Beauty,  and  undermine  its 
Strength,  and  force  them  to  leave  it,  they  could  not 
take  it  well.  That  the  Defires  of  their  Majefties  might 
be  beft  known  by  their  living  in  the  Communion  of 
iheEftablifli'd  Church,  and  their  Declarations  to  fa- 
vour and  proteft  it.  That  the  Senfe  of  the  Lords  muft 
be  judg'd  by  the  Sequel.  That  as  for  the  Dijjenters 
they  had  a  Toleration  by  Statute,  which  the  Church 
Party  could  not  gain  in  the  Civil  Wars  for  almoft 
Twenty  Years  together  5  and  they  ought  to  be  fatisfy^d 
with  it.  And  that  as  for  the  Reformed  Churches,  they 
generally  admit'd  the  Englifh  Gonftitution.  And  to 
prevent  any  vigorous  Attempt  of  that  Nature,  it  was 
publifh'd  by  many  as  their  Senfe  ;  That  no  Alterations 
ought  at  all  to  he  made  in  Things  pertaining  to  I^eligionf 
bup  when  there  was  a  great  Necejfity  :  That  there  wa6  no 
fuch  NeceJJity  for  Alterations  :  And  that  if  there  were,  it 
was  not  then  a  feafonable  Time,  when  fo  many  F/ithers  of 
the  Church,  and  eminent  Perfons  of  the  Clergy^  were  inca- 
pable of  aciing  in  the  Matter ^  thro*  their  Sufperjion  for  not 
talking  the  Oaths. 

They  who  were  more  moderate,   readily  granted 
ihem,  that  frequent  Alterations  would  be  dangerous  to 
Religion  *  ;  but  aflerted  that  in  the  Cafe  under  Confi-  ¥  ^  uttt* 
deration  there  was  an  abfolute  Neceflity.     There  lies  to  a  Friend^ 
X  fay  they  )  an  indifpenfible  Obligation  upon  us  to  do  the  relatin>r  tu 
utmo^  we  are  able  to  remove  this  mifchievous  Schijm  from  the  Trefettt 
among  us,  which  has  fo  long  difiurb  d  the  Church  of  Chrifi  Convocation 
in  this  Land.     The  Evil  of  it  mojl  certainly  muji  lie  at  our  ***  Weft- 
Doors,  as  far  as  we  9o  not  the  titmoji  that  in  us  iieth  to  re  "^infter. 
move  it.     And  what  other  H^ay  is  there  now  left  of  attempt-         / 
ing  it^  but  by  coming  to  fome  Terms  of  Moderation  and 
Temper  with  thofe  that  Dijfcnt  from  us.     We  have  already 
tryd  all  Methods  of  Perfwafion  to  mollifie  them,  all  force 
of  Argumentation  to  convince  them ,    we  have  tried  alfo  1 

Church  Cenfures  and  Penal  LawSy  and  what  have  they  a- 
vailed  us,  but  only  to  heighten  the  Divijions  and  encreafe 
the  Mi/chief  i  and  therefore  what  other  Remedy  is  now  left 
us  for  a  Cure  of  this  Evil,  but  that  as  far  as  we  are  able 
we  abate  of  that  which  hath  given  the  Original  thereto  ; 
thofe  excepted  Pajfages  in  our  Liturgy,  and  thofe  Ceremo" 
nies  in  our  iVorfhip,  which  our  Dijfenting  Brethren  cannot 
Conform  with  us  in  ?  iVhat  are  thofe  Things  which  we  differ 

abi^Ht 


4^0  Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 

'  — — — ____^_______ 

Jin.  i68>>.  about ^  that  voe  muft  for  ever  Sacrifice  to  them,  the  Peace  both 
of  Church  and  State,  without  ^hating  the  leafi  Tittle  for  fo 
great  a  Good  as  that  of  the  Common  Union  of  Chrijiians 
among  us  ?  Is  it  not  eno\  that  for  the  Sake  of  thofe  Trifles^ 
we  have  for  thefe  Thirty  T^ars  paf/d^  driven  up  our  Divi- 
fions  and  Animofities  againji  each  other  to  that  Heighth,  ai 
that  voe  had  almoji  totally  gi-Ven  up  our  Church  to  Popery, 
and  cur  Gdvernment  to  Tyranny  thereby  ?  Certainly  "'tis 
nsvo  Time  to  fit  down  and  confider^  whether  thofe  Things 
are  of  juch  great  Value^  for  the  Sal{e  of  which  we  bring  fo 
much  Mi/chief,  to  this  poor  diftrejfed  Church  and  Nation^ 
that  jiothing  mufl  be  abated  of  that  unreajonable  Rigour 
whereby  we  have  hitherto  maintain  d  them.  Could  but  a 
'Union  he  once  effe^ed  among  our  Selves^  we  need  not  fear 
all  the  Power  of  France  and  Rome,  in  thefirmeft  Vnion  <i* 
ga.rift  us,  • 

Twas  objedked.  That  altering  any  Thing  in  a  well 
confticured  Church,  was  like  plucking  a  Beam  out  of 
a  well  buijc  Houfe,  which  cannot  be  done  without  en- 
dangering the  Fabrick.  *Twas  anfwer'd,  If  all  had 
been  ©f  this  Mind,  we  could  never  have  Reform'd  from 
Pop;ry^  becaufe  this  Argument  would  have  been  as  ftrong 
againft  all  Alterations  then  as  now. 

'Twas  objedled.  If  Alterations  were  begun,  there 
v/as  no  knowing  where  to  ftop.  *Twas  anfwer'd,  When 
any  Thing  was  proposed  not  fit  to  be  done. 
.  Twas  objet3:ed.  They  that  want  Alterations  will 
ftill  be  craving  more,  'Twas  anfwer'd,  That  denying 
them  what  was  juft  and  fitting  to  be  granted,  viras 
giving  them  a  great  Advantage. 

'Twas  obje£ted,  Changing  was  reproachful.  'Twas 
anfwer'd,  It  was  much  more  reproachful,  obftinateJy 
to  refill  a  Change  when  there's  good  Reafon  for  it. 

'Twas  objedled,  There  was  noRcifon  to  endeavour 
to   gratifie   the   Dijfenters,  who  were  Guilty  of  great 
Obltii:acy  and  Perverfenefs.    'Twas  anfwer'd,  It  there- 
'  fore  became  ihctn  to  Adt  like  Phyficians,  who  don't 

prcfenrly  raft  off  a  peevilh  Patient,  but  ftudy  to  fuithis 
Paiarc  and  Hutrour. 

And  as  to  the  want  of  che  fufpended  Bifhops  and 
Clergy,  they  apprehended  the  needful  Alterations 
might  be  made  without  them  ;  and  if  they  were  true 
to  the  Publick  Imereii,  or  their  own  Promifes,  they 
could  not  but  give  their  Approbaiion, 

But 


Chap.  XVH.  after  the  Revolfitionrn  i68S.      4,61 

But  fuch  Arguings  and  Pleadings  as  thefe,  tho*  from  ^».  1689. 
eminent  Perfons  of  their  own  Church  mov*d  not  tbofe 
a  Jot,  who  had  fix*d  their  Ne  Plus  Vltra^  and  were  re- 
fplved  never  to  ftir  a  Step  by  their  Good-will,  beyond 
the  Meafure  of  their  Fore-fathers  *.    They  faid  the  ^  ^ox  CU- 
Ad^s  for  Uniformity  were  much  more  Effedual  for  U-  ^'h  page 
nion,  than  any  Alterations  the  Church  could  juftiy  45?  c^c 
make  would  be.    That  if  the  Ad  for  Uniformity  had 
made  one  Diffenter,  Toleration  and  Alterations  have 
made    Hundreds.      There  is  (  fay   they  )   no '  Necejfity 
that  we  flooiild  ejepofe  our  Selves  to  that  Reproach,  which  is 
endeavour'd  to  be  fix*d  on  foms  of  us,  of  hehig  Ecclcjieifii" 
cnl  Tinklers,  who  undertaking  to  mend  one  Hole,  do  ufunlly 
make  Two  or  Three^     iVe  hAve  by  flanding  our  Ground,^ 
put  to  flight  one  formidnble  Enemy  ;   and  is  there  a  Necef" 
fity   that   by  giving  Ground,    we  fhotdd  bring  our  Selves 
under  the  Power  of  another  ?    PVdat  tbo^  there  he  fome  few 
that  are  really    but  cnujlefly  offended  at    our  Ceremonies, 
muji  we  for  their  Sakfs  give  Offence  to  the  Church  of  God  ? 
TVnat  ^ecejfity  is  there,  that  for  the  Snke  cf  a  few  igno- 
rant, or  peevi/h,  and  unfatisfiab'e  Perfons^  that  will  not  ^ 
pleas'* d  with  all  that  we  can  doy  we  fhould  confirm  them  in 
their  Obftinacy^  by  yielding  and  complying  with  their  Hu- 
mours ?     Is  it  necejfary,  fay  they  f,  that  a  Parent  (hould  f  im^ 
yield  ta  a   difobedient  Child,   upon  his  own  unreafonable  v^^gQ  ii^ 
Terms  ?    Is  it  neceffary  that  4  Church  in  which  all  Things 
neceffary  to  Salvation  may  be  freely  enjoy  d,  fhould  accufe  *  ' 

her  [elf  of  want  of  Chridian  Charity,  and  af  impofing 
fuchjinful  Terms,  for  admitting  others  into  her  Communiotiy 
as  were  pwpofely  defignd  to  keep  them  out^  and  afterward 
voluntarily  caft  off  thqfe  Things,  and  thereby  confefs  them^ 
felves  Guilty  of  fo  great  *Uncharitablenefs  ?  is  it  neceffary 
we  poould  fart  with  any  Thing  to  them,  of  whom  we  have 
^eafon  to  fufpeH,  that  they  will  not  leave  craving  till  they 
have  all?  When  thefe  Things,  and  fuch  as  thefe  are  provd 
to  he  neceffary y  then  Jhall  we  be  ready  to  make  Alterations 
in  our  Ceremonies,  and  other  Circumfiances  :  In  the  mean 
Time  we  fhaS  Account  our  felves  Happy  in  the  Number  of 
thofe  Engliih-men,   vpho  know  when  they  are  well. 

This  nnighty  Difference  was  to  be  determined  in  the 
Convocation^  which  met  in  December »  The  Choice  of 
the  Prolocutor  put  an  End  to  the  Hopes  of  fome,  and 
hearten  d  others :  For  Dr.  Jane  was  preferred  to  that 
excellent  Perfon  Di^-Tillotfon,  which  wa5  an  Evidence 

the 


46  L  Some  Hijioncal  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


.dn.  ,1689.  the  Chrift  Church  Intereft  was  too  ftrong  for  the  Mode- 
rate Party,  and  that  therefore  no  Alterations  were  to  be 
looked  for.     Dr.  Bevcrid^s  Preach'd  a  Lntin  Sermon  to 
thcfn,  in  which  among  other  Things  he  told  them  that, 
To  chnnffd  old  Laws    for  new^   is  eilways   dangerous   unlejs 
fuch  n  hiecejjity  conftrain^  as  is  otherwife  infupernhle,     Atld 
Leges  /Inglie  yiolumus  mutare^   was  the  Motto  of  the 
prevailing  Party  in  the  Convocation.    The  Biihop  of 
London  told  the  Clergy,  that  they  ought  to  endeavour  a 
Teyvper   in  thofe  Things  that  are  not  EJfemial  in  I^eligiony 
thereby  to  open  the   Door   of  Salvation  to  a  Mult  it  tide  of 
ftraying  Chiftians  :  And  that  it  mujl  need*  be  their  Duty 
to  /hew  the  fame  Indulgence  and  Charity  to  the  Dlffenters 
under  Kjng  William,  xvhich  fome  of  the  Bifhops  and  Cler- 
gy  had  promu'd  to  them  in  their  Addrcffes  to  Kjng  James. 
And  he  concluded  with  a  Pathetical  Exhortation  to  U- 
nanimity  and  Concord.    His  Majefty  fent  them  a  Mef- 
fage  by  the  Earl  of  Nottinghatn^  intimating  that  he  had 
fammoned  this  Convocation,  not  only  becaufe  it  was 
ufual  upon  holding  of  a  Parliament,  but  out  of  a 
pious  Zeal  to  do  every  Thing  that  might  tend  to  the 
beft  Eftablifliment  of  the  Church  of  England,  &c,  and 
ihat'4i€  expeded  that  the  Things  which  he  proposed 
ihould  be  calmly  and  impartially  confider'd ;  he  intend- 
ing to  offer  nothing,  but  what  fhould  be  for  the  Honour 
Peace  and  Advantage,  both  of  the  Proteftans  Religion 
•  in  General,  and  particularly  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land.   This  Meflage  being  read,  the  Bifliops  went  to  the 
Jerufnlem  Chamber,  from  whence  they  fent  a  Copy  of 
the  King's  Meffage  to  the  Lower-Houfe  of  Convoca- 
tion, with  the  Form  of  an  Addrefs  to  his  Majefty,  to 
which  they  defir'd  their  Concurrence.    But  they  were 
at  firft  for  addrefling  the  King  in  a  Form  of  their  own. 
They  diflik'd  this  Expreflion  in  the  Bilhops  Form,  that 
they  thanVd  his  Majefty  for  his  X^eal,  for  the  Proteftant 
J{fligion  In  General^  and  the  Church  of  England  in  Parti- 
cular.    They  were  for  confining    themfelves  to  what 
concerned  the  Church  of  England,  and  therefore  were 
very   zealous  for  amending  that  Claufe,  if  they  might 
not  draw  up  a  new  Form  of  their  own.     Whereupon 
there  was  a  Conference  between  fome  Deputed  by  the 
Two  Houfes.     The  Conference  was  chiefly  manag'd 
between  Dr.   Burnet  Bifhop  of  Salisbury,  and  Dr.  Jane 
the  Prolocutor.    The  Bifliop  urg  d,  that  the  Church  of 

England 


Chap.  XVII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      469 


England  was  not   diftinguifll'd  from    other  Proteftant  An,   1689 
Churches,   but  by  its  Hierarchy  and  Revenues,  and 
that   it   was  an  eqvivocal  Expreffion;    for  if  Popeiy 
Ihould  prevail,  it  would  be  called  the  Church  of  Eng^ 
land  ftill.    To  which   the  Prolocutor  anfwer'd,  ihat 
the  Church  of  England  was  diftinguifh'd  by  its  Do- 
ctrine, as  it  ftands  in  the  Articles,  Liturgy,  and  Hor 
milies,  as  well  as  by  its  Hierarchy  ;  and  thac  the  Terra 
of  Vrctefinnt  Churches  was  much  more  Equivocal,  be- 
caufe  Socini/inSf  Anabapfifis,  and  Quakers  affuiii'd  that 
Title.    The  Upper  Houfe  of  Convocation  defir'd  the 
exprcfs  mention  of  the  Proteftant  Religion  might  be  in- 
ferted  in  the  Addrefs  for  three  Reafons.     i.  Becaufe  it  is 
the  known  Denomination  of  the  Common  Dodrine  of 
the  Weftern  Part  of  Chriftendom^  in  Oppolition  to  the  Er- 
rors and  Corruptions  of  the  Church  of /^owi?.  i.  Becaufe 
the  leaving  out  thiSj  may  have  ill  Confequences,  and 
be  liable  to  (trange  Conftrudions  both  at  Home  and 
Abroad,  among  Proteftants  as  well  as  PaplRs,    3.  Be- 
caufe it  agrees  with  the  General^eafon  offer'd  by  the 
Clergy  for  their  Amendments,   fince  this  is  exprefly 
mention  d  in  the  King's  Meffage  ;  and  in  this  the  Church 
of  England  being  fo  much  concerned,  the  Bilhops  tho't 
it  ought  to  ftand  in  the  Addrefs.    The  Lower  Houfe 
fell  into  a  Debate  upon  thefe  Reafons,  and  agreed  to 
Thank  his  Majefty,  for  his  pious  T^enl  and  Care  for  the  « 
Honour^  Peace,  Advantage  and  Efiablifhment  of  the  Church 
©/  England,  and  then  to  add  ;  vohereby  we  doubt  not  the 
Intereft   of  all  the  Proteilant  Churches^  which  is  dear  to 
UJy  vpm  under  the  Influence  of  Tow  My'efties  Government^ 
be  the  better  fecurd.    The  Upper  Houfe  defir'd  them 
to  give  their  Reafon,  why  inftead  of  the  Proteftant  J^eli^ 
gion,  they  infertcd  Proteftant  Churches.     They  return'd 
their  Reafon  in  thefe  Words  ;  Pf^e  being  the  I{eprefenta- 
tives  of  a  form  d  efiablijh*d  Church,  do  not  thinks  fif  fo  men- 
tion the  PVord  Religion,  any  farther  than  it  is  the  B^Ji^ion 
of  fome  fortnd   eftabli{h*d  Church,     Then   the   Upper 
Houfe  would  have  worded  it  thus ;  H'^rehy  we  doubt 
not,  the  Intereft  of  the  Proteftant  I{eligion,  in  [this  and] 
all  other  Proteftant  Churches^  which  is  dear  to  us,  will  be 
the  better  fecux^d  under  your  Majefties  Government  and  Pro- 
teciiott.    But  tjie  Lower  Houfe  would  leave  out  thofe 
Words,  this  ayid^  and  could  not  be  content  to  ftand 
upon  the  LeVel  with  other  Proteftant  Churches.    It  is 

not 


464  ^ome  Hiflorical  Addijhftf     Chap.  XVfl. 


An.  1 689.  not  to  be  wondred  at,  that  they  who  ftuck  fo  much  at 
a  Thing  of  this  Nature,  (hould  be  backward  to  yield 
to  fuch  Alterations,  as  would  be  necefTary  ro  heal  the 
Breaches  that  have  been  kept  open  fo  long  in  this  Church 
and  Nation. 

The  want  of  Union  at  this  Time,  is  by  feveral  Per- 

*  CompUat  fons  afcribed  to  different  Caufcs.  One  *  that  fays,  It 
Hlfiory  of  j^^^j^  y^  ownd  that  this  was  a  Glorious  Opportunity  of  re" 
England,  conciling  all  moderate  Diffenters  to  the  Communion  of  the 
^"^^  ^"  Church  of  'Eng\2Lnd,  which  might  have  heen  happily  effeBed, 
*'  ^     '       if  this  extraordinary  JunSlure  had  been  well  managed  and  im- 

,  proved;  afterwards  tells  a  blind  Story  out  of  another 
f/^./'.jS^.  Aathor,  as  if  the  Presbyterians  t  did  not  a  little  con- 
tribute to  exafperate  the  Convocation  againft  them, 
having  at  this  very  Time  given  Orders  to  near  Fifty 
young  Students;  and  Mr.  Baxter  the  Head  of  their 
Party,  having  publilhed  a  Bookrefledking  on  the  Church 
of  England.     But  the  fame  Author   himfelf  gives  a 
J  /</.f  552-better  Account  a  little    befoje,  t  when  he  fays,  ThaP 
CpI.  2.         many  Arguments  were  u^d  to  bring  the  moft  fliff  of  the 
Inferiour  Clergy  to  a  Charitable  Condefcenfion^    and  the 
much  defired  XJnion  to  little  Purpoje*     There  was  a  Jea- 
loujy  and  a  Diftruft  not  to  be  con<juer'*d.     And  the  beft  and 
moft  favourable  Glofs  that  the  Matter  will  bear  on 
their  Side,  is  what  he  adds  prefently  after,  vi:{,  that 
•  the  Archbifoop  of  Canterbury,  andjome  of  his  Suffragans, 
•     and  fome  other  Divines,   would  not  own  the  Government 
that  then  waSy  and  were  therefore  ready  to  fall  into  a  New 
Separation  from  their  Brethren  :  So   that  at  this  Jun^ 
Sure  it  might  appear  to  them  to  be  dangerous  to  mak? 
any  Change^  that  might  give  a  Pretence  of  being  for  the 
Old  Church,  as  well  as  the  Old  Kjng,     And  yet  even  this 
was  not  prevented. 

After  this,  the  Convocation  was  adjourn'd  from 
Time  to  Time,  till  at  laft  it  was  with  the  Parliament 
dilfolv'd,   without  doing  any  Thing  at   all   in  Pur- 

*  Reflefli'  fuance  to  the  King's  Meffage,  and  their  Commiflion,i 
ens  on  a      ^[^q^  Burnet  has  given  us  the  beft  Account  of  this 

H/V/?tf  0/^  he  )  touch  on  one  P articular ,  which  will  /hew  that  when 
itninzli^h  ^^"  ^^^  difpos*d  to  be  jealous ^  they  will  fufpeEt  everji 
Convocation  T^^^^S  I  ^"^^  ^^^^  which  at  another  Time  would  be  tho't 
v.  17.        f^^  ^^fi  ^jfe^uai  Method  to  prevent  or  Cure  Jealoufie^ 

PriniMi 


Chap.  XVir.   after  the  Revolution  in  i6Qd>,         465 


Princes  do  commonly  frepnre  the  Matters  vohich  they  fro- An.  1689* 
pofe  to  fuch  y^Jjfemblies,  with  the  Advice  of  their  Council: 
Bat  upon  that  Occdfion  the  Kjng  and  Queen  did  Create  d 
Council^  by  a  Jpecinl  Commijfion^  of  all  the  Bifoops  vphd 
ocond  their- Authority^  and  of  the  mosl  eminent  of  the  C/er" 
gy,  gathered  from  the  fever al  Parts  of  the  Kjngdom,  that 
they  might  confider  and  prepare  fuch  Things  as  fhould  be 
offered  by  them  to  the  Kjng  and  Queen ^  that  fa  their  JW^yV- 
Jiies  might  propofe  theje  to  the  Convocation^  Thjs  furely 
vifoi  done  in  Favour  of  the  Church.  But  even  this  was  cried 
out  upon,  oi  a  limiting  the  Convocation,  voith  many  other 
hard  PPords^  which  I  do  not  love  to  repeat.  It  did  then 
appear  in  many  vifjble  Infiances,  that  our  PVoMids  were 
then  too  tender  to  be  either  handled  or  healed ;  fo  it  was  tho*t 
fit  to  let  the  Matter  fleep^  and  to  give  no  new  Occafion  td 
heat  or  Ahimofity.  But  at  the  fame  Time  to  keep  the  Clergy 
If  ill  ready  upon  Call,  if  there  fhould  be  any  Occafjon  for  them 
during  the  Seffions  of  Parliament  ;  yet  not  to  Charge  them 
with  a  nee dlefi  Attendance,  when  the  Publick^  Occafions  put 
them  under  fo  many  Taxes:  ■  It  being  alfo  obfervdy  that  irt 
a  hot  Time,  all  unneceffary  Affemblies  are  to  he  avoided ; 
for  if  they  have  no  Bufinefi  one  Way^  they  commonly  mak$  »^, 
another \ 

But  whether  there  fliouid  be  Alterations,  or  no  Al- 
terations in  Ecclefiaftical  Matters,  was  not  the  only 
Controverfie  among  the  Clergy  in  the  beginning  of 
this  Reign:  For  they  were  much  divided  about  taking 
the  Oaths  to  the  Government.  The  Majority  of  thetn 
by  far  did  indeed  Swear  Allegiance  to  King  f^^'///4»jr 
Some  Swore  ro  him  as  their  Lawful  and  Rightful 
King;  others  Swoie  to  him  as  King  de  faHo  only: 
And  a  Third  Party  ftood  out,  and  would  not  Swear 
at  all  They  that  took  the  Oaths  charg'd  thofe  that 
rcfus'd  them  with  a  needlefs  Nicenefs  and  Scrupulosi- 
ty b*  And  they  on  the  other  fide  charg'd  their  Brethren, 
who  Swore  Allegiance  to  the  Government,  with  Per- 
jury, and  Apoftacy,  and  deferring  their  Principles. 
Some  that  were  diflatisfy'd  with  the  Oaths  and  refus'd 
them,  continu'd  Preaching  even  after  the  time  had  elaps'd 
that  was  fix'd  by  A6t  of  Parliament  for  their  Com- 
pliance ;  they  held  on  Preaching  when  they  were 
legally  SilencM ,  and  fo  were  Guilty  of  the  very- 
Thing  they  had  before  charg'd  as  fuch  a  Crime  on 
their  Nonconforming  Brethren:    And  the  Generality 

H  h  -of 


466        Some  Hijiorical  Addition,     Chap,  XVII, 


An,  1690.  of  them  who  continued  in  their  Refufal,  and  at  length 
quitted  their  Preferments,  made  a  New  Separation, 
and  refused  to  hold  Communion  with  thofe  who  had 
taken  the  Oaths  to  the  New  Government  ;  and  fo 
there  was  a  New  Conteft  begun,  which  was  on  feveral 
Accounts  very  remarkable. 

The  Non-Swearing  Clergy  reprefented  thofe  who 
compJv'd  with  the   Government,    as  a  Pack  of  Jolly 
*  See  the  Swearers,  *  fuch  as  becray'd  their  Confciences  fur  large 
Brief  An-    Preferments.     They  on  the  contrary  reprefented  them 
fvper  to  a,    as  Schifmaticks,   falling  into  the  fame  Fault,  ihcy  had 
Difcourfe     exprefs'd  fuch  a  Senfe  of  in  others.     The  Non-Swearers 
ccncernin^    faid  their  Separation  was  forc'd,  not  voluntary.     They 
theUnrea-    ^q^q  iq\^  by  their  Brethren,  that  the  Oaths  could  not 
■^f*'*  7^"      force  them  into  it,  fince  they  were  not  made  a  Con- 
°le^    ^^    dition  of  Communion.     In  their  own  Juftification,  the 
eparatfon,  j^Jon- Swearers  alledg'd  ;  (  i.)  That  the  Penalties  to  be 
inflidked  on  them,  wanted  nothing  of  being  a  Condi- 
tion of  Communion  to  them  as  they  were  Minifters, 
and  the  Oaths  being  impos'd  under  fuch  unjuft   and 
mercilefs  Penalties,  and  attended  with  fuch  fatal  Con- 
fequences,  they  tho't  would  warrant  a  Separation  ;  for 
at  this  Rate,  all  the  Churches  in  Englr.nd  might  be 
\Findlca-  ^^^  ^P*     ^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  anfwer'd  f  by  the  iVilli^mites, 
tion  of  a    ^^at  Upon  this  ArgumcnL,  there  always  was  a  fufficient 
Difcourfe     Warrant  for  Non-Swearers  and  Nonconformifts  ;  and 
concerning  .  that  it  was  a  joining  with  Dilfenters  to  complain  of  un- 
theUnrea-    juft  and  mercilefs  Penalties.     It  was  added,  thattho* 
fonablenefi  taking  the  Oaths  was  a  Condition  of  Communion  to 
of  a  Nerv    them  as  Minifters,  yet  that  was  nothing  to  the  People 
Separation,  as  Church  Members ;   who  could  vtoi  join  with  them 
p.  7,  &c.     without  being  guilty  of  a  notorious  Schifm  :  That  fup- 
pofing  they  were  grieved  by  the  Secular  Power,  and  de- 
prived of  their  Livelihood  by  an  A£l  of  Parliament, 
they  ought  not  to  revenge  it  upon  the  Church ;  And 
that  tho'  they  might  no  longer  officiate  as  Minifters, 
they   yet  might  join  in  the  fame  Communion  as  Lay 
Men. 

2.  The  Non-Swearing  Clergy  pleaded,  that  their 
Authority  was  from  Chnft,  and  fo  no  Secular  Pow- 
ei  '  '  Unbiihc'p  and  Unprieft,  or  difable  them, 
A  mans    Authority    (  faid  they  )  is  from  God ; 

ttrtd  ttotxpithftanding  any  Civil  A&   to  the  contrary^  he  n 
itQund  to  take  Cttre  of  his  Office^  thd  the  moft  bitter  Perfe^ 

cutions 


Chap.  XVIL   after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      467 

cut  ions  attend  him  for  fo  doings  and  therefore  if  they  voill  An.  i<58p, 
Warrant  n  Civil  /l^  to  difable  us  from  dangerous  Duties^  ^^d  1690. 
they  mufl  excufh  us  if  we  have  tho/e  dreadful  A^prehen- 
fions  of  the  Account  we  have  to  give ;  that  we  endeavour 
to  do  it  as  vpe  can  at  our  ha:^ardf  when  we  are  not  fuf- 
fer*d  to  do  it  in  Communion  with  them.  To  this  they 
who  were  on  the  orher  Side  anfwer'd,  that  as  the 
Prince  could  not  give,  fo  neither  could  he  take  away 
the  Intrinfick  Power  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments, 
proceeding  from  the  Keys  of  Ordination  :'  But  the 
Extrinfical  Power  and  Licence  of  Exercifing  the  Mi- 
nifterial  Office  rcceiv'd  by  Ordination,  he  can  in  his 
Dominions  confer,  and  again  take  away,  if  the  Cafe 
fo  requires ;  and  that  if  a  Magiftrate  may  lawfully  de- 
prive, then  the  Clerk  may  be  lawfully  depriv'd  :  And 
that  if  lawfully  depriv'd,  he  is  bound  to  fubmit  to  fuch 
Deprivation.  They  added,  That  this  was  true  Do- 
Arine  againft  the  Diffenters  when  Time  was ;  he  was  a 
Schifmacick  who  gave  this  as  a  Reafon  for  his  Separa- 
tion ;  And  therefore  told  their  Non-Swearing  Brethren, 
that  if  they  proceeded  up  on  the  fame  Principles  with 
the  Diffenters,  and  took  up  their  Arguments,  there 
was  as  much  Reafon  to  Charge  them  with  Schifm,  as 
they  had  to  Charge  tbeJDiffcnters. 

3.  The  Nvn-Swearing  Clergy  pleaded,  that  they 
were  bound  to  obey  their  Bilhops  and  Metropolitan  ; 
-for  that  tho*  they  were  depriv'd  by  a  Secular  Adt, 
yet  it  was  not  for  any  Crimes  for  which  the  Cen- 
fures  of  the  Church  depofe  them  ;  and  that  therefore 
they  were  Bilhops  ftill,  and  bound  to  take  Care  of 
their  Churches,  and  their  Churches  to  live  in  Subje- 
t^ion  to   them.     They   were  anfwer'd   by  thofe  that  « 

cotnplied  with  the  Government,  that  it  there  were  any 
Thing  in  this,  then  they  who  were  of  the  Province 
and  Dioceffes  where  their  Metropolitan  and  Bilhop 
took  the  Oaths,  were  obliged  to  adhere  to  them  al- 
fo,  and  ought  to  feparate  themfelves  from  thofe  that  fee 
rhemlelves  againft  Authority,  and  refusM  to  fwear  Al- 
legiance to  ir,  as  they  on  the  other  Side  tho*c  they  might 
and  ought  to  feparate  from  thofe  that  do  comply  with 
it.  But  that  they  could  not  fee  how  they  were  oblig'd 
to  follow  their  Church  Guides  into  Schifm.  iVben  (fay 
they  )  did  Chriflians  in  ancient  Times  ever  refufe  Cbrnmu- 
nien  with  a  Churchy  hcaufe  of  Matters  of  State  j  or  divide 

H  h  2,  from 


468  Some  Hifiorical Additions     Chap.  XVll. 


An,  1689.  from  others^  becaufe  thofc  they  divided  from,  Mtit  Lawful y 
attdi69o-  and   their    Duty    ta.Jvvear    Allegiance    to   the    Sovereign 
Poxver  ? 

So  that  here  was  a  ftrange  Inverfion.     Whereas  there. 
were  Two  Principles  of  which  the  Preladcai  Party 
had  all  ak'ng  from  the  Time  of  the  Reftauration  of 
King  Charks,  difcover'd  a  peculiar  Fondnefs ;  1  mean, 
tie  Povoer  of  the  M-igiftrate  in  Ecclefiaftical Matters^  and 
Pujjlvf   Ohedict^cc  without   r,ny   Limitations  i    ihey  were 
both  of  them  now  oppos'd  by  iome  among  thenifelves. 
An  unlimiced    Pallive   Obedience    was  fuperfeded  by 
thofe  who  deferred  King  James  and  fell  in  with  King 
iViUiam,,    far  which   rht:y   were  fufncieiitly  upbraided 
by   their    Non-Sweamig    Brethren-      The  Power   of 
the  Magiftrate  in  Ecclefiaftical  Matters  was  no  longer 
own'd,  by  thofe  who  fell  under  the  Difpleafure  of  the 
Government ;  but  they  fet  up  for  an  inherent  Right  in 
the  Church  -,  fome  of  them  went  as  far  as  to  the  Kirk  of 
ScotUnd  to  borrrow  New   Principles,    of  which  they 
who  were  on  the  other  Side,  ^  did  not  fail  of  giving 
them  frequent  Items.     Thofe  who  were  of  the  high 
flown  Stamp,  and  had  formerly  had  the  leaft  Charity 
for  their  DifTenting  Bre-Lhren,  wtre  forc'd  to  borrow 
Pleas  from  them,  to  defend  themfelves  from  the  Charge 
of  Schifm  ;    And  they   who  were   more  moderate  to 
DifTenters,  but  true  to  King  fVHiam^  found  themfelves 
bard  put  to  it,  to  defend  themfehesin  the  Change  of 
'their  Notions    and   Schemes   of  Government,    upon 
which  the  other  Party    with  ill  Nature  and  Bitter- 
nefs  eno'  infuhed  over  them.     But  the  DifTenters  ftill 
kepi  their  Ground,  and  adher'd  to  the  fame  Principles 
as  they  had  adted  upon  all  along ;  they  were  hearty 
to  the  Goernment,    and   thankhil  for  their  Liberty; 
an^^  tho'  they  could  not  prevail  for  any  fuch  Altera- 
tions in  the    Ceremonies,    Worfhip  and  Difcipline  of 
the  Chiirch,  as  lliould  pave  the  Way  to  a  Coalition  ; 
they  vet  carried  it  with  more  Refped:  both  to  Civil 
and    HcHefiaical    Governors,    than  many    that  had 
fomcrlv    valued   themfelves   upon    their   Submiflivc- 
'  nd  iho't  rhat  none  could  have  the  Face  hencc- 
^^  to  put  vhem  upon  waiting  in  Hopes  of  Altera- 
and  Ami:idmcms,  when  fo  favourable  a  Juncture 
iis  was  paft  by  and    produced  nothing  :  And  they 
t  ?  at  the  faae  Time  fully  convincM,  that  it  muft 

be 


Chap.  XVII.  afterthe  RevolHt7onmj6^i,        469 

befome  very  peculiar  Providence  indeed,  that  muft  An.  1689 
facisfic  thofe  of  a  Neceflity  of  a  Coalition  between  the 
contending  Parties,  'who  difcover'd  To  much  back- 
wardnefs  to  lay  hold  of  Two  fuch  happy  Opportu- 
nities, as  the  Reftauracion  of  King  Charles  and  the  late 
Revolution,  for  the  healing  of  our  uncomfortable 
Breaches. 

The  Diffenting  Minifters  of  the  feveral  Denomina- 
tions fubfcribed  the  Dodlrinal  Articles  of  thje  Church 
oi England,  as  the  Ad  of  Parliament  requir'd  :  Butfome 
few  Expreilions  in  them  being  dubious,  Mr.  Bnxter 
drew  up  a  Brief  Explication,  which  he  gave  in  for  his 
Senfe  at  the  Time  of  his  Subfcription,  in  which  many 
of  his  Brethren  concurred  with  him.  And  becaufe  few 
have  taken  Notice  of  this  Explication,  I  think  it  noc 
injiproper  to   infert  it  here.    It  was  intituled, 

R.  BV  Sefife  of  the  fuhjaWd  Articles  of  Religion  : 
Printed  in  168  p. 

[  T  Take  not  this  Form  of  Words,  call'd,  the  Articles 
-*•  *  of  the  Church  of  England,  to  be  eflential  to  the 
faid  Church  ;  nor  any  Thing  In  them  to  be  efTential 
to  the  Chriftian  Religion,  which  was  noc  fo  from 
its  Beginning,  and  in  the  Firft  Ages  of  Chriftianity ; 
yea,  and  in  every  following  Age  :  Nor  do  I  take 
fuch  Form  or  Matter  to  be  inftead  of  the  Scripture 
and  the  ancient  Creeds,  a  neceffary  Rule  of  Divine 
Faith,  or  neceffary  to  the  Being  of  Minirtry,  Mem- 
berfhip,  and  Communion  in  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land:  But  that  they  were  fobordinace  to  the  Scriptures 
and  the  faid  Creeds,  a  laudable  Profeffion  of  this 
Church  at  the  Refcrmarion,  that  they  mif-expounded 
not  the  Divine  Rule  by  any  j^erefies,  thereby  to 
promote  our  Communion  with  other  Reformed 
Churches,  and  to  guide  Novices  at  Home  in  the 
Expolition  of  the  faid  Rule.  Far  be  it  from  us  to 
be  of  a  Religion  and  Church,  which  is  no  older  than 
the  faid  Articles  or  Common  Prayer.  But  hold- 
ing with  excellent  Augvftin,  That  contm  rationem  ne-r 
mo  fobrius^  ^  contra  Scripturam  ne?no  Chriftiitnw  ;  fo 
alfo  that,  contra  Ecclefiam  nemo  facificus  (  the  Church 
ftill  being  fuppos'd  to  be  for  Reafon  and  Scripture, 
Sober  and  Chriftian,)  and  wifliing  that  God's  owii 

H  h  3  Wor4 


470        Some  H/fiorical  Additions      Chiip.  XVIT. 


An  i53^. 


Word  were  taken  for  the  fiifficient  Terms  of  our 
Confent  and  v^oiKord  in  Older  :o  Union  and  Com- 
munion ;  and  knowing  thar  the  Ambiguity  of  Words, 
and  our  common  Imperfe^flion  in  the  Art  of  Speaking, 
do  leave  an  Uncertainty  in  the  Senfe  of  nnoft  Hu- 
mane Writings  till  explained,  and  yetfuppofing  that 
the  Authors  of  thefc  Articles  meant  them  Ortho- 
doxly,  that  i  may  cot  feem  needlefly  Scrupulous,  I 
fnbfcribe  them  .-  And  that  I  may  not  be  unconfcio- 
nably  rafli  in  lubfcribing,  I  here  tell  ail  whom  it  may 
concern,  how  I  u.nderftand  the  Words  which  I  fub- 
fcribe. 

yht.  z.  '  A  Sacrifice  for  all  the  Sin  of  Man  Origi- 
nal zw'i  Acftual  ]  Though  {Omnibus']  be  alfo  in  the 
Lnchi,  |[  A.11  ]  i-^  left  out  in  King  J^mes  his  Edition. 
1  fuppofethcy  meant  not  ffor  any  Man's  final  predo- 
minant Impenitence,  Infidelity,  Atheifm  or  Unholy- 
nefs ;  ]  but  for  ail  Sorts  of  Sin,  on  Condition  of  Faith 
and  Repentance,  a(5lually  pardoning  them  to  peni- 
tent Believers. 

4't.  3.  'He  went  down  into  Hell.]  That  is  into 
Hades,  the  State  of  feparated  Souls ;  of  which  fee 
Archbilhop  Z'fhers  Anfwer  to  the  Jefuits. 
Art.  4.  *  Took  again  his  Body  with  Fiefh  and  Bones, 
and  all  Things  appertaining  to  the  Perfection  of 
Man's  Nature,  where  with  he  afcended  into  Heaven, 
and  there  fitreih,  (^c"] 

'  That  is,  he  ficteth  in  Heaven  with  the  fame  Body 
glorified,  vohich  was  Flefh  and  Bones  on  Earth,  and 
catachrefticaliy  is  by  fome  fo  call'd  ;  now  it  is  a  Cele- 
fiial,  Incorrupcible,  Spiritual,  (jlorious  Body;  butin- 
decd  is  not  now  the  fame  Thing,  which  we  call  for- 
mally FI(  111,  Bones,  or  Blood,  nor  will  admit  of  the 
lame  Definition.  For  i.  The  Scripture  faith  plainly. 
That  Flcfh  and  Blood  cnnnct  hihcrit  the  t^ingdom  of  God^ 
I  Cor.  15.  50.  There  is  a  Natural  Body,  and  there  is  a 
Spiritual  Body,  v.43,44  The  Context  fhews.  That  it 
is  not  mortal  finful  Corruption ;  that  is  call'd  Flelh 
and  Blood  here,  but  that  Natural  Corruptibility, 
which  Ficfli  and  ^lood  hath.  See  Hammond  on  the 
Text.     ' 

Chrift's  Body  will  not  be  worfe  than  ours  (^hut  ours 
-made  liks  to  his^  Phil.  3.  lo.)  but  ours  Ihall  not  be 
Flefli,  Blood,  and  Bones. 

a.  When 


Chap.  XVn,  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       471 


2.  '  When  there  is  not  the  fame  Form  or  Definition,  >i».  1^89. 
there  is  not  to  be  the  fame  proper  formal  Denomina- 
tion:   Bur  no  fober  Philofopher  or  Phyfician   ever 

gave  fuch  a  Definition  of  Fielh,  Blood,  or  Bones,  as 
wiJl  truly  agree  with  Chrift's  glorified  Body:  The 
Name  therefore  can  be  but  Equivocal. 

3.  *  There  is  a  Symmetry  in  God's  Works,  Chrift 
being  in  his  glorified  Humanity  advanc'd  above  An- 
gels in  Power,  is  not  below  them  in  Natural  Perfe- 
(Jiion.  His  Spiritual  Ccleftial  Body  is  congruous  to 
his  Soul ;  and  all  the  Angels  obey  and  Worlhip  him. 
When  we  are  the  Children  of  the  Refurred:ion,  we 
ihall  be  equal  to  theAngeIs,and  neither  marry  nor  die  : 
And  fo  not  have  Bodies  of  Mortal  Conftitution.  I  dare 
notfay,That  the  Sun  or  Light  is  a  more  glorious  Body 
than  Chrift's  ;  nor  encourage  thofe  Difputers,  that  ask, 
how  many  Foot  long  and  broad  his  Body  is,  or  the 
Place  that  containeth  it. 

4.  ^  I  dare  not  incur  the  Guilt  of  contradicSting  Two 
General  Councils  in  a  Matter  of  Faith,  when  they 
anathetnatize  the  Diflenters,  and  agree  therein  tho' 
difagreeing  in  other  Things,  and  pleading  the  Tra- 
dition of  the  Fathers  and  the  Scripture. 

*  The  Seventh  General  Council  at  C.  P.  under 
Conft.  Copron.  condemning  Image- Wor(hip  faith,(as  Bin- 
wiwjtranflateth  it)pag.378.  Defin.'j.  \_SiquKnonconfeJfus 
fuerit  Dominum  nofirum  Jefiim  Chriftum  poft  aj/umptio- 
nem  nnimat<£  rationalis  ^  intelleBualis  c/irm,  fimul  fe- 
dere  cumDeo  patrs  atque  ita  quoijue  rtirfus  ventiirumcum 
Pnternci  Mnjeflatc^  judicfiturum  'vivos  &  mortuos^  non 
ampUus  t^iiidem  Carnem,  ne<^ue  incorporeum  tnmsv^ 
ut  yideatur  tih  iis^  a  quibus  compuncius  eji^  ^  maneat 
Deus  extra  crnjjitudlnem  carnis^  Anathema. 

'  To  which  faith  the  Second  Kicene  ( their  Adverfa- 
lies)  by  Epiphanius  :  Hue  ufque  rsHe  fentittnt  ^  pa" 
trum  traditionibtis  confentientin  dicunt, 

5. '  ThelongChurchDivifion?,  which  have  for  1300 
Years  followed  the  ra(h  Determinations  about  fome 
dark  invifible  Things,maketh  me  more  inclin  d  to  fuf- 
pend,  than  ralhly  to  affirm,  in  doubtful  Gafes,  efpe- 

cially  about  God  and  Jefus  Ghrift. 


H  k  4  6,  1% 


472  Some  Hiflorical  AddUions     Chap.  XV^IL 


-^-  1689.      6.  *  It  is  not  the  Perfe£lion  of  glorified  Humanity 
'  to  be  Flelh  and  Bones. 

7.  '  I  cannot  fay,  That  Earth  (as  Flefh  and  Bones 
'  are)  dwelis  in  ii'.-herial  Regions. 

A:t.  6.  *  Holy  Scripture  containeth  all  Things  re- 

*  cciTary  to  Salvation.]  I  con  Cent  therefore  if  the 
'  Mniftry,  Sacraments,  and  Charch  Communion  be 
'  neceflary  to  Salvation,    the  Scripture  containeth  all 

*  neceflary  to  them. 

liiid.    '  In  the  Name  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  we  un- 

*  derftand  thofe  Canonical  Books,  of  whofe  Authority 

*  was  never  anv  Doubt  in  the  Church.].     Expof.  Not 

*  exchiding  the  Epiftle  to  the  Hebrews  •  James;  i.Pf^'. 
Ju^le,    2     and     3    John,    [{eveUtion  5    which     divers 

*  Churches  long  doubted  of. 

Art.  7.  *  The  Civil  Precepts  thereof  (the  Law  given 

*  from  from  God  bs   Mofes,)  ought  not  of  Neceffity  to 
bi^  received  in  any  Common-wealth  ] 

^■'^P^'f-  *  Civ  Hi  a  furjt  prccceftei,  qu<z  dantur  ad  regeri*- 
das  civiiates,  ( Jen  Societntes  civiles )  God's  Laws 
are  the  Supreme  Civil  Laws;  Man's  Laws  are  but 

*  By-Law  (fuch  as  Ct^rporations  make  under  the  Laws 
of  the  1  and,)  about  Things  mutable,  left  undeter- 
min'd  by  God,  and  fubordinate  to  his  Laws.  God 
hath  Two  Sorts  of  Civil  Laws  :  Firft,  fuch  as  are 
univerfal   or  common   to   all  Chriftian    Nations  at 

*  Jeaft;  as  that  there" fhall  be  Rulers  or  Subjefls;  that 
Rulers  obey  and  proa  ote  the  Laws  of  God,  and  the 
King.iom  of  ChnH-,  and  do  nothing  againft  them  ; 
Ibac  they  feek  the  common  Good,  and  rule  in  Righ- 
teov^fnefs  and  be  a  Terror  to  evil  Works,  and  en- 
courage Piety,  and  Virtue,  and  Peace  ;  that  they  re- 

*  ftrainBlarpbemy:  Perjury,  Prophanenefs,  Murder,  A- 

*  diiltcry,  Theft,  falfe  Witnefs,  and  falfe  Judging,  ^c, 

*  Tbefe  Civil  Laws  bind  all  Nations,  as  the  Law  of  Na- 

*  cure,  and  all  Chriftian  Nations,  as  the  Law  of  Chrift,* 
bur  not  as  the  Law  of  Mofes  promulgate  to  the  Jews. 

*  2  Bur  there  are  a(fo  particular  Civil  Laws,  that  were 
property-  the  7>n7' Common-wealth  in  fpccie  ;  Ifup- 
por<  the  Articli*  mcaneih  thefe,  and  includeth  the  for- 

^  met  in  the  Word  {Moral  laws)  though  indeed  they 

*  be  the  moft  eminent  Civil  Laws. 

■   'A)r.  8.  *   The  Three  Greeds,  vi:(.  Nice  Creed,  Atha- 
'  W/7//WJ  Ciecdj  and  tliat  commonly  call'd  the  JpoJiUs 

t  Creed 


Chap.  XVll.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       47 


o 


*  Creed,  ought  throughly  to  be  receiv'd  and  believ'd  vi«,  1689. 

>  Exfrof.  '  Rightly  underftood,  'vi:(,  i.  That  by  [God 
'  of  God,  very  God  of  very  God]  be  not  meant  Two 
f  Gods.  2.  Nor  the  Damnatory  Claufes  taken  for  Part 
'  of  Athanafims,  Creed,   though  they  be  Part  of  the  Li- 

*  turgy  Aflented  and  Confented  to. 

Art,  9.  *  This  Infection  of  Nature  does  remain  even 

*  in  them  that  are  Regenerate. 

'  That  is,  in  a  mortified,  fubdued  Degree,  but  not 
'  predominant,  or  unpardoned. 

Art,  10.  '  We  have  no  Power,  {nihil  valemm)  viz.  our 
f  Natural  Powers  or  Faculties  are  not  fufficient  without 

*  Grace. 

Art.  11,^  We  are  accounted  Righteous  before  God, 

*  only  for  the  Merit  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus 

*  Chrift,  and  not  for  our  own  "Works  or  defervings : 
'  Wherefore  that  we  are  Juftified  by  Faith  only,   is  a 

*  moft  wholefome  Dod:rine. 

Expof,  '  Though  he  that  doth  Righteoufnefs  is  Righ- 
'  teous  5  and  the  Scripture  throughout,  and  frequently 
^  mentionethaninherentPerfonal  Righteoufnefs  neceffa- 

*  ry  to  Salvation ;  yet  this  is  no  Univerfal  Righteouf- 
^  nefs,  nor  fuch  as  will  juftifie  us  according  to  the  Law 
'  of  Innocency  or  Works,  but  is  meerly  fubordinate  to 
'  the  Merit  and  Efficacy  of  the  Sacrifice  and  Righte- 

*  oufnefs  of  Chrift,    which  only  meriieth  for  us  as  a 

*  Price,  our  Faith  being  only  the  requifite  (yet  given) 
t  moral  Qualification  for  the  reception  of  the  Free  Gift 

*  of  Pardon,  Juftification,   and  Adoption,   and  hath  not 

*  the  leafr  Part  of  the  Office  or  Honour  of  Chrift :  Yen 
are  Chrift's  Words  true,  that  by  Men's  Works  they 

'  Ihail  be  Juftifycd  or  Condemned ;  and  all  Men  (hall  be 

*  judged  according  to  their  Works:  And  James  truly 
'  faith,  that  by  Works  a  Man  is  Juftifyed,  and  not  by 
'^  Faith  only.     Not  by  Works  of  Perfeftion  or  of  Mofes's 

*  Law,   nor  any  that  as  a  Price  or  Commutation  do 

*  make  the  Reward  to  be  of  Debt,  and  not  of  Grace, 

*  but  by  a  Pradical  Faith  or  Chriftianity :  Such  Ac^s 
%  as  Faith  it  felf  is,  and  prove  our  Belief;  fuch  as  Chrift 
'  has  promis'd  Juftification  and  Salvation  to;   fuch  as 

*  by  juftifying  Belief  to  be  fincere,  do  juftify  the  Perfon 

*  againft  the  Charge  of  Infidelity,   Hypocrify,  Impeni- 

*  tence  and  Ungodlinefs :    Chriftianity  is  that  Faith 

*  which  ?4«/ oppofes  to  Works.  Art,  \%. 


474         '^^"^^  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


Jin 


1  ^J%Q. 


/irt.  12.  '  Good  Works  fpring  cut  neceflarily  of  a 
true  and  lively  Faiih,  infomuch  that  by  them  a  lively 
Faith  may  be  as  evidently  known,  as  a  Tree  difcern'd 
by  the  Fruit. 

Expf.  I,  *  It  is  an  hypothetical  Neccflity  that  is  here 
meant,  confiftent  with  Freedom,  i.  And  a  Truth  of 
Evidence,  and  not  an  equal  Degree. 
Art.  13.  *  Works  done  before  the  Grace  of  Cbrift, 
and  the  Infpiration  of  the  Spirit,  are  not  pleafant  to 
God ;  for  as  much  as  they  fpring  not  of  Faith  in  Jefus 
Chnfl,  neither  do  they  make  Men  meet  to  receive 
Grace,  or  as  the  Schools  fay,  deferve  a  Grace  of 
Congruity;  yea,  rather  they  have  the  Nature  of 
Sin.] 

Exprf,  I .  *  No  Good  is  done  before  all  common  Grace. 
2.  Preparatory  Grace  ufaally  goes  before  fpecial 
Grace ;  and  thofe  that  refift  it,  are  farther  from  the 
Kingdom  of  God,  than  they  that  have  it :  And  to  him 
that  hath  (by  improvement),  ihall  be  Given  ;  And  in 
every  Nation,  he  that  fears  God,  and  works  Righte* 
oufnefs,  is  accepted  of  him.  Believing  that  God  is, 
ind  that  be  is  the  Rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  fcek 
Him,  is  better  than  nothing,  and  than  meer  Sin. 

Art.  14.  *  Voluntary  Works,  befides,  over  and  above 
God*s  Commandments,  which  they  call  Works  of  Su- 
pererrogaiion,  cannot  be  taught  without  Arrogancy 
and  Iniquity. 

Expof.  '  I  fuppofe,  they  meant  not,  that  Voluntary 
Canons,  Im portions,  Oaths,  and  Church-Offices  are 
fo  bad. 

A)t  \6.  Exprf.  *  I  fuppofe,  this  Article  meancth  only 
the  unpardoned  Sinagainft  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  of  a 
total  Departure  from  Common  Grace,  and  fome  de- 
gree of  Habit  and  A(ft  from  fpecial  Grace  j  but  de- 
termineth  not  the  Controverfy,  whether  any  totally 
and  finally  fall  from  fuch  an  unconfirmed  Grace  as  elfe 
would  Save. 

An.  1 8.  *  They  are  to  be  had  accurfed,  that  prefume  to 
fay,  that  every  Man  fhall  be  fav'd  by  the  Law  or  Se£l 
which  he  profefTeth,  fo  that  he  be  diligent  to  frame  bis 
Life  according  to  that  Law  and  the  Light  of  Nature. 
For  Holy  Scripture  doth  fet  out  to  us  only  the  Name 
of  Jefus  Chnft,  whereby  Men  muft  be  fav'd.] 


Ex^(f. 


Chap.  XVII.   after  the  Revolution  m  1688.      47^ 

Expo/.  *  Some  Se£ts  contradict  the  Light  of  Nature.  ^«.  1689, 

*  They  worlhip  Devils,  and  offer  their  Children  in  Sa- 
'  crifice  to  them,  and  Murder  the  Juft ;  this  will  fave 
'  none.  But  if  the  meaning  be  to  Curfe  aJl  that  hope 
'  that  fome  are  fav'd,  who  never  heard  of  the  Name  of 

*  Chrift,    and  that  his  Spirit  and  Grace  go  farther  than 

*  the  Knowledge  of  his  Name,  I  will  not  Curfe  fuch. 
'  All  were  not  accurfed  that  hoped  well  of  Socrates, 
'  Antonine,    Alexander^   Severus,   Cicero,   Epi^etus,  Plu- 

*  tnrch^  &c.     There  is  no  Name  that  is  no  Mefliah  to 

*  be  fav'd  by,  but  Chrift.     But,    i.  God  judgeth  Men 

*  by  no  other  Law,   than  that  which  they  were  under  .- 

*  And  the  Law  of  Grace  made  to  fallen  Mankind  in 
'  Adam  and  Noah^   was  not  repeaFd  by  the  Jews  Pecu- 

*  liarity.  ^.  God  had  more  People  than  the  Jews  and 
'  Profelytes  of  old.     3.  The  Old  Jews  knew  lefs  of 

*  Chrift,    than  his  Apoftles  before  his  Refurredion. 
4.  The  Apoftles  then  believed  not  his  dying  for  our 

*  Sins,  his  Refurredtion,  Afcenfion,  Heavenly  Inter- 
'  ceflion,  ^c     5.  'Tis  no  Chriftianity  ftow,   that  be- 

*  lieves  not  thefe.    If  I  durft  Curfe  all  the  World,  who 

*  now  believe  no  more  than  the  Old  Jews  and  the  Apo- 

*  ftles  then  did,   yet  durft  I  not  Curfe  all  Chriftians, 

*  that  hope  better  of  them. 

Art,  23.  *Thofe  we  ought  to  judge  Lawfully  called  and 
'  fent,    which  be  chofen  and  call'd  to  this  Work  by 

*  Men,   who  have  Publick  Authority  given  them  in  the 

*  Congregation  to  call  and  fend  Minifters  into  the  Lord's 
'  Vineyard.] 

Expof,  '  Given  them,    that  is,  by  Chrift  in  his  Scrip- 

*  tore  Infticution,  and*  by  thofe  that  Chrift  Authorizes 
'  under  him. 

Art.  25.  '  Sacraments  be  certain,  fure  and  effectual 

*  Signs  of  Grace,  and  God's  good  Will,  ^c] 

Expof.  *  They  fignify  what  God  offereth;  Theyinveft 

*  the  true  believing  Receiver  in  the  right  of  Pardon, 
'  Adoption  and  Salvation:  They  are  morally  operative 

*  Signs  of  exciting  and  encreafing  inherent  Grace  in 

*  Believers. 

Art,  ie,  *  Nor  is  the  EfFedt  of  Chrift's  Ordinance 
i  taken  away  by  their  Minifter's  Wickednefs.] 

Expof.  *  Sacraments  are  not  void,  becaufe  a  bad  Man 
^  Adminiftred  them  ;  but  Prayer  and  Preaching,  and 
J  Example,  are  ufually  more  effe(5lual  from  able,  godly 

t  Men 


47^  Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 

An.  1689.'  Men,  than  from  the  Ignorant  and  Wicked.  The 
blind  Man  could  fay,  God  heareth  nor  Sinners;  but 
if  any  be  a  Worfhipper  of  Him,  and  doth  His  Will, 
him  he  heareth.  Pfal,  50  ;  to  the  Wicked  faith  God, 
IV'iat  hail  thcu  to  do  to  taks  ^y  Covenant  into  thy  ^otitk^ 
8cc.  It  is  a  Sin  to  prefer  a  bad  Man  before  a  better. 
And  it  is  dangerous  to  encourage  Men  in  daily  Sin; 
who  ufurp  the  facred  Office  of  Bilhops  or  Paftors, 
having  neither  the  Qualifications  eflentially  Neceffary 
thereto,  nor  that  which  is  effentially  NeceiTary  to  a 
Call. 

'  The  excepted  Articles,  and  thofe  that  need  no  Ex- 
pofition,  I  pafs  by.  If  I  hav  e  hit  on  the  true  Meaning, 
I  lubfcribe  my  AfTent ;  and  I  thank  God  that  this 
National  Church  hath  Dodrine  fo  Sound ;  and  pity 
them  that  Write,  Preach,  or  Pracftice  contrary  to  the 
Articles  which  they  fubfcribe,  and  accufe  them  that 
refufe  fubfcribing  them ;  and  take  them  for  Sinners 
who  take  them  not  for  their  Paftors,  becaufe  that  their 
Wickednefs  nulleth  not  their  Sacramental  Admini- 
ftratidas. 

The  Presbyterians  and  Independents,  who  had  often 
attempted  coming  to  an  Agreement  before,  thought  this 
a  proper  Opportunity  for  a  new  Effay,  and  after  feve- 
ral  Meetings,  they  Agreed  in,  and  aftertvards  publilh'd 
the  following  Articles. 


An.  idpc.    Heads  of  Agreemeyit  AJJentecl  to  by  the  United 

Mj)]ijleys^  fcc. 

The  foUovoing  H:ads  of  j^^reement  have  been  refolvd  upon, 
by  the  United  Minivers  in  and  tibout  London,  formerly 
cali'd  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  ;  net  as  n  Meajure 
far  afiy  National  Conftitution,  but  for  the  Prefervation  of 
Order  in  our  Congregations^  that  cannot  come  ujf  to  the 
common  t{ule  by  Law  Eftahliflod. 

I.  Of  Churches  and  Church  Members, 

I .  *  XVf  E  acknowledge  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  to  have 

^    *  one  Catholick  Church,  or  Kingdom,  com- 

*  prebcading  all  that  are  united  to  hira,  whether  in 

'  '  Heavet^ 


Chap.  XVn.  after  the  Revolfftlon  in  i6S8.      477 


Heaven  or  Earth.  And  do  conceive  the  whole  Mul--4».  1690. 
tltnde  of  Vifiblc  Believers,  and  their  Infant  Seed 
(commonly  call'd  the  Catholick  Vifible  Church)  to 
belong  to  Chrift's  Spiritual  Kingdom  in  this  World  ; 
But  for  the  Notion  of  a  Catholick  Vifible  Church  here, 
as  it  fignifies  its  having  been  colledted  into  any  form'd 
Society,  under  a  Viiible  humane  Head  on  Earth ; 
whether  one  Perfon  fingly,  or  many  collediively, 
we,  with  the  reft  of  Protejiants,  Unanimouiy  Dif- 
claim  it. 

2.  '  We  agree,  that  particular  Societies  of  Viiible 
Saints,  who  under  Chrift  their  Head,  are  ftatedly 
joyn^d  together  for  ordinary  Communion  with  one 
another  in  all  the  Ordinances  of  Chriit,  are  parciciu 
lar  Churches,  and  are  to  be  ownM  by  each  other,  as 
Inftituted  Churches  of  Chrift,  though  differing  in  Ap- 
prehenfions  and  Prad:ices  in  fome  leffer  Things. 

3.  '  That  none  ihall  be  admitted  as  Members,  in  or- 
der to  Communion  in  all  the  fpecial  Ordinances  of 
the  Gofpel,  but  fuch  Perfons  as  are  knowing  and 
found  in  the  Fundamental  Dodhrines  of  the  Chriftian 
Religion,  without  Scandal  in  their  Lives;  and  to  a 
Judgment  regulated  by  the  Word  of  God,  are  Perfons 
of  Vifible  Godlinefs  and  Honefty  ;  credibly  profefling 
cordial  Subjediion  to  Jefus  Chriii 

4.  *  A  competent  Number  of  fuch  Vifible  Saints  (as 
before  defcrib'd)  do  become  the  capable  Subjedh  of 
ftated  Communion  in  all  the  fpecial  Ordinances  of 
Chrif^,  upon  their  mutual  declared  Confent  and  A- 
greement  to  walk  together  therein  according  to  Gof- 
pel Rule.  In  which  Declaration,  different  Degrees  of 
explicitenefs  Ihall  no  way  hinder  fuch  Churches  from 
owning  each  other  as  Inftituted  Churches. 

5.  '  Though  Parochial  Bounds  be  not  of  Divine 
Right,  yet  for  common  Edification,  the  Members  of 
a  particular  Church  ought  (as  much  as  conveniently 
may  be)  to  Live  near  one  another. 

6.  '  That  each  particular  Church  hath  Right  to  chufe 
their  own  Officers;  and  being  furnilh'd  with  fuch  as 
are  duly  Qualify'd  and  Ordain  d  according  to  the 
Gofpel  Rule,  hath  Authority  from  Chrift,  for  exer- 
ciiing  Government,  and  of  enjoying  all  the  Ordi- 
nances of  Worlhip  within  itfelf. 

7.*  In 


478         Some  HiJioricJ  Additions     Chap.  XVH. 


Art.  1690-  7.  *  In  the  Adminiftration  of  Church  Power,  it  be- 
longs to  the  Paftors  and  other  Elders  of  every  particu- 
lar Church  (if  fuch  there  be)  10  Rule  and  Govern  ; 
and  to  the  Brotherhi)od  to  Confent,  according  to  the 
Rule  of  the  Gofpel. 

8.  '  That  all  Profeflbrs  as  before  defcrib'd,  are  bound 
in  Duty,  as  they  have  Opportunity,  to  joyn  them- 
felves  as  fixed  Members  of  fome  particular  Church ; 
their  thus  joyning  being  part  of  their  profeffed  Sub- 
jedlion  to  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift,  and  an  inftituted 
Means  of  their  Eftablilhment  and  Edification ;  where- 
by they  are  under  the  Paftoral  Care,  and  in  cafe  of 
fcandalous  or  ofFcnfive  Walking,  may  be  authorita- 
tively Admonifti'd  or  CenfurM  for  their  Recovery; 
and  for  Vindication  of  the  Truth,  and  the  Church 
profefling  it. 

9.  *  That  a  Vifible  Profeflbr  thus  joyn* d  to  a  particu- 
lar Church,  ought  to  continue  ftedfaftly  with  the  faid 
Church  ;  and  not  forfake  the  Miniftry  and  Ordinan- 
ces there  difpenfed,  without  an  orderly  feeking  a  Re- 
commendation to  another  Church.  Which  ought  to 
be  given,  when  the  Cafe  of  the  Perfon  apparently  re- 
quires it. 

II.  Of  the  Miniftry. 

1.  *  We  Agree,  that  the  Miniftcrial  Office  is  Inftitu- 
ted by  Jefus  Chrift,   for  the  gathering,   guiding,  edi- 
fying and  governing  of  his  Church ;  and  to  continue 
to  the  end  of  the  World. 

z.  '  They,  who  are  calFd  to  this  Office,  ought  to  be 
endued  with  competent  Learning,  and  Minifterial 
Gifts;  as  alfo  with  the  Grace  of  God,  found  in  Judg- 
ment, not  novices  in  the  Faith  and  Knowledge  of  the 
Gofpel ;  without  Scandal,  of  Holy  Convcrfation,  and 
fuch  as  devote  thcmfelves  to  the  Work  and  Service 
thereof. 

^,  *  That  ordinarily  none  ftiall  be  Ordaind  to  the 
Work  of  this  Miniftry,  but  fuch  as  are  call'd  and 
ch^fen  thereunto  by  a  particular  Church. 
4/  '  That  in  fo  great  and  weighty  a  Matter,  as  the 
calling  and  chufing  a  Paftor,  we  judge  it  ordinarily 
requifice,  that  every  fuch  Church  confult  and  adyife 
with  the  Paftors  of  Neighbouring  Congregations. 

5.  'That 


Chap.  XVll.  after  the  Revolution /n  1688.       470 


5.  *  Thac  after  fuch  Advice,    the  Pcrfoii  confuked  w^«.  t.6po, 
abouc,   being  chofen  by  the  Brotherhood  of  thac  par- 
ticular Church,  over  which  he  is  to  be  fee,  aiid  he  ac- 
cepting, be  duly  Ordain'd,  and  fet  apart  to  his  Office 

over  them  ;  wherein  'tis  ordinarily  requifire,  chat  the 
Paftors  of  Neighbouring  Congregations  concur  with 
the  Preaching  Elder,  or  Elders,  if  fuch  there  be. 

6.  *  That  whereas  iuch  Ordination  is  only  intended 
for  fuch  as  never  before  had  been  Ordain'd  to  the  Mi- 
nifterial  Oflice;  if  any  judge,  that  in  the  Cafe  alfo  of 
the  removal  of  one  formerly  Ordain'd,  to  a  i^w  Sta- 
tion, or  Paftoral  Charge,  there  ought  to  be  a  like  fo- 
letnn  Recommending  him  and  his  Labours  to  the  Grace 
and  Bleifing  of  God  5  no  different  Sentiments  or  Pra- 
dtice  herein,   (hall  be  any  occafion  of  Contention  or 

Breach  of  Communion  among  us. 

7.  *  'Tis  expedient,  that  they  who  enter  on  the  Work 
of  Preaching  the  Gofpel,  be  not  only  qualify *d  for 
Communion  of  Saints  5  but  alfo  that,  except  in  Cafes 
extraordinary,  they  give,  proof  of  their  Gifts  and  fit- 
nefs  for  the  faid  Work,  unto  the  Paftors  of  Churches, 
of  known  Abilities  to  difcern  and  judge  of  their  Qua- 
lifications :  That  they  may  be  fenc  forth  with  folemn 
Approbation  and  Prayer,  which  ive  judge  needful, 
that  no  doubt  may  remain  concerning  their  being  call'd 
to  the  Work;  and  for  preventing  (as  much  as  in  us 
lies)  ignorant  and  ralh  Intruders. 

HI.  of  Cenfures. 

I./  As  it  cannot  be  avoided,  but  that  in  the  pureft 
Churches  on  Earth,    there  will  fometimes  Offences 
and  Scandals  arife  by  reafon  of  Hypocrify  and  pre- 
vailing Corruption  ;    fo  Chrift  hath  made  it  the  Duty 
of  every  Church,  to  reform  itfelf  by  Spiritual  Reme- 
dies, appointed  by  him,   to  be  applied  in  all  fuch  Ca- 
fes 3  vi:{.  Admonition  and  Excommunication. 
2.  '  Admonition,  being  the  rebuking  of  an  offending 
Member  in  order  to  Convidlion,  is,  in  cafe  of  private 
Offences,   to  be  perform'd  according  to  the  Rule  in 
Matth,  18.  v.  15,  16, 17:  And  in  cafe  of  publick  Of- 
fences, openly  before  the  Church,   as  the  Honour  of 
the  Gofpel,  and  Nature  of  the  Scandal  fhall  require : 
And  if  either  of  the  Admonitions  take  Place  for  the 

*  recovery 


4So 


Some  Hifloricitl  Additions      Chap.  XVII. 


jln.    I  690. 


recovery  of  the  fallen  Perfon,  all  further  Proceedings 
in  a  way  of  Cenfure,  are  thereupon  to  ceafe,  and  Sa- 
tisfatflion  co  he  declared  accordingly. 

3.  '  When  all  due  Means  are  us'd,  according  to  the 
Order  of  the  Gofpel,  for  the  reftoring  an  offending 
and  fcandalous  Brother,  and  he  notwithftanding  re- 
mains Impenitent,  the  Cenfure  of  Excommunication 
is  to  be  proceeded  unto ;  wherein  the  Paflor  and  other 
Elders  (if  there  be  fuch)  are  to  lead,  and  go  before 
the  Church,  and  the  Brotherhood  co  give  their  Con- 
fent;  in  a  Way  of  Obedience  unto  Chrift,  and  unto 
the  Elders,  as  over  them  in  the  Lord. 

4.  '  It  may  fometimes  cocne  to  pafs,  that  a  Church 
Member,  not  otherwife  fcandalous ,  may  finfully 
withdraw,  and  divide  himfelf  from  the  Communion 
of  the  Church  to  which  he  belongeth ;  in  which  cafe, 
when  all  due  Means  for  the  reducing  him  prove  in- 
effectual ;  he  having  hereby  cut  himfelf  off*  from  that 
Churches  Communion,  the  Church  may  juftly  ef^eem 
and  declare  itfelf  difcharg*d  of  any  further  Infpec3:ion 
over  him. 

IV.  Of  Communion  of  Churches, 

1 .  '  We  Agree,  That  particular  Churches  ought  not 
to  walk  fo  diftindt  and  feparate  from  each  other,  as 
not  to  have  care  and  tendernefs  towards  one  another : 
But  their  Paftors  ought  to  have  frequent  Meetings  to- 
gether, that  by  mutual  Advice,  Support,  Encourage- 
ment, and  brotherly  Intercourfe,  they  may  ftrengthen 
the  Hearts  and  Hands  of  each  other  in  the  Ways  of 
the  Lord. 

2.  '  That  none  of  our  particular  Churches  Ihall  be 
Subordinate  to  one  another,  each  being  endu'd  with 
equality  of  Power  from  Jefus  Chrift:  And  that  none 
of  the  faid  particular  Churches,  their  Officer,  or  Offi- 
cers, (hall  exercife  any  Power,  or  have  any  Supe- 
riority over  any  other  Church,  or  their  Officers. 

3.  *That  known  Members  of  particular  Churches, 
Conftituted  as  aforefaid,  may  have  Occafional  Com- 
munion with  one  another  in  the  Ordinances  of  the 
Gofpel,  vi:{.  the  Word,  Prayer,  Sacraments,  Singing 
Pfalns,  difpenfed  according  to  the  Mind  of  Chrift  j 
unlefs  that  Church  with  which  they  defire  Comtnunion, 
hath  any  juA  ExceptioQ  againft  them.  4.  \  That 


Chap-  XVff.   after  tfje  Revolntionin  i62^.      481 

4.  '  That  we  ought  not  to  admit  any  one  to  be  a  An.  16^0, 
'  Member  of  our  refpe£live  Congregations,   chat  hath 

*  joyn'd  himfelf  to  another,    without  endeavours  of 

*  mutual  Satisfaction  of  the  Congregations  concern'd. 

5.  '  That  one  ChUrch  ought  not  to  blame  the  Pro- 
'  ceedings  of  another,    till  it  hath  heard,    what  that 

*  Church  charg'd,   its  Elders  or  Meflengers  can  fay,  in 
'  Vindication  of  themfeives  from  any  Charge  of  irregu- 
lar or  injurious  Proceedings. 

6.  *  That  we  are  moft  willing  and  ready  to  give  an 
'  Account  of  our  Church  Proceedings  to  each  other 

*  when  delir'd,   for  preventing  or  removing  any  Offen- 

*  ces,  that  may  arife  among  us.     Likewife,  we  ihall  be 

*  ready  to  give  the  right  Handof  Fellowfliip,  and  v/a!k: 

*  together  according  to  the  Gofpel  Rules  of  Communion 

*  of  Churches. 

V.  Of  Deacons  and  Ruling  Elders, 

^  We  agree,  the  Office  of  a  Deacon  is  of  Divine  Afv 
pointment,    and  that  it  belongs  to  their  Office  10  re-  , 

ceive,  layout,  and  diftribute  the  Churches  Stock  to 
its  proper  Ufes,  by  the  dirediion  of  the  Paftor  and 
Elders,  iffach  there  be.  And  whereas,  divers  are  of 
Opinion,  that  there  is  alfo  the  Office  of  Ruling  Elders, 
who  labour  not  in  Word  and  Doctrine ;  and  others 
think  other  wife,  we  agree,  that  this  difference  make 
no  Breach  among  us. 

VI.  Of  Synods. 

1.  *  We  agree,  That  in  order  to  Concord,  and  in 
any  other  weighty  and  difiicuic  Cafes,  *tis  needful, 
and  according  to  the  mind  of  Chrift,  that  a  Synod  be 
cali'd  to  confult  and  advife  about  fach  Matters. 

2.  *  That  a  Sy^od  may  confift  of  fmaller  or  greater 
Numbers,  as  the  Matter  Ihall  require. 

3.  '  That  particular  Churches,  their  refpe£live  Elders 
and  Members,  ought  to  have  a  Reverential  regard  to 
the  Judgment  of  fuch  Synods,  and  not  diflent  there- 
from, without  apparent  Grounds  ffcm  the  Word  of 
God. 

I  i  VIL 


482  Some  Hijlorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII. 


^Lh 


.90 


VII.  Of  our  Demear.ouY  toxvnrds  tbs  CiviWMagiJlrate, 

I.  '  Wf  do  reckon  ourfelves  oblig'd  continually  to 
pray  fn  God'^  Prore<a-ion,  guidance  and  Blcfling  up- 
on 'he  Pvdlers  frt  over  us. 

'1.  '  Thai  we  ought  to  yield  unto  them  not  only  Snb- 
jf  ition  lu  the  »-urd,  but  Support,  according  to  our 
Station  and  Abiluies. 

3.  *  That  if  ar  an"  Time  it  (hall  be  their  Pleafure  to 
call  rogechei  ajiy  Number  of  us,  or  require  any  Ac- 
count ot'  our  Affairs,  and  the  State  of  our  Congrega- 
tions, we  Ihall  Qioft  readily  exprefs  all  dutiful  regard 
to  them  herein. 

VlII.  Of  a  Confcjfion  of  Faith, 


*  As  to  what  appertains  to  foun(^nefs  of  Judgment  in 
*"  Matters  of  Faith,  we  efteem  it  fufficient,  that  a  Church 

*  acknowledge  the  Scriptures  to  be  the  Word  of  God, 
'  the  perfedt  and  only  Rule  of  Faith  and  Pradtice  j  and 

*  own  either  the  Dodkrinal  Part    of  thofe  commonly 
'  call'd  the  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  the 

*  Confeffion,  or  Catechifms,  ihorter  or  larger,  compil'd 

*  by  the  Affembly  at  PVejlminJier  -^    or  the  Confelfion 

*  ae^reed  on  at  the  Savoy,    to  be  agreeable  to  the  (aid 
.*  Rule. 

IX.  Of  our  Duty  and  Deportment  towards  them  that  are 
not  in  Communion  with  us, 

1 .  '  We  judge  it  our  Duty  to  bear  a  Chriftian  Refpe<5t 
'  to  fellow  Chriilians,    according  to  their  feveral  Ranks 

*  and  Stations,  that  are  not  of  our  Perfwafion  or  Com- 
,*  munion. 

2.  *  As  for  fuch  as  may,  be  ignorant  of  the  Prin- 

*  ciple>  of   the  Chriftian   Religion,      or  of   vicious 
'  Converfation,     we    iliall   in  our  refpec^ive  Places, 

*  as  they  give    us    Opportunity,    endeavour    to  ex- 

*  plain  to  them  the  Dodtrme  of  Life  and  Salvation, 

*  and  to  our  utterraoft,  perfwade  them  to  be  reconcil'd 
!  toGo^. 

,   3.  *  That  fuch  who  appear  to  have  the  effential  Re- 

*  quifites  to  Church  Communion,  we  fhall  willingly 

'  receive 


Chap.  XVfl.   after  the  Keijolfition  in  i6B8:        4:83 


*  receive  them  in  the  Lord,   not  troubling  them  with -^«.  1596^ 
'  Difpures  about  Jefier  Matters. 

As  we  Ajfent  to  the  forewentioncd  Heads  of  Agreement,  fo 
XV3  'Vnanimoiijly  ^folve^  as  the  Lord  /hall  enable  us^  to 
PraBice  according  to  them. 

There  were  now  publifh'd  Two  Difcourfes  of  Mr.  D<?- 
vid  Clarkforiy  concerning  the  Primitive  Epifcopncy,   and 
concerning  ihe  Ancient  Liturgies^     in  Two  Odlavo's. 
About  this  time  alfo  was  Printed,    The  Way  to  Peace 
among  nil  Protefiantsi   Being  a  Letter  of  Reconciliation, 
fenc  by  Bilhop  B^dky  to  Bifhop  Hooper^  with  foirie  Ani- 
madverfions  upon  it.     A  Memorial  of  God* s  lafi  Twenty' 
nine  Tears  Wonders  in  England,    for  its  Preservation  and 
Deliverance   frorii  Popery  arid  Slavery,    'the  ahfolute 
Nccejfity   of  /landing    vigorou/ly  by  the    prefent    Govern", 
ment;    Or  a  View  of  what  both  Church  Men  and  Di{^ 
fenters  muft  expe£t,    if  by  their  unhappy   Divifioqs^' 
Popery  and  Tyranny  Ihould  return  again.     A  Ihort 
View  of  the  Methods  made  ufe  of  in  Ireland,  for  tHe 
fubverfion  and  deftrucftion  of  the  Proteftant  Religion 
and  Intereft  in  that  Kingdom,    from  the  beginning  of 
the  Reign  of  the  late  King  James,  to  this  time ;  and  of 
the  fufFering  of  the  Protectants  all  along.    The  Myflery 
of  iniquity  working    in    the    dividing    of    Protejlants,  in 
order  to  the  fubverting  of  Religion  and  our  Laws,  for 
almoft  rhe  fpace  of  Thirty  Years  laft  paft  plainly  laid 
open;  to  wnicHis^added  a  Specimen,  of  a  Bill  for  Uni- 
ting of  Proteftahts.,    An  Examinatinn  of  the  fcruples, . 
of  rhofe  who,  refufe  to  take   the  Oath  of  Allegiance.' 
)^\ng  tVt  Hi  am  ox  ¥i\n%  Lewis:    Or' the.  inevitable  Ne- 
ceflity  thefe  Nations  lie  under  of  fubmittirig  wholly  to 
one  or  other  of  thefe  Kings.  ,  Reflections  upon  the  Opi- 
nions of  fome  modern  Oivines  concerning  the  Nature 
of  Government  in  t^e  General,  and  of  England  in  Par- 
ticular, witb  Magna  Charta  annexed.     And  many  otHet 
Things  of  the  like  Nature;    the  mdft  confiderable  of 
which  are  put  together  in  tbeColledfion  of  State  Tradls, 
publilh'd  on  Occafipn  of  the  late  Revolution  in  1688^; 
and  daring,  tfie  Reigri  of  King  William  III.  Vol.  r. 

m  on  if'' 


484        Some  Hi ^orkd  Addition.      Chap,  XVII. 
Jin.  1^90. 

CHAP.     XVIIf. 

The  Cafe  of  ihe  D/jffcntcrs  ^  A^d  other  Eccle- 
Jiajhcal  Matters^    in  the  foUovping  Years  of 
the  Reign  of  King  William. 


K 


■^ING   li^illlat7i  had  a  difconicntcd  Party  at  the 
beginning  of  his  Reign,    and  he  could  never 
wholly  get  above  it.     The  Archbiihop  of  Center- 
huiy  from  the  firft  refus'dto  own  his  Goven¥Tjent,  and  fo 
did  fome  of  his  Suff'  ^^^^ris^  out  of  their  regard  to  the 
Allegiatice  they  had  fworn  to  King  James :    And  many 
difcontented  PerfoDS  tell  in  with  them  from  the  Hopes 
or  the  Fears  of  his  Reftoration.    They  were  difgufted 
•with  a  Revolution  that  feem'd  to  have  been  accom- 
plilh'd  under  the  particular  Diredlion  of  Heaven  for 
the  Prefervation  of   our  Religion.    They  reprefented 
all  as  illegal  and  unjuftifiable;    and  cxpedled   King 
James  with  an  Army,  to  come  and  fettle  Things  upon  a 
right  Foundation ;    For  the   Intereft  of  the   Church  of 
England^  was  in  their  Opinion  invoiv'd  with  his  Inte- 
reft,  and  the  one  they  tho't  could  not  fubfift  without 
the  Rciloration  of  the  other.     But  as  for  King  H^^iHam^ 
nothing  could  perfwade  them,    but  that  as  they  often 
fa*'d,  by  Tolerating  all  Religions,  he  intended  todeflroy 
The  Noft'  the  Church,    When  the  time  allow'd  by  the  A€t  of  Par- 
jurin^  cler-  liament  for  the  Clergy  to  take  the  Oaths  was  expired, 
gy  fuj^nd-  they  who  refus'd  to  qualifie  themfelves  were  fufpended 
'^  ^h         ab  officio.     Hereupon  a  Petition  was  drawn  up,   and 
Officio.       handed  about,  and  fubfcrib'd  by  many,   befceching  bis 
Majeftv,  that  the  incapacity  they   were   under,  might 
not  difablc  them  from  ferving  their  MajeAies  in  their 
refpc£>ive  Provinces.     But  others  arguM  againft  it  as 
prepofterous.     A  Defign  was  form'd  to  bring  the  Con- 
vocation to  Petition  for  their  Reftoration :  But  that  alfo 
was  qualh'd.    One   publifti'd    an   Afology  for   them: 
Another  in  Anfwer  to  it,    publilh*d  ayi  Examination  of 
the  Cnfe  of  the  fujpch'ded  Bifloops.    They  never  could  be 
prevail'd  with  to  give  their  Rcafons  for  refufing  the 
Oath  :  And  upon  that  Account  it  was  argu'd  to  be  very 
improper  for  them  to  have  any  favour  (hewn  them.    Ac 

Icogth 


Chap.  XVIIL  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.     485 

length  a  Mcffage  was  fent  from  Queen  Mary^  after  the  An.  1690. 
Battle  at  the  Boync  *,   to  try  Cfup- 

pofiiig  the  ParJiament  could  "have         ^  See  Bi/hopBuvntt'sRefieaions 
been  brought  to  difpenfe  with  their     upon  a  2amphUt,nntituUd  [  Some 
taking    the    Oaths)    wheiher     the     Difceztrfes  upon  Dr.  Buvnet,    and 
fufpenJed  Bi(hops  would  do  their     Dr.  Tillorfon,    occafion'd  by  the 
Fwi^ions,  Ordain,   Confirm,  afllft     /ate  Tuneral  Sermon  of  the  former 
at  Prayers  and  Sacramenrs,  give  In-     ^M  ^^'^  Matter.'}  Oft.  16^6, 
ftitutions,  and  Vifit  their  Diocefes. 
If  they  would,   a  Scheme  was  preparM  for  offering  thac 
Matter  ro  a  fecond  Confideration  in  Parliament.     But 
the  deprivM  Bifliops  would   Anfwer  nothing,  and  Pror 
mife  nothing.     And    yet  the    Government  proceeded 
flowly  in  filling  their  Sees;    That  was  not  done,  till 
Letters  were  difcover'd  that  fhew'd  what  Correfpon- 
dcncies  and  Engagements  there  were  among  them. 

Dr. Shcr/ccl{s  Cafe,    who  was  Mafter  of  the  Temple     The  Md* 
was  particular.     Had  he  taken  the  Oaths  at  firft  sls  ft^^ementof 
others  did,  no  more  notice  had  been  taken  of  him  than  ^*"-  ^her- 
of  the  reft:    But  he  refusM,    and 'tis  laid,    cncourag'dl  ^°^^' 
others  to  do  fo  too,   and  difcontinued  Preaching  from 
Augvfti.  1689,    to  Fehnary  2.  i6*ry    when  he   began 
again;   declaring  from  the  Pulpit  that  he  did  it  with 
the  Permiflion  of  his  ^upcriours,    and  the  Advice  of 
fome  Eminent  Lawvers.     Upon  this  a  Pamphlet  was 
publiihM,  CcdVdtht  New  Norjccnf or  mist;  or  Dr.  Skerlocl(s  t  TheCa* 
Cafe  in  Preaching  after  a  Deprivation  ;    fhewing,  that '^^"^  ^'^  ^Z'* 
he  hereby  juftified  the  Konconformifts,  whom  he,  as  well  Overair5 
as  others,  had  fo  much  biam'd  for  Preaching  after  their  ^"^"^^^^^'^^ 
being    SilencM    by    the  ^a  of  Vniformity  in  62.     At^^'^^^J^'^^ 
length  lie'dud  being  rcduc'd,    and  King  James  fled,    he  r^'^'j  /*"** 
alfo  thought  fie  to  take  the  Oath  :  And  it  was  common- "^^^or^^y. 
ly  faid,  that  King  (^Vi/L'nm's  Snccersat  the  Boyne  ^i^sihc /lament  nor 
convincing  Argument  that  remov'd  his  Scruples.     He/c»  muth  as 
then  publilh'd  the  Cnfc  of  the  Allegiance  due  to  Sovereign  Ratified  by 
Po\9erSy  Stated  and  Hs/olvcd,   according  to  Scripture  and  the  Kin^s 
Reafon,    and  the  Principles  of  the  Church  of  England^  betters  Fa' 
with  a  more  particularRefpedt  to  the  Oath  lately  en  join'd,  ^^"^^-    ^^ 
of  Allegiance  to  their  prcfent  Majeilies.     In  the  Preface''"'^  would 

to  it,  hq  mentions  Bifliop  Overal's  Convocation  Booki.  as-^^  '^"  '^^* 
■  •  ^ "       count  of 

them,  may  confult  a  Book  intituled,  The  Spirit  of  the  Cburch  Faftion  de- 

tefted  in  it?  Nature  and  Operations  ^   more  particularly  in  the  Myftery  of 

the  Convocation  Book  lately  publifh'dy  and  exposed  to  the  Fiexa  and  Cenfure 

Cjf  the  World,  by  the  late  Archbijhop  of  Canterbury,  Printed  in  l6^i,  4C0. 

J  i  3  that; 


486         Some  tiijioricul  x-iddhJons     Chap.  XVIII. 

An.  159c.  |;h^5  which  openM  bis  Eyes  and  gave  him  full  Satisfadi- 
on.     Many   were   the    Anfwers  return  d   to   this,    his 
Vir^dication     of     j^ioifclf.     Several    Remarks    were 
mide  upon  his   Management  of  this  Subjedb  of  the 
Oath.     As,  that  he  wav'd  ihe  Legality  ofihc  [{evoluticn, 
and  confcquent  Settlement,    and  Jaid  his  main  ftrefs  on 
the  difppial  of  Providence  j    and  fo  faid  no  more  than 
nijght  be  faid  in  the  Cafe  of  any  Ufurpcr:  That  King 
H\llia7?is  Right  couy  never  be  Maintain'd  or  Defended 
upon  his  Hypothef^s  ;  and  that  there  was  little  room  for 
^confiding  in  Pcrfcuio  that  fell  in  with  fuch  a  Government 
^as;thi5  upon  iucti  Giognds.     One  upon  this  Occafion 
y^'tq\<^ii^rrt^ratul'pjy  Litter  w  Mv.  Samuel  Johnfon^  who 
h^dbeenTuch  a  Sufferer  for  the  fake  of  our  Englifh  Li- 
bertiei:  And  no  fide  was  pleas'd.     The  Dodlcr  fell  un- 
der the  difpleafure  of  the  Jiicobites  becaufe  he  deferted 
iheai  ;    and   the   zealous    Friends   of   King  PViHiarns 
Government,  were  far  from  being  fatisfy'd,  becaufe  he 
fecfi.'d  to  fall  in  with  them  but  by  halves. 
V  The  Hiftory  of  Pa  (five  Obedience  was  pow  publifli'd, 

to  pi  ovp  the  unwarrantablehefs  of  a  Nations  defending 
their   Rights  and    Liberties,    and  refcuing  themfelves 
jfrotn  Slavery :    Mr.  John/on  wrote  Refle£lions  upon  it  j 
and  fhcw'd  that  the  Opinions  of  private  Doctors  there 
col!e<51:ed   were  but  flights  of  Fla:tery,    oppofite  to  the 
Eflablilh'd  Dodlrine  of  the  Chwch  of  England,  and  to 
Six    -ich  of  FnrHnment, 
-  t.z»-      Thofe  of  the  Clergy  that  refus'd  to  take  the  Oaths, 
V';-.bf  :'  '^-'«  caird  thofc  who  fell  in  with  the  Government  Scbifma- 
■Th'ifj^i^rors.-  ticj^s.,    and  were  for  Confining  the  Church  of  England  to 
th'-irown  Party:    And  they   accus'd  thofe  of  their  own 
Church  whom  they  were  for  feparating  from,  of  immo- 
ralities in  their  Prayers,  and  of  all  the  Mifchiefs  done 
in  the  Wars,  and  of  fttting  up  Antibilhops :  Nay,  fome 
d'd  not   flick   to  declare,    that   they    were  out  of  the 
Church,   and  that  there   was  no  Salvation  to  be  had 
among  th-  m  in  the  ordinary  Way.     Upon  occafion  of 
thefc  Differences  a  great  many  Wriungs  were  piiblilh'd, 
and    foHTC  of  them   drawn    up    with    great    heat  and 
warr^ith.     One  put  out  a  Pamphlet  with  this  Title; 
ffw  r'^^  the  Clergy   and  other  Members  .pf  the   Church  of 
•El>glai^d  ught  tn  Communicate  voith  the  Non-fvpearing  Bi^ 
j}'opj.     In  which  he  pleads  that  Canonical  Obedience 
was  ftill  due  from  the  Clergy  to  their  Ordinaries,  and 

noc 


Chap.  XVIIL  afterthe  Revoltithnin  i68S.      487 

not  to  be  transfer'd  to  others;    it  being  reprefented  as  .^w.  1690* 
contrary  to  all  the  Canons  of  the  Ancient  Church,  that 
Two  Bilhops  Ihould  exercife  their  Jurifdiftions,  at  the 
fame  time, in  the  fame  See;  which  he  affirms  could  not 
be  without  damnable  Schifm.     The  Men  of  this  Stamp 
had  a  new  Form  of  a  Liturgy  now  among  them,  which 
was  very  Remarkable^;   1*11  fingle  out  a  few  Paflages     *  See  « 
by  which  the  reft  may  be  judgM  off.    It  w2ls  c^li'd. a  Paw^hiet 
Form  of  Prayer  and  Humiliation  for  God^s  "Bleffings  upon  his  Entituled^ 
Majejiy^  and  his  Domhijons,  and  for  removing  and  averting  Rcflefti- 
of  God's  Jtidgnisnts  from  tlm  Church  and  State,     It  had  °°^  "PO"  a 
in  it  fiich  Exprellions  as  thefe  :    B^ftore  to  us  again ^  the  ^^^^  of 
Pubiick^Pf^j'fhip  of  thy  Natne,  the  J^everent  Adminiftration    ^^J^^^J. 
of  thy  Sacraments  :    B^ife  up  the  former  Government  both  r     Jr^ 
in  Church  and  State,    that  xvs  may  be  no  longer  without  ^-l^^^  "J  c - 
Kjng,  without  Prieif,    without  God  in   the  iVorld.     J4^e  n^^^  ^f  jj^g 
humbly  befeech  thee  to  lock,  compajfwnately  on  thti  perfecuted  Church   of 
Part  of  thy  Church,  now  driven  from  thy  Public^,  Altars  in-  England. 
t6  Corners  and  fecret  Clofets  :   That  thy  ProteHion  may  be  Printed  for 
over  us  wherever  weJJ-Jall  befcatter'^d,    and  a  B^emnant  pre-  Richard 
fervd  among  ft  us^    by  whom  thy  Name  may  be  Glorified,  thy  Baldwin, 
Sacraments  Adminijired,    and   the  Souls  of  thy  Servants  ^^9'^- 
kept  upright,  in  the  midji  of  a  corrupting  and  a  corrupted 
Generation,     T'f^e  pray  thee  to  be  Gracious  to   our  Prince^ 
v^ho  for  the  Sins  loth  of  Prices  and  People ^    is  now  kept 
out  J  and  that  in  thy  due  Time  thou  wouldlf  deal  with  him 
according   to  the  Juftice  of  his  Caufe,     Comfort  him,  O 
Lord^  in  the  fadnef  cf  his  Spirit ;    guide  him  in  the  per- 
plexity of  his  Mind,    and  Jupport  him  in  the  freights  and 
neceffit.ies  cf  his    Fortunes .     f{alfe    him    Friends   Abroad'^ 
Convert   or  Confound  the  Hearts  cf  J)is  Enemies  at  Home, 
Do  feme  mighty  Thing  for  Jiim,  which 

we  in  particular  kjiow  not  how  to  Pray  t  '^**    ebferyaUe,    that  foon 

for:  And  by  the  fecret  TV.ndings,  and  "^'^^^  '^■'**  ^^*'^  ^f  Flayer  w^of 
powerful  iVurki^igs  of  thy  Provide?7ce,  t"^blip)'d  (the  Author  of  Kphich  is 
make  the  Stone  which  thefe  fool ifh  ^ot  generally  knorrn,^  there  v;ere 
Builders  have  rrjecled,  the  bead  Stone  ^^f^^^^^^  Mf^^  dtfcoyerd,  of 
c    1    ^  •'     T>     /         •  /      r.  JubyertinT  the   Goyemment.    and 

of  the  Corner,     — By  thy  mighty  Pow-     v  n    ■    ^  j^-  ^   x     „  .' ,    i 

•',,.',  ,  r^  ;*^.  /  Rejiorin'r  Kinr  James,  with  the 
er  deliver fuch,  who  for  obeying  thee  ^gifiance  <f  a  French  rorce. 
and  a  good  Confcience^  are,  or  fhaUbe  Several  that  were  concern  d  were 
defigned  to  Death  or  I{uin  f.  Turn  taken,  and  the  Lord  Prefton  and 
the  Hearts  of  the  Children  to  the  Fa-  Mr,  Afhton  try'd  and  found 
iher,  and  the  Difohedient  to  thelVtf-  Guilty:  Tbo' the  lafi  only  Juffer'ik^ 
domoftbejuit^  8<c. 

li  4  Pey 


488       Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII l- 


An.  16^0.      They  tbanhus  pray'd  againft  the  Government  could 
not  realbnably  expcdl  any  Favour  from  it:  For  they  not 
only  dlfownM  it,    and  inveigh'd  againft  it  as  a  down 
right  Ufurpation,    but  they   pray'd  for  fuch  as  were 
guilty  of  Treafonable  Pradices   againft  it.     No  fuch 
C.inthifr  as  this  could  ever  be  charged  on  the  Diflenters 
Prayers,  as  warinly  as  they  had  often  been  Refledted 
on.     And   in  fome  PalTages  there  was  a  Prophanenefs 
that  was  Peculiar  to  themfelves.     But  on  the  other  fide, 
feveral  Writings  were  publilh'd  in  Vindication  and  De- 
fence of  the  Body  of  the   Church  of  England  againft 
thefe    Men.     As  Confcience  Jatisfiod,    in  a    Cordial  and 
L'^yd  fubmitting  to  the  prefent  Government :    In  Three 
Difcourfes,  juftifying  the  H^illiamites  againft  the  Jaco- 
bites.    The  firft  being  Animadverfions  on  a  Book  En- 
tituled,    T/i(?  Dodrine  of  N on- I{ef] fiance  cr  PaJJive-Obedi' 
eve  no  W.^y  concern  d  in  the  Controverfjes  now  depending 
between  the  Williamites  and  the  Jacobites.     The  Second 
on  1  S/tw.  13.30:    The  Third  on  Dan.  5.10.     And  the 
vanity  and  fttljity  of  the  Hifiory  of  P^Jfive-Obedience  de- 
teHed.     Both    by    Mr.  Tim.  W^lfon.      And   the  Prefent 
Settlement  Vindicated^  and  the  late  Mifgovernment  Provd^ 
&c. 
The  Car-      In  the  mean  time  the  Dijfenters  Univerfally,  freely, 
ria^e  of  the  and  without  fcruple  took  the  Oath  to  the  Government, 
Diireruers.  difclaim'd  the  new  coin'd  Diftindtionof  a  King  de  faclo, 
in  Oppofitionto  one<^^  jure,    readily  fign'd  the  Aflbci- 
•  ation  in  Defence  of  their  Majefties  Title,    chearfully 
paid   their   Taxes,    pray'd   heartily  for  the  King  and 
Queen,    and  for  Succefs  againft  their  Enemies,   and  in 
ail  refpedls  behav'd  themfelves  as  good  Subjects,  and 
their  Majefties  were  well  fatisfied   in  their  Conduct, 
and   had   not  the   Jeaft  uneafinefs  from  them.     They 
thank'd  God  and  their  Rulers  for  their  Liberty,  and  fee 
themfelves  to  make  a  Religious  Improvement  of  it.  They 
publickly  Ordain'd  fuch  to  the  Sacred  Miniflry  as  had 
had  a  Learned  Education  in  order  to  their  fitnefs  for 
it ;  firft  carefully  examining  them,  and  then  folemnly 
/  laying  Hands  upon  them,    after  Fafting  and  Prayer,  ac- 

cording to  the  Rules  for  that  Parpofe,  in  the  D;Vf ^^^9- of 
the '^Vcjhninfhr  Affcmbly.  They  carried  it  lovingly  to  each 
other,  and  aifVed  in  Concert:  And  were  Moderate  towards 
the  Eftablifh'd  Church,  who  were  now  too  much  divided 
araone  themfelves  to  be  at  leifure  to  falJ  out  with  them. 

,     .^ ■  •    A 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.     489 

A  Paper  was  about  this  Time  publifliM,  intituled,  ^«.  1690. 
Humble  ^tjuejis  both  to  Conformifts  nnd  Dijfemers, 
toifiching  their  Temper  and  Behaviour  towards  each  other ^ 
upon  the  lately  paf/d  Indulgence,  which  is  fit  to  be 
preferv  d  to  Pofterity.  When  I  have  added,  that  it 
was  drawn  up  by  as  great  a  Man  as  Mr.  Hoxve^  I  can 
leave  it  to  the  World  to  judge,  which  Side  difcover'd 
the  better  Temper. 

Humble  Requefis  both  to  Coxi^oxm&s' and  Dif- 
fenters,    touching  their  Temper  and  Behaviour 
towards    each    other    ufon   the    Jatelv   paffed 
Indulgence, 

*  ^TpH  AT  we  do  not  over-magnifie  our  Differences,  Humble 
-*-    *  or  count  them  greater  than  they  truly  are.  Eequejis 
I  fpeak  now  of  the  proper  Differences  which  the  l^oth  to  Con- 
Rule  it  felf  makes,   to  which  the  one  Sort  confoTmSyf^^/^'fi^^"^ 
the  other  conforms  not.    Remember  that  there  are  P'!//^«^crj, 
Differences  on  both  Parts,  among  themfehes,  incom-*'*  ^^9®' 
parably  greater  than  thefe,   by  which  the  one  Sort        , 
differs  from  the  other.     There  are  Differences  in  Do- 
dlrinal  Sentiments,  that  arc  much  greater.     How  un- 
conceivably  greater  is  the  Difference  between  good 
Men  and  bad!    between  being  a  Lover  of  the  bleffed 
God,  the  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  and  an  Enemy! 
a  real  Subjeft  of  Cbrift,  and  of  the  Devil !  Have  we 
not  Reafon  to  apprehend  there  are  of  both  thefe,  on 
each  Side  ?    Let  us  take  Heed  of  having  our  Minds 
tindlurM  with  a  wrong  Notion  of  this  Matter,  as  if 
this  Indulgence  divided  £w^/dK^  into  two  Chrifiendoms, 
or  diftinguilht  rather  between  Chriftians  andAi?/jo- 
metans,  as  fome  Men's  Cyclopick  fancies  have  an  un* 
lucky  Art  to  reprefent  Things,  creating  ordinary  Men 
and  Things  into  Monfters,  and   prodigious  Shapes 
at  their  own  Pleafure.    It  hath  been  an  ufual  faying 
on  both  Sides,  That  they  were  ( in  Comparilon ) 
but  little  Things  we  differ'd  about,  or  circumftan- 
tial  Things.     Let  us  not  unfay  it,  or  fuffer  an  habit 
of  Mind  to  Hide  intd  us,  that  confifts  not  with  it. 
Tho*  one  muft  not  go  againft  a  Judgment  of  Confcience 
in  the  leaft  Thing:  yet  let  us  not  confound  the  true 
.       .      .       .^"  •     *Dif- 


490  Some  Hifiorkal  Additions     Chap,  XVIII. 


^«.  16^0. 


Differences  of, Things;  buc  what  are    really  icifer 
Things  let  them  go  for  fuch. 

2.  *  Let  us  hereupon  carefully  abftain  from  iudging 
each  others  States  God-ward  upon  thefe  Differences. 
For  hereby  we  lliall  both  contradi(5kour  common  Rule, 
and  ourfelves.  When  Men- inake  Confcienceof  fmall 
and  doubdiil  Things,  ort  the  one  Hand,  and  the  other, 
about  which  they  differ,  bleffed  God  !  how  little  Con- 
fciencc  is  made  of  the  plaineft  and  moft  important 
Rule,  not  to  judge  onp  another  for  fuch  Differences  ? 
F(im.  14,  3,  13.  Why  of  all  the  Parts  of  that  Holy 
Book  is  this  Chapter  onlyrhought  no'Part  of  God's 
Word  1  or  this  Precept  io  vanoufly  enforc't  in  this 
Chapter  !  and  fo  awfully  1  Verfe  10,  1 1.  But  why 
doft  thou  judge  thy  Brother  ?  or  rvhy  doji  thou  fet  at  nought 
thy  Brother .'  we  /hall  all  fiend  before  tUi  Judgment  Seat 
of  Chrifi,  Tor  it  is.  writ t en y.  As  J  live  faith  ^he  Lord^ 
every  Kjiee  fhall howto^me^  und  efvexy  Tongue  (hall  con" 
fefs  to  God,  Is  it  a  light  Matter  to  ufurp  the 
Throne  of  Chrift,  the  Jqdgtnent  Seat  of  God  ?  Yet 
how  common  hath  it  been  to  fay,  fuch  a  One  con- 
forms, he  hath  nothinc  of  God  in  him?  Such  a  One 
conforms  not,  *tis  not  Confcience  bur  Humour.^  God 
forgive  both  !  Had  they  blotted,  i^om.  14.  out  of  their 
Bibles  ?  'Tis  plain  by  the  whole  Series  of  Difcourfe, 
'tis  the  judging  of  Men's  States,  and  by  fuch  fmall 
Matters  of  Difference,  that  is  the  Thing  here  forbid- 
den. Orherwife  that  there  is  a  lawful  judging  of  o- 
thers,  who  knows  not  ?  fome  few  Things  contain'd 
in  this  Chapter  [To  receive  one  r.nother,  ( i.  e.  as  Chri- 
ftians,  or  as  Such  volom  G^d  receives  )  notwithftanding 
remaining  Doubts  about  fuch  fmall  Matters,  not  deter  - 
mining  fuch  doubted  Things  in  Bar  to  the  Doubter; 
Vcrfe  » ,  1,  3  :  Or  not  to  lay  S^tmhlirig'bloc\s  in  each  0- 
thers  PV^y  j  Verfe  i  3  :  Not  to  do  the  doubted  Thing, 
with  a  MinJ  Jim  unfatijficd,  Verfe  5.  23.  Not  to  cen- 
fure  either  him  that  does  or  fqrbears,  not  admitting  an 
hard  Thoiigbt  of  him,  or  Icfs  favourable,  than  that 
what  fuch  n  one  dves^  he  does  to  the  Lcrd,  and  what 
the  other  forbears,  he  forbears  it  to  tie  Lord,  Verfe  6.] 
Thcfe  two  Things  1  fay,  put  in  Fradtice,  had  taken, 
away  all  Differences,  ( that  we  are  now  confidering  ) 
or  the  Inconvenience  of  them  long  ago.  And  we 
Ihall  ftill  need  them  as  much  as  ever. 

3. '  Let 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  RevolutioH  in  1688.     491 


3.  '  Let  us  not  value  our  Selves  upon  being  on  this  -^.  i59( 

*  or  that  Side  of  the  fevering  Line.     Tis  Jcvpifk,  yea 

*  Pharifaicnl  10  be  conceited,  and  boaft  our  felvesupon 

*  Externals,  and  fmall  Matters ;  efpecially  if  arbitrarily 

*  taken  up,  and  is  icfelf  an  Argument  of  alight  Mind, 

*  and  incon:iprehenfive  of  true  Worth.     Tho'  !  cannot 

*  fincerely  be  of  this  or  that  Way,  but  Imuft  think  my 
^  fejf  in  the  Right,  and  others  in  the  Wrong  that  differ 
.^T  irom  m^  ;  yet  I  ought  to  confider,  this  is  but  a  fmaJI, 
.j.jjiinupe  Thing,  a  Point  compared  with  the  vaft  Orb 
I'^of  Knowables,  and  of  Things  needful,  and  that  ought 
'^'  fdbe  known.     Perhaps  divers  that  differ  from  me  are 

*  Men  of  greater,  and  more  comprehenfive  Minds,  and 
* .  have  been  moreemploy'd  about  greater  Matters ,  and 
',*  •  many,  iti  Things  of  more  Importance,  have  much  more 
**^or  valuable  and  ufeful  Kowledge  than  L     Yea,  and 

*  fince  thefe  are  not  Matters  of  Salvation  we  differ  about, 

*  fo  that  any,  on  either  fide,  dare  confiderately  fay,  \m 

*  Cannot  be  faved  that  is  not,  in  thefe  Refpedts,  of  my 
•^  Mind  and  Way,  he  may  have  more  of  fancftifying,  fa- 
*voury  Knowledge,  more  of  folid  Goodnefs,  more  of 
f  Grace  and  real  San(5tity  than  L  The  Courfe  of  his 
5. Thoughts  and  Studies  having  been  by  Converfe  and 
*.  Other  Accidents  led  more  oflf  from  thefe  Things  ;  and 
,*  "perhaps,  by  a  good  Principle  been  more  deeply  en- 

*  gaged  about  higher  Matters ;  for  no  Man's  Mind  is  a- 

*  ble  equally  to  conGder  all  Things  fit  to  be  confidered, 
'  and  greater  Things  are  of  themfelves  more  apt  to  be- 
'  get  holy  and  good  ImpreiTions  upon  our  Spirits,  than 

*  the  minuter  and  more  circumftantial  Things  (tho'  re- 

*  lating  to  Religion)  can  be. 

4.  '   Lee  us  not  defpife  one  another,  for  our  difFer- 

*  ing  in  thefe  lefTer  Matters.     This  is  too  common,  and 

*  mofl  natural  to  that  Temper  that  offends  againft  the 

*  foregoing  Caution.  Little  fpirited  Creatures  valuing 
themfelves  for  fmall  Matters,  mufl  confequently  have 
them  in  Contempt  that  want  what  they  count  their 
own  only  Excellency.  He  that  hath  nothing  wherein 
he  places  Worth,  belonging  to  him,  befides  a  Flaunt- 
ing Petuque  and  a  Lac't  Suit,  mufl  at  all  Adventures 
think  very  meanly  of  one  in  a  plain  Garb.  Where  we 
are  taught  not  to  judge^  we  are  forbidden  to  defpife^ 
or  fet  at  naught  one  another  upon  thefe  little  Diffe- 
rences, 

«;.  'Not 


492         Soni:  HiftnriCitl  Additions     Chap.  XVFII. 


An.  i6^o.  5.  *  Nor  let  us  wonder  that  we  differ.  Unto  this 
we  are  too  arr-  /.  c.  To  ihlnk  it  ftrange,  (elpecially 
upon  fome  arguing  of  the  Difference)  thai  fuch  a  Man 
Ihould  confo'.ni,  or  fuch  a  one  not  conform.  There  is 
fome  Fault  in  this,  but  which  pr  ceeds  from  n:|ore 
faulty  Canfes.  Pri  etco  often,  and  an  Opinion  that 
we  underlland  fo  vvell,that  a  Wrong  isdone  us,  if  our 
Judgment  be  not  made  a  Standatd  and  Meafure  to 
another  Man's.  And  again,  ignorance  of  Humane 
Nature,  or  Inconfideratencfs  rather,  how  myfteriods 
it  is,  and  how  litcle  can  be  known  of  it :  Hcwifecrec 
and  latent,  little  Springs  thrrc  are,  that  move  this  En- 
gine, c:ir  own  Mhid,  this  Way  or  that;  and  v^at  bars 
which  (perhaps  he  difcerns  not  himfelO  may  obftrud:, 
and  Ihut  up  towards  us  another  Man's.  Have  we  rot 
frequent  Inftances  in  other  common  Cafes,  how  diffi- 
cult it  is  to  fpeak  to  another  Man's  Underftanding. 
Speech  is  too  penurious,  net  expreffive  enough.  Fre- 
quently between  Men  of  Senie,  much  more  Time  is 
taken  up  in  explaining  each  others  Notions,  than  in 
proving,  or  difproving  them.  Nature,  and  our  pre- 
fent  Siaie,  have  in  fome  Refpeds,  left  us  open  to  God 
only,  and  made  us  inacceifible  to  one  another.  Why 
thenlhould  it  be  Grange  to  me,  that  I  cannot  convey 
my  Thought  into  another's  Mind  ?  *Tis  Unchriftian  to 
cenfurc  (as  before)  fuch  a  one  hath  not  my  Confcience, 
therefore  he  hath  no  Confcience  at  all ;  bat  it  is  alfo 
unreafonable  and  rude,  to  fay,  fuch  a  one  fees  not 
with  mine  Eyes,  therefore  he  is  (tark  blind.  Befides, 
the  real  Obfcurity  of  the  Matter  is  not  enough  conli- 
dered.  I  am  very  confident  an  impartial,  and  com- 
petent judge,  upon  the  V:ew  of  Books,  later,  and 
more  ancient,  upon  fuch  Subjects,  would  fay,  there 
are  few  Meraphyfical  Queftions  difputed  with  more 
Subtlety  than  the  Controverfies  about  Conformity, 
and  Nonconformity.  Bleffed  be  God,  thai  Things 
neceiTary  to  the  Salvation  of  Souls,  and  that  are  of 
true  Kccrjfity^  even  to  the  Peace  and  Order  of  the 
Chriftian  Church,  are  in  Comparifon  fo  very  plain. 
*  Moreover  there  is  bcfides  bare  Vnderftanding  and 
Judgment^  and  divers  from  that  heavenly  Gift  which 
in  the  Scriptures  is  called  Grace,  fuch  a  Thing  as 
guft  and  rclilh  belonging  to  the  Mind  of  Man,  and  I 
iloubt  not  with  all  Men,  if  they  obferve  themfclves, 

*  and 

.1  ' 


Chap.XVIIl.  after  the  }<evohitionini6^%.      493 

and  which  is  as  unaccountable,  and  as  various,  as  the  -dn.  16^0- 
ReJilhes  and  Difgufts  of  Senfe.  This  they  only  won- 
der at,  that  either  underftand  not  themfelves,  or  will 
confider  no  Body  but  themfelves.  To  bring  it  down 
CO  the  prefent  Cafe.  As  to  thofe  Parts  of  Worfhip, 
which  arc  of  moft  frequent  Ufe  in  our  AfTembhes 
(whether  Conforming  or  Nonconforming)  Pmyer^ 
and  preachings  ZTidihenrhg  of  God's  Word  I  Our  Diffe- 
rences about  thefc  cannot,  but  in  Pare,  arife  from 
the  diversity  of  ibis  Principle,  both  on  the  one  Hand, 
and  the  other.  One  Sort  do  more  favour  Prayer  by 
a  foreknown  Forrti  j  nnother  that  which  hath  more 
of  furprize,  by  a  grateful  Variety  of  unexpeOed  Ex- 
preflions.  And  it  can  neither  be  univerfally  faid,  it  is 
a  better  Judgment  or  more  Grcce^  that  determines  Men 
the  one  Way  or  the  other,  but  fomewhat  in  the  Tem- 
per of  their  Minds  diftinci  from  both,  which  I  know 
not  how  better  to  exprefs  than  by  mental  Taft^  the 
ads  whereof  (  as  the  Obje(fl:s  are  fuitable  or  unluka- 
ble  )  are  relifhing  or  difreliftiing,  Hking  or  difliking  : 
And  which  hath  no  more  of  Myftery  in  it,  than  that 
there  is  fuch  a  Thing  belonging  to  our  Natures  as  Com- 
placency or  Difpliccncy  in  Reference  to  the  Objeiits  of 
the  Mind.  And  this,  in  the  Kind  of  it,  is  as  common 
to  Men,  as  Humane  Nature,  but  as  much  diverfify'd 
in  Individuals,  as  Men's  other  Inclinations  are,  that 
are  moft  fixed,  and  leaft  apt  to  admit  of  Change* 
Now  in  the  mentioned  Cafe,  Men  cannot  be  faid  ro 
be  univerfally  determined  ;!ither  Way  by  their  having 
better  Judgment,-  for  no  fober  Man  can  be  fo  Jittle 
modeft,  as  not  to  acknowledge^  that  there  are  fome  of 
each  Sentiment,  that  are  lejs  judicious,  than  fome 
that  are  of  the  contrary  Sentiment,  in  this  Thing. 
And  to  fay  that  to  be  more  determined  this  Way,  or 
that,  is  the  certain  Sign,  or  Etfedl,  of  a  greater  Mea- 
fure  of  Grace,  and  Sanctity,  were  a  great  Viola- 
tion both  of  Modefty  and  Charity.  I  have  not  met 
with  any  that  have  appeared  to  live  in  more  en- 
tire Communion  with  God,  in  higher  Admiration 
of  him,  in  a  pleafanter  Senfe  of  his  l,ove,  more  hum- 
ble fruitful  Lives  on  Earth,  or  in  a  more  joyful  Ex- 
pectation of  eternal  Life,  than  fome  that  have  been 
wont  with  great  Delight  publickJy  to  worlhip  God  in 
the  Ufc  of  our  Common  Prayer  j  and  others  I  have 

*  known 


494        ^^^^  Hifloncal  Additions     Ghap.  X  VIII. 


An.   1690. 


known  as  highly  excelling  in  the  fame  Refpecfls,  that 
could  by  no  Means  rclilh  it,  but  have  always  counted 
it  infipid  and  naufeous.  The  like  may  be  faid  of  re- 
lillilng  or  difreHlhing  Sermons  preached  in  a  digsftcd 
ftc  of  Words,  or  with  a  niore  flowing  freedom  of 
Speech.  It  were  endlefs  and  odious  to  vye  either 
better  Judgmern^Sy  or  more  pious  Inclinations^  that 
(hould  iiniverfally  determine  Men  one  Way  or  the  o- 
ther  in  thefe  Matters.  And  we  are  no  more  to  won- 
der at  thefe  Peculiarities  in  the  Temper  of  Men  s 
Minds,  than  at  Men's  different  Taftes  of  Meats  and 
Drinks,  much  lefs  to  fail  out  with  them  that  their 
Mmds  and  Notions  are  not  juft  formed  as  ours  are ; 
for  we  (hould  remember  they  no  more  differ  from  us, 
than  we  do  from  them  ;  and  if  we  think,  we  have 
the  clearer  Light,  'tis  like  they  alfo  think  they  have 
clearer.  And  'tis  in  vain  to  fay,  who  (hall  be 
Judge  }  For  every  Man  will  at  length  judge  of  his 
own  Notions  for  himfelf,  and  cannot  help  it ;  for 
no  Man's  Judgment  (or  relifh  of  Things,  which  in- 
fluences his  Judgment,  tho'  be  know  it  not )  is  at 
the  Command  of  his  Will ;  much  lefs  of  another 
Man's.     Therefore, 

6.  '  Let  us  not  be  offended  mutually  with  one  ano- 
ther for  our  different  Choice  of  this  or  that  Way, 
wherein  we  find  moft  of  real  Advantage  and  Edifica- 
tion. Our  greateft  Concern  in  this  World,  and  which 
is  common  to  us  all,  is  the  bettering  of  our  Spirits, 
and  preparing  them  for  a  better  World.  Let  no  Man 
be  difpleafed  (efpecially  of  thofe  who  agree  io  all  the 
Subftantials  of  the  fame  holy  Religion)  that  another 
ufes  the  fame  Liberty,  in.choofing  the  Way  moft  con- 
ducing in  his  Experience,  to  his  great  End,  that  he 
himfelf  alfo  ufes,  expe^3:ing  to  do  it  without  another 
Man's  Offence. 

7.  *  But  above  all,  let  us  with  fincere  Minds,  more 
carneftly  endeavour  the  promoting  the  Intereft  of  Re- 
ligion it  M(y  of  true  reformed  Chriftianity,  than  of 
this  or  that  Party.  Let  us  long  to  fee  the  Religion  of 
Chriftians  become  fimple,  primitive,  agreeable  to  its 
lovely  Original  State,  and  again  it  /elf,  and  each  in 
our  own  Stations  contribute  thereto  all  that  we  are  a- 
ble,  labouring  that  the  Internal  Principle  of  it  may 

-live  and  flourifh  in  our  owq  Souls,  and  be  to  our  ut- 

*  moft 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolntion  in  1688,     495 

*  moft,  diffused  and  fpread  unto  other  Men's.     And  for  ^«.  i5po. 
'  its  Externals,  as  the  Dudture  of  our  Rule  will  guide 

'  us,  fo  gradually  co  bend  towards  one  common  Courfe, 

*  that  there  may  at  length  ceafe  to  beany  divided  Par* 

*  ties  at  all. 

'  In  the  mean  Time,  while  there  are,  let  it  be  re- 
membred  that  the  Ditference  lies  among  Chriftians, 
and  Proteftants,  not  between  fuch  and  Pnxnm.  Let 
us  therefore  carry  it  accordingly  towards  each  other, 
and  confider,  our  Affemblies  are  all  ChriiUan  and 
Proteftant  Aifemblies,  differing  in  their  Adminiftra- ' 
tions  for  the  moft  Part,  not  in  the  Things  prayed  for, 
or  deprecated,  or  taught,  but  in  certain  Modes  of 
Expreffion.  And  differing  really,  and  in  the  Subftance  ' 
of  Things,  lefsby  meer  Conformity,  or  Nonconformity 
to  the  publick  Rule  of  the  Law,  than  many  of  them 
thnt  are  under  it  do  from  one  another  ;  and  than 
divers  that  ^re  not  unAer  it.  For  In  (lance,  go  into  one 
Congregation,  1.  e,  a  Conforming  one,  and  you  have 
the  Publick  Prayers  read  in  the  Desk,  and  afterwards  a 
Form  of  Prayer,  perhaps  ufed  by  the  Preacher  in  the 
Pulpit,  of  his  own  Compofure,  before  he  begins  his 
Sermon.  Go  incO'  another  Congregation^  and  Prayer 
is  performed  without  cither  Sort  of  Form,  and  per- 
haps the  Difference  in  this  is  not  fo  great.  It  may  be 
the  Conformift  ufes  no  preconceived  Form  of  his 
own,  and  the  Nonconformift  may.  Both  indruc^  the 
Peopie  out  of  the  fame  holy  Book  06  God's  Word. 
But  now  fuppofeone  of  the  former  Sort  read  the 
PnbJick  Prayers;  gravely,  with  the  Appearance  of 
great  Reverence^  Fervency,  and  pious  Devotion;  * 
and  one  of  the  latter  Sort  that  ufes  them  not,  does 
hAwever  pray  for  the  fame  Thing?,  with  Jadgmentj 
and  with  like  Gravity  and  Affedkion,  and  they  both 
inftrudt  their  Hearers  fitly,  and  profitably  :  Nothing 
is  more  evident,  than  that  the  Worfhip  in  thefe  two 
Affemblies  doth  much  lefs  confiderably  differ  to  a 
pious  and  judicious  Mind,  than  if  in  the  latter,  the 
Prayers  were  alfo  read,  but  careleily,  fleepily,  or  fce- 
nically,  flauntingly,  and  with  manifeft  Irreverence, 
and  the  Sermon  like  the  reft :  Or  than;  if  in  the  for- 
mer, all  the  Performance  were  inept,  rude,  or  very 
ofFenfively  drowfy  or  fluggifh. 

*  Nowf 


49^         Some  Hijloncal  Additions     Chap.  XVlH, 


An.  i6g>c.  *  Now  let  us /hew  our  Tf^ Ives  Men,  and  manly  Chri- 
ftians^  not  fwayed  by  Trifles  and  little  Things,  as 
Children,  by  this  or  that  Drefs  or  Mode,  or  Form  of 
our  Religion,  which  may  perhaps  pleafe  fome  the 
more  for  its  real  Indecency.  But  know,  that  if 
while  we  continue  picquering  about  Forms,  the  Life 
be  loil,  and  wc  come  to  bear  the  Charadter  of  that 
Church,  Thcu  haft  a  Name  that  thou  liveji^  and  art 
deady  we  may  ere  long  (after  all  the  Wonders  God 
hath  wrought  for  us)  expedt  to  hear  of  our  Candle- 
fticks  being  removed,  and  that  our  Sun  (hall  go  down 
at  Noon-day. 

*  The  true  ferious  Spirit,  and  Power  of  Religion  and 
Godlinefs,  will  acft  no  Man  againft  his  Confciencc,  or 
his  rule  underftood  ;  but  will  oblige  him  in  all  Aoi:s 
of  Worfhip  ( as  well  as  of  his  whole  Converfation  ) 
to  keep  clofe  to  Gofpel-prefcripiion,  fo  far  as  he  can 
difcero  it.  And  that,  he  will  find  requires,  that  in 
Subordination  to  the  Divine  Glory,  he  ferioufly  de- 
fign  the  working  out  the  Salvation  of  his  own  Soul, 
and  take  that  Gourfe  in  Order  thereto,  put  himfelf 
under  fuch  a  Miniftry,  and  fuch  a  Way  of  ufing 
God's  Ordinances,  as  he  finds  moft  profitable,  and 
conducing  to  that  great  End,  and  that  doth  his  Soul 
moft  real  Good.  If  you  are  Religious,  or  of  this  or 
that  Mode  or  Way  of  Religion,  to  fervc  a  carnal  Dc- 
fign  for  your  felf  or  your  Party,  not  to  fave  your 
.  Soul,  you  commit  the  moft  deteftable  Sacriledge,  and 
alienate  the  moft  facred  Thing  in  the  World,  ^iigion^ 
from  its  true  End  ;  which  will  not  only  lofe  that  End, 
but  infer  an  heavy  Vengeance.  Yea,  and  'tis  too  pof- 
fible  to  tranfgrefs  dangeroufly  by  preferring  that  which 
is  lefs,  tho'  never  fo  confidently  thought  to  be  Di- 
vine, before  that  which  is  greater,  or  feparafely 
from  its  true  End.  You  greatly  prevaricate,  if  you 
are  more  zealoufly  intent  to  promote  Independency 
than  Chriftianity,  Presbytery  than  Chriftianiiy,  Pre- 
lacy than  Chriftianity,  as  any  of  thcfe  are  the  Intereft 
of  a  Party,  and  not  being  confidered  in  Subfervicncy 
to  the  Cbriftian  Intereft,  nor  defigned  for  promoting 
the  Edification  and  Salvation  of  your  own  Soul.  But 
that  being  your  Delign,  Living  Religion  will  keep  your 
Eye  upon  your  End,  and  make  you  ftcady  and  con- 
ftantly  true  to  that  ;  and  to  your  Rule,  without  which 
you  can  nevei  hope  to  leicb  your  End.  \  Nov^ 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 6  88,       497 


*  Now  hereupon,   fuch  as  conform   to  the  Pibiick  -^«.  16^0* 
'*■  Eftabliftiiuent,    and  they  that   ililTent  from  it,  may 

*  differ  from  each  other  upon  a  twofold  Account.     Ei- 

*  ther  I .  As  judging  the  contrary  Way,   to  be  limply 

*  unlawful :   Or,  2.  As  judging  it  to  be  only  Jefs  edi- 

*  fying.     'Tis  not  the  Buiinefs  of  this  Paper  to  difcufs, 

*  who  herein  judge  aright,  and  voho  wrong;  but  fup- 
'  pofing  their  Judgment  to  remain  as  it  is  (which  they 
'  themfelves  however  (hould  examine,  and  if  it  be 
'  wrong  retSifie.)     I  IhalJ  fay  fomewhat  to  each  of  thefe 

*  Cafes. 

*  To  the  former,  While  your  Judgment  continues  as 

*  it  is,  'tis  true,  you  cannot  join  in  Worfhip  with  the 

*  contrary  minded ;  but  nothing  forbids,   but  you  can 

*  be  kind,  converfable,   courteous  towards  them ;  and 

*  your  common  Chriftian  Profefiion  ( befides  the  Rules 

*  of  Humanity)  oblige  you  fo  to  be  :  Yea,  and  even 

*  to  converfe  with  them  as  Occafion  invites,  more  in- 
'  timately  as  Chnfiians,  the  vifible  marks  of  ferious 
'  Chriftanity  appearing  irn  them. 

*  To  the  latter  Sort  it  is  acknowledged,  you  cannot 

*  conftantly  join  in  Worfliip  with  tbofe  of  the  contrary 

*  Way ;  becaufe  you  ought  ordinarily  to  worfhip  God 

*  in  that  Way  which  you  judge  to  be  befl,  and  mofl  a- 

*  greable  to  the  Divine  Rule,  (tho'  you  are  not  obli- 
'  ged   utterly  to  abandon  any  for  its  Imperfedtions  or 

*  Corruptions,  that  is  not  corrupt  in  the  very  Eifentials  :) 
*"  And  that  you  ought  moft  frequently  to  attend  on 
'  that  which  you  find  to  be  moft  edifying  to  your  own 

*  Soul  :  As  that  fhould  be  your  more  ordinary  Diet 
^  that  beft  agrees  with  you.  And  that  Way  therefore 
'  you  muft  moft  conftantly  adhere  to,  which  is  moft 

*  grateful   and  favoury  to  you ;  becaufe  ycu  cannot  fo 

*  much  edihe  by  what  you  lefsreliih.     But  your  Judg- 

*  ment  and  Latitude  will  well  allow  you  fometimes  to 

*  frequent  the  Alfemblies  with  which   you    hold  not 

*  conftant  Communion.     And  if  it  will  allow,  it  Will 

*  alfo  direct  you  thereto  for  a  valuable  End  ;  as  that 
'  you  may  fignifie  you  ordinarily  decline  them  not  as 

*  no  Chriftians,  or  their  Worfliip  as  no  Worfliip;  but 

*  as  more  defective  or  lefs  edifying  ;  and  that  you  may 

*  maintain  love,  and  both  exprefs,  and  beget  a  Difpo- 
'  fition  to  nearer  Union.     And  if  our  Rulers  lllall  judge 

*  fuch  Intercourfesr  conducing  to  fo  defirable  an  End, 

K  k  they 


498        Some  Hiftorkal  Addition.      Chap,  X  VIll. 

wl».  169c.*  ihey  may  perhaps  in  due  Time  think  it  reafonableto 

*  put  Things  into  that  State  that  Minifters  of  both  Sorts 

*  may  be  capable  of  inviting  one  another  occafionally 
f  to  the  Brotherly  Offices  of  mutual  AlFiftance  in  each 

*  others  Congregations.    For  which,    and   all  Things 

*  that  tend  to  make  us  a  happy  People,  we  muft  wait 
^  upon  him,  in  whofe  Hands  their  Hearts  are. 

Howe\  er,  had  the  Diffenters  at  that  Time  taken 
fome  Steps  that  were  oa;itted,  fome  ill  Confequences 
that  at'tsr wards  a rofe  might  have  been  prevented  ;  par- 
ticularly had  they  now  fet  up  a  General  Conefpondence 
in  all  Parts  of  the  Kingdom,  and  regularly  kept  it  up, 
many  good  Ends  might  have  been  anfwered  ;  and  there 
would  have  been  no  fuch  Clamours  as  were  rais'd  and 
fpread  upon  their  attempting  it  fome  Years  afterwards. 
But  from  the  Firft,  there  were  fome  that  kept  a  watch- 
ful Eye  upon  them,  to  take  Care  that  they  might  be  no 
farther  conniv'd  at  than  the  Law  oblig'd  the  Church  to 
give  them  their  Liberty  :  Tho*  there  were  others  who 
tho't  they  had  as  equitable  a  Right  to  fome  farther  Al- 
lowances, as  to  any  that  were  particularly  made  them 
m  the  Adt  of  Indulgence.  1  ihall  mention  their  hav- 
ing Schools  and  Academies  for  the  training  up  their 
Youth,  as  an  Inftance  :  And  that  the  rather,  becaufe 
it  being  left  out  in  the  Ac3:  of  Exemption,  (  it  were  no 
difficult  Thing  to  cell  by  whofe  Means  it  was  expungd 
after  it  was  inlerted,  if  that  were  needful  -,)  fome  even 
in  this  Reign  gave  them  Difturbance  about  it.  And  Bi- 
*  Ste  his  filop  Stiiii.'ig fleet  *  having  in  his  Primary  Vifitation  this 
Eccleliafti-  y^^y  Year,  charg'd  his  Clergy  to  acquaint  themfelves 
cil  Cafes,  ^j^i^  ^jjg  Dijfenters^  and  endeavour  to  oblige  them,  and 
^  o^  '*,  let  them  iee  that  they  had  no  other  Defign  upon  them 
F"*-  3^-  bm;  jQ  ^3q  [hem  good  ;  adds,  That  if  nftsr  all  they  grotQ 
more  Hc^djlrong  and  htjhlent  by  the  Indulgence  which 
the  Law  gives  them,  he  would  have  them  tal^e  Notice, 
whether  they  ohfervd  thoje  Conditions  on  which  the  Lav9 
gives  it  to  them.  For  fays  he,  thefe  are  l^ttown  I{tdes  in 
JLaWy  that  he  forfeits  his  Priviledge,  who  goes  beyond  the 
Bounds  of  it ;  that  no  Priviledges  are  to  be  extended  be-' 
yond  the  Bounds  which  the  Laws  give  them  ^  for  they  ought 
to  be  cbjovd  as  they  are  given,  I  leave  it  (fays  he)  to 
be  confider*dy  whether  all  fuch  as  do  not  cbferve  the  Condi' 
tions  of  the  Indulgence^  be  not  at  liable  to  the  Latp^  as  if 

they 


-Chap.  XVIfL   after  the  Revolntion  in  i6^^,     499 

they  had  hone.     This  is  a  plain  Intimation  he  was  not  -^»-  i6<^Cs* 
defirous  the  Dijfenters  fhould  have  too  much  Liberty. 
Nor  was  this  peculiar  to  him  :    It  was  the  common 
Temper  of  the  Clergy  towards  them. 

It  was  therefore  very  feafonably  that  Mr.  Lock,  at  Mr.  Lock's 
this  Time  publifti'd  his  two  Letters  of  Tclertition^  with  ttvofirfi 
fomc  Account  of  which  I  Ihali  clofe  this  Year's  Occur-  Letters  of 
fences.     His  firft  Letter  on  this  Subject,  was  printed  in  Toleration. 
La'fin  in  HcHnnd,  in  1689  ;  and  was  now  publifli'd  in 
Engiifh.     He  there  aflerts  that  Toleration  is  a  Mark  of 
the  true  Chriftian  Church,    and   an  effentiaj  Part  of 
Charity.     He  is  for  carefully  keeping  up  the  Liftin- 
(Stion    between    the   Common-wealth    and    the   Churchl 
The  Common-wealth    (  according  to  hitn )     is  a  So- 
ciety of  Men,  conftitured  only  for  the  preferving,  pro- 
curing and  advancing    of  their  civil   Inrerefts,    fuch 
as  Life,  Health,   Liberty,  and  the  PoffefliOn  of  out- 
ward  Things.      He   afferts  that  the  Care  of  Sbuhl 
is  not  committed  to  the  Civil  Magiftrate,    any  more 
than  to  other  Men  ;  and  that  his  Power  confifls  only  iil 
outward  Force.    But  the  Church  he  reprefents  as  a  vo- 
luntary Society  of  Men,   joining  themfelves  together 
of  their  own  Accord,   in  Order  to  the  publick  wor- 
shipping of  God,  in  fuch  a  Manner  as  they  judge  ac- 
ceptable to  him,  and  effedual  to  the  Salvation  of  theit 
Souls.     The  Right  of  making  Laws  for  this  Society, 
can  ( fubordinately  to  the  fupreme  Divine  Legiflator  ) 
belong  to  none  but  the  Society  it  felf ;   or  to  thofe 
whom  the  Society  by  common  Confent  has  authorized 
thereunto.    No  Force  is  here  to  be  made  Ufe  of,  the 
Arms  by  which  the  Members  of  this  Society  are  tcj  be 
kept  within  their  Duty,  are  Exhortations,  Admonitions, 
and  Advices.  No  Church  is  bound  by  the  Duty  of  T(7/er4- 
tion  to  retain  any  fuch  Perfon  in  her  Borom,as  after  Ad^- 
monition  continues  obft in ately  to  offend  againft  the  Laws 
of  the    Society.      No   private  Perfon,   nor  particulat 
Church,  has  any  Right,   in  any  Manner  to  prejudice 
others  in  their  Civil  Enjoyments,  becaufe  they  are  of 
another  Church  or  Religion.     They  that  are  diftin- 
guilh'd  by  an  Ecclefiaftical  Chara£ter  and  Office,  have 
no  Right  to  deprive  fuch  as  are  not  of  their  Church  and 
Faith,  either  of  Liberty,  or  of  any  Part  of  their  worldly 
Goods  upon  the  Account  of  any  Difference  in  Reli- 
gion ;  Nay  they  are  to  prefs  the  Duties  of  Peace  and 

K  k  2,  Good-- 


5 CO        Some  Hiftorical Additions     Chap.  XV 11 1. 


'dn.  1 55c.  Good-will  towards  all  Men,  and  to  exhort:  all  to  Cha- 
rity, Meeknefs,  and  Toleration.  The  principal  Care 
of  every  Mao's  Soul  belongs  to  himfelF.  It  does  not 
belong  to  the  Magiftrate  to  prefcribe  Laws  to  the  Re- 
jigion  of  others,  either  by  his  own  Judgment,  or  by  the 
Ecclefiaftical  Authority  and  Advice  of  others.  Tho' 
the  Magillrates  Opinion  in  Religion  Ihould  be  found, 
and  the  Way  that  he  appoints  truly  Evangelical,  yet 
if  Perfons  are  not  thoroughly  perfwaded  thereof  in 
their  own  Minds,  ihcre  can  be  no  Safec\  for  them  in 
followir;g  it ;  they  niuft  therefore  be  left  to  their  own 
Confcienccs.  They  are  to  enter  into  Religious  So- 
cieties, as  they  apprehend  may  be  moft  to  their  Advan- 
tage. And  fuch  Societies  the  Magiftrate  is  to  tolerate. 
As  to  outward  VVoifhip,  the  Magiftrate  has  no  Power  to 
enforce  by  Law,  either  in  his  own  Church,  or  much  lels 
in  another,  the  Ufe  of  any  Rites  or  Ceremonies  what- 
foever  in  the  Worlhip  of  God.  It  no  Ways  concerns 
the  Common-wealth  or  any  Member  of  it,  that  this 
or  the  other  Ceremony  be  there  made  ufe  of.  And 
withal,  Things  indifferent  in  common  Ufe,  when  they 
come  to  be  annexed  to  Divine  Worlhip  without  Di- 
vine Authority,  are  as  abominable  to  God  as  the  Sacri- 
fice of  a  Dog.  Circumftances  of  Divine  Worfhip  that  are 
in  General  neceifary,  may  be  determined,  but  not  Parts 
added.  Nor  has  the  MagiHrate  any  Power  to  forbid 
the  Ufe  of  fuch  Rites  and  Ceremonies  as  are  already 
receiv'd,  approved,  and  prad^is'd  by  any  Church.  No- 
tViing  may  be  prohibited  in  the  Worlhip  of  God,  but 
what  is  unlawful  in  the  ordinary  Courfe  of  Life,  and 
in  any  private  Houfe.  No  Power  can  be  given  to  the 
Magiftrate  for  the  fupprcfling  an  Idolatrous  Church, 
which  may  not  in  Time  and  Place  be  made  ufe  of  to 
the  Ruin  of  an  Orthodox  one.  Nor  are  any  Civil 
Rights  to  be  cither  chang'dor  violated  upon  Account  of 
Religion,  in  one  Place  more  than  another.  Idolatry 
was  indeed  to  be  punifli'd  with  Death  among  the  Jews, 
who  were  under  a  Theocracy  :  But  it  was,  becaufe 
they  that  were  guilty  of  it  were  Traitors  and  Rebels, 
and  guilty  of  High  Treafon.  They  that  were 
Strangers  to  ibe  Common-wealth  of  ifrael^  were  noc 
compelled  by  Force  to  obferve  the  Rites  of  the  Mo- 
faical  Law.  As  to  fpeculative  Opinions  in  Religion, 
and  Articles  of  Fnith^  they  Ihould  not  be  imposed  on  any 

Church 


Chap.  XVITL  after  the  Revolution  m  1 62%.       501 

Church  by  the  Law  of  the  Land.  For  it  is  abfurd,  -^«-  J^po* 
that  Things  Ihould  be  enjoin  d  by  Laws  which  are  not 
in  Men  s  Power  to  perfornn.  The  Magiftrate  ftiouJd 
not  forbid  the  Preaching  or  Profefling  of  any  fpeculative 
Opinions  in  any  Church,  becaufe  they  have  no  man- 
ner of  Relation  to  the  Civil  Rights  of  the  Snbje(5l.  If 
Truth  makes  not  her  Way  into  the  Underfimding  by 
her.own  Light,  (he  will  be  but  the  weaker  for  any  bor- 
rowed Force  Violence  can  add  to  her.  Moral  yh^tn'ys 
belong  to  the  Jurifdidion  both  of  iht-  ?vf  if^iftraie  and 
of  Confcience.  Every  Man  is  bound  lierc  "to  l-e  c.^e- 
ful  to  his  utmoft.  He  may  and  ought  t:-  nft  f'xhorca- 
tions  and  Argun:ients  to  promote  the  Salvation  of  others, 
but  no  Force  is  to  be  ufed.  In  Order  to  ihc  fccuri.ig 
their  Temporal  Interefts,  Men  enter  into  Civil  S  >cic- 
ties,  where  they  intruft  the  Magiftrate  to  make  p: ./vj- 
fion  ;  and  he  is  to  rake  care  of  the  Good  and  Profpe- 
ricy  of  the  Society  that  intruft  him  :  But  as  to  the 
Matters  of  Salvation,  every  one  is  ftill  to  do  wh^:  ]  c 
is  in  his  Confcience  perfwaded  is  acceptable  tc  :h'^ 
Almighty.  And  no  Law  can  oblige  Men  agsinft  il  eir 
Confciences,  nor  can  the  Magiftrate  change  Propriety 
amongft  Fellow-Sub jeds,  for  a  Caufe  that  has  no  Re- 
lation to  the  End  of  Civil  Government.  And  yet 
no  Opinions  contrary  to  Humane  Society,  or  to  thofe 
Moral  Rules  which  are  neceifary  to  the  Preferva- 
tion  of  Civil  Society,  are  to  be  tolerated  by  the  Ma- 
giftrate. Nor  can  that  Church  have  anv  Right  to  be 
tolerated  by  the  Magiftrate,  which  is  conftitured  upon 
fuch  a  Bottom,  that  all  thofe  who  enter  into  it,  do 
thereby  ipfo  fr.Ho  deliver  themfelves  up  to  the  Prote- 
£iion  and  Service  of  another  Prince.  Nor  yet  are 
thofe  at  all  to  be  rolerared,  who  deny  the  being  of  a 
God,  upon  whom  no  Promifes^  Covenants,  or  v>aths 
can  have  any  hold.  Did  but  all  teach  that  Liberty 
of  Confcience  is  every  Man's  natural  Right,  equally 
belonging  to  all  Diifenters  from  them  as  to  themfelves, 
and  that  no  Body  ought  to  be  compelled  in  Matters  of 
Religion,  either  by  Law  or  Force  •  it  would  take  away 
all  Ground  of  Complaint  and  Tumults,  upon  Account 
of  Confcience.  If  that  Church  which  agrees  in  Reli- 
gion with  the  Prince,  be  efteem'd  the  chief  Support 
of  any  Civil  Government,  and  that  for  no  other  Rea- 
foQ  than   becaufe  the  Prince  is  kind  and  the  Laws 

K  k  5  -  are 


502       Sofjte  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVII I. 

.4».  1690  are  favourable  to  ir,  bow  much  greater  will  be  the 
Security  of  a  Government,  where  all  good  Subje(£ts  of 
wha'  locver  Church  they  be  without  any  Diftinftion  up- 
on Acco'int  of  Religion,  enjoying  the  fame  Favour  of 
the  Prince,  and  the  fame  Benefit  of  the  Laws,  fhall 
tecortie  the  common  Support  and  Guard  cf  it  ;  and 
where  none  (hall  have  any  Ocrafion  to  fear  the  Severity 
of  the  Laws,  but  thofe  that  do  Injuries  to  their  Neigh- 
bours, and  offend  againft  the  Civil  Peace.  None 
ought  to  be  excluded  from  the  Civil  Rights  of  the 
Common-wealth  hecaufe  of  his  Religion.  It  is  not 
the  Divcrfity  of  Opinions  (  which  cannot  be  avoided) 
but  the  Refufal  of  Toleration  to  thofe  that  are  of  dif- 
ferent Opinions,  that  has  produced  all  the  Buftles  and 
Wars  thiit  have  been  in  the  Chriftian  World,  upon 
'Account  of  Religion. 

The  Argument  of  this  Letter  being  refledked  on, 
the  Au^ihor  of  it  undertook  the  Defence  of  it  in  a  Se- 
cond Letter  on   the  fame  Subjed^.     The  Objector  bad 
own'd  rhat  Force  was  improperio  convert  Men  to  any 
Religion  ,    and  was  therefore  told  that  the  Toleration 
mov'd  for.  was  but  the  removing  that  Force.    'Twas 
fuggefttd,  That  i'UC  ^^ligicn  would  not  be  likely  to  gain  by 
fi'.ch  A  Tolc'^.tion.    'Twas  anfwer'd,  That  we  have  an 
Experiment  in  the  Chriftian  Religion  in  its  firft  Ap- 
pear j  nee  in  the  World,  and  feveral  Hundreds  of  Years 
after    when  it  gain'd  exceedingly,  tho*  Jews  and  Pagans 
•were  more  than  tolerated  by -the  Governments  of  the 
Places,  where  it  grew  up  :  And  it's  as  able  to  fliift  for 
it  felf  now  wirhont  the   Help  of  Force;  and  this  is 
therefore  urg'd  in  Proof  of  the  Truth  of  it.     The  In- 
ventions of  Men  in  Religion  need  the  Force  and  Helps 
9f  Men  ro  uphold  them.     A  Religion  that  is  of  God, 
wants  not    the   Aifitt^ace  of    Humane  Anthority   to 
make  ir  prevail.     The  TcThc^tion  pleaded  for  would  be 
ownM  to  be  a  Service  ro  Religion  in  Popi/I:,  Mahume- 
tan.  Or  P.-.gan  Countries  :  and  there  muA  be  fomething 
very  peculiar  in  t'le  Air,  that  muft  make  it  lefs  ufeful 
to  T'uth  in F^i^'rvd. 

Th<*  Aurhoi  of  the  Letter  aflcrting  that  Force  bad  no 
f^oper  EfficMcy  to  enlighten  the  Underftanding  or  pro- 
duce Belief,  the  Animadverter  pleaded  that  it  might 
indi) cci'.;    and  at  a  Diftmice  do  fome  Service  :   But  it  was 

aal^vver'd,  That  what  is  unlawful  in  it  felf,  (as it  cer- 
tainly 


Ghap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  i6S8,      505 

tainly  is  to  punifti  a  Man  without  a  Fault)  can  never  be  Ah.  1690, 
made  lawful  by  fome  Good,  that  indire^ly,  and  at  a 
Diftance,  or  by  Accident  may  follow  from   ic.     If  it 
would,   then  the  Cruelties  ufed  by  Heathens  againft 
Chritlians,  and  Papifts  againft  Proteftants  are  jultifia- 
ble.     But  *tis  moderate  Punsfloments  only  are  pleaded 
for.    *Tis    anfwer'd,   That  any   Sort   of  Punifhments 
where  there  is  no  Fault,  will  be  tho't  unjuftifiable  Se- 
verity by  Sufferers  and   By-Standers,  and  fo  produce 
EfFeds  contrary  to  what  was  defign'd ;  and  be  more 
likely  to  drive  Men  from  the  Religion  that  ufes  theiij, 
than  bring  them  to  the  Truth.     Where  Force  is  ufed, 
tis  Compliance  is  aim'd  at,  not  Conviction .    But  'tis 
mov'd,  That  Force  may  be  ufed  to  bring  Men  to  conjider 
^eafons  and  Arguments^  by  which  they  may  be  brought  to 
embrace  the  Truth,  which  either  thro'*  Negligence  they  would 
never   acquaint  them/elves  with,    or   thro*  Prejudice  they 
would  rej eel  and  condemn  unheard,     'Tis  anfwer'd,  fl.)  It 
is  imp»(2:icable  to  punifli  Diflfenters,  as  Diffenters,  on- 
ly to  make  them  confider.     For  if  you  punifh  them  as 
Diffenters,  you  punilh  them  whether  they  confider  or 
no.    (i.)  To  punifh  Men  out  of  the  Communion  of 
the  National  Church  to  make  them  confider,  is  unjuft. 
For  it  may  be,  being  fatisfied  of  the  Truth  of  their 
own  Opinions  they    don't  j^dge  it  worth  while  to 
confider  :    Or  they  may  not  be  able  to  examine  and 
confider  all  the  Proofs  and  Grounds,  upon  which  the 
National  Church  ?ftablilhes  their  Settlement :  Or  they 
may  have  exar^iin  d,  and  ^et  can  find  no  Reafons  and 
Arguments   proper   and   fufficienc   to  convince  them. 
And  (5.)  Whatever  indirect  Efficacy   there  may  be  in 
Force,  applied  by  the  Magiflrate  in  the  Way  propofed,. 
it  makes  againft  the    Propofer.     As  ic  may   be   fer- 
viceable  to    make    Men    embrace    the   Truth    which. 
mult  fave  them,  fo  may   it   be    ferviceable   to  bring 
Men  to  receive   and   embrace  Falfliood,    which   will 
deftroy  them.     Nay  Force  is  more  likely  to  make  Men 
receive   and   embrace  Error   than   Truth, ;    both  be- 
caufe  Men  out  of  the  right  Way  are  as  apt,  or  apter  to 
«fe  Force,  than  others:  And  alfo,  becaufe  few  of  the 
Magiftratea  of  the  World  being  in    the  right  W^y, 
( fcarce  one  in  ten, )  the  ufing  Force  would  do  at  Isafl 
Ten  Times  as  much  Hart  as  Good.    The  utmoft  then, 
the.  plea  amounts  to,  isj^  That  it  is  not  impoffibie  bus 


504         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XV II I. 

Ah.  i6pc.  Force  may  be  ufcful  ;    But  there  are   many  Things  ot 
which   that  may  be   faid,   that  are  not  fie  ro  be  us'd. 
And  if  ic  may  be  uieful,    it  may  alfo  be  ufeiefs.     Men 
mayn't  be  brought  to  a  right  Confideration  by  ic,  or 
they  may  have  coiilidcrM  already  ;     and  God  has  not 
directed  ic,     and  therefore  there   is  no  reafon    to   ex- 
pe(^  he  fliould  make  ic  fuccelsful.     Nay,  Force  is  likely 
to  L'C  more  hurtful  than  ufeful.     For  to  punifh  Men  for 
thac  which  it  cannot  be  known  whether  they  have  per- 
form'd  or  no,  is  fo  unjiilt,  that  its  likelier  to  give  Men 
an  avcrfion  to  the  Religion  that  ufes  it,  than  to  bring 
then  I  to  it.     And  withal,  many  are  unable  to  difcern 
becwixt  Truth  and  Falfliood  thac  depend  upon  long 
Proofs   and    remote   Confequences,  G^c.     But  farther, 
til oigh  Force  were  ufeful,    yet  ic  does  noc  follow  'tis 
h-'wi'i  1,     Still  Commillion  or  Authority  may  be  wanting. 
God  has  nor  dirtdred  to  it,   and  therefore  'tis  not  War- 
lantablf.     Where  the  Scripture  is  filent,  'tis  Prefumpti- 
on  in  us  ro  diredt.     God  would  not  have  Men  compell'd 
fo  hear.   He  did  not  think  Force  a  proper  Means  to  bring 
M'-u  into  the  right  Way :  And  therefore  it  is  not  proper. 
Bur  v^ho  are  they  that  upon  this  Hypotheiis  are  to  be 
pnnifli'd  ?    'Tis  Juch  as  nre  in  a  xvrong   I4^<iy  ^    and  deaf  to 
n!i  P^ijwafions.     And  who  are  they.^  The  ri^ht  Way  in 
FvgUfid  is  wrong  in  France.     Every  one  here  muit  be 
Jiidge  for  himfelf.     How  fhall  it  be  known  who  are 
deaf  to  all   Perfwafions?    If  you  mean  deaf  to  your 
Peffwafion,    vou  but  begtheQiieftion,  and  fuppofe  you 
ha^  e  a  Righc  to  punilh  Inch  as  differ  from  you.     Where 
can  we  tind  thofe  that  will  own  chemfelves  in  the  wrong 
Way  ?    May  the  Magiftrate  punilli  all  that  differ  from 
hi'n  in  Religion.^    I'his  is  what  the  Matter  feems  to 
ifiue  in.     For  what  are  they  to  be  punilh'd  for,    but  for 
nor  rvfidtrihg}   But  why  then  muft  all  Dilfenters  be 
pumlli'd  ?    Have  none  of  them  confider'd?    Have  all 
conlidcr'd  thar  Conform  .'    This  is  not  like  a  fair  Phyfi- 
qiiii  to  apply  a  Remedy  to  a  Difeafe,  but  like  an  inraged 
Kneniy  to  vent  (iic's  Spleen  upon  a  Party.     Tis  to  pu- 
niHi  the  Innocent  with  the  Guilty,    and  \tt  the  Guilty 
efcape  with  the  Innocent.     If  Dilfenters  are  to  be  pa- 
nilVd  for  n(<r  confidcring,   then  all  fhould  be  punifh'd 
that  .0  not  confidtr.     This  will  take  in  many  of  the 
Nanona!    Religion   in   all   Countries.     But   ic  cannot 
i-'  \v  M*ti\^  Negligence  to  Confider  be  juflly  inferr'd  chat 
tfhercfore  Dijjcnters  are  to  be  punilh'd.  And 


Chap.  XVlll.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      505 

And  to  what  End  muft  they  be  punifh'd?    Is  it  to  An.  1690. 
make  them  Examine  whether  their  Religion  be  true, 
and  fo  worth  the  holding  under  the  Penalties  anr.ex'd  ? 
What  then  will  become  of  thofe  that  have  no  fuch  Pe- 
nalties to  make  them  confider  ?  Either  they  aifo  lliould 
be  punifli'd,  or  others  let  alone.     Or  muft  Men  be  pu- 
nilh'd  that  they  may  be  willing  to  fubmit  to  Inft  ructi- 
on ?.  The  Dilfenters  fay  they  are  willing.    Who  ir.uft 
Judge  ?  Muft  they  be  punifh'd  to  (hut  Paflion  out  of  the 
Choice  ?    But  how  if  it  ihould  happen  they  fhould  be 
fway'd   by  the   Paflion   of  fear    of   SuiFering?    Will 
Vou  punilh  Men  to  bring  them  to  Reafon  and  found 
Judgment?    You  may  as  well  do  it   to   bring  them 
to  have  the  Philofophers  Stone.     The  moft  plaufible 
Plea  is^    Men  are  punifh'd  to  bring  them  to  the  Kjtovpledge 
of  the  Truth.     Bat  every  one  has  not  a  fufficient  Ability 
for  it;    Every  one  has  not  Opportunity  for  at.    You 
may  this  Way  punilh  them  to  make  them  do,    what 
they  have   done  already.     Its  beyond   the   Power  or 
Judgment  of  Man  in   that  variety   of   Circumftances, 
in  refpeCk  of  Parts,  Tempers,  Opportunities,  Helps,  c^c. 
Men  are  in  in  this  World,    to  determine  what  is  every 
one^  Duty  in  fearch,  inquiry,  and  examination,  or  to 
know  when  any  one  has  done  it. 

Further,  what  Degree  of  Punifhment  is  to  be  us'd 
4n  this  Force?  They  are  moderate  Penalties  that  muft  be 
us'd.     But  what  are  they  ?    Such  oi  voill  prevail  with  Men 
of  common  Difcreti on.     But  who  they   are,  is  as  hard  to 
know,    as  what  is  a  fit   Degree  of  Punifhment  in  the 
Cafe.     So  that  this  is  but  a  regulating  one  uncertainty 
by  another.     Befides ;    all  Men  of  the  fame  Degree  of 
Difcretion  are  not  apt  to  be  mov'd  by  the  fame  Degree 
of  Penalties.    And  what  is  to  be  the  length   of  the 
duration  of  thefe  moderate  Punifhment s}  Dilfenters  arc 
punilh'd  to  make  them  conlider.     Well  they  have  con- 
lider'd,    and  yet  are  Diffenters  ftill.     Muft  they  not  be 
punifh'd  on?   If  they  are  to  be  punilh'd  to  make  them 
confider,    whether  they  have  confider'd  or    no,    then 
their  Puniftiments  iho'  they  do  confider,  muft  not  ceafe 
as  long  as  they  are  Dilfenters.    So  that  upon  the  whole, 
the  Punifhment  muft  be  very  immoderate  or  none  at 
all.     And  if  the  Magiftrate  has  Power  to  ufe  Force,  it 
nhuft  be  to  compel  Men  to  be  of  his  Religion^  and  if 
ibis  is  true  in  one  Country  'tis  true  in  another.    The 

Scheme 


5o6        Some  Hrfiorrcal  Additions  .  Chap.  XVII  [. 

An.  1690  Scheme  of  the  Letter  for  Toleration  fuits  all  GountrieS 
alike,  and  therefore  is  the  more  likely  to  hold.  We 
may  juftly  fufpetfl  that  neither  to  ^cotnport  with 
the  Truth  of  Religion  or  the  Defign  of  the  Gofpel, 
which  is  fuited  to  only  fome  one  Country  or  Party. 
What  is  true  and  good  in  Englanrl,  will  be  true  and 
good  at  li^me  too,  in  Chin^  or  ii  Geneva;  but  the  Me- 
thod for  Propagating  Truth  and  Religion  by  moderate 
Punifhments,  is  calculated  for  thofe  Countries  only, 
where  the  Magiftrate  is  fuppos'd  to  be  in  the  Right,  and 
is  therefore  the  lefs  able  to  bear  fcanning. 

An  1691 .  The  Nonjurant  Bifhops  and  Clergy  perfifting  in  their 
The  Tien-  refiifal  to  cake  the  Oaths  to  the  Government,  their  va- 

jurant  Bi-   ^.^^^  Dignities  were  this  Year  fill'd  up  :  And  Dr.  TiBoe- 

fhop  and    y^„  ^^^  promoted  to  the  Archbiflioprick  of  Canterbury^ 

^^'q  J  chejirr  was tianflated  to  E/r,  in  the  room  of  Dr.  Turner: 
Dr.  Fowler  to  the  See  of  Glouccftcr^  in  the  room  of  Dr. 
Fr/trrjpton  z  Dr.  Cumherland  to  the  See  of  Peterborough^ 
in.  the  room  of  Dr.  H^hite  :  And,  Dr.  Moor  to  the  See  of 
Norwich^  in  rhe  room  of  Dr.  Lloyd:  And  Dr.  Kjdder  up- 
on the  rcfufal  of  Dr.  B—  to  Bath  and  H^elb^  in  the 
room  of  Dr.  KJnnet,  Dr.  Comber  alfo  was  made  Dean 
of  Durham,  in  the  room  of  Dr.  Greenvil  r  And  Mr.T<i/- 
bot  Dean  of  ^orcefler,  in  the  room  of  Dr.  Hicks.  And 
now  they  had  a  tafte  of  that  Ejc6lion  and  Silencing,  ia 
their  Turn,  which  formerly  had  fo  little  drawn  forth 
their  CoanpafTion,  in  the  Cafe  of  fo  great  a  Number  of 
their  Brethren.  Upon  this  they  miferably  fell  to  Pieces 
among  themfelves,  and  the  Two  Parties  in  the  Church 
were  very  fevere  in  their  Reflexions  upon  each  other. 
Hereupon  was  publifli'd  a  Pamphlet,  Intituled,  A  Vin^ 
dicnf-ion  of  their  Mnjefiies  Authority  to  fill  the  Sees  of  the 
deprivd  Bifhops,  in  n  Letter  cccafiond  by  Dr.  B'j  refvfal 
of  the  Bifhoprick,  (/  Bath  and  Wells.  And  another  call'd, 
A  Vindication  of  their  Majcffies  iVifdom  in  the  late  'Nomi" 
nation  of  fornc  Reverend  Perfons  to  the  vacant  Archbifhoprick. 
Ani  Bifhoprickjy  occajiond  by  the  fcandalom  B^fleHions  of 
Vnreafonahle  Men.  Had  indeed  thofe  of  the  Clergy 
who  took  the  Oaths  to  the  Government,  now  generally 
refas'd  the  vacant  Church  Preferments,  it  had  drawn 
fatal  Confequences  after  it.  Better  Men  couM  not  be 
found  than  they  that  were  pitchM  upon :  And  yet  really 
tjijey  in  efle(f\  vyere  fct  up  as  Marks^  again(t  which  the. 

Malice 


Chap.  XVIII,  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      507 

Malice  and  Fury  of  xhQ  Jacobites  iif^  Nonjuring  Clergy  ^»-  i^9>. 
and  Laity  was  principally  diredted.     One  goes  fo  far 
as  to  Queftion  *  whether  ever  any  handful  of  Men  me-  j,  ^^^ 
rited  more  of  the  Church  of  England^  by  any  fingle  A6[,  ji^^j-^^^  ^ 
fince  the  Reformation,  than  the  excellent  Perfons  who  the  Prefem 
accepted  of  thefe  Bifhopricks.    The  great  Perfonal  Merit  Fofiurs  of 
of  the  deprived  Bijhops,  the  late  eminent  Service  which  fe-  Affairs^ 
veral  of  them  had  done  to  their  Country  in  Kjng  James  the  rvlth  ReU' 
Second <  I{pig^,    the  Caufe  itfelf  for  which   they  fuff'erd;f'o»  to  the 
(which  Jeem*d  to  very  many  to  be  the  Caufe  of  the  Church  ^''''eaty  of 
of  England  itfelf)  and  the  Commiferation  of  the  People  ^^^^^i 
toward  good  Men^   who  left  fuch  great  and  honourable,  and  -^^'^^^^  h 
advantageous  Pofls,  purely  for  their  Confciences ;    made  it  .J}^*' 
r?ot  a  very  dejirable  Thing  (as  he  obferves)  to  Men  of  Cha-  ^^ 
raBer  and  Merit,    to  venture  to  fill  their  Places.     The  Ja- 
cobite  IntereH  wai  then  truly  Formidable  y    and  the  I{evolu^ 
tion  was  Green,  and  had  taken  hut  little  ^oot.     Tet  then  did 
thoje  excellent  Men  venture  to  accept  of  thofe  Employments, 
in  which  they  could  not  hut  expeEi  to  meet  with  Oppoftion, 
at  leait  with  coldnefl  from  the  Inferiour  Clergy,    af  whom  a 
great   Majority  did  almoft  adore  their  deprived  Bifhops, 
Of  the  complying  Clergy  ffays  he)   its  to  be  feard  great 
Numbers  took  ^^^  Oaths  againji  their  Wills :  Aqd  he  adds, 
iVe  who  conversd  among  them  freely  at  that  Time^  perceivd 
a  great  deal  of  it  ;  we  lamented  it,    and  tho"  we  could  not 
exnHly  teU  what  Mfchiefs,    the  ill  Blood  then  caused  might 
afterwards  produce ^  yet  that  it  would  produce  a  great  deal 
we  foretold,    and  our  Prophecy  but  too  truly  came  to  paf. 
However,   it  was  to  their  Immortal  Honour^    that  they  ven^ 
turd  in  that  tickjifh  Coni  unsure  to  accept  of  thofe  Employ' 
ments,  {they  could  not   at  that  time  well  be  called  Prefer^ 
nients)  under  thofe  difcouraging  Circumflances. 

At  this  Time  was  publilhM  the  Vnreafonablenejl  of  a   Contefi  of 
Separation  from'  the  New  Bifhops:    Or  a  Treatife  out  oithe  Church 
Ecclefiaftical  Hiftory,    fhewing  that  although  a  Bilhop  r^ith  7Vb«- 
was  unjuftly  depriv*d,  neither  He  nor  the  Church  ever;«ron. 
made  a  Separation  ;  if  the  Succeffor  was  not  a  Heietick  ; 
Tranflated  out  of  an  Ancient  Gree\  Manufcript  in  the 
Publick  Library  at  Oxford,  by  Dr.  Hody.    This  Baroccian 
Manufcript  was  Compps'd  upon  occafion  of  the  depri- 
vation of  a  Patriarch  oiConjiantinople,  and  the  advance- 
ment of  another  to  i)is  See.    Some  Friends  and  de- 
pendants of  the  deprived,  began  to  make  a  Party,  and 
%\i  up  the  People  10  a  Schifm;   Giving  out  that  the 

former 


^ o3  Some  iVi^orical  Additions     Chap.  XVIII- 

Jin.  id^i.fortrer  was  fiill  their  Canonical  Bifhop,  that  it  was 
firiful  to  have  Communion  with  :hc  New  one,  and  that 
all  his  Ordinations  would  be  invalid.  Hereupon  the 
Author  of  this  Manufcripc  is  fupposM  to  have  made  this 
Difcourfe  to  the  People  of  Cot)ji.intifiopic,  and  included 
in  it  all  the  memorable  and  parallel  Examp^^s  that  had 
happened  to  that  See  within  the  fpace  of  near  a  Thou- 
faud  Years.  He  allows  thefe  Advocates  for  a  Separa- 
tion all  thac  they  would  have.  He  admits  that  the  de- 
pofcd  BiHiop  was  cnjuftly  deprived,  and  the  New  one 
Uncaronically  promoted:  And  yet  aiferts  that  even  in 
ihefc  Circumrtances,  if  he  was  not  a  Heretick,  neither 
the  People  nor  the  Ejcdled  Patriarch  bimfelf  ever  re- 
fused Communion  with  him ;  the  fufficience  of  his  Or- 
dinations was  never  queftion*d  by  any  Council ;  there 
was  no  Precedent  for  Schifm  upon  thofe  Accounts  in 
all  the  Hiftory  of  the  Church.  And, from  hence  Dr. 
^  Hoay  draws  an  Argument  a  fortiori^  thus:    That  if  in 

the  Cafes  of  unjuft  Deprivation  and  Uncanonical  Suc- 
ceiiTon,  a  Separation  is  without  Example  in  EccJefiafti- 
cai  Story,  it  was  much  more  inexcufable  to  make  a 
Schifm,  v/here  neither  of  thofe  hard  Circumftances 
could  be  found. 

The  Debate  among  them  at  this  time  ftocd  on  this 
Foot.  One  fide  faid  the  State  could  nor  deprive  Bifhops 
of  their  Epifcopal  Character,  but  that  they  remain'd 
Bifhop<;  ilill ;  and  their  Ordinations,  and  Confirmations, 
and  other  Epifcopal  A6ts  were  Valid,  except  fuch  Adts 
of  Jurifdidlion  as  refpedled  the  particular  Diocefe  out 
o^'^  which  they  were  Eje£led ;  as  Vificing  and  Cenfuring 
the  Clergy,  conferring  Benefices,  &c.  Others  faid  the 
Princes  had  Power  intirely  to  dcpofe  Bifhops,  andurg'd 
Solomons  depofing  the  High  Prieft  Abi.tthar ;  and  pro- 
dac'd  many  Precedents  in  the  Chriftian  Church  for  Con- 
firmation. And  their  Oppofites  in  the  mean  timeurg'd 
Inftancesof  Perfons  who  adher'd  to  their  Bifhops,  when 
they  were  unjuHly  and  invalidly  depriv'd,  though  their 
Succeffors  were  Orthodox  in  the  Faith. 

The  Diffcritcrs  in  the  mean  time  met  Amicably  toge- 
ther, and  adled  in  Concert,  a  few  Particular  Perfons 
only  excepted.  They  Unanimoufly  fupported  the  Go- 
vernmenr,  and  had  the  Favour  of  fach  as  were  Friends 
of  it.  They  made  their  Obfcrvations  on  the  Conten- 
tions in  the  Church,   and  hop'd  a  time  might  come, 

when 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  RevolHtionin  i6S3,     509 


when  they  that  were  fo  firm  in  the  Intereft  of  the  Go-  An.  1691. 
vernment  might  be  more  conlider'd :  And  they  might 
have  depended  upon  it,  had  they  but  coritinu'd  their 
harmony  and  brotherly  Corrcfpondence.  The  Foun- 
dation of  the  Societies  for  Fi^cfc  mation  of  Mariners  was 
laid  this  Year,  and  the  Diflemers  from  the  firft  were  as 
forward  to  encourage  it,  and  as  ready  to  affift  in  it  as 
any.  The  Jacobites  held  on  plotting  againft  the  Go- 
veriiment,  and  endeavour'd  to  obtain  Aififtance  from 
Frr,ncc,  fcr  the  Keinrhromng  the  lare  King.  The  King 
was  to  have  been  this  Year  AffaiTinated  in  FUruiers  ; 
and  a  Parry  in  England  feem'd  not  ro  have  been  igno- 
rant of  it.  And  divers  Tra6ls  were  pubUih'd  as  betore, 
in  Vindication  of  the  Revolution,  and  King  f^iUiam's 
Government. 

The  Conteft  in  the  Chcrch  cf  Er.giand  occafiond  by     The  Car- 
the  Deprivation  of  the  Bilhops  ftill  continu' d.     A  Vin-  rlage  of  the 
dication    of    the   deprivd    Bifhops    was    now    pviblilh'd  5  Jacohltes. 
Alferting  their  Spiritual  Rights  againft  a  Lay  Depriva- 
tion :  Againft  the  Charge  of  Scbifm  as  manag'd  by  the 
late  Editors  of  an  Anonymous  B^rccci^/i  M.S.     Herein 
it  is  pleaded,  that  tho*  the  Inftances  coUefted  in  the  faid 
M.  S.  had  been  pertinent  to  the  Editor's  Defign,  yet  that 
would  not  have  been  fufficiemfor  obtaining  their  Caufe: 
And  that  the  Inftances  there  colledted  are  not  pertinent 
to  the  Editors  Defign,  for  vindicating  rhe  validity  of  the 
Deprivation  of    Spiritual  Pcwer^    by  a  Lay   Authority. 
And  it  is  here  Aflerted,   that  if  the  Enemies  of  the  de- 
priv'd  Bifhops  would  do  any  Thing  to  purpofe  by  the  In-  m  seeBp»  of 
ftances  they  produce,  they  ought  to  prove,  that  even  in  SarumsHe- 
Cafe  of  a  purely  Lay  Deprivation,  thofe  Eaftefn  Churches  fleChions on 
did  not  think  fit  to  Affert  their  Spiritual  Liberties,  againft  a  Pamphlet 
the  Encroachments  of  the  fecularMagif^rate,  &c,  Entituledj 

But  they  were  not  content  with  Arguing.     Tfaeeje<5ted  ISome  D^f- 
Epifcopal  Clergy,  with  the  iofs  of  their  Places  feem'd  <^o«r/«  «/»o» 
alfo  to  lofe  their  Tempers.     And  it  was 'obferv'd  (by  ^^- ^""^f^ 
one  very  able  to  make  Remarks)  That  of  all  the  forts  o/j'»«pi'-TiI- 
Men  *  who   have  within   the  Memory  of  the  prefent  Age  ^^Jl°  w  ^^' 
been   on   the  fujfering  Side ,    never  any  fuffer*d  fo  little,  ^y/  ^^^^  ^ 
and   ragd  fo    much    di    the   Jacobites,     They   lofl  ^^^^^  „eral  Ser- 
preferments,   and  fome  of  them   were  doubly  tax*d;    but  ^^^^/r^jj^ 
they  were  not  hunted  from  Place  to  Place,    nor  vex'^d  with  fo^fner  upon 
Impfifonments  and  Prcfecutions  (as  the  poor  Nonconfor-  the  latter.^ 
mifts  had  formerly  been.)     They  liv'd  at  cj^uiet  even  when  169$, 

they 


510         Some  Hi jiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVI If. 

An.  1(592.  they  did  nil  they  could  to  let  none  have  quiet  about  therm 
And  feme  of  them  were  fo  far  grntified,  thdt  they  nam''d 
their  Succeffors  into  their  Benefices^  of  which  it  was  believd 
they  aftcrvptirds  receivd  the  grcntsjl  Part, 

Bifhop  Bwnct  \n  Particular  had  but  Five  Nonjurors 
in  his  Diocefc  of  Snrum.  One  of  ihem,  Mr.  Martin, 
was  concina'd  in  his  Living  to  his  Death  which  happened 
about  1694,  and  the  Billiop  flill  paid  him  the  actual 
Income  of  bis  Prebend  out  of  bis  own  Purfe.  Ke 
would  not  take  the  Oaths,  but  he  did  not  joyn  with  the 
Koyi'yirors  in  their  Schifm.  Mr.  Spinks  enjoy 'd  a  Dona- 
tive, which  the  Bifhop  fuffer'd  him  to  ferve  by  a  Curate^ 
which  he  could  have  required  him  to  ferve  in  Perfon;  and 
he  en  joy'd  his  Prebend  a  Year  beyond  the  Time  fix*d  by 
Law  .  Mr.  Jones  had  the  nominating  of  bis  own  Suc- 
ceffor,  to  whom  his  Living  was  Collated.  Mr.  Dickfon 
died  foon  after  the  Deprivation.  Dr.  Beach  alfo  kept 
in  his  Living  Two  Years  after  he  was  by  Law  depriv'd, 
and  was  afterwards  Indided  for  Seditious  Words,  and 
found  Guilty,  but  Pardon'd.  And  their  Treatment 
was  much  the  fame  in  other  Diocefes.  I'm  fure  the  poor 
Nonconformifts,  who  were  Ejeded  in  62,  (though  none 
were  truer  to  the  Government  than  they)  would  have 
been  heartily  glad  of  fuch  Ufage,  as  the  Jncobites  now 
met  with,  though  they  were  continually  Plotting  againft 
the  Government ;  The  overthrow  of  which  they  had 
this  Year  compafs'd,  had  not  Providence  eminently  ap- 
pear'd  in  our  Favour,  and  given  us  a  fignal  Vidtory  over 
the  French  Fleet,  great  Part  of  which  were  deftroy'd  and 
burnt  by  Admiral  ^uffel:  Which  gave  King  Jatncs  fo 
heavy  a  blow,  that  he  never  recover'd  the  Impreflion  of 
it,  but  loft  all  Hopes  of  ever  being  Reftor'd. 

There  now  came  out  a  Tradl  call'd  S  I'ymon  and  Abm- 
thar.  Or  the  Cafe  of  the  depriv'd  Biihops  and  Clergy 
difcufs'd,  in  a  Dialogue  between  Eucheres  sl  Conformiit, 
and  Dyfchcrcs  a  Recufant :  By  Mr.  Hill.  In  which  the 
State  of  Things  under  King  fVilliam,  is  reprelented  as 
worfe  than  n  Deluge  of  Popery,  and  the  whole  Involution  di 
a  great  Impiety:  And  Submiffion  tO  the  Deprivation  of 
the  Bifhops  a  giving  up  all  to  Eraflianifm.  For  it  is  de- 
clar'd  that  if  that  would  hold,  a  Bifhop  would  be  but 
an  Ecclefiaftical  Juftice,  and  a  Pricft  but  a  Church 
Conftable.  Abiathnr\  Priefthood  it  is  here  faid,  deter- 
min'd  by  his  own  voluntary  Ceflion,  not  the  Kings  Ec; 

cleliafticai 


Chap.  XVI II.  after  the  Revolution  m  1688.      511 

clefiafti<cal  Cenfure.     And  when  he  quitted  the  High -4».  1691. 
Prieftkood,    he  did  it  for  himfelf  and   his  Pofterity, 
who  had  no  Claim  thereto  Originally  Legal ;   whence 
it  reverted  6f  Courfe  to  the  Houfe  of  Elca::^ar,    and 
therein  10  ^adok^,  without  any  Title  from  the  King,  &c. 

The  Jacobites  had  ftill  hopes  of  their  old  Maflers  Re- 
ftoration,  who  intended  a  Defcent  from  France,  But 
the  French  Fleet  was  beaten,  and  many  of  their  Ships 
burnt  at  La  Hogue^  and  fo  their  Hopes  were  defeated. 

A  Noble  Peer  ^  at  this  Time  making  a  Speech  upon  *  The  Earl 
a  Publick  Occafion,    thought  fit  to  refledt  upon  the  fo-  of  vVai- 
menting  Divifions  among  Proteflants^  as  a  Dsceit  rle/igti'd  to  ringron'i 
gull  the  Nation  into  Popery  and  Slavery,     He  fays,  That  Speech  to 
th«  muft  be  to  ferve  fome  new  Defign,    hecaufc  the  Laws  ^he  Grand 
againft  DiJ] enters  were  Slretch\d  and  Executed^  beyond  thtir  J^D  ^^ 
Genuine  and  Natural  Intent  cr  ConflruHion :  Becaufe  feve-  7'    . j    * 
ral  Laws  were  put  in  Execution  againft  them^    which  were    ^      ^^* 
plainly  and  direclly  made  for  other  Purpcfes,    by  which  the      °  ' 
Law  itfelfjufferd  Violence  ;  And  hccauje  more  Diligence  and 
Care  was  employ  d,  topunifto  People  for  Nonconformity  ^tkan  to 
reform  their  Lives  and  Manners.     He  reprefents  the  hSt 
of  Indulgence  as  a  Prudent^  Necefjfary,    and  Pious  PVork ; 
and  recommended  it  to  the  Jury,   as  their  Duty,    if  they 
found  any  Jpakc  to  the  alfadvantage  of  the  AEt,    to  Prefent 
them  oi  difajfetted  to  the  Govertiment^   and  fowers  of  the 
Seeds  of  Divijjon  in  the  State. 

Mr.  Johnfon  now  publilh'd  an  Argument,  proving 
that  the  Abrogation  of  King  James  by  the  People  of 
England  from  the  Regal  Throne,  and  the  Promotion  of 
the  Prince  of  Orange,  one  of  the  Royal  Family,  to  the 
Throne  of  the  Kingdom  in  his  ftead,  was  according  to 
the  Gonftitution  of  the  EngUfh  Government,  and  pre- 
fcrib'd  by  it:  In  oppofition  to  all  the  falfe  and  trea- 
cherous Hypothefes,  of  Vfurpation^  Conquefi^  Defertson^ 
and  of  talking  the  Powers  that  are  upon  Content,  Now 
alfo  came  out  a  true  Account  of  the  Author  of  a  Book, 
Entituled,  ^Eim?  B*.<n\imj  Or  the  Portraiture  of  his  Sacred 
Majefty,  in  his  Solitude  and  Sufferings ;  prov*d  to  be 
Written  by  Dr.  G4«^e»  late  Bilhopjof  pPorcefier:  With 
an  Anfwer  to  all  Objedtions  made  by  Dr.  HoUingfworth 
and  others.  Publiih'd  for  Publick  Satisfaction,  by  An- 
thony iValkpr,  D.  D.  with  an  Atteftation  under  the 
Hand  of  the  late  Earl  of  Anglefey,  to  the  fame  Purpofc- 
At  which  fome  wete  very  angry ,  and  others  well 
pleas'd.  The 


512  Some  Hiflorical  Addition f     Chap.  X  VIII- 


An.   1092. 

The  Decla- 
r  at  ion  of 
the  United 
it  Unifiers 


Ih 


The  DifTenters  had  this  Year  a  troublefome  Affair 

.vith  one  Mr.  [{icbard  Dnvu,  of  Hothrvel  in  Northamptor?- 

And  at  length  the  Unired  Minifters  publifli'd  to 

he  \V^(>rM  their  Senfe  concerning  fome  of  his  erroneous 

C)o<frnnes  and  irregular  Pradhces,  in  thefe  Words. 

'   We  the  United  Nonconfornning  Minifters  in  and 

abruc  Lmdon,  having  been  oft  confultcd  by  ourgrieved 

Brethren  in  the  Country,    about  fome  Expedient  to 

reclaim  Mr.  F^ichard  Davis  of  {{othwsl^   in  the  County 

of  Northampton ;   or  at  leaft  to  prevent  the  Scandal 

and  mifchievous  Effedts  of  his  erroneous  Principles 

and  irregular  Pradtices ;    have  thought  it  incumbent 

on  us  to  publilh  the  following  Account  and  Teftimony, 

that  we  may  not  be  wanting  in  our  Faithfulnefs  and 

Zeal  for  the  Truth  of  Chrift,  and  for  that  Peace  and 

'Order  among  his  People,  which  is  fo  ftridtly  enjoynd 

by  him  ;  nor  be  efteem'd  approvers  of  thofe  Delufions 

and  Extravagancies,    whereby  Souls  are  endangered, 

Divifions  highly  fomented,  and  our  prefent  Liberty 

abufed,  to  the  hurt  and  reproach  of  ail  of  us  as  Dif- 

fenters. 

*  It  will  we  doubt  not  appear  to  impartial  Men  (fince 
divers  Methods  that  we  have  us*d  for  the  reclaiming 
of  him,  have  prov'd  unfnccefsful)  to  be  our  prefent 
Duty  to  Vindicate  our  Selves,  and  warn  fuch  in 
whom  we  are  refpe(ftively  concerned,  againft  his  De- 
lufions, under  the  Name  of  the  Bleffed  Gofpel ;  and 
his  dividing  Courfes,  whilft  he  pretends  to  Reform 
the  Church.  We  (hall  not  here  enumerate  all  the  Er- 
rors he  ftudioully  Propagateth;  but  do  hereby  bear 
our  Teftimony  againft  thefe  following,  vii^. 
'  That  the  Law  of  Innocency  was  not  able  to  fave 
Man  at  firft.  That  Juftification  upon  Believing,  is 
only  a  manifeftation  to  the  Confcience  6f  an  Antece- 
dent Juftificacion ;  and  fo  it  is  not  the  State  of  the 
Soul,  but  its  fcnfe  of  its  State,  that  is  alrer'd  upon 
Converfion.  That  Juftifying  Faith  is  a  Perfwafion 
that  our  Sins  are  pardon'd ;  and  when  it  is  faid,  we 
believe  for  Pardon,  it  is  meant  for  the  Knowledge  of 
Pardon.  That  this  Faith  is  not  a  confcnting  Adt  of 
the  Will.  That  the  Lav7  prepares  nor  for  Converfi- 
on, and  its  Convidlions  tend  to  drive  Men  fatrther 
from  Chrift-.  That  the  Law  of  the  Gofpel  is  the 
-great  Law  of  E led ing  Grace,   i'/^.   I  \9ill  have  Merdy 

'    on 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  16^^,       515 


on  whom  I  will  have  Mercy,  That  there  be  no  prepara-  An.  I592« 
tory  Humblings  in  order  to  Faith.  That  we  fhould 
begin  our  Religion  with  high  Confidence  of  our  In- 
tereft  in  Chrift,  and  muft  maintain  it  againft  all 
Challenges  or  Doubts  from  our  Sins  or  Defe6ls. 
That  they  are  like  BaaCs  Priefts  who  put  Men  on 
trying  thcmfelves  by  fuch  Marks,  as  Sincerity,  Uni- 
verfal  Obedience,  Love  to  God,  and  Chrift,  and  the 
Brethren.  That  all  Believers  at  all  Times  ftand  be- 
fore God  without  Sin ;  yea,  when  they  are  finning 
againft  God,  they  are  without  fpot  before  God  ;  and 
when  they  have  finned,  and  pray  for  Pardon,  it  is  for 
the  difcovery  thereof  to  their  Confcience,  and  noc 
for  what  is  properly  Forgivenefs.  That  Chrift  ful- 
filled the  Covenant  of  Grace  for  us,  and  he  believ'd 
for  us  as  our  Reprefentative.  "Which  with  many 
others  are  well  Attefted,  yea,  and  own'd  in  his  own 
Papers,  for  the  moft  part  in  exprefs  Words,  and  the 
reft  plainly  appear  to  be  his  Senfe.  , 

*  Thefe  Affertions  we  declare  repugnant  to  the  Gof- 
pel,  (as  alfo  to  the  Doctrine  of  theChurch  oi England^ 
and  other  Confefjlons  agreeable  to  the  Gofpel,  where- 
to wc  have  Aflented)  ftrong  Temptations  to  carnal 
Security  and  Libertinifm,  and  feme  of  Satans  fiery 
Darts,  whereby  he  endeavoureth  the  ruin  of  thofe 
Souls  who  are  lefs  fubjedt  to  other  Snares;  and  as 
what  would  deftrcy  the  Miniftry  which  Chrift  hath 
appointed  and  profpered  to  the  Converfion  of  Sinners. 

*  In  the  like  manner  we  do  Teftify  againft  the  Un- 
chriftian  Prat^ices  of  Mr.  Davis ;    vi^.  That  though  ° 
he  fcrupled  not  to  Baptize  the  Children  of  his  own 
People,   he  yet  Rebaptized  fuch  Adult  Members  as 

were  Baptiz'd  in  their  Infancy  by  any  Minifters  of 
the  Church  of  England ;  in  Anfwer  whereto  he  thus 
Writes  :  That  if  any,  being  the  feed  of  Strangers^  and 
having  no  other  Baptijm  than  that  of  the  Publicity  defire 
to  fubmit  to  the  Ordinance ^  I  dare  not  refufe  it ;  for  i 
look  on  that  done  in  the  [^ublicl{j  Null  and  Void  on  a  twc^ 
fold  Account,  (i.)  They  and  their  unbelieving  Parents, 
being  in  no  fenfe  or  wife  under  the  Covenant^  Baptifm 
cannot  be  a  Seal ;  and  while  it  is  not  a  Seal^  1  apprehend 
it  nothing^  and  therefore  Null  and  Void,  (2.)  The  Ad- 
minijirators  are  none  of  Chrijis  fending.^  therefore  what 
they  do  in  Matters  of  Religion  is  nothing;    an  Idol  is 

LI  [nothings 


514        ^onte  Hiflorkal  Addition.      Chap,  X  VIII, 


An.  1592. 


nothing  ;    and  hy  parity  of  F(eafon  Ordinances  falfly  Ad- 
minlftrcdj    are  nothings  8cc.     And  though  it  (\iz.  Bap- 
tifm)    b&  done   by    them    in  the  'Name  of  Father  ^    Son^ 
and  Spirit,  yet  hill  they  Prophecy  Lies  in  the  Name  of 
the  Lord,  for  he  never  fent  tlcm.     Our  Reafons  againft 
this  horrid  Opinion  were  fent  to  him,  but  without  any 
iniiuence    for    his    Conviction.     His   fending    forth 
Preachers  unfit  for  the  Miniftry,   and  unapprov'd  by 
the  Neighbo'.irirg   Minifters;     his  unchurching  fuch 
Churches  as  agree  not  with  bis  exorbitm:  Methods, 
and  licentious  Principles;  his  wickedly  railing  at  moft 
of  the  Orthodox,    Laborious  Minifters,   endeavour- 
ing to  the  urmoft  to  prejudice  the  People  againft  their 
Perfais  and  Labours,-  as  Idolatrous,  Illegal,  and  Anti- 
cbriftian;    Yea,  affiriTjing,    that  all  the  Churches  are 
gone  a  Whoring  from  Chrift,    and  that  happy  is  be 
who  is  an  Inftrument  in  breaking  all  the  Churches, 
wherein  he  hath  made  too  great  a  Progrefs. 

*  Ha'.ing  thus  exprefs'd  our  Thoughts  concerning 
his  Pftnciples  and  Pradtices  (whereto  many  more 
might,  and  in  due  time  may  be  added,  with  juft  Re- 
flexions thereon)  we  do  here  further  Declare,  that 
he  never  was,  n^r  is  by  us  efteem'd,  of  the  Number 
of  the  United  Brethren. 

*  It  is  our  Grief,  that  a  Man  ftiould  with  meerFalfe- 
hood,  Clamour,  and  Noife,  prevail  fo  far:  It  is  no 
lefs  our  wonder,  that  he  ftiould  generally  fot  up  for 
the  only  Gofpel  Preacher,  reviling  moft  others,  and 
yet  when  charg'd  with  his  Aflcrtions,  he  at  Times  at- 
tempts to  unintelligent  Perfon%  to  reduce  thofe  abo- 
minable Aflcrtions,  to  what  is  the  general  Opinion 
of  fuch  as  he  expofeth.  But  we  fhall  earneftly  pray 
for  his  Repentance  j  and  (in  the  mean  time)  that  that 
Scripture  may  be  verified  in  him,  i  TirK.  3.  p.  He  [hall 
proceed  no  further,  but  his  Folly  fl'yall  be  manifeftcd  to  aU 
Men  :  Which  we  are  encouraged  to  hope  the  fudden 
Accomplifliment  of,  fince  he  is  given  up  to  fuch  tri- 
fling Vifions,  Enthufiaftick  Pretences,  Self-contra- 
didlions,  higheft  Arrogancy  and  Infolence,  and  many 
arc  awaken'd  to  fee  the  wiles  of  the  Devil  by  their 
vifible  EfTedls;  and  moft  Perfon^  fit  to  judge  hereof. 
Agree,  it  cannot  be  the  Intereft  of  Chrift  that  he 
fer'  es,  by  the  Spirit  he  difcovers,  and  the  Publick 
Scandals  and  Mifchiefs  he  fo  induftrioufly  promotes. 

Had 


Chap.  XVIIL   after  the  Revohtion  in  r688.      515: 

Had  the  United  Minifters  refted  here  it  had  been  ^>;.  i^pa, 
well.  But  Animolicy  and  Contention  about  Dodrinal 
Matters  unhappily  broke  out  amojigft  them,  and  fuch 
Heats  arofe,  as  expos'd  them  juftly  to  the  Cenfures  of 
Standersby;  and  they  a6ted  as  if  they  had  been  under 
the  fccret  Influence  of  fome  that  were  fearful  leaft  their 
Intereft  fhoold  gain,  by  their  continuing  United,  while 
the  Eftabiilh'd  Church  was  fo  much  divided,  A  new 
Impreflion  of  DY.Cn'Jp's  Works  was  publilh'd  irt  1690, 
yvith  an  Addition  of  fome  Sermons,  Prefac'd  by  his 
Son  ;  and  fome  Mmifters  were  upon  his  requeft  pre- 
vailed with  to  prefix  their  Names,  Attefting  that  they 
believ'd  what  was  publifli'd  was  Genuine.  The  known 
Charadker  of  the  Dodtor,  with  the  Nature  of  fome  of 
his  darling  Notions,  made  this  Publication  offenfive  to 
many;  and  the  rather,  becaufe  of  the  Names  prefixed, 
which  they  fear'd  would  be  interpreted  by  fome,  as  a 
giving  Countenance  to  fuch  Opinions  as  were  thought 
of  ill  Confequence.  A  Book  hereupon  came  forth  this 
Year,  Intitled,  Gojpel  Truth  Stnted  and  Vindicated^ 
wherein  fome  of  Dr.  Crijp's  Errors  ate  confider'd. 
And  to  this  feveral  Names  were  prefix'd  by  way 
of  Approbation.  The  Method  of  this  Book  is  very 
clear  ,•  and  had  they  that  were  of  different  Sentiments, 
as  clearly  laid  down  any  oppofite  Opinions  in  a  Scheme, 
with  diftin<ft  Reafons  under  each  Head,  why  fuch  No- 
tions were  embrac'd  as  Truths,  and  the  others  rejedled 
as  Errors,  Matters  might  eafily  have  been  brought  to 
an  amicable  Iffue,  and  every  Man  might  have  judg'd 
for  himfelf,  which  Scheme  to  embrace. 

Before  this  there  had  been  clafhing  in  the  Pulpit  in 
Pinners-Hall  Ledlure,  and  that  with  no  little  warmth. 
And  upon  the  publilliing  of  this  Book  there  was  a  great 
Clamour  rais'd,  and  that  particularly  upon  rhe  Account 
of  the  Interpretation  given,  of  Phil,  3.9.  Onewrcte 
warmly    againft    what    he   call'd    Neonomianifm,    and  , 

Differences  rofeto  a  great  height :  And  at  length  a  Pa- 
per of  Objedlions  fign'd  by  Six  Miniiters  Hands;  was 
given  in  at  the  Meeting  of  the  United  Brethren,  and 
it  was  obfervable  that  feveral  of  them  Sthat  Sign'd  it, 
never  did  concur  in,  nor  approve  of  the  ZJnion.  Some 
fee  themfelves  to  contrive  an  healing  Expedient,  .and 
after  much  Pains  taken,  fix'd  on  certain  Doctrinal  Ar- 
ticles which  were  on  both  Sides  agreed  on,  and  fub- 

L  1  %  fctib'd 


5i6        Some  Htfiorical Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 


Am.  i^^a.fcrib'd  December  \6.  1691,  and  publifh*d  to  the  World' 
under  the  Title  of,  The  Affreemcnt  in  Do^rine,  among 
the  Diffenting  Minifters  in  London,  by  which  it  was 
hop'd  future  Differences  would  have  been  prevented. 
But  feparate  weekly  Meetings  were  kept  up,  and  fome 
feenfi'd  deliroos  to  be  thought  to  differ  from  their  Bre- 
thren, whether  they  really  <did  fo  or  no,  or  at  leaft  fan- 
cit'd  they  did  fo,  more  than  they  did:  A  Letter  was 
publifh'd  in  4to,  Intituled,  A  Vindication  of  the  Prote- 
itant  DoHrine  concerning  Jujiification^  and  of  its  Preachers 
and  Prof'ffnj  from  the  ZJvju^  Charge  of  Antincmianifm*^ 
and  the  hopes  of  a  free  brotherly  Correfpondence  va- 
niih'd  away.  The  Difference  was  chiefly  about  fomc 
Terms  and  Phrafes  relating  to  the  Dodkrine  of  Juftifi- 
cation,  and  about  the  extent  of  Redemption,  and  the 
middle  Way  :  But  they  manag'd  them  with  fucb  Heat, 
as  to  give  thofe  who  have  at  all  Times  been  forward 
enough  to  refledl  upon  them,  occafion  to  fay,  let  but 
thefe  Dlff enters  alone ^  and  thsy'l  do  their  own  TVor\, 

A:  this  Time  came  out  a  Book  of  an  Ecclefiaftical 
Nature,   Written  by  a^^young  Gentleman,  but  drawn 
up  with  fuch  ffi idt  care  and  exadlnefs,   that  a  Man  that 
had  fpent  all  his  Days  in  convcrfing  with  the  Fathers 
and  Primitive  Writers  of  the  Chriftian  Church,    would 
have  had  no  need  to  have  been  affiam'd  of  the  Perfor- 
mance.    It  was  Entituled,    An  Enquiry  into  the  Conflitu- 
tion^    Difcipline^   ZJnity,    and  iVorfhip   of  the  Primitive 
Churchy    that  flourifh'd  mthin  the  firji  3O0  Tears  after 
Chrift :    FaithfuUy  coIleSed  out  of  the  extant  Pf^ritings  of 
thofc  Ages.  8vo. 
Of  the  Cen-     He  obfer\  es  that  by  the  Church,   the  Primitive  Wri- 
fiitution^     ters  fomctimes  underffood  the  Church  Univerfal,  of 
Difciplitte,   all  thofc  who  throughout  the  Face  of  the  whole  Earth, 
Unity,  and  profeffed  Faith  in  Chrift,  and  alknowledgcd  him  to  be 
Worfljlp  of  the  Saviour  of  Mankind  :  At  other  Times,  a  particular 
the  Primi-  Church  or  Company  of  Believers,    who  at  one  Time, 
tiye  church,  j^  Qj^g  ^^^^  ^^g  fame  Place,  did  affociate  themfelves  to- 
gether, and  concur  in  the  Participation  of  all  the  Ordi- 
nances of  Chrift,   with  their  proper  Paftors  and  Mini- 
fters :  And  fometimes  alfo,  the  Place  where  a  particular 
Church  or  Congregation  met  for  the  Celebration  of 
Divine  Service.     Once  'tis  us'd  by  Cyprian  for  a  Col- 
lcc5lion  of  many  Churches,    but  that  is  not  common. 
And  often  they  meant  by  it,  the  inviGble  Cburcb;  that 

is 


Chap.  XVIIL  afferthe  Revolnthn^in  i68S.      517 

i  — — I 

is  fucb  as  by  a  found  Repentance  and  a  lively  Faith,  are  An.  1692, 
actually  incerefted  in  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  And  it 
is  frequently  ahb  'to  be  underftood  of  the  Faith  and 
Doctrine  of  the  Church.  But  moft  ufually  by  the  Word 
Church,  a  particaJar  Church  is  meant  in  their  "Writings : 
And  fuch  a  Church  was  made  up  of  Clergy  and  Laity, 
The  Clergy  had  their  Peculiar  A(Sts.  When  Perfons 
were  in  any  Places  converted  by  the  Preaching  of  the 
Gofpel,  Bilhops  were  appointed  them.  There  was  but 
one  in  a  Place  that  was  Bilhop  by  way  of  Eminency. 
And  this  Bifliop  had  Originally  but  one  Church, 
which  was  call'd  his  Parifti,  and  was  no  larger 
than  our  Parifhes.  And  that  the  Bifliops  Diocefe 
did  not  exceed  the  bounds  of  a  modern  Parifh, 
is  evident  from  hence:  fi.)  In  that  all  the  People 
of  a  Dtocefe  did  every  Sunday  meet  all  together 
in  one  Place  to  Celebrate  Divine  Service.  (2.)  In  that 
the  Bifliop  had  but  one  Altar  or  Communion  Table  in 
his  whole  Diocefe,  at  which  his  whole  Flock  received 
the  Sacrament  from  him.  (5.)  In  that  the  other  Sacra- 
ment of  Baptifm  was  generally  Adminiftred  by  the 
Bilhops  alone,  within  their  refpecftive  Diocefes.  (4.) 
The  Churches  Charity  was  depofited  with  the  Bifliop. 
(5.)  All  the  People  of  a  Diocefe  were  prefent  at  Chsrch 
Cenfures.  (6.)  No  Offenders  were  reftor'd  again  to 
the  Churches  Peace,  without  the  Knowledge  andCon- 
fent  of  the  whole  Diocefe.  (7.)  When  the  Bilhop  of 
a  Church  was  dead,  all  the  People  of  that  Church  met 
together  in  one  Place  to  choofe  a  new  Bifliop.  (8.)  At 
the  Ordinations  of  the  Clergy,  the  whole  Body  of  the 
People  were  prefent.  (9.)  Publick  Letters  from  one 
Church  to  another  were  read  before  the  whole  Diocefe. 
And  (10.)  The  whole  Diocefe  of  the  Bifhop  did  meec 
all  together  to  manage  Church  Affairs.  Thefe  Things 
put  together  are  a  plain  proof,  that  how  large  foever 
the  local  Extent  of  the  Primitive  Churches  was,  their 
Members  made  but  one  (ingle  Congregation,  which  had 
no  more  Chriftians  in  it  than  our  Pariflies  now  have. 
For  farther  Proof  of  which,  our  Author  produces  out 
of  thofe  that  are  reckon  d  the  Genuine  Epiftles  of  Igna" 
tins,  fuch  an  AccouDt  of  the  Eifhoipvicks  of  Smyrna^ 
Ephefuf^  Magnefja,  Philadelphi4y  and  Trallium,  as  mani- 
feftly  evidences  thetn  to  be  but  fo  many  (ingle  Congre^ 

LI  3  gation% 


5l8       Some  Hiftorlcal  Additions      Chap.  XVIIl. 

Ait.  idpz.  gations.  Nay,  he  ihews  that  the  grcateft  BilTiopricks 
ia  the  Woild,  even  in  the  Third  Century,  were  no 
more  than  fo  many  lingle  Congregations.  He  fhews  it 
as  to  Antioch,  and  R^tm^  and  Carthage.  (\i\  Alexandria 
cnly  they  had  leparate  Congregations  for  their  conve- 
nience, j  There  weie  Billiops  then  in  Country  Villages. 
And  all  the  ChriOians  of  a  Diocefe,  met  together  in 
one  Place,  every  Sunday  to  lervc  God. 

The  Bifhops  Work  was  to  Preach,  Prav,  Baptize, 
Adminifter  the  Lord's  Supper,  take  Care  tf  ihe  Poor, 
Ordain  Minitters,  Govern  his  Fluck,  Excommunicate 
Offenders,  and  Abfolve  Penitents.  He  was  lo  be  al- 
ways refident  on  his  Cure.  He  was  Chofen,  and  Pre- 
fented  by  the  Majority  of  the  Parilh.  And  approv'd  by 
the  Neighbouring  Biihops,  by  whom  alfo  he  was  Ordain  d 
or  Inftaird ;  Three  or  more  of  them  ufually  concurring 
in  the;  Solemnity.  And  he  immediately  gave  notice 
hereof  to  other  Bifhops;  efpecially  fuch  as  were  of 
l^ote  and  Eminence. 

Our  Author  defcribes  a  Presbyter  as  a  Perfon  in  Holy 
Orders,  having  therefore  an  inherent  Right  to  perform 
the  whole  Offivre  of  a  Bifhop  ;  but  being  polTefs'd  of 
no  Place  or  Pariih,  not  adlually  difcharging  it,  with- 
out the  Permili'ion  andConfent  of  the  Bifliop  of  a  Place 
or  Parifti.  Presbyters,  he  fays,  were  the  Bifhops  Cu- 
rates and  Alfiftanis,  inferiour  to  them  in  Degree,  or  in 
tke  adlual  Uifcharge  of  their  Eccleliaftical  Commiflion. 
Without  the  BilTiops  leave,  a  Presbyter  could  not  Bap- 
tize, or  Adminifter  tlie  lords  Supper,  or  Preach,  or 
Abfolve  Offenders,  or  ptrform  any  other  Ecclefiaftical 
Office.  Notwithllanding  which,  Presbyters  were  of 
the  fame  Specifick  Order  with  Biihops,  and  had  the 
fame  inherent  Right  to  perform  thofe  Ecclefiaftical 
Offices,  as  Biihops  did.  For  they  Preach'd,  Baptized, 
Adminiflred  the  Eucharift,  rul'd  in  the  Churches  to 
which  they  belonged,  Preiided  in  Confiftorys,  Excom- 
municated, reftorM  Penitents,  Confirmed,  and  Or- 
dain'd,  and  in  General  difcharg'd  all  thofe  Offices  which 
Biihops  did,  with  the  PermiHion  of  the  Biihops  in 
their  fevcral  Cures.  Presbyters  were  alfo  call'd  by  the 
fame  Titles  and  Appellations  as  the  Biihops  were:  And 
chey  are  exprefly  faid  to  be  of  the  fame  Order  with  the 
Biihops.  There  were  many  fuch  Presbyters  in  one 
CJiyrch,  that  there  might  be  a  Provifion  for  the  People, 

under 


Cha  p.  X  V 1 1  r.  after  the  Revolution  i//  1 6  8  8 .      519 

under  all  Accidents  and    Circumftances.     Thej^  were^».  1^92- 
not  NecefTary  or  EfTential  to  a  Church;    And  yet  their 
Office  was  even  in  the  Apoftolick  Age,  though  by  their 
Names   they  were  not  diftinguilh'd  from  Biihops  till 
fome  time  after. 

The  Deacons  were  to  take  care  of  the  Poor.  The 
Suhdeacons  were  to  alTift  and  help  the  Deacons.  The 
Acotyths,  Exorcifts^  and  Letiors^  were  Candidates  for 
the  Miniftry,  who  Hy  behaving  themfelves  well  in  thefe- 
meaner  Employs,  were  to  give  Proof  of  their  Ability 
and  Integrity,  that  they  might  be  prorrioced  gradually. 
Ordination  is  the  Grant  of  a  peculiar  Commiliion  and 
Power,  which  remains  indelible  in  the  Perlon  to  whom 
it  is  Committed,  and  can  never  be  obliteraied  cr  razed 
out,  except  the  Perfon  himfelf  caufe  it,  by  HereJie, 
Apoftacy,  or  grofs  and  fcandalous  Impiety.  When 
Perfons  were  Ordnind  Presbyters,  they  prefented  them- 
felves  to  the  Presbytery  of  the  Parifli,  and  were  by 
them  examin'd  about  their  Age,  their  Condition  in  the 
World,  and  freedom  from  fecular  Employments,  their 
Converfation,  and  their  Underflanding  and  Learning  : 
Then  they  were  propounded  10  the  People  for  their 
Approbation,  -and  afterwards  had  the  Hands  of  the 
Presbytery  laid  on  them:  But  were  not  OrdainM  to  a 
particular  Church,  or  for  it,  but  they  were  Ordain  d 
Minifters  of  the  Church  Univerfal. 

The  Laity  alfo  had  their  peculiar  Adls  in  the  Primi- 
tive Times.  Baptifm  qualified  them  for  Church  Mem- 
berftiip,  unlefs  they  had  been  guilty  of  grofs  and  fcan- 
dalous Sins.  Adult  Converts  to  Cbriflianity  were  firft 
Catechumens;  and  then  after  due  Inftrudion  they 
were  Baptized,  and  ownd  Church  Members.  Such 
Church,  Members  elec^led  their  Biihops,  and  if  they 
prov*d  Hereticks  or  Apoftates,  or  gtofly  Scandalous^ 
they  deposed  them.  And  all  Things  relating  to  the  Go- 
vernment and  Policy  of  the  Church,  were  performed 
by  the  jo^  nt  Confent  and  Adminiftration  both  of  Clergy 
and  Laity. 

Difcipline  was  much  valued  in  the  Primitive  Times. 
By  it  is  meant  the  Power  and  Authority  of  the  Church 
exerted  by  her  for  her  own  Prefervation,  in  the  cenfu- 
ring  of  her  oflFending  Members.  The  Faults  for  which 
offenders  were  Cenfur*d,  were  Schifm,  Herefie,  CovC" 
SQufnefs,  Gluttony,  Fornication,   Adultery,.  &c.    The 

Li  4  I^^S^% 


520         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIU. 

'^-  1 592.  Judges   were  the    whole   Church,    both   Qergy   and 
Laity.     And  the  Presbyrery  was  a  fort  of  Committee 
to  prepare  Matters  for  the  whole  Court.    Tbey  pre- 
fided.     If  polTible,    the  Otfenders  appeared  Perfonally, 
and  pleaded  for  them  lei  vcs.     Judgment  was  pafs'd  by 
Suffrage;  and  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  pronounc'd, 
either  by  the  Biftiop,    or  a  Presbyter  Commiflion*d   by 
him.     Their   Cenfurcs    confifted    in  Excommunications 
and  Suffenfjcns^  which  were  much  dreaded.     When  any 
thus  Cenfur'd  defir'd  to  be  abfolv'd,  they  firft  lay  grove- 
ling and  weeping  at  the  Church  Doors,   and  then  were 
admitted  into  the  Rank  of  Penitents  ;  (their  Peniten- 
tiary  Stations  varying   according    to   different  Times 
and  Ci  re  urn  fiances)    afterwards  they  were  examin'd  ; 
and  if  approv'd,    they  came  into  the  Church  with  all 
cxprefTions  of  Sorrow,   corrfefs'd  their  Sin,  and  then 
were  AbfoJv'd  with  Impofition  of  Hands  .  But  the  Cler- 
gy were  generally  reftor'd  only  to  Lay  Communion. 

Chri/lian  Churches  were  fo  far   independent  as  to 
have  fufficient  Right  and  Power  in  themfelves  to  punifh 
and  chaftife  offending  Members:    And  yet  tbey  confi- 
der'd  themfelves  as  Parts  of  the  Church  Univerfal,  and 
had  intercourfc  with  each  other  by  Synodical  Affemblies, 
efpecially    Provincial  Synods^   which   met  at  differing 
Times ,     according    to    different    Circumftances    and 
Cuftoms.     Thefe  Synods  were  made  up  of   Biftiops, 
Presbyters,  Deacons,  and  deputed  Laymen.     They  bad 
fometimcs  One,  fometimcs  Two  Moderators.     As  to 
Forreign  Churches  they  only  advis'd:  But  to  their  own 
Churches  whom  they  repreftnted,    their  Decrees  were 
binding. 

The  Zhiity  of  the  Church  Univerfal  was  not  reckoned 
to  coniift  in  an  Uniformity  of  Rites,   or  an  Unanimity 
of  Confent  to  the  non  Effentials  of  Chriftianity  :  But  in 
an  harmonious  Affent  to  the  Effeniial  Articles  of  the 
Fairh.     The  Vmty  of  a  particular  Church  in  the  Pri- 
mitive Times  confifted  in  the  Love  and  Amity  of  the 
Members  towards  each  other,  and  the  clofc  adherence  of 
the  People  to  their  Bilhop  or  Parilh  Church.     The  breach 
of  the  latter  was  that  which  they  moft  generally  count- 
ed Schifm,    It  was  a  caufelefs  Separation  from  the  Pa- 
rilh Church:    But  they  reckon'd  a  Separation  warranta- 
ble, in  Cafe  of  Apoftacy  or  Herefie,  or  a.fcandalous  and 
wicked  Life.    Except  in  thefe  Cafes  they  counted  a  Se- 
paration Schifrnatical.  Their 


Chap.  X  VIII.  after  the  Revolution  j»  x  688.     521 

Their  Publick  H^orfhip  was  thus  manag'd.    They  be-  An.  1692. 
gan  with  reading  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  and  fomecimes 
they  ufed  to  read  other  pious  Writings.    There  was  one 
whofe  Office  it  was  to  read  5  and  more  or  lefs  was  read 
according  to    Circumftances.     This   was  followed  by 
finging  of  Pfalrns,   which  were  cither  Scriptural,  or 
of  private  Corapofition ;  and  all  the  People  here  bore 
their  Part,  but  had  no  Church  Mufick.    The  preach- 
ing of  the  Word  fucceeded;  the  moft  ufual  SubjecSts 
whereof,   were  the  LelTons  that  had  been  read  before, 
their   Sermons    being    ufually    of   an  Hours  length. 
Their  Difcourfes  they  accomodated  to  the  Capacities 
of  their  Hearers.    The  Bifliop  ufually  was  the  Preacher : 
But  a  Presbyter,  or  any  other  fit  Perfon  preach'd  in  his 
Room  if  he  defir'd  it.    After  Sermon  the  whole  Con- 
gregation fent  up  United  Prayers,  looking  toward  the 
the  Eaft ;  and  lifting  up  their  Eyes  and  Hands  towards 
Heaven.    The  Minifter  had  on  a  Pallium  or  Cloak, 
but  no  Surplice,   or    other  additional  Veftment.    He 
pronounc'd  his  Prayer  with  a  modeft  and  bafhful  Voice. 
The  Repetition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  was  not  reckon'd 
neceffary  ;   and  yet  it  was  ufual.     And  the    other 
Prayers  which  they  ufed,  were  not  impofed  Forms; 
but  the  Words  and  Expreffions  of  them,  were  left  to 
the  Prudence,  Choice,   and   Judgment  of  every  par- 
ticular Bilhop  or  Minifter.    They  had  no  fiinted  Litur- 
gies or  impos'd  Forms  of  Prayer. 

In  Bapti/m^  the  Bifliops  or  Paftors  ufually  Officiated. 
The  Perfons  baptized,  were  eiher  Infants  or  Adult  Per- 
fons.  When  Adult  Perfons  werebaptiz'd,they  abjur'd  the 
Devil,  the  World,  and  the  Flefti,  and  gave  their  Af- 
fent  to  the  Fundamental  Articles  of  the  Chriftian  Faith. 
In  the  Cafe  of  Infants,  there  were  Godfathers  or  Spon- 
fors.  After  the  Queftions  followed  Exorcifing  :  That  is, 
the  Minifter  put  his  Hands  on  the  Head  of  the  Perfon  to 
be  baptiz  d,  and  breath'd  in  his  Face,  implying  the 
expelling  of  the  Evil  Spirit  from  him.  And  then  the 
Minifter  having  confccrated  the  Water,  the  Perfon  was 
baptiz'd  in  the  Name  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Gboft. 
Their  ufual  Way  was  to  dip  the  whole  Body :  But 
Sprinkling  was  efteem*d  valid  and  not  unlawful.  Pray- 
ers afterward  foilow'd.  Then  Confirnt/ition,  which  was 
rnade  up  of  Vn&ion,  Signation,  and  Impojition  of 
Hands.    They  were  anointed,  fign'd  with  the  Sign  of 

the 


512        So?^e  Hifioncal  Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 

An.  1691.  the  Crofs,  and  the  Miniftsr  laid  his  Hands  upon  them, 
praying  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  would  defcend  and  reft 
up^n  them.  Presbyters  did  this  as  well  as  Bilhops,  up- 
on their  Permiirion,  or  in  their  Abfcnce. 

The  LordsSupper  was  celebrated  at  the  Conclufion 
of  their  fo'enw  Services,  and  when  and  where  Tfrtul^ 
lian  Jiv*d,  at  Supper  Time:  But  in  Times  of  Perfe- 
cucion,  a:  any  Scafon  or  Opportunity.  The  Commu- 
nicants were  fuch  as  were  in  the  Number  of  the  Faith- 
ful. In  France  and  .Africa  they  firft  made  their  Offe- 
rings. But  in  many  Places,  the  Minifter  firft  began 
with  an  Exhortation.  A  Prayer  was  made  over  the 
Elements  by  him  that  Ofticiaied,  to  which  the  People 
faid,  j^men.  The  Words  of  Inftitution  were  read. 
Then  the  Bread  was  broken  :  And  that  and  the  Cup 
deliver'd  to  all.  The  Pofture  was  ftanding  at  Alexan- 
drij.     And  afterwards  they  fung  a  Pfalm  or  Hymn. 

As  for  the  Place  of  Publick  Worlhip,  the  Primitive 
Chriltians  met  where  they  could  ;  and  yet  they  had 
fix'd  Places  for  itj  which  were  call'd  C/jttrc/?^/.  They 
were  eredked  on  high  open  Places,  and  made  very 
Light.  But  they  did  not  imagine  there  was  any  Holi^ 
nefs  in  thefe  Places.  Their  chief  Times  of  Worlhip 
were  the  firft  Day  of  the  Week,  on  which  they  met 
conrtantly.  This  Day  they  celebrated  with  Joyfulnefs, 
cfteem'd  Holy,  and  fpent  in  an  holy  Manner,  in  Me- 
mory of  the  Glorious  Refurredion  of  their  Redeemer, 
They  call'd  it  the  Lord's  Day-y  and  fometimes  Sunday^ 
bur  never  the  Snbb^th  Day.  Snturday  was  another  ufual 
TimeoftheirPublick  Worlhip.  They  alfoobferv'd  Rr/?j; 
fome  of  which  were  Occafional,  at  unufual  Seafons, 
according  to  Circumftances  ;  and  others  Fix'd,  and  al- 
wa^s  obferv'd  at  the  fame  Time  and  Seafon  :  Some 
of  thefe  were  Weekly,  as  PVc^^ne/day  and  Friday  :  And 
one  was  Yearly,  and  called  Lent,  Some  of  their 
Parts  ended  at  Three  in  the  AfLcrnoon,  others  lafted 
till  Evening,  and  others  till  the  Morning  of  the  next 
Day. 

They  had  alfo  their  Feajis  ;  Three  of  which  were 
Annual :  as  E.tjio ,  iVbitfundny^  and  Chriftmas,  Eafter  was 
the  moft  ancient ;  l^Vmtfunday  often  mcntiond  ;  and 
even  Chrijhn.ii  is  taken  Notice  of  by  Clemens  Alexari' 
d'inuf.  Epiphnny  was  alfo  kept  by  fome  in  Memory  of 
Chrift's  Baptifm.     The  Anniverfnriei  of  the  Martyrs  al^ 

fo 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      525 


fo  were  Feftivally  obfcrv'd,  to  encourage  others  to  fol-  -dn.  1692, 
low  their  Examples.     They  were  kept  at  the  Martyrs 
TornbrT^^nd  fpent  in  Prayers  and  Devotions. 

Several  Ceremonies  were  ufed  by  the  Ancients,  which 
crept  into  the  Church  many  Ways.  But  every  Church 
follow'd  its  own  Rites,  without  impofing  them  on  any 
other.  And  the  Members  of  every  Church  were  ob- 
liged to  obferve  thd"  Rites  of  that  Church  where  they 
liv'd.  The  Author  all  along  fupports  his  Aflenions, 
with  Citations  outof  the  Writings  of  the  Three  Firit 
Centuries;  adding  in  the  Margin,  the  Original  Words 
of  the  PalTages  cited  .  And  he  concludes  with  a  Fer- 
fwalion  to  Peace,  Unity,  and  Moderation.  But  the 
Reader  muft  not  imagine,  that  all  tbefe  Things  men- 
tion d  were  from  the  Firft  :  Tho*  all  come  within  :he 
Compafs  of  the  Three  Firft  Centuries,  yet  (tome  were 
only  of  the  Third  of  them,  which  this  Author  is  free 
in  acknowledging. 

At  this  Time  alfo  came  out  Mr.  Lock's  Third  Letter    The  Third 
for  Toleration^  in  which  he  undertook  to  Ihew  his  Ama-  Letm  of 
gonift,  that  the  moderate  Penalties  he  pleaded  for,  were  Toleia- 
but  anew  Way  of  Perficution  ;  and  that  if  he'd  be  true  tion. 
to  his  own  Principles,  he  muft  carry  his  fome  Degrees  cf 
Force,  to  all  thofe  Degrees  which  in  Words  he  declar'd 
againft.     To  the  Magijlrates  being  chligd  to  u/e  Force  to 
bring  Men  to  the  true  I^cligior,  he  replies,  that  the  Ma- 
giftrate  muft  adt  according  to  his  Belief  or  Perfwafion. 
He  can  only  ufe  Force  to  bring  Men  to  that  Religion 
which  he  believes  to  be  true.     And  if  fo,  all  Magift rates 
of  whatfoever  Religion,  muft  be  allow'd  to  ufe  Force 
to  bring  Men  no  theirs,   becaufe  they  believe  it  true. 
And  as  long  as  they  are  perfwaded  their  Religion  is 
the  true,    they  are  as  much  oblig'd  to   ufe  Force  to 
bring  Men  to  it,  as  if  it  were  the  true.    If  a  firm  Per- 
fwafion  is  fufficient  to  authorize  the  Magiftrate  to  ufe 
Force,  the  People  in  every  Country  are  given  up  to  the 
coadive  Force  of  the  Magiftrate,  to  be  employ'd  for 
the  affifting  the  Minifters  of  his  Religion  :    And  King 
Lewis  of  good  Right  comes  in  with    his  Dragoons. 
And  they  that  punilh  others  for  not  being  of  the  Reli- 
gion which  they  judge  to  be  true,  are  Judges  of  Truth 
for  others,   let  it  be  done  to  bring  them  to  judge  more 
fxncerely  for  themfelveSy  or  under  what  Pretence  or  Co- 
Ipur  foever.    If  the  Magiftrate  punifhes  a  Man  becaufe 
r  •  -  hs 


524         Some  Hiftorkal  Additions     Cbap.  XV III. 

An.  i5c2.be  judges  him  in  an  Error:  'Tis  queried,  Why  is  not 
a  Man  as  fit  to  judge  for  himfelf  when  he  is  in  an  Er- 
ror, as  another  to  judge  for  him,  who  is  as  liable  to 
Error  himfelf  ?  He  that  punilhes  another  to  make  him 
confrder,  takes  upon  him  to  judge  for  him  what  is 
right  in  Matters  of  Religion.  He  that  is  of  any  Re- 
ligion, has  already  judg'd  for  hinafelf:  And  if  you  pu- 
nifh  him  after  that,  under  Pretence  to  make  him 
confider,  that  he  may  judge  for  himfelf,  'ti»  plain  you 
punifti  him  to  make  him  judge  otherwife  than  he  has  al- 
ready judg'd,  and  to  judge  as  you  have  judg'd  for  him. 
To  have  a  Power  to  ufe  Force  in  Religion,  vefted  in 
the  Magiftrate,  takes  away  the  Care  of  Men's  Souls 
from  themfelves,  and  places  it  in  the  Magiftrates  ra- 
ther than  in  themfelves. 

A  Commifjion  may  well  be  demanded,  by  which  Ma- 
giftrates  are  authorized  for  this.  Good  Proof  of  it  may 
be  the  rather  infifted  on,  becaufe  it  is  fo  evident  that 
the  Execution  of  fuch  a  Commiflion  would  do 
more  Harm  than  Good.  Its  not  very  likely  God 
fhould  give  fuch  a  Commiffion.  If  the  Magi- 
ftrates  Authority  may  do  much  towards  the  upholding 
and  preferving  the  true  Religion  within  his  Jurifdi- 
dHon,  it  may  alfo  do  much  towards  the  upholding  and 
preferving  a  falfe  Religion,  and  ( if  that  will  do )  to 
eftablifli  it.  No  Man  has  or  can  have  Authority  to 
ihut  any  one  out  of  the  Church  of  Chrift,  for  that 
for  which  Chrift  himfelf  will  not  (hut  him  out  of  Hea- 
ven. Whoever  does  fo,  is  truly  the  Author  and  Pro- 
moter of  Schifm  and  Divifion,  lets  up  a  Secft,  and  tears 
in  Pieces  the  Church  of  Chrill,  of  which  every  one 
who  believes,  and  pradtifes  what  is  neccffary  to  Salva- 
tion,  is  a  Part  and  Member ;  and  cannot,  ■■  without  the 
Guilt  of  Schifm,  be  feparated  from,  or  kept  out  of  its 
external  Communion.  To  punifh  Dilfenters  as  Diffen- 
rers,  to  make  them  confider,  has  fomething  impractica- 
ble in  it,  unlefs  not  to  be  of  the  National  Religion, 
and  not  to  confider  be  the  fame  Thing.  *Tis  pleaded 
I  hey  are  punilhed,  for  rejeHing  the  true  ^^'gion,  of 
vphich  fufficient  Evidence  xom  tendered  them.  But  how 
can  it  be  known,  That  ever  fufficicnt  Evidence  was 
tendered  to  fuch  Diffenters  as  are  punifti'd,  to  prove 
that  what  they  rejed,  is  a  Part  of  that  ©ne  only  true 
Religion,   which  unlefs  they  be  of,  they  cannot  be 

favd. 


Chap.XVIlI.  after  the  Revolutiontn  1688.     5x5 

fav'd  ?  Or  indeed  how  can  it  be  known,  that  any  An.  1592. 
Dilfemer  rejeds  that  one  only  true  Religion,  when 
being  pnnilh'd  barely  for  not  conforming,  he  is  never 
ask'd,  what  Part  it  is  he  diffents  from  or  lejetas  ? 
Withal,  as  the  Power  of  punifhing  (if  itbeallow'd) 
cannot  be  limited  to  any  diftind  Sort  of  Magiftrates, 
nor  can  the  DifTenters  from  any  National  Religion  be 
exempted,  fo  neither  can  the  Punifliment  be  limited 
to  any  Degree  (hort  of  the  higheft.  //  moderate  Pu- 
ni(hments  are  needful^  the  higheft  will  be  fo.  If  the 
loweft  Degree  of  Force  be  necelTary  where  gentler 
Means  will  not  prevail  ;  higher  Degrees  of  Force  are 
neceffary,  where  lower  will  not  prevail,  for  the  lame 
Reafon.  If  Force  be  the  Remedy,  it  muft  be  propor- 
tioned to  the  Oppofition.  Where  Force  is  proper  to 
Work,  they  who  are  not  wrought  on  by  lower  De- 
grees, may  yet  be  by  higher.  If  the  Meafure  of  the 
Penalties  inflided  be  to  be  determined  by  the  Prudence 
and  Experience  of  Magiftrates,  whatever  Degrees  of 
Force  they  Ihall  ufe,  will  always  be  the  Right.  And 
where  there  is  a  Fauk  to  be  correded  by  the  Magiftrates 
Force,  there  no  Degree  of  Force  which  is  ineffectual, 
and  not  fufficient  to  amend  it,  can  be  immoderate; 
efpecially  if  it  be  a  Fault  of  great  Moment  in  its  Con- 
fequences,  as  certainly  that  muft  be,  which  draws  after 
it  the  Lofs  of  Men's  Eternal  Happinefs. 

But  the  Meafure  of  Punifhments  is  to  be  eftimated 
as  well  by  the  Length  of  their  Duration,  as  the  In- 
tenfenefs  of  their  Degrees.  'Tis  faid  Men  muft  be 
panifhed  as  long  as  they  reject  the  true  I{eligion  ?  If  fo, 
then  they  that  punilh  them,  muft  be  Judges  for  therai 
what  is  the  true  Religion.  Then  alfo  they  that  offend 
God,  muft  be  always  fubjedb  to  Punilhment  from  Men. 
Nay,  then  the  Punifliment  inflided,  might  as  well  be 
altogether  forborn;  For  if  it  be  reafonable  to  continue 
a  Man  feveral  Years,  nay,  his  whole  Life,  under  the 
fame  repeated  Punifliments,  without  going  any  higher, 
tho*  they  work  not  at  all  j  becaufe  it  is  polfible  they 
may  fome  Time  or  other  work  upon  him,  why  is  it  not 
as  reafonable  and  ufcful  (as  it  is  much  more  juftifiable 
and  charitable)  to  leave  him  all  his  Life  under  the 
Means,  which  all  agree  God  has  appointed,  without 
going  any  higher,  becaufe  it  is  not  impoflible  that  fome 
Time  or  other  Preaching  may  work  upon  him  ? 

The 


526         Some  Hiftoncal  Additions     Chap.  XVI If, 

Jln.  1 6^1.  The  ufing  Force  with  a  Defign  to  bring  Men  to  the 
true  I{eligioti,  tho*  it  Jooks  plaufible,  is  hut  a  Pretence^ 
Bringing  Men  to  the  true  I{rligion  in  this  Cafe,  is  a  bring- 
ing them  to  Conformity  to  the  National ;  (which  being 
reach'd.  Force  is  laid  afide)  and  how  far  that  outward 
Conformity  is  from  being  heartily  of  the  true  Religion, 
may  be  known  by  the  Diftance  there  is  between  the 
ealieftand  the  hardcft  Thing  in  the  World.  If  Penal- 
ties are  ufed  in  Engltind  to  bring  Men  to  the  true  Reli- 
gion, then  the  Difcipline  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church 
of  Englnnij  make  up  a  Part  of  the  only  true  Religion  : 
For  the  grsateft  Part  of  DifTent^rs  own  and  profefs 
the  Dodnne  of  that  Church,  as  firmly  as  thofe  in  its 
Communion.  But  all  that  Force  can  do,  is  to  bring 
Men  to  an  outward  Profeflion  of  the  Religion  of  the 
Church  of  England.  And  why  (hould  Force  be  ufed  to 
promote  Ceremonies,  under  a  Pretence  of  bring- 
ing Men  to  the  true  Religion  ?  Are  Kneeling  at  the 
Lord's  Supper,  or  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  neceflary 
to  Salvation  }  Can  any  Humane  Power,  make  a  Thing 
in  its  own  Nature  indifferent,  neceffary  to  Salvation  ? 
If  it  cannot,  then  neither  can  any  Humane  Power  b« 
juftified  in  the  Ufe  of  Force,  to  bring  Men  to  Con- 
formity in  the  Ufe  of  fuch  Things.  Force  cannot  be 
lawfully  us'd  to  bring  Men  to  the  Communion  of  the 
Church  of  England^  till  it  is  prov'd,  that  all  that  is  re- 
quir'd  of  one  in  that  Communion,  is  neceffary  to  Sal- 
vation. And  if  Force  be  neceffary  to  bring  Men  to 
Salvation,  how  can  there  be  fo  many  as  there  are,  not 
only  in  moft  Country  Pariflies,  but  in  all  Parts  of 
England,  grofly  ignorant  in  the  Dndtrines  and  Prin- 
ciples of  the  Chriffian  Religion  ?  Why  fhould  it  not 
find  out  fome  of  the  ignorant  and  no'^onfidering,  that 
are  in  the  National  Church,  as  well  ns  it  does  fo  di- 
ligently, all  the  Nonconformifts  out  of  it,  whether 
they  have  confider'd,  or  are  knowing  or  noP  They 
that  make  flridk  Laws  for  Conformity,  and  take  no 
Care  to  have  it  examind  upon  what  Grounds  Men 
conform,  are  not  very  much  concern  d  that  Men's  Un- 
derflandings  fliould  be  convinc'd.  The  Scriptural  Me- 
thods are  beft,  to  bring  Men  to  true  Religion,  which 
lies  not  in  Externals,  Whatever  the  Religion  be,  it  is 
natural  for  Force  and  Penalties  when  us'd  to  bring  the 
Irreligious,    and  thofe  who   are  carelefi  and   uncon- 

cern*(* 


Chap.  XVIH.  after  the  Revokthn  in  1688,      527 

cern  d  into  ihc  National  ProfefTion  :  But  whether  it  be  -4«.  16-92, 
not  fitter  for  fuch  to  be  kept  out,  rather  than  by  Force 
to  be  driven  into  the  Communion  of  any  Church,  and 
own'd  as  Members  of  it,  deferves  the  Confideration  of 
fuch  as  have  a  due  Care  and  Refpe£t  for  truly  Religious 
and  Pious  Conformifts. 

After  all,  the  Chriftian  Religion  prevail'd  in  the  Firft 
Ages  of  the  Church,  by  its  own  Beauty,  Force,  and 
Reafonablenefs,  without  any  Penal-Laws  to  back  it: 
And  it  is  as  able  to  prevail  now,  as  it  did  at  firft,  and  has 
done  fince  in  many  Places.  All  die  AlTiftance  it  needs 
from  Authority,  is  only  a  Liberty  for  ic  to  be  truly 
taught.  There  is  no  more  Neceflity  of  Force  to  make 
Men  of  the  true  Religion,  than  there  is  of  Caftration 
to  make  Men  Chafte  :  And  therefore  the  Magiftrate 
may  as  well  caftrace  Men  to  make  them  Chafte,  as 
ufe  Force  to  make  them  embrace  the  Truth  that  muft 
fave  them,  (^c 

This  Year  the  Jacobites  rejoic'd  at  the  Ruin  of  our^;,.  i^c?, 
Smirna  Fleet,  and  the  ill  Succefs  of  the  Battle  of  Lnn- 
den  ;  as  they  ufualiy  did  at  every  Thing  which  they  ap- 
prehended might  weaken  King  TVilUam^  or  promote  the 
Incereft  of  their  old  Mafter.     The  Conteft  between  the 
two  Parties  in  the  Church,  of  England,   continu'd  much 
upon    the  fame  foot   as  before.      In   November    died 
Dr.  Bancroft,    the  late  Archbilhop  of  Canterbury,    ^i -^rchhl/hojf 
Fretchingfield  in  Suffolk,   the  Place  of  his  Birth;  and?^"^°^^** 
where  he   liv*d  in  Solitude  and  Retirement  affer  his  ^^'*"'- 
being   deprived.     His  Condudi  afcer  the  Revolution 
in    T  688.  is  hard  to  be  accounted  for.     He  left  his  Au- 
thority intirely  with  his  Chancellor,    tvho   aHing   in   his 
f^ame  and  by  his  Commijfion,  xoas  the  fame  Perfon  in  Law 
with  himfelf.     Oaths  were  tender  d  to  others,  and  tal{en  by 
them  in  his  Name^  which  he  tho^t  un- 
lawful *.     The  other  Bifliops  that        *  See  the  Bl/hop  of  Sarum'i 
were  deprived,  alfo  generally  did    Vindication  :  Printed  for  Ri- 
the  fame.    When  the  Eledion  of    chard  Chifwel,  8^,1^96./'.  14^ 
Dr.  Burnet  to  Sarum  was  returned     22,  95,  &c. 
and  confirm'd  ,  the  Precept  for  his 
Confecration  went  to  the  Archbiftiop  in  Courfe.     Arch' 
hi/hop  Sancroft  faid  he  would  not  obey  it.     Some  Bifhops 
tried  to  perfwade  hint^    but  in  vain.     The  Earl  of  Not- 
tingham tried,  and  fucceeded  no  better,     The  Party  got  it 
among  them,  that  he  had  promifed  them  not  to  do  it.     But 

4i 


528         Some  Hiftorical  Additions     Chap.  X  VIIL 


An,  l5p3.  as  the  Time  came    on,    and    he   faw  that   he   mufl    be 
fued  in  a  Premunire,  vohen  this  was  laid  before  him,  he 
all  on  the  fudden  ordered  two  CommiJJions  to  be  drawn,  both 
which  he  Jjgnd  and  Jealed  :  One  direcled  to  the  Archbijhop 
of  York,   nnd    all  the  Bifhops  of  England  ;    the  other  to 
the  Bifloop  of  London,  and  all  the  Bifhops  of  the  Province^ 
to  execute  his    M;tropolitical  Authority  during   Pleafure, 
This  Ijfi  was  made  ufe  of,  and  purfuant  to  it^  Dr.  Burnet 
was  Confecrated :    So  that  this  was  as  much  his  own  Adt, 
Hii  Con-  as  if  he  himfelf  had   Confecrated  him.     Indeed  in  that 
du6h  after   Part  of  his  Deportment  which  related  to  the  Publick,^  there 
the  Rero/u-  was  jomething  very  fingular,  either  in  his  Opinion,    or  in 
tton.  Ijij  Temper.     Either  his  Opinion  of  the  Eftablifloment  dif- 

fered from  his  BrethrenSy  or  he  hadaFearfulnefs  of  Temper, 
that  neither  became  his  Pofi,  mr  thofe  Times.  He  was 
one  of  thofe  Lords  that  met  at  GuildhaH  and  fignd  the 
Invitation  to  the  then  Prince  of  Orange,  to  come  and  look, 
to  the  Prefervation  of  Religion,  and  of  the  Nation,  When 
the  Prince  came  to  St.  JaraesV,  he  neither  waited  upon  him, 
nor  did  he  fend  any  Mejfage  ,  importing  that  the  State  of 
Affairs  was  changed^  and  that  he  had  thereupon  changed 
his  Mind,  IVhen  the  Convention  was  fummond,  he 
would  not  appear  all  the  while,  tho  his  Brethren  did,  and 
both  fpak^e  and  voted  according  to  their  Principles.  The 
Matter  finely  fo  many  Days  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  and 
was  at  lafl  carried  upon  fo  fmall  an  Inequality,  that  the 
weight  of  an  Archbijhop  of  Csinteibury  might  have  held, 
if  not  turned  the  Ballance,  No  Man  did  run  any  risk^  «- 
tber  at  that  Time  or  afterwards^for  the  Freedom  with  which 
he  debated  or  voted.  Here  was  a  very  unaccountable  Beha- 
viour, if  he  thdt  it  was  either  Rebellion  or  Treafon  that 
was  then  in  debate.  If  he  had  but  once  come  and  decla/d 
againfl  all  that  was  then  in  Agitation,  and  then  with- 
drawn ;  this  would  have  become  him  and  his  Station,  His 
Chaplains  took  the  Oaths,  and  were  not  difcountenanc'd  by 
him :  Thofe  that  kpew  him  heft,  gave  it  outj  upon  that 
ftrange  Deportment  of  his,  that  he  wipod  well  to  the 
Change,  only  that  he  himfelf  would  not  be  aHive  in  it ; 
and  this  phey  imputed  to  fame  Promife^  that  they  believed 
he  had  made  to  the  late  King,  When  Kjng  James  went 
to  Ireland,  and  during  aU  the  Time  of  that  War,  when 
the  Party  in  England  ^rfip  bold  and  was  full  of  Hopes, 
he  continud  in  his  former  Silence  and  B^fervcdnefs  ;  and 
ftill  kept  up  his  former  Friend/hip  with  thofs  who  had  taken 

the 


■  ' 

Chap.  XVIH.  after  t/je  Revolution  in  1 68S.       529 


fhe  Oaths.  A(  that  Time  Jeveral  Clergymen  who  had  An,  16^5*. 
Scruples  concerning  the  Oaths  voent  to  him,  and  defird  to 
Difccurfe  the  Matter  with  him,  hut  he  declined  it.  i^hen 
Bijhop  Turner'j  Letters  were  intercepted  he  /aid  to  a  great 
many,  that  he  had  no  Authority  from  him  to  write  as  he 
did  in  his  Name.  After  he  was  deprived,  he  never  tool^  on 
him  to  AB  with  his  Archiepifeopal  Authority.  He  never 
flood  upon  his  I{ight,  nor  complained  of  H^rong,  irt  any 
Puhlici{_  AB  or  Protejiation.  He  never  requir'^d  the  Bi' 
/hops  or  Clergy  of  his  Province  to  adhere  to  him,  or  to 
difown  his  Succejfor  5  and  neither  living  nor  dyings  did  he 
fuhlifh  any  Thing  to  the  Nation,  charging  thefe  Things 
upon  them,  or  requiring  them  to  return  to  their  former 
State.  And  yet  if  all  that  was  done,  was  Rebellion, 
Treafon,  Murder,  or  Perjury,  thefe  can  be  no  light  Mat^ 
Iters,  He  who  was  at  the  Head  of  the  Churchy  if  he  tho't 
Jo  of  them,  ought  to  have  life  up  his  Voice  like  a 
Trumpet,  and  have  cried  alond,  and  not  have  fpared„ 
It  was  vifihle  to  all  who  faw  the  State  of  Affairs^  that 
he  would  have  been  in  no  Danger  if  he  had  done  it^  But 
fuppofe  he  had  been  in  Danger,  ought  not  fuch  a  ^nn  as 
he  was,  to  have  facrificd  his  Life,  rather  than  have  aban-^ 
dond  fuch  a  Pofl,  and  have  been  filent  at  fuch  a  Time  ? 
Since  therefore  fuch  a  H^ay  of  proceeding  is  not  reconcile" 
able  with  an  Apodolical  or  Primitive  Spirit^  and  lool{s  lil^e 
not  only  a  deferting,  but  a  betraying  the  Obligations  that 
he  lay  under  :  It  is  the  moji  favourable  Judgment  that 
can  be  made  of  him,  to  thitik.  that  he  was  more  indifferent 
in  this  Matter,  than  Jome  would  make  lit  believe  he  was  t 
That  tho  he  would  net  aB,  nor  l{eep  his  Poji  under  the 
Government^  yet  that  flowed  from  particular  Confidera^ 
tions,  which  tho*  they  might  worl^  upon  himfelf,  yet  he 
aBed  for  the  Caufe  itfelf  with  no  ^eal  nor  Courage.  But 
hotwichftanding  all  this,  there  were  fome  that  highly 
applauded  hinfi.  And  three  of  his  Sermons-  preach'd 
upon  Publick  Occafions,  ( which  were  all  he  ever 
Printed)  were  Reprinted,  fome  Time  afcer  with  a 
Pompous  Charadier  and  Eiogium  of  him  prefixed; 

A  noble  Peer  (whom  I  have  cited  before,)  in  his 
Charge  to  the  Grand  Jury  at  the 

Quarter  Seflions  for  the  County  of        ^  see  the  Earl  of  Warrington's 
Chefter  %  about  this  Time,  fays  a-     charge,  in  the  State  TraCfs  of 
mong  other  Things,   That  there    Km^  William,  f^el.  2.  p.  34^* 
are  fome  People^  who  are  afraid  of 

M  m  their 


550       Some  Hi floricd  Addition,      Chap,  XVIII. 

An,  1695-  ^^^^"^  Shadows,  For  (fays  he)  how  the  Church  can  be  hurt 
by  any  Lavps  that  concern  the  State^  is  not  eafily  to  be  com" 
prehendedy  if  thoje  Lavps  ejlablijb  no  other  Gojpel,  than 
that  which  was  delivered  by  our  Saviour,  Nothing  can 
hurt  the  Church  but  itfelf^  and  it  is  never  more  in  D anger , 
than  when  it  is  in  its  greatefi  Pomp  and  Grandeur,  The 
Deceit  of  thfi  k  very  plain ;  becaufe  they  that  baul  mofi  of 
the  Danger  that  the  Church  is  in,  have  the  leafi  of  l^f- 
ligion  in  their  Lives:  For  thofe  who  live  andZJnderJiand 
better^  fee  the  Folly  of  it,  as  alfo  of  that  DoBrine  of  Paf- 
five  Obedience  aud  Non-Refiftance,  which  many  crjd 
•up  as  the  Corner-Jione  cf  the  Church  ;  a  Burden  which  they 
vpere  forward  to  lay  upon  other  People* s  Shoulders,  yet  when 
it  came  to  their  own  Turn,  none  were  Jo  uneafy  under  it 
AS  they.  For  when  their  Bjghts  came  to  be  touched,  no 
Mens  Mouths  were  fo  full  of  Liberty  and  Property  as 
their*j  9  but  now  that  the  Storm  is  pretty  well  blown  over^ 
they  are  angry  that  that  .Liberty  is  granted  to  others 
which  yet  they  promifed  to  covfent  to,  and  are  returned  to 
where  they  were,  in  fupporting  that  arbitrary  DoBrine. 

Great  Heats  were  this  Year  continued  among  the 
Diffenters  about  Dodrinal  Matters.  Mr.  iVilliams  now 
publifll'd  his  Defence  cf  Gcfpel  Truth,  in  Anfwer  to 
Mr.  Chancy.  And  Dr.  John  Edwards  of  Cambridge^ 
}oin'd  in  Concurrence,  in  a  Book  intituled,  Crifpianijm 
unmask' d  ;  or  a  Difcovery  of  the  feveral  erroneous  Alfer- 
tions  and  pernicious  Do(^rines,  maintained  in  Dr.  Crifp's 
Sermons  :  And  Mr.  Chancey  publifli'd  feveral  Contro- 
verfial  Trafts  :  And  the  Debate  widened  inftcad  of 
leffening ;  while  others  Jaoiented  to  fee  the  Confc- 
quences  of  ihefe  Heats  upon  real  Vital  Religion. 
Mr.  Tong'5  At  this  Time  came  out  a  Defence  of  Mr.  Henrys 
yindica-  Brief  Enquiry  into  the  Nature  of  Schifm^  and  the  Vindicc^ 
tion  ofNoti'  tion  of  it :  with  [{efieHions  upon  a  Pamphlet  caS'd  the  Sf- 
conformity,  i^iew  :  Arid  a  Brief  H'lflorical  Account  of  Nonconformity^ 
from  the  Information  to  this  prefent  Time  :  written  by 
Mr.  Tong  ;  in  4to.  The  Reader  may  here  fee  a  juft 
Account  of  Catholiek^  Vnity,  which  has  been  moft  un- 
mercifully tortured,  and  made  ufe  of  to  frighten  the 
Weak  and  Timerous,  and  chaftifc  the  more  refolutc 
Oppofers  of  Spiritual  Ufurpation  and  Tyranny.  No- 
thing belongs  to  it,  but  what  belongs  to  the  Being  of 
the  Church* 

Ii 


Chap.  XVIII.   afierthe  Revalfitionin  1688,     531 

It  is  either  Political  ot  Moral.  Political  ZJnity^  is  that  An.  i6^^i 
whereby  all  the  true  Members  of  the  Church  are  united 
unto  Chrift  their  Head,  and  that  is  by  true  Faith, 
The  Moraly  is  that  by  which  they  are  united  one  to 
another;  by  Chriftian  Lox;^,  which  in  feme  Degree 
follows  the  former.  'Tis  the  fornner  that  primarily^ 
neceffariiy,  and  immediately  constitutes  that  facred  So- 
ciety, the  Church  of  God.  In  which  Scripture,  Fa- 
thers,, and ,  Reformers  agree.  By  this  Faith,  the  true 
Members  of  the  Church  are  united  in  the  Love  and 
Service  of  one  God,  and  fo  diftinguifli'd  from  Pagans^ 
and  in  Affiance  in  one  Mediator,  and  fo  are  diftin- 
guifli'd front  Mabumetans  and  Dcijis ;  and  in  the  gra- 
cious Influences  of  one  Spirit,  and  fo  are  diftihguilhed 
from  impenitent  fenfual  Perfons ;  and  in  one  Rule  of 
Faith,  Worftiip,  and  Obedience  ;  and  in  one  Baptifm. 
And  this  is.  the  Unity  defcrib'd,  Eph.  4,  5,  6.  The 
Moral  tJnity,  by  which  the  Mfembers  are  knit  together 
in  Love,  admits  of  various  Degrees,  and  is  fubje£l  to 
linful  Declenfions :  But  he  that  is  wholly  without  it, 
can  never  know  that  he  hath  pafled  from  Death  to 
Life.  This  Love  Chrift  makes  the  Badge  and  Gha- 
radkeriftickofhis  Difciples.  A  regular  Miniftry,  is  not 
effential  to  this  Unity  *.  To  affirm  that  no  Man  can  ^  See  this 
be  truly  converted,  but  by  a  regular  Miniftry,  would  debated,  ^ 
involve  the  Minds  of  Men  in  endlefs  Perplexities.  P*  5)  ^>^^° 
This  is  confirm'd  by  various  Teftimonies.  And  fince 
the  Vnity  of  the  Church  confifts  in  the  true  Catholicfe 
Faith  and  Ghriftian  Affection,  whereby  Men  are  knit 
to  Chrift  the  Head,  and  to  one  another  ;  none  are  out 
of  the  Unity  of  the  Church,  but  thofe  that  are  deftitute 
of  thefe  Fundamental  Graces:  And  to  affirm  this  of 
Proteftant  Dijfenters  in  General,  is  a  Piece  bf  Diabo-: 
lifm  which  the  Gofpel  abhors,  a.nd  Humanity  it  felf 
will  be  aftiamed  of.  The  Author  in  Chap.  2.  proceeds 
to  clear  the  Nonconformifts,  from  the  Charge  of  Dif- 
obedience  to  Superiors;  whether  Spiritual  Governors 
the  Biihops  ;  or  the  Civil  Magiftrate.  And  he  makes 
ufe  of  a  threefold  Plea  : 

I.  That  Bi/hops  have  no  Power  ly  the  LavQ  of  God,  but 
Tvhat  Presbyters  have  as  well  as  they:  From  p.  17,  to 
/>i  bS  :  He  here  proves.  That  the  Jurifdi^ion  of  Eng" 
lifh  Biihops  is.  not  Jure  Divino  ;  but  Presbyters  have  a^ 
much  Power  by  the  Law  of  God  as  they :  Anfwers 

Mm  »  Alk- 


532        Some  Hi fioricdl Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 


An.  169^.  Allegations  out  of  Antiquity  :  And  gives  the  Judg- 
ment of  Fathers,  Councils,  and  School-men  ;  together 
with  the  firft  Reformers,  and  forreign  Divines.  And 
from  thence  he  infers  that  Ordination  by  Presbyters 
muit  neeus  be  valid,  />.  39 :  And  that  there  is  no  Ne- 
cefliiy  of  an  uninterrupted  Line  of  Succeflion,  from  the 
Apoftles,  p,  40,  (^c, 

1.  He  pleads,  That  the  vpholejurifdi&ion  of  our  Eng- 
lifli  Bifiofs,  and  the  Powsr  of  their  CanonSy  is  derivd 
from  the  Civil  Magifirate^  and  Lnvps  of  the  Land,  p.  53, 
&c. 

3.  He  pleads,  That  the  Civil  Power  has  nox9  left  us 
to  ofir  Lilfcrry  in  the  Cafe  of  Conformity,  and  therefore  we 
are  7iot  Guilty  of  Difobedienee  to  Authority  in  what  we  do, 
p.  60. 

He  goes  on  Chap.  4.  to  clear  the  Nonformifls,  from 
ihe  Charge  of  Ihdecency  and  Irregularity.  He  confi- 
tiers  the  Nature  and  Rule  of  Decency,  f.  66.  And 
vindicates  the  DilTenters  from  the  Charge  of  Indecency 
in  Expreliion,  p.  68.  Gefture,  p.  69.  And  Habir, 
p.  70.  Shews  that  there  is  no  pofitive  Deceocy  in  the 
Ceremonies,  /?.  7 1 .  Makes  fome  Refledkions  upon  Pa- 
rifh  Order,  />.  72.  And  upon  the  Terms  of  Conformi- 
ty, py  735  and  the  Reafons  of  Nonconformity,  />.  75. 
And  anfwers  the  common  Arguments  produced  for  the 
Impofition  of  Ceremonies,  p.  79. 

In  the   Refledlions  on  the   £(j:mew,    the  Notion  of 

Schifm  is  farther  confider  d,  and  divers  others  Matters. 

And  in  the  Clofe  an  Appendix  is  added  that  is  Hifto- 

rical,  which  tho'  ihort,  is  clear  and  ftrong. 

A  Tied  for      Now  alfo  came  out  A  Pica  for  Abatement  in  Matters 

Abate-       of  Conformity^  to  feveral  Injundlions  and  Orders  of  the 

mentis  by    Church  of  England.     By  Irenaus  Junior  5  a  Conforming 

an  Ano-      Member  of  the  Church  of  England :  In  ^to.    The  Author 

nymous      begins  with  an  Intimation,  that  if  the  many  earned  and 

Churchman  repeated  Promifes  of  Perfons  in  Extremity,  could  lay  an 

Obligation  of  Performance  upon  them,    to  pay  their 

Vows  whenever  they  become  folvcnt,   there  were  many 

of  no  fmall  Figure  and  Intercft  in  the  Church,  under 

no  mean  Tie  to  find  out  an  Expedient  and  Temper,  to 

heal  thofc  Breaches  which   feveral  controverted  Rites 

and   Ceremonies  of  the  Church  had  unhappily  occa- 

fion'd.     And  he  mentions  fonie,  That  in  the  height  of 

the  Siorm  promifed  a  Candle  as  tall  as  their  Main- 


Chap.  XVIIL  aft  er  the  Revolution  iniSSi.      553 

Ma/^,  who  when  that  was  allay *d,  tho'tone  burnt  into  An.  16^^, 
the  Socket,  too  coftly  a  Sacrifice  to  offer  up,  for  the  Peace 
and  Unity  of  the  Church.  He  however,  (and  he  inti- 
mates he  is  not  alone  neither)  moves  for  ConcefHons, 
in  Hopes  of  gaining  fome  of  the  DifTenters  at  leaft,  and 
preventing  the  fcattering  of  others  that  frequent  the  Pub- 
lick  Churches.  He  moves  that  fome  Regard  may  be 
had  to  the  tender  Confciences  of  Conformifts,  wh© 
haye  a  long  Time  Iain  under  an  heavy  Burden  :  Who 
like  IJfachnr  have  rather  chewed  the  Cud  than  divided 
the  Hoof :  Bit  the  Bridie,  than  fnarl'd  at  the  Gover- 
nors of  it. 

He  moves,  (i.)  For  dropping  the  Surplice  and  Ha- 
bits, of  which  he  declares  feveral  of  the  firft  Refor- 
mers had  no  Fondnefs:  And  begs  that  for  the  Future 
the  Righteoufnefs  of  the  Saints  may  be  a  fufficient 
Qualification  for  the  Minifi:erial  Office,  tho'  they  fliould 
appear  in  no  other  clean  Linnen  in  Time  of  Wor- 
(hip  ;  according  to  B^veL  19.  8.  (i.)  As  for  the  Sign 
of  the  Crofs,  which  other  Pioteftant  Churches  rejecSted 
as  fuperftitious,  and  an  unnecelTary  Addition  to  the 
Sacrament  of  Baptifm,  and  the  infifting  on  which 
tempted  fome  to  let  their  Children  die  unbaptiz'd,  he 
moves  that  it  might  be  abated  or  left  indifferent. 
(^.)  As  for  Kjieeling  at  the  Lord's  Supper,  tho'  it  be  an 
ExprefiSon  of  Reverence  when  it  is  accompanied  with 
a  devout  Heart,  yet  he  pleads  'tis  hard  to  force  Mini- 
fters  to  deny  Children  their  Bread,  meerly  for  a  Rite 
which  the  Impofers  themfelves  own  to  be  indifferent  ; 
And  therefore  he  begs,  Th^c  that  alfo  may  be  left  in- 
different. C  4. )  In  the  Liturgy^  he  moves  that  the 
Form  and  Method  of  it  may  be  reconfidered,  fince  it  is 
much  of  the  I{pman  Stamp  :  That  Church-Mujicl^  may 
be  fo  ordered,  as  that  People  may  not  be  tempted 
to  miflake  the  tickling  of  the  Ears,  for  an  Elation  of 
Mind,  and  Heavenly  Rapture  :  That  David's  Pfalms 
may  be  read  in  the  Nevy  Tranllation  ;  as  vvell  as  the 
teft  of  Scripture;  and  read  by  the  Minifter,  rathef 
than  alternately  by  Minifter  and  People:  That  the 
reading  Second  Service  at  the  Altar,  may  be  wav'd  as 
itot  to  Edification.  He  would  alfo  have  the  Length  of 
the  Seivice  confidered,  and  fome  Abatement  made. 
This  he  fays,  falls  Heavy  in  Country  Villages,  where 
they  qaat  be  a.t  the  Charge  of  Readers.    He  repre- 

Mm  3  fent^ 


5:?4       ^ome  Hijidrical  Additions      Chap.  XVIH. 

m   •  ■       , .  

uin.  i6<^^.  fenrs  it  as  a  Grievance,  that  the  moft  difficult  and  con- 
ftant  Labour   Ihould    meet  with  the  Icaft  Encourage- 
ment :  And  moves  that  Matters  may  be  fo  ordered,  as 
that  poor  Country  Minifters  may  not  be  forc'd  to  fink 
dov,'n    under    two  Heavy  Burdens   of  the  Desk   and 
PuJpit.     He  moves  that  the  Lords  Prayer  and  DoxoJogy, 
mayn't  be  fo  often  repeated  at  the  fame  Time,  leaft 
People  ftiould  apprehend  they  tho't  to  be  accepted  for 
much  Speaking.     He  moves  that  the  ArticJes  of  Faith, 
and  Subject  Matter  of  Prayer  might  be  clear  and  per- 
fpiquous  ;  and  would  have  the  Article  of  the  Dejcent 
into  Hell  alter'd,    it  having  been  fo  much  controverted. 
He's  for  an  Abatement  of  the  Athanafian  Creed    (  com- 
monly fo  caifd  )  that  the  Gate  of  Heaven  may  not  be 
^ade  narrower  than  God  hath  made  it.     As  to  B^genc 
ratio7iby  the  Spirit,  which  is  fo  great  aThing,  he  moves 
that  there  may  be  no  Infinuation,  as  if,  wherever  the 
Means  were  ufed,  the  End  were  ex  opere  operato  cer- 
tainly attained  :  And  for  the  Office  of  the  Burial  of 
the  Dead,  he's  for  having  it  fo  manag'd,  as  that  there 
might  be  a  Separation  of  the  Precious  from  the  Vile  ; 
and  rx)  hoping  againft  Hope,  nor  contrary  to  it.     He 
moves  that  the  ColleHs  for  the  King,  and  thofe  in  Au- 
thority may  be  fo  ordered,  as  that  the  Living  may  not 
be  flatter'd  :  That  the  Office  of  Confirmation  might  be 
allow'd,  to  all  thofe  to  whom  is  committed  theDifpen- 
iation  of  the  Oracles  of   God,  and  Holy  Sacraments. 
'And  as  to  Difclpline,  he  moves  that  the  Minifter  of  the 
Parifh  might  be  impower'd  to  aflift  the  Birtiop,  wheil 
any  of  his  Fjock  are  coavented  as  Criminals:  That 
Difcipline  might  not  be  more  quick  figbted  in  Matters 
of  Conformity,    than   in  Morals.     He  complains  that 
Non-Refittance  and  Paffive  Obedience  were  the  Uni- 
verfal   Cry  in  the  Church,  and  fquecz'd  till  the  Blood 
came  ;  But  the  Mifchief  was,  when  they  had  nurft  the 
Prerogative  till  it  had  ftung  fome  of  them,  and  hifs'd 
at   all  the  reft,  they  prefently  let  the  World  fee,  they 
never  brew'd  this  Dodtrine  for  their  own  Drinking. 
Then  (fa'. s  he)  they  acknowledg'd  wc   fuffer  juftjy, 
but  \vhat  have  our  Brethren  done,  whom  we  purfu'd 
with   fuch  Revenge  and   Rage  ?     Then  they  confeft 
that  ihey  facrific'd  the  Intereft  of  the  Church   to  their 
Malice  :    But  if  the  Diffenters  would  forbear  to  com- 
ply with  the  Common  Enemy,  they  would  do  great 

Things 


Ghap.  XVIII.  after  the RevolHtlon  in  i6%^.      555 

Things  for  them,  whenever  they  came  again  into  their  An-  1695. 
Kingdom  :  But  alafs  there's  to  too  giuch  Reafon  ( fays 
he)  to  cry  out,  /Egrotat  Dcemon,  Monachus  tunc  ejfe  vo- 
lebat :  Convaluit  Dcemon  j  D^mon  ut  ante  fuit,  Witnefs 
that  great  regret  fome  of  them  have  exprefs'd  agalnft  that 
Kindnefsand  Favour,  which  the  King  and  twofucceed- 
ing  ParHamentshave  evidenc'dto  Dilfenting  Proteftants; 
while  they  with  Fury  bite  the  Chain  which  'reftrains 
them  from  falling  foul  upon  their  former  Prey  ;  Befides 
their  unreafonable  ftickle  to  prevent  the  Jeaft  Abate- 
ment in  Matters,  which  refpecft  the  Ceremonial 
Part  of  Worfliip;  a  Conformity  to  which  goes  with 
them  for  the  whole  Duty  of  a  Minifter.  He  pleads 
earneftly  for  fuch  Abatements  as  thofe  above  mention'd 
in  fuch  a  Jundlure,  and  urges  many  very  moving  Con- 
iiderations  :  But  the  Time  was  not  yet  come. 

The  Jacobites  held  on  Plotting,    but  ftill  were  dif^  ^».  15^4; 
appointed  in  their  Deiigns  ;  and  thereby  the  more  en- 
rag'd.    The  Divifion  continued  in  the  Church  of  Eng" 
lanei,  and  fo  did  Contention  among  the  Diffenters  ;         ^ 
And  being  both  engaged  at  once,  (the'  in  different 
Ways)    neither  Side    could  much  infult  the  other. 
Bilhop  Burnet  now   publiih'd  four  Difcourfes   to  the  ^-/t  f,  f 
Clergy  of  his  Diocefe ;  the  Laft  of  which  is  concern-  SaVum'* 
ing  the  Obligations  to  continue  in  the  Communion  of  the  p^^^  j^^r. 
Church  5  in  which  he  reprefents  the  Diffenters  as  viola-  courCes  to 
ting  the  Laws  of  Chriftian  Unity,  for  not  complying  h^  clergy, 
withthc  AS:  oiVni  for  mi  ty.    Some  No^fj  were  hereupon 
pnblifhed  by  an  Anonymus  Author,  who  tho'  perhaps  he 
wrote   not    with  all  that   refpedl  that    vvas    due  to 
a  Prelate  who  has  deferv'd  fo  well  of  all  true  Prote- 
flants,  and  been  fo  zealous  for  Moderation^  as  the  Bi- 
(hop  of  Sarum^   yet  faftened   upon  fome  Things  that 
were  deferving  Obfervation.     For  it  was   ( as  he  takes 
Notice )  a  little  odd,  that  in  a  Volume  publiih'd  by 
fuch  an  one  as  his  Lordlhip,  the  Atheift  Ihould  lead  the 
Van,  and  the  Dijf enter  bring  up  the  jlear.     And  after 
all  that  has  been  (aid  of  Uniformity  in  the  Church,  and 
the  Charge  brought  againft  the  Diffenters  as  violating 
Unity  for  not  falling  in  with  it,  there  is  a  great  Dif^ 
formity  in   the  feveral  Modes    of   Worihip    in  that 
Church,  and  greater  Difference  between  them,  than 
between  fome    Church   Worfhip,  and    the  W^rfhip 
in  lome  Diffeating  Congregations.     For   ( fays    he  \ 

Mm  4  '4 


5^6         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 


An.  16^4.  a   church  of    England   Courtier  is    one  Sort  of  iVorfhip- 
fer^  a  Church  of  England  Catbedralift  of  another  kjnd, 
a  Church  of  Englanci  Citi:^en  yet  lefs  Theatrical,  ^nd  a 
Church  of  England    Pc^fant  of  a  Sort  by  himfelf.     This 
diver fity  of  iVorfhip  K  fo  very  co7ifiderable^   and  makes  thefe 
pretended  Uniformity  "Men  look,  fo  little  like  Members  of  one 
a'fid  the  fame  Church,    that  a  perfeEi  Stranger  to  them  all, 
at  one  Time  vifitin^  the  Royal  Chappel  at  high  Devotion, 
and  by  and  by  lookiyig  into  Weftminfter  Abbey,    and  anon 
trdclng  to  St.  Lawrences  in  the  City,  and  fhortly  after  tra- 
vetiing  tofome  homely  Country  Church,  and  iir icily  objerving 
all  their  vAriota  fVays   of  l^^orfhipping,    voould  be  apt  to 
conclude,  that  thefe  Men  never  had  an  AH  of  Vniformity 
read  among  them,  but  were  each  of  them  a  more  diftinii  fort 
of  PVorfhjppers,    and  lefl  of  a  Piece  than  the  Dijfenters  are 
with  the  t/ijl  memiond,  and  honefl eft  fort  among  themfehes. 
This  much  abates  the  Plea  againft  the  DilTenrers,  as  vio- 
lating Vynty,  by  being  wanting  inVniformity. 

But  this  was  as  nothing  to  the  Alfault  the  Bifhop  met 
with  upon  this  Occafion  from  another  Quarter.     For 
Mr;  H/7/  of  Kjllmington  put  out   a  Book  againft  his 
Lordfhips  Second  Difcourfe  of  the  Divinity  and  Death  of 
ChriJ}^    and  call'd  it  a  Vindication  of  the  Primitive  Fa- 
thers againft  the  Imputations  of  Gilbert  Lord  Bifhop  ofSa^' 
ram.     He  charges  the  Bifhop  with  defeAively  ftating 
our  Faith  and  Doctrine  in  the  Articles  of  the  Trinity 
and  Incarnation  :    And  with  expofing  the  Fathers,  un* 
der  the  fame  and  worfe  Imputations.     And  he  Appeals 
to  the  Judgment  of  the  Church  Univerfal,  the  Archbi- 
shops and  Bifliops  of  the   Church  of  England,   and  the 
next  SefTions  of  Convocation ;    and  feems  very  defirous 
to  have  the  Bifhop  then  burnt  for  an  Heretick.     Some 
I{emarks  of  an  Vniverfity  Min  were  publifh'd  upon  this 
Book  of  Mr.  l^ills ;    in   which  he  complains  that  his 
Lordfhips  Senfe  was  confounded,   and  his  meaning  re- 
prefented  falfly,    and  by  halves;    And  he  calls  Mr.  Hiffs 
Performance  a  ft.^uffage  cf  Scurrilous  Expreffions,    and  dif- 
covers  great  Indignation  againft  his  undecent  and  un- 
chriftian  Way  of  Writing,   and  fays  that  fuch  Men  as 
he,  are  born  to  be  the  pefts  of  their  Neighbourhood, 
and  the  Plagues  of  the  Church.     This  was  foon  fol- 
lowed with  a  Pamphlet,   Entituled,  Animadverfiont  on 
Mr.  Hill '/  Book,  in  a  Letter  to  a  Perfon  of  Quality;  io 
which  the  Amhor  aft<;r  taking  him  to  taik  for  various 

Par- 


Ghap.  XVIII.  afur  the  Revolution  in  i688.     537 


Particulars,    declares  that  he  wifhes  from  his  Heart  he-^«.  i5p4. 

might  come  to  bimfelf,  confider  his  fault,  and  repent : 

And  fays,    that  if  he  could  but  for  a  Minute  rcfle(5k  in 

cool  BJood,  upon  his  outragious  Way  of  Writing,  and 

upon  the  Service  he  had  done  to  the  Enemies  of  the 

Trinity,  by  endeavouring  to  Sacrifice  to  them  one  of  the 

Defenders  of  it,  for  whofe  Talents  he  could  not  but  ex- 

prefs.  fome  efteem,    how  averfe  foever  he  might  be  to 

his  Perfon,   he  was  fure  he  would  be  alham'd  of  his 

Book. 

Had  the  Diflenters  but  been  now  at  Unity  among  The  BJjfen- 
themfelves,  when  upon  every  Occafion  there  were  fuch  ters  d/W- 
FJames  breaking'out  in  the  EftabUfh'd  Church,  it  would  '^ed. 
have  been  much  for  their  Honour,   and  might  have  had 
good  Effefts ;  But  the  ferment  that  was  got  a.mongthem 
was  not  eafily  ftopp'd  or  check'd.    Papers  pafs'd  be- 
tween the  two  Parties  calfd  Presbyterian  and  Conffrega- 
tionaiy   in  order  to  a  Renunciation  of  Jlrminian  Errors 
On  one  Hand,  and  Antinomian  on  the  other,  but  to  little 
Purpofe.     A  Breach  was  now  made  in  Pinners  Hall  Le- 
cture.    Mr.  Williams  was  to  be  excluded :  Nothing  lefs 
would  fatisfy.     A  new  Le(^ure  was  fet  up  at  Sabers 
Ball,     Three  of  the  old  Lcdturers,  vi:{.  Dr.  Bates^  Mr. 
Hoxfe,  and  Mr.  Alfof,   bore  him  Company  ;   and  Two 
more  were  added  :    And  the  Two  old  Ledrurers  at  P/w- 
Tiers  Hall,  vi:(,  Mr.  MeaJ,  and  Mr,  Cole,  had  Four  more 
added  to  them :  And  it  was  obferv'd  that  Three  of  them 
that  were  fo  added,  never  were  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Ma- 
'her  now  publilh'd  Two  Sermons  on  ^m.  3.  zz,  Entita- 
led,    The  Highteoufnefi  of  God  through  Faith,    upon   all 
without  Difference  who  believe.     Which  was  anfwer'd 
by  Mr.  14^illiams,  in  a  Tradt,  calFd  tAan  made  ^ighteom. 
Now  alfo  Mr.  Lorimer  publilh'd  his  Apology  for  the  Mi- 
niftefs  whofubfcrib'd  unto  the  flating  of  the  Truths  and 
Errors  in  Mr.  Williams's  Book, ;  fllewing  that  the  Gofpel 
which  they  Preach,   is  the  old  Everlafting  Gofpel  of 
Chrift;  and  vindicating  them  from  the  calumnies  where- 
with they  were  afpers'd,  by  the  Letter  from  a  Minifler  in 
the  City  to  a  Minifter  in  the  Country,  4t0.     And  Things 
feem'd  more  likely  to  grow  worfe,  than  better. 

In  the  mean  Time  the  Nation  fuftain  d  Two  Publick  The  Death 
Lolfes,  which  occafiond  a  general  Concern.    The  firft "/ -^''f^- 
lOvas  of  Archbiihop  Tillotfon,  who  died  Nov,  ii,  Bifliop  ^'fi^P 
Burnet  the'  a  great  Orator,  did  not  exceed  at  his  Fune-  Tillotfon. 


5  !^8        Some  Hijiorzcal  Addition f     Chap.  XVIII. 

.^4»>  1694  ral.     He  was  one  of  eminent  Piecy,    fingular  fweetnefs 
of  Temper,  and  a  great  Lover  of  Peace;   And  yet  per- 
haps might  not  have  been  fo  well  able  to  grapple  with 
fome  Difficulties,  that  he  would  have  met  with,  had  he 
liv\i  longer,  as  his  Succeflbr.     Tis  obferv'd  by  Dr.  Ni- 
chols *,    That  this  Archbifhop  voai  not 
*  In  Appar<iL.  ad  Defenf.  Ec-     intent    upon    having    a   Convocation 
cics.  Anglic,  f.  ici.  caW^d  for  fever  at  Tears  together^  leall 

Debates  about  altering  the  Liturgy^ 

might    prove  prejudi^al  to  B^ligion:    Nor  xoas   the  calling 

of  a  new  Convocation^   in  hi  Time  much  defir'^d  or  inpfled 

on.     They  that  were  defirous  of  takjing  Dijfenters  into  the 

Chuych^    and  were  for  Alterations  in  order  to  |V,    vere  in 

hopes  that  after  fome  delay ^    the  Minds  of  M«>»  vpould  be 

fo  {often  d^   that  at  length  they  might  agree.     Others  were 

VQeQ  enough  fleas* d  that  thofe  Things  that  were  not  agreeable 

to  them  were  not  urg'd  upon  them,  and  that  they  were  under 

fjo  neceffity  of  refufing  to  gratific  the  Kjngy   and  offending 

their  Archbifhop,     They  could  not  have  any  great  fondnefi 

of  feeing  him  at  the  Head  of  n  Convocation^  who  they  l^new 

could  not   hut  remember   their  former  Treatment  of  him. 

The  Bi (hop  of  Sarum  after  his  Death  defended  him 

from  the   Charges  and  Accufations  of  his  Enemies, 

fome  of   which  were  very  black 

>  See  nefieaiom  upon  a  Fam-    and  heavy  \     He  was  charged  with 

phlet,  Entituledy  [Some  Difcourfei    being  ao  Atheift,  a  Socinian,  unjuft 

upon  Dr.  Burnet,   and  Dr.  Til-     and  fevere  to  the  Non-Jurors  and  I 

lotfon,    octafiond  by  the /ate  Vu-      knoW  not  what:  But  the  Bilhop  of 

wral  Sermon  of  the  former  upon     Sarum  by  giving  a  true  and  naked 

the  Utter.]  pag.  90.  &€.  Account  ot  Things,  endeavours  to 

do  do  Juftice  to  the  Memory  of 
one,  whom  the  oppolite  Party  had  been  purfuing  im- 
placably many  Years.  And  in  a  little  time  Dr.ff^JUi' 
am:  (who  was  afterwards  Bilhop  of  Chichejler)  publifh'd 
a  Vindication  of  the  Archbiftiops  Sermons,  concerning 
the  Divinity  and  Incarnation  of  cw  Bleffed  Saviour,  from 
the  exceptions  of  a  late  Book,  Entituled,  Confederations 
on  the  explications  of  the  DoHrine  of  the  Trinity  :  And  Z 
Letter  was  added  by  the  Bifliop  of  Sarum  in  Vindica- 
tion of  himfeif  frorp  the  Refle(fkions  of  the  Came 
Author. 
And  of  Within  Five  Weeks  after,  w:^.  on  Dec.  18;  Queen 

Queen^        j^jry  alfo  departed  this  Life  at  Ksnfington^  after  a  few  Days 
^l^'■y.        lilatjrs  of  the  Sm^-pox.    ^leyei  was  there  a  more  Uni-r 

verfal 


Ghap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.     539 


verfal  Sorrow  ;  Nor  could  there  well  be  a  greater  Ocr  •-^»-  i^94^ 

cafion,   confiderihg  how  excellent  a  Perfon  She  was  in 

herfelf,   and  how  great  a  Bleffing  to  the  Lan4.    The 

new  Archbilhop   of    Canterbury  Dr.  Tevnifon   preach'd 

Her  Funeral  Sermon,   at  thfe  .Time  of  Her  Interment : 

Nay,   there   were  a   multitude    of  Funeral   Sermons 

that  were  preach'd  and  publilh'd  upon  this  Occaiion, 

both  by  Church  Men  and  DifTenrers.    Bifhop  Burne( 

alfo  publilh'd  an  EJJay  upon  Her  Memory;   in  whicli 

among  other  Things  merition*d  in  Her  Commendation, 

he  intimates,   That  She  had  an  Affe^ion  for  the  Chwch 

of  England  that  wof  neither  btind  nor  partial.     She  fav9 

yohat  finifhings  were  iiill  rvanted,    and-  had  dedicated  Her 

Thoughts  and  Endeavours^    to  the  eonfidering  of  the  belt 

ISiieans  that  might  both  compleat  and  jiablijh  it.     She  longd 

(fays  he)  to  fee  us  in  a  clofer  Conj'unHion  with  all  Prote- 

Aims  Abroad :  And  hofd  we  might ftrengthen  our  Selves  at 

^ome^  by  XJniting  to  m  as  many  oi  could  be  brought  within 

our  Body,     Few  Things  ever  grievd  Her  more,    than  that 

thofe  Hopes  feemd  to  Languifh  !    And  that  the  PrcfpeEi  of 

fo  defired  an  Union,  vanijlod  out  of  fight. 

The  Two  Houfes  of  Parliament,  the  Lord  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  Common  Council,  the  City  Clergy  of 
the  Church  of  England,  and  the  feveral  Corporations 
of  the  Kingdom,  Addrefs'd  his  Majefty^  by  way  of 
Cow  Jo//}»ce  upon  this  Melancholy  Occafion:  And  among 
^the  reft,  the  Diffenting  Minifters  in  and  about  Lo7idon 
attended  him  in  a  confiderable  Body,  with  Dr.  Bates  at 
their  Head,  who  made  this  AfFc£ling  Speech. 

*  May  it  pleafe  Your  Majefty, 
<    ^TpHough  we  come  in  the  Rear  of  the  Train  of  The  Dijren- 
-*-    '  Mourners,    to  pay  our  Tributary  Tears  for  ters  Ad- 

*  the  invaluable  Lofs,    in  the  Death  of  Yoiir  Royal  drefs  -of 

*  Confort,  and  our  itioft  Gracious  Queen,    yet  our  Re-  CondoUnce 
^  fentments  of  it  are  with  as  tender  a  Sympathy  as  arc  ^^  f 'fe^ 

*  in  the  Breafts  of  any  of  Your  Subjeds.    This  gives  ^^i^ham, 

*  the  fharpeft  Accent  to  our  Paffions,  that  the  Confidera- 
'  tions  which  are  moft  proper  and  powerful  to  allay  our 

*  Sorrows,  exafperate  them :   For  while  we  remember 

*  what  She  was,  how  general  and  difFufive  a  Blefling  to 
'  Three  Kingdoms,  the  fevere  Stroke  of  Providence  in 
^  taking  Her  from  us,  is  moft  afflidting.  Such  a  con- 
J  currencc  of  high  Perfedion  Ihin  d  in  Her  Perfon  and 

^  AdioRS 


540         Sof^e Htjiorical Additions     Gbap.  XVIII. 


An.  1694 


Adlions,  that  would  have  made  Her  lUuftrious  in  a 
low  Condition ;  and  in  Her  exalted  Station,  they 
were  attra6live  of  the  Eyes  and  Admiration  of  all. 
Her  Mind  was  above  the  Temptations  that  attend  the 
Throne.  Majefty  was  mix'd  with  that  condcfcending 
Humility,  that  tender  and  beneficent  Goodnefs,  that 
She  was  eafily  acceflible  to  all  for  their  Relief  and 
Support.  Her  Piety  and  Purity  were  fo  Confpicuous, 
Her  Affe£tions  were  fo  composed  and  temperate,  that 
the  Court,  that  is  ufually  the  Centre  of  Vanity  and 
Voluptuoufnefs,  became  Vertuous,  by  the  Imprefliort 
of  Her  Example.  Her  Converfation  was  fo  regular^ 
that  Her  Enemies  (if  Goodnefs  in  fuch  a  bright  Emi- 
nency  had  any)  could  not  faften  a  Taint  upon  Her. 
Her  Royal  Endowments  for  Government,  "Wifdom, 
Magnanimity,  Vigilance  and  Care  in  managing  Af- 
fairs of  State  (without  which  the  higheft  Princes  arc 
but  Civil  Idols,  ufelcfs  and  unprofitable  to  the  World) 
thefe  were  in  fuch  a  Degree  of  Excellency,  that  in 
Your  Majefty's  conftrain*d  Abfence,  while  You  were 
defending  the  Intereftof  Chriftendom,  againft  a  Potent 
Enemy  Abroad,  witb  the  Sword  of  War,  She  fweetly 
ordered  all  Things  at  Home  with  the  Sceptre  of  Peace. 
She  is  gone,  and  muft  return  no  more  :  O  aftonifhing 
Grief!  But  it  becomes  us  with  humble  Submiflion  to 
Acquiefce  in  the  Divine  Difpofal.  The  Will  of  God 
is  always  dircdled  by  Infinite  Wifdom,  and  is  the 
Rule  of  Goodnefs.  We  muft  refrclh  our  Sorrows 
with  the  Hope  that  She  is  entered  into  Her  Sav-iour*f 
Joy^  whom  She  imitated  and  honour*d  ,•  and  that  She 
is  made  happy  in  the  Love  of  God,  and  the  Light  of 
His  Countenance  for  ever. 

*  We  humbly  befeech  Your  Majefty  to  accept  the 
renewed  A (Tu ranees  of  our  inviolable  and  conftant 
Fidelity  to  Your  Perfon  and  Government ;  and  thai 
we  (hall  influence  all  that  are  within  our  Compafs  to 
pcrfevere  in  their  Duty:  We  fhall  carncftly  Pray  to. 
the  Blcffcd  God  to  keep  You  in  the  beft  Protection, 
His  encom palling  Favour  to  fupport  Your  Spirit  with 
Divine  Comforts,  and  10  continue  long  Your  Preciotif 
Life,  fo  neceffary  for  Preferving  the  pure  Reli^op, 
and  the  Civil  Rights  of  this  Kingdom* 


Chap.XVIU.  after  the  Revolntion  in  i6SS.     541 

■I- 


I  well  remember  that  upon  this  Speech,  I  faw  Tears  -4«.  i6p^. 
trickle  down  the  Cheeks  of  that  great  Prince,  who  fo 
often  appear  d  undaunted  in  the  Field  of  Battle. 

The  new  Archbilhop  foon  after  his  Advancement, 
prevail'd  with  the  KiHg  to  publilh  feme  Injundtions  for 
the  Preferving  and  Reftoiing  of  Ecclefiaftical  Difcipline. 
They  related  to  Ordinations,  and  Perfons  admitted  into 
Orders,  the  [{efid&nce  of  Bifhops,  Qualifications  of 
Curates,  Pluralities^  the  Manners  of 

the  Clergy,  daily  Frnyers,  the  Reli-        ¥  rhey  may  be  feen  at  Utge^ 
gious  oblerving  the  Lords  Day^  Vi-     in   the  Compleat  HIJIory  of  Eng- 
/i//wg- the  Sick,  Catechis[ing,  Confirm-     land,  Vol.  3.  Z'^^.  584,68$. 
ing.  Penance,  and  Marringe  ^. 

At  this  Time  was  publi(h*d,  ^  Dijcourfe  conctrning  the  Bifho^King 
Inventions  of  Men  in  the  H^or/hip  of  God,  by  Bilhop  I^ing  of  Humane 
of  London-derry^  in  Ireland  '^  which  in  a  furprizingMan-{'*^^'*^*'"'^ 
ner  turns  that  Argument  againft  the  Diflenters,  which '"/^-'^/^'^ 
they  had  fo  often  ftrenuoufly  urg'd  againft  the  Eftablilh'd  W  ''/<?<«'' 
Church.     The  Parts  of  Worlhip  this  Author  infifts  on, 
are  Praifcs,  Prayer,  Hearing,  bodily  l^^orfhip,  and  the  Ce- 
lebration of  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Body  and  Blood 
of  Chrift. 

In  the  Praifes  of  God,  he.  fays,  the  Old  and  New 
Teftament  require  the  Ufe  of  the  Pfalms,  and  allow 
OS  to  fing  or  lay  them.  They  recommend  Pfalms  and 
Hymns  in  Profe  ;  and  encourage  us  to  offer  our  Praifes 
hy  Way  of  Refponfes,  or  Anfwering.  They  recom- 
mend the  Ufe  of  Mufical  Inftruments,  and  require  that 
we  underftand  the  Praifes  we  fing  to  God.  The  Efta- 
bli(h*d  Church  appoints  a  number  of  Pfalms  to  be  faid 
or  fung  every  Day,  propofes  them  in  Profe,  and  allows 
the  People  to  bear  their  Part  in  them,  and  permits  the 
Ufe  of  Mufical  Inftruments,  ^c .-  Whereas  the  DilTen- 
ters  ufe  not  whole  Pfalms,  iing  Gods  Praife  only  in 
Metre,  rejefl  Mufical  Inftruments,  and  have  no  Re- 
fponfes. 

As  to  Prayers,  he  afferts  that  the  Scripture  dire<5l:s  that 
they  Ihould  be  offered  up  in  a  fet  and  prepared  Form  of 
^Words,  and  that  it  ihould  befo,  asto'ConfefHon,  Sup- 
plication, Interceflion,  and  Deprecation;  That  Holy 
Men  of  God  though  full  of  Wifdom,  and  of  his  Spirit, 
ixs'd  the  fame  fet  Form  of  Prayer  always  on  the  fame 
Occafion :  Our  Saviour  and  his  Apoftles  pray'd  by  a 
Form  :  And  we  have  Examples  in  Scripture  for  joyning 

Voices 


542         Some  Hijiorical  AdclHions     Chap.  XVI II; 

An.  1694.  Voices  in  Prayer,  and  for  Refponfes.  And  the  Pradlice 
of  the  Church  is  agreeable :  "While  among  the  Diflen* 
ters,  fome  rcje(5l  Forhis  as  ufelefs,  others  condemn 
them  as  unlawful ;  and  all  are  againft  thfe  Peoples  joyn- 
ing  their  Voices  with  the  Minifter. 

As  to  Hcnring^  he  fays  that  God  has  pofitively  com- 
manded us  to  read  his  Word  in  our  PubJick  Affemblies, 
and  this  in  the  New  Teftament  is  calfd  Preaching.. 
This  Publick  reading  the  Word  in  Scripture  Times  was 
managed  with  Solemnity,  and  an  enlargement  or  Com- 
ment was  fometimes  added.  The  Practice  of  the 
Church  is  reprefented  as  agreeable :  Whereas  among 
the  Dilfenters,  their  Preachers,  he  fays,  may  choofe 
what  Part  of  Scripture  they'l  explain ;  have  no  fumma- 
ry  of  Principles  injoyn'd  to  be  either  read  or  taught  in 
Publick  Affembles,  and  have  caft  out  the  reading  of  the 
Word  of  God  from  moft  of  their  Meetings. 

Bodily  l4^or(hip,  he  declares  to  be  pofitively  command- 
ed in  Scripture,  and  conftanily  and  carefully  Pra£lis'd, 
and  that  hot  only  under  the  Old  Teftament,  but  by  our 
Saviour  and  his  Apoftles,  and  the  Primitive  Chriftians, 
(^c.  And  the  Church  is  very  careful  about  it:  While 
the  Diffenters,  he  fays,  difallow  bodily  Woiftiip,  and 
iheir  Pradlice  is  agreeable. 

The  Lords  Supper  ought  to  be  frequently  Celebrated, 
and  is  fo  in  the  Church;  whereas  he  aflerts  that  among 
the  Dilfenters,  there  are  no  fet  Times  for  the  Admini- 
stration of  this  Ordinance,  and  they  never  prefs  People 
to  Communicate,  ^c. 

From  hence  he  draws  this  general  Conclufion,  that 
the  Worlhip  of  the  Church  is  very  Scriptural,  while 
that  of  the  Diffenters,  neither  agrees  with  Scripture 
Precepts  nor  Patterns,  and  is  according  to  Humane  In- 
vention. Mr.  Boy/c  diftindtly  anfwer'd  this  Book,  and 
there  were  feveral  Writings  that  paft  between  the  Bi- 
fliop  and  him  wpon  this  Occalion.  The  Bifhop  was 
charg'd  with  mifreprefenting  the  Diffenters  of  his  own 
Diocefe :  Though  had  they  been  as  faulty  as  he  repre- 
fented  them,  no  juft  Argument  could  have  been  drawn 
from  thence  againft  the  Body  of  the  Diffenters  in  gene- 
raj,  who  were  univerfally  ki>own  to  be  free  from  feveral 
of  the  Faulcs  he  charg'd  them  with.  His  Argument 
did  not  ftrike  much,  and  brought  no  great  Credit  to  his 
tfxvn  Church,  yor  any  difreputation  to  the  Diffenters  ift 

gehC" 


Hi  I  ■      '  '  '"  '  '        '  " 

Chap.  XVIIl.  afterthe  Revolution  in  1688.      543 

general,    who  were  better  known  to  the  World  than  to-4«.  1594. 
him,    if  thofe  that  he  publifh'd  were  the  Notions  of 
them  which  he  cntertainM. 

Now  alfo  came  out  a  Plea  for  Scripture  Ordination  5  Mr.Owcn't 
Or  Ten  Arguments  from  Scripture  ana  Antiquity ;  pro-  Defence  of 
ving  Ordination  by  Presbyters,  without  Bifhops  to  be  va-  Fresbyteri- 
lid ;  By  Mr,  James  Owen,  in  8vo.  an  Ordlna-- 

His  Aflertion,  he  States  thus:  ^'o». 

That  fuch  oi  are  fet  apart  with  Jmpofltion  of  Hands,  for 
the  office  of  the  Miniftry,  by  Gojpel  Mmiflers,  vpithout  the 
Jpecies  of  Church  Officer  s,  who  claim  n  fuperior  Power  over 
Presbyters^  are  regularly  Ordain  d^  and  their  Ordination  zj 
valid  according  to  the  Scriptures. 

He  proves  it  thus. 

1 .  Becaufe  this  Ordination  hath  all  the  Scripture  re- 
quifits,  either  in  the  Ordainers,  the  Ordained,  or  the 
Circumftances  of  Ordination. 

2.  Becaufe  we  have  Scripture  Examples  of  fuch  Or- 
dination as  theirs. 

3.  Becaufe  Presbyters  have  as  real  a  Power  to  Ordain, 
as  they  have  to  Preach  the  Gofpel,  to  Baptize,  and  to 
Adminifter  the  Lords  Supper. 

4.  Becaufe  this  fore  of  Ordination  is  the  fame 
with  the  Ordinations  in  the  Reformed  Chuiches  be- 
yond Sea. 

5.  Becaufe  it  is  better  than  the  Ordination  of  the 
Church  of  B^me,  which  is  not  contefted. 

6.  Ordination  by  Presbyters  is  therefore  Valid,' 
becaufe  they  have  Power  to  impofe  Hands  in  Or- 
dination. 

7.  Becaufe  among  the  Jews  any  one  that  was  Ot^ 
dain  d  himfelf  ^night  Ordain  another. 

8.  Becaufe  Ordination  by  Presbyters  is  performed  by 
Perfons  who  have  the  Keys  of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven 
committed  to  them. 

p.  Becaufe  Orders  conferr'd  by  Presbyters,  are  con- 
ferr  d  by  fuch  as  are  in  Orders,  and  have  the  Power  of 
Order  equally  with  the  higheft  Bifliop. 

10.  Becaufe  Ordination  by  Presbyters  was  valid  In 
the  Primitive  Church. 

Some  Years  after,  the  fame  Author  wrote  a  Defence 
of  Scripture  Ordination^  againft  the  Exceptions  of  T.  G  ; 
in  which  among  other  Things,  he  ihews  that  Timothy 
and  Titm  were  no  Diocefan  Rulers :  That  the  Presby- 
ters 


544         Some  Hifiorical  Additiont     Chap.  XVIII. 

Jtn.  i6p4.  ters  of  Ephefus  were  the  Apoftles  SuccefTors  in  the  Go- 
vernment of  that  Church,    and  not  Timothy  -.    That  the 
Firft  Epiftle  to  Timothy  was  written  before  the  Meeting 
at  Miletus :  And  that  the  Ancient  I4^alden{es  had  no  Dio- 
cefan  Bifhops. 
An.  1^95.      This  Year  came  out  a  Defence  of  the  Archbifhops 
jiDe fence  of  ^^"^^^^  On  the  Death  of  Her  late  Majefty  ;  and  of  the 
the  Archli-  Scrmons   of  the   iate  Archbiiliop,    Bilhop  of  Litchfield 
/hops  Vune-  and  Coventry^   Bi(hop  of  JE/y,    Bilhop  of  Snlubury,  Dr. 
ral  Sermon  Sherlock^,    Dr.  Wak^e,   Mr.  Fleetwood^  &c.    p reached  upon 
for  the        that  and  fcveral  other  Solemn  Occafions  ;  Being  a  Vin- 
S^en.       dication  of  the  late  Queen,    His  prefenc  Majefty,   and 
the  Government  from  the  malicious  Afperfionscaft  upon 
them  in  Two  late  Pamphlets;  One  Entituled,  I{ettiarl{s 
on  fome  late  Sermons^  &c.     The  other,    A  Letter  to  the 
Author  of  a  Sermon  f  reached  at  the  Funeral  of  Her  late  Ma- 
vfiy  &"?^«  Mary.    The  Clergy  that  fell  in  with  the  Go- 
vernment were  charg'd  as  aSting  inconfiftently  with  their 
former  Principles  and  Pra^ices,     'Tis  here  declared,  that 
Paflive  Obedience  as  cried  up  in  the  late  Times,   was 
never  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church  of  England^    though 
it  was  given  out  as  her  Characfteriftick  by  a  Party  who 
did  arrogate  that  Title.    *Twas  faid,  That  all  the  Liberty 
the  Nation  enjoys  under  this  Blejfed  ^volution,  k  a  Liberty  of 
giving  Seven  or  Bight  Millions  Tear  after  Tear^  and  a  Liberty 
of  loofing  ai  much  more ;  a  Liberty  of  being  fir  ft  made  Poor^ 
and  then  famiflod  and  ftarvd^    a  Liberty  of  having  our 
.  Brethren  and  Countrymen  fent  into  Foreign  Countries  to  be 
l^noclCd  on  the  Head  ;  a  Liberty  of  being  fcornd  by  all  Man^ 
l(indy    as  the  mojl  treacherous  and  perfidious  Nation  in  the 
4Vorld.     And  lall  of  aU^  a  Liberty  of  being  impove^-ifh* d  be- 
yond  B^pair,  and  being  ruind  for  ever  j    and  that  none  can 
foexv  any  Liberty  befides  as  the  direB  and  immediate  Fruits 
cf  the  {{evolution.    Which  was  thus  nobly   Anfwer'd, 

*  We  are  now  deliver'd  ftom  a  Popilh  King  on  the 

*  Throne,    profelTed  Jefuits,  and  other  Papifts,    in  our 

*  Council,    Parliament,    Benches,  Army,  Fleet,   and 

*  Univerfities;   nor  are  we  now  in  hazard  of  having  a 

*  Suppofititious  Heir  of  the  Grown  impos'd  upon  us,  and 

*  Educated  in  the  B^mi/h  Communion,  to  the  Ruin  both 

*  of  our  Religion  and  Property.     We  are  now  at  Li- 
'  berty,  (and  have  done  it  accordingly  in  a  good  Mea- 

*  fure)  to  make  fuch  Laws,  and  take  fuch  other  Methods 

*  as  are  moft  proper  to  preferve  us  from  fuch  Dangers 

'  in 


Chap.  XVIIL  after  the  Revolution  in  i6d^.       545 


in  Time  to  come.     All  Proteflants  are  now  at  Liberty  An.  159  s. 
to  Worlhip  God  according  as  they  are  perfwaded  in 
their  Confcience  is  rooft  agreeable  to  his  Will,  with- 
out fear  of  being  ruin'd  in  their  Perfons  or  Eftates,  by 
any  Faction,    prompted  thereunto  by  the  Court,  or 
without  hazard  of  having  any  Party  of  Proteftants 
joyn  with  Papifts,  to  overthrow  the  Church  as  by  Law, 
Eftablilh'd,  that  fo  they  may  procure  eafe  to  them- 
felves.     We  are  now  delivered  from  having  the  Char- 
ters of  our  Cities  and  Corporations  feiz'd  by  quo  TVar- 
rantos^  Sheriffs  impos'd,   and  Juries  pack'd,  to  ruin 
the  Lives  and  Eftates  of  fuch  as  the  Court  pleas'd  ; 
and  cut  off  the  chief  of  our  Proteftant  Nobility,  by, 
wrefted  Forms  of  Law.     We  are  now  delivered  fronji 
having  the  Throats  of  our  Peers  and  Magiftrates  cut, 
and  the  Scandal  of  it  thrown  on  themfelves:  We  are 
now  deliver*d  from  all  Reftraints  upon  thofe  who 
have  a  Right  to  Vote  for  Members  of  Parliament, 
and  are  in  no  fear  of  having  a  Court  Faction  impos'd 
upon  us  as  the  Reprefentatives  of  the  Nation,    We 
are  now  deliver'd  from  a  Power  of  difpenfing  with 
Laws,   and  a  Set  of  Judges  and  Ecclefiafticks,  who 
advancM  the  Kings  Power  above  all  Laws.    We  are 
now  aflur'd  of  a  Priviledge  of  having  a  new  Parlia- 
ment once  in  Three  Years :  And  we  are  now  deliver'd 
from  all  apprehenlions  of  the  Courts  joyning  with 
France  to  enflave  us,  or  bringing  in  of  French  and  Irifh 
Papifts  to  endanger  our  Lives  and  Eftates.     We  are 
now  fecur'd  againft  the  keeping  up  of  a  landing  Ar- 
my in  Time  of  Peace,   and  have  Liberty  to  enquire 
which  Way  the  Money  of  the  Nation  is  fpent,  and 
to  puniih  thofe  that  mifpeod  it.     We  are  now  deli-        ^ 
ver'd  from  the  fear  of  being  invaded  by  our  Neigh- 
bours of  Scotland^  where  our  late  Princes  had  procured 
an  hdi  of  Parliament  for  a  numerous  Army,  to  over- 
awe us  into  a  compliance  with  the  Deligns  fet  on  foot 
to  bring  in  Popery  and  Slavery.     We  are  now  deli- 
ver'd from  all  fear  of  loling  the  EngUfk  and  Proteftanc 
Intereft  in  Ireland,  by  having  the  Government  of  thap 
Kingdom  put  into  the  Hands  of  Irifh  Papifts :   And 
we  are  alCo  deliver'd  fromt  all  Fears  of  an  Invafion 
from  thence.     We  are  now  deliver'd  from  all  Danger 
of  being  engag'd  in  a  War  upon  every  trivial  Occafton 
with  our  Proteftant  Allies,    the  Dutch  i   and  being 

N  n  *  made 


546        Some  H'jftorical  Addition.      Chap.  X  VIII. 

An.  1695.'  made  the  inglorious  and  unhappy  Tools  of  contribu- 
'  ting^to  the  Ruin  of  the  Reformed  Religion  in  Europe. 

*  We  are  now  delivered  from  an  illegal  High  Commifli- 
'  on,  compos'd  of  Papifts  and  corrupt  Proteftants,  to 
'  Ruin  our  Church  ard  Univerfities.     We  are  now  de- 

*  liverM  from  Regulators  10  turn  out  fuch  Magiftrates 

*  of  Corporations,  and  Commiflioners  of  the  Peace,  as 

*  will  no:  agree  ro  repeal  thofe  Laws  which  fecure  our 
'  Religion.     We  are  now  delivered  from  all  Fear  of 

*  having  Papifts  ro  be  our  Ma'^iftrates  and  Legiilators  ; 
'  or  having  our  Nobility  and  Gentry  profecuted  as  Cri- 

*  minals,  for  advifing  not  to  obey  the  Orders  of  fuch 
'  Magiftrates.  We  are  now  delivered  from  having  Mo- 
'  ney  levied  for  the  Ufe  of  the  Crown,  by  pretence  of 

*  Prerogative.  We  are  now  dehvered  from  exceflive 
'  Bails  and  Fines,  and  cruel  unufual  Punilhments:  Noi 
'  arc  our  Reprefeniatives  in  Parliament  now  profecuted 

*  for  freedom  of  Speech.     Thefe  are  the  diredl  and  im- 

*  mediate  Fruits  of  the  Revolution. 

Whereas  Archbi(hop  Tihtfin  was  accus*d  of  turning 
out  Archbifljop  Sancroft  from  his  legal  and  rightful  Poffeff' 
on^  in  a  nicft  viclenc  and  harhiHrcus  Manner :  'Tis  here 
anfwer'd,  that  the  whole  Kingdom  knows  that  the  one 
was  legally  turn'd  out,  and  the  other  as  legally  put  in,  if 
the  Authority  of  King  and  Parliament  may  be  accounted 
Law.  And  that  .^rchbifliop-  ^nyicrcft  was  more  fevcrely 
dealt  with  for  Peiitioning  King  James,  than  ever  he  was 
for  difowning  King  lV,iHayn  :  and  Guilty  of  a  greater 
inconfiftency  in  his  Pradices,  than  any  could  be  faften'd 
upon  Archbilhop  lilhtfon. 

And  it  being  faid,  That  all  the  M^orld  vpoi  fatisfied  in 
the  Legitimacy  of  the  Prince  of  Wales ;  And  that  the 
Kjr^g  and  Queen  Jligmati:^d  him  ai  fuppr'fititious,  contrary 
to  their  own  Kjjo^edge ;  An  Anfwer  is  return'd  in  thefe 
Words  following: 

'  Does  our  Author  think,  that  thofe  fulfome  Depofi- 
'  tions  after  the  Prince  of  Grangers  Dcfign  was  known, 
'  have  convinc'd  the  World  of  that  pretended  Princes 

*  Legitimacy?    Or  does  he  think  that  fuch  Evidence  as 

*  that,  Part  whereof  may  be  very  confiftent  v/ith  an  Im- 

*  poftiire,  and  the  other  Part  fworn  by  fuch  as  had  their 
'  dependence  on  the  late  King,    and  were  known  to 

*  have  proftituted  their  Confciences  to  the  Court,  is 
•,  fufficicnt  to  fatisfie  the  World  ?  What  Account  can  our 

*  Au- 


Chap.  XVIIL   after  t/je  Revolfitiofi  mi  688.      547 

Author  give,  that  there  was  not  as  much  Pains  takejl  Ah.  t6yi 
to  fatisfy  the  World  of  the  Queens  Pregnancy  and 
Birth,  when  if  it  had  been  real,  ic  might  have  beca 
unconcrovertably  prov'd  by  as  unexceptionable  Evi- 
dence, as  there  was  to  prove  the  Birth  afterwards? 
Would  it  have  been  any  Thing  more  inconHftent  with 
Majeftyi  to  have  condefcended  to  give  fatisfying  Evi« 
dence.of  a  Thing  that  was  fo  vehemently  fufpecfled 
beforehand,  than  to  fabmit  to  give  unfatisfa^^ory  and 
exceptionable  Proof  of  it  afterwards  ?  — Suppofe  the 
Queens  Pride  would  not  give  Way  to  it,  was  She  not 
a  Subject  that  could  have  been  commanded  by  the  King 
Her  Husband  ?  Or  if  He  had  been  loth  to  thwart  Her 
in  that  Condition,  might  be  not  have  had  fuch  Evi- 
dence prefent  at  the  Time  of  her  Labour,  without 
Her  previous  Knowledge,  as  the  Nation  woiild  have 
given  Credit  to?  Would  it  have  been  any  Thing 
more  derogatory  from  Her  Modefty  to  have  been 
brought  to  Bed  before  fuch  Evidences  as  thefe,  than 
it  was  for  an  Emprefs  to  be  deliver'd  on  a  Stage,  ini 
the  middle  of  a  Camp,  becaufe  Her  Pregnancy  vl^as 
fufpe£ted  on  Account  of  Her  Years?  What  Reafort  * 
can  be  aflign  d  why  the  Examination  of  thdt  Affair 
was  not  fubmitted  to  the  Parliament  as  the  Prince  of 
Orange  defir'd  ?  Why  the  Two  Ladies,  appbinted  to 
be  Witnefles  of  the  Birth  by  the  Princefs  ti _Denfhnrl{^ 
fhould  not  have  been  fent  for,  till  the  Time  Was  paft  ? 
Why  the  pretended  Evidence,  who  were  the  mdft  parti- 
cular, (hould  have  been  carried  to  Frnnce  out  of  the  reaclk 
of  Examination  ?  And  how  did  the  Princefs  ftigmatize 
Her  Brother  contrary  to  Her  own  Knowledge  ?  Was  She 
prefent  at  the  Delivery,  or  had  She  any  Deputies  pre- 
fent for  Her  ?  Did  this  Author  never  read  of  QueerJ 
Mar/s  Defign  to  impofe  upon  the  Nation,  in  likq 
Manner,  and  on  the  fame  Account,  i;/V.  to  Entail 
Popery  upon  us?  And  why  fliould  we  think  that  Maryi 
of  Modenn  was  lefs  Zealous  for  her  Religion  than  Ma-- 
ry  Tudor?  Is  there  not  a  Cheat  of  the  fame  NatnreJ 
and  managed  in  the  fame  Manqer,  mention'd  in  Sider-- 
fins  Reports,  Temp,  Car,  z.  Fol.  377.  of  a  Womaii 
pi'etended  to  be  deliver'd  within  Bed  by  a  Midwife, 
and  yet  the  Impofture  difcover'd  afterwards  by  tbe 
Deposition  of  the  real  Mother,  and  the  faid  Mid- 
*  ^if<^  ?  Now  what  can  our  Author  fay  in  Op|)6{Ition  ta 

N  n  2  '  thefe 


548         Some  Hiflorical Additions     Chap.  XV III. 


An.  16^'y, 


Debates  a- 
h9ut  the 
Trinity. 


thefe  Prefumptions  of  a  Cheat  ?  And  why  the  Prince 
and  Princefs  of  Orange  ought  not  to  have-  been  fatis- 
fy'd  as  to  the  fcruples  about  it?  But  inftead  of  that, 
that  the  Principal  Evidence  (hould  be  carried  whither 
there  cannot  be  any  accefs  to  examine  them  ?  The 
chief  Thing  they  have  to  fay,  is  the  late  King's  own 
Evidence ;  but  bcfides  that  he  cannot  be  look'd  on  as 
impartial  in  the  Cafe;  why  Ihould  we  think  that  the 
CijLuch  of  I{ome^  chat  could  Jifpenfe  with  His  Coro- 
nation Oath,  by  which  he  was  obl.g'd  to  Govern  ac- 
cording to  Law,  and  preferve  the  Church  of  England, 
whereas  he  did  plainly  attempt  the  fubverfion  of  both ; 
1  fay,  why  might  not  the  Church  of  i^owe  as  well  dif- 
penfe  with  him  to  Swear  falfly  in  this  Cafe,  as  tO 
break  his  Oath  in  the  other,  feeing  both  were  for  the 
advantage  of  the  Catholick  Caufe?  And  yet  that  hi* 
gotted  Prince  might  think  he  was  doing  God  good  Ser- 
vice all  the  while :  For  its  very  well  known  that  the 
breach  of  Faith,  and  the  moft  barbarous  Murders  and 
Maflacres  are  efteem'd  hallowed  Means  by  the  Church 
of  Home  to  accomphfli  her  wicked  Ends.  No  Body 
can  doubt  this,  who  has  ever  feen  the  Popes  Chappel, 
where  the  Freiwh  Maflacre  was  reprefented,  and  the 
Admiral  thrown  out  of  the  Window  with  thefe  Words 
at  bottom,  Pcn^if^x  Colinii  necem  pi  chat:  And  indeed 
the  Prefent  to  the  Lady  of  Loretto  by  the  Queens  Mo- 
ther, and  the  Kitujs  Pilgrimage  to  St.  ^^inifrpcl*sWe\l, 
to  ulher  in  this  Piegnancv,  gives  the  Face  of  a  ftudied 
Popifh  Cheat  to  the  whole  Affair,  &c. 
A  new  Parliament  was  call'd  and  met  this  Year.  The 
Affalfination  Plot  broke  out,  and  made  a  great  Noifc. 
King  William  was  to  have  been  Murdcr'd,  and  an  Inva- 
sion was  to  have  follow'd.  King  James  came  down  to 
Cala^  waiting  for  the  Succefs  of  the  Confpiracy,  but 
Providence  again  appear'd  in  our  Favour.  Mr.  Pender^ 
grafi  and  Mr.  De  la  Hjw  made  a  full  Difcovery ;  and  the 
Parliament  drew  up  an  rijfociation,  ordering  it  to  be 
Sign'd  by  all  their  Members:  And  fo  the  Government 
v/as  confiderably  ftrengthen*d,by  thap  which  was  intend- 
ed to  overthrow  it. 

This  Year  arofc  a  great  Conteft  in  the  Church  of 
England  about  the  Doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  Dr.  Sherlock 
wrote  upon  that  Subjedt,-'  and  afferted  Three  diftinfi 
Minds  i   and   vif^s  theteupon  violently  Attack'dby  Dr. 

Souths 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  ini6^i.      549 


South,  and  charged  with  having  Three  diftindt  Gods.  An.  169$. 
And  while  one  gharg'd  the  other  with  Tritheifm,  he  re- 
torted upon  bis  Antagonift  a  Charge  of  SabelUanifm, 
This  made  a  great  Noife,  and  many  Pamphlets  were 
Written.  One  venting  Dr.  Sher locks  Notions  in  a  Ser- 
mon before  the  Univerfity  of  Oxford^  was  Cenfur'd, 
and  a  Decree  pafs'd  in  ihe  Convocation  of  that  Univer- 
fity, condemning  thofe  Notions  as  contrary  to  the  DoBrine 
of  the  Cntholicl^  Church ,  nnd  ejpecially  to  the  DdBrine 
of  the  Church  of  Enghnd  puhlickjy  receky^.  His  Majefty 
therefore  gave  forth  Injuntlions  for  Vnity  in  the  Church  : 
Ordering  that  no  other  Daikrine  concerning  the  Trinity 
Should  be  dehver'd,  than  what  was  contain'd  in  Scrip- 
ture, and  agreeable  to  the  Three  CreedSj  and  the  Thirty 
nine  Articles.  Thac  new  Terms  (hould  be  avoided : 
And  publick  Oppofition  between  Preachers,  and  bitter 
inve(4ives  and  fcurrilous  Language  againft  any  Perfons 
whatfoever.  And  that  the  fame  Care  (hould  be  taken 
hereof  in  Writing  as  in  Preaching.  The  Archbilhop 
alfo  fent  forth  his  Circular  Letter, 

Dated  July  the  i6th,  this  Year,  ^  It  maybe  feen  at  large,  Compleat 
containing  many  Rules  and  Or-  H/Hcryo/Englandj^o/.^.p.yi^. 
ders  fit  for  general  Obfervation  ^. 

The  Diflfenters  ftill  continu'd  their  Dodtrinal  Con-  The  Dlfen- 
tentions.     An  Attempt  was  now  made  for  a  Reunion  ^f|"^  /^'^ 
among  them.    There  was  an  OflFer  on  one  Side  to  re-  ^''>''^«- 
nounce  Arminianifm^    if  the  other  Side  would  but  re- 
nounce Antinomianifm  ;   h^^t  it  did 

not  fucceed.  (i.)  A  little  after,  a  (i)  The  Paper  dra%pn  ujf  for 
few  particular  Minifters  of  both  *hU  Purpofe,  may  he  feen  at 
forts,  privately  drew  up  a  Paper,  Z^*"^^?  '«  *he  Faithful  Rebuke 
with  a  Defign  to  ufe  thdr  Intereft  to  a  ftlfe  Report,  p.  22.  (2,) 
to  get  both  Sides  to  Sign  it.  (l.)  f^^«  '«'J^^^.(h  ^eafn  of  v;hat 
But  this  created  new  Heat?,  inftead     ^^^/'^/^  ^  Hd'^T^^-  T'^ ''"" 

of  extinguiihing  the  old  ones.  Some     '"'^^y,  ^^"  ^   '!''  //^^^  ^^P^^' 
,T  ^  ^        c     ■  J  I  •   1 J      ^^y  ^-^   /^^«  '»  the  Report  of 

were  Zealous  for  it,  and  complam  d     .^e  Prefcuc  State  of  the  DifTe- 
niuch    that   it  was   not  accepted:     fences   in   Doftiinals  between 
Others  were  as  much   againft  it  ;     fome    DifTenting  Minifters   in 
and  that  among  other  Realons,  be-     London,  pag.  n.  (3.)  See  Faith- 
caufe  it  bore  hard  upon  Mr.  ff^»l//-    ful  Rebuke,  ^.  28. 
ams,    (3.)  And  not  long  after,  fol- 
lowed an  Attack  upon  his  Reputation  which  was  fo 
peculiar,   as  fcarce  to  admit  of  any  Precedent ;  and  was 
fax  from  recommending  the  Diifenters  as  tp  their  Can- 

Nn  3  do^ 


V,y. 


55^       Some  Hiftorhal  Additions      Chap.  XVlll. 

Jin.  1^55-  dor  or  Cond'^cS^  to  S:anders  by.    I  enter  not  into  Parti- 
culars,  one  of  unwiUingncfs  to  revive,    what  they  thai 
are  Wile  on  all  Sides  had  rather  fliould  remain  bury*d 
in  Obhvion.     I  Ihall  only  fay  that  the  Ends  of  fome 
Perfons  w^re  not  Anfwer'd.     Afterwards  a   new  Cla- 
ir.our  yva3  rais'd  againft  Mr.  H^iUirtm.',  as  denying  that 
Change  of   Perfons  between  Chrift  and  Believers,    that 
^vas  neceffary  to  the  right  Stating  the  Dodtrine  of  Satis- 
faHio^  agiiinll  the  Scciuiatis.     Upon  this,    Mr.  H^illlams 
wrote  a  Leti;er  to  Mr.  '^ohn  Humfrey  giving  his  Senfe  of 
cV.at   Matter:    Aod   Mr.   Lob  wrote  another  Letter  to 
X)t,  Bates '^   argMing  that  either  lAv,  Williams  Vf2is  not 
found  in  the  Point  before  mentioned,  or  elfe  the  Dodior 
bad  not  reprefented  it  rightly  in  bis  Harmony^  Printed 
many  Years  before.     Mr.  T/jomas    Goodwin  alfo,    now 
publiihM  bis  Difcouffe  of  the  True  Nature  of  the  Gof- 
fely  which  he  would  not  allow  to  be  a  Lavo :   But  as  it 
£elJ  out,  the  Church  Party  could  not  infult  them  with 
any  great  Decency,    fince  they  bad  as  warm  Contefts 
among  thetti,  upon  another  Head. 
''^i.    :  ^         Several  were  this  Year  Executed  for  the  Aflaflinaiion 
plot,  Cin  which  no  Dillenter  as  I  know  of  was  ever 
charg'd  with  being  concern'd)   and  among  the  reft,  Sir> 
l^tlUafn  Perk,ins  and  S'wjohn  Friend;  who  at  the  Gal- 
lows were  Abfolv'd    with   Impofition  of  Hands,    by 
"Mr.  Collier,   Mr.  Cook,   and  MT.Snatt,   Three  Non-iu- 
v:or*.     And  the  ArchbiQiops  and  all  the  Bifhops  then  in 
Town,  to  ihe  Number  of  Fourteen,    publifli'd  a  Decla- 
ration againft  this  Action  of  theirs,    as  extreamly  info- 
lent,  and  without  Precedent  in  the  Manner,  and  alto- 
gether irregular  in  the  Thing  itfeif.     And  thefe  Abfol- 
vers  were   Prefented,    and  Indidted,    and  Imprifon'd, 
but  recciv'dno  farther  Puniihment,  though  one  of  them 
puhlilh'd  a  Juftification  of  his  Pradbice. 

The  Diffentcrs  continued  divided,  and  a  Second,  and 
a  Third  Paper  were  drawn  upin  Order  to  theaccommo-^ 
dating  Matters  but  in  vain.  It  look'd  as  if  the  Creed  ma- 
king Age  were  again  reviv'd.     But  where  there  is  a  Difr 
portion  to  quarrel ,   'tis  an   eafie  Thing   to    find   an 
Occafion.     Their  Divifions  were  this  Year  relie£ted  on 
^  f'V^^  t)y  Biftiop  Stilliv'^fleet,  in  his  Charge  at  a  Vilitation  ac 
EccUjiafttr  i^^jYQpjic^^     He  thereupon  Charges  them  as  vciy defeSive 
e^l  Cafcs^    i«  r/jc/r  Difcipline'^.     But  had  there  been  more  Difci- 
p  09  Voo  M'^^  ^^  -^*^^  Eftabli(h*d  Church,  (of  which  they  have 
^*  ^  "  no. 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      551 


no  great  Occafion  to  make  their  boafts;  this  Accafation 
might  have  been  pnrfa'd  with  the  more  Grace.  Mr.  Lc- 
rimer  now  publilhM  his  Remarks  on  Mr.  Goodwins  L>i(i 
courfe  of  the  Gofpei:  In  which  he  proves  that  the 
Gofpel  Covenant  is  a  Law  of  Grace. 

This  Year  the  Peace  was  made  at  ^^fn:'icl[.  There  ^«.  i6'p7. 
were  hot  Debates  about  keeping  up  ftanding  Forces  af- 
terwards :  But  they  were  foon  over.  The  Commons 
Addrefs'd  the  King  for  a  Proclamation  againft  Pro- 
pbanenefs  and  Immorality,  which  was  accordingly  pub- 
iifh  d.     This  (as  our  late  Hiftorian 

^  obferves)  ^^4?;^  a  new  Z,fal  to  the         ^  Compleat  H'fiory  o/England, 
Pf^urt:hy  Perfons  who  had  engagdthem-     VoL  3.  p.  746. 
felves  in  voluntary  Societies  for  the  j^e- 

formation  of  Mnnners^    who  had  foon  after^  their  Publicly  TheSodeties 
Sermons  and  Affemblies  at  Bow  Church ;  (and  he  might/"**  ^^/o*- 
have  added  at  S alters  Hall  too)  to  animate  the  goodH^ork,,  mation. 
This  was  indeed  a  Work  that  needed  all  Hands ;    and 
fince  the  Diffenters  as  readily  gave  their  Afliftance  in  it 
as  any,   by  Meeting,   Gonfulting,  Contributing  to  the 
Charge  of  it.  Preaching,   and  giving  Inform  ations,  C^c. 
I  don'i;  fee  why  it  flioold  not  be  taken  notice  of. 

The  "War  being  now  at  an  End  Abroad,  an  ill  Tern-  i^  if  enters 
pet  began  too  generally  to  appear  at  Home.  The  very  ^rofeeuteii^ 
Libecty  of  the  Diflenrers  to  Worlhip  God  in  their  own 
"Way  had  all  along  been  a  Grievance  to  many :  And 
their  bearing  hard  upon  them  at  this  Time  in  feveral 
Inftances,  where  the  A6t  of  Indulgence  had  not  for- 
mally  relieved  them,  is  an  Evidence  that  if  they  did 
not  revive  all  the  former  Severities  againft  them, 
'twas  not  for  wane  of  good  Will.  Several  at  this 
Time  met  with  trouble  for  intruding  Youth, 
Among  others,  Mr.  J cfhua  Oldfield  then  Paftor  of 
a  Congregation  of  Diffenters  in  Coventry^  who  had 
according  to  Law  declared  againft  Popery^  and  fub- 
fcrib'd  to  the  Dodrine  of  the  Church  of  England  con- 
tained in  its  Eftablifh'd  Articles^  who  had  alfo  fworn 
Allegiance  to  the  Government,  and  Affociated  for  it, 
was  upon  a  fufpicion  of  his  iaftrudtipg  Youth  in  fome 
fort  of- Learning,  cited  on  the  6tb  of  OHobsr  this  Year, 
to  appear  in  the  Eccleiiaflical  Court  to  be  held  at  Co- 
imtry  on  the  i4th,  for  the  'Dioct{&  oi  Litchfield  2t.T\ci 
Covrntry^.    Where  \ipon  the  Judges  Charge  of  Teaching 

'    N  n  4  with- 

4 


552         Some  Hifiorjcal  Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 


Aft.  i6^-j'  without  Licence,  he  demanded  a  Copy  of  the  Libel  or 
Articles  againft  him ;    but  was  put  off,   and  forc'd  to 
attend  again  for  it  Twenty  Miles  off  at  Litchfield, 
on  the  26th.     There  he  received  a    Libel    ex  Officio 
for  Teaching  without  Licence,    and  without  Subfcrip- 
tion  to  the  whole  Book    of  Common  Prayer,    and 
Thirty  nine    Articles  of  the  Church  entire,   contrary 
to  the  77th  I  Canon,    though  he  was  not  fo  much  as 
accus'd  as  deficient  in  any  other  Qualification  requir'd 
therein,    or  as  chargeable  with  any  other  Crime  what- 
ever.    His  prcfent  Anfwer  was  earneftly  folicited  by 
the  Judge  •  nor  could  he  obtain  a  longer  Time  or  nearer 
Place  for  it  than  the  Court  Day  following,  Nov.  9.  ac 
Litchfield.     He  then  anfwer'd  by  his  Prodkor;   and  one 
of  his  Family   being    occalionally  Prefent,   was  by 
the  Judge  himfelf  terrify'd  with  the  threatning  of  £jc- 
tommuriicntion^  into  ihej  taking  of  an  Oath  to  accufe  the 
Defendant,   which  be  avoided  by  withdrawing  him- 
felf, before  the  Hour  appointed  for  his  Examination. 
But  coming  to  London,  the  Defendant  at  a  confiderable 
Expence  obtain'd  a  Prohibition  in  Form,   in  the  Court 
of  Kjngs  Bench ^  by  which  the  Profecution  was  ilopp'd. 
I  have  here  added  a  Copy  of  the  Libel  in  the  Margin 
for  the  gratification  of  the  Curious.  * 

The 


*  In  Dei  Noie  Amen,  nos  Richardtn  Raines,  Miles  Legu*  Dr.  Vicarius  in 
Spu'alibas  gen'lis  Reu'di  in  Cto  Patris  et  dora'  dom*  Wmi  perne  Dia 
Lichen*  ct  Covenn*  Epi  Curiaeque  fure  Cons  Epalis  Lichen'  Oificialis  Princ* 
Itime  fulcitus  Tibi  ^off)u£  Oldfidd  de  Civitate  Coven'  Lichen'  &  Coven* 
Dioces'  Alios  Capitula  five  Interria  fubfequen  mei^a  animne  tuae  falni  mo- 
rumquc  Tuorum  reformaconem  et  prxfertim  pueroru  Eniditionem  fine 
Lia  in  ea  parte  prius  obtenta  concernen*  ex  Officio  nro  ad  promoconem 
Jlath .Binckes]>[oiii  Pubci  Officii  Dni  Judicis  promotoris  neccflai'  afl^gnaii 
damus  obmus  &  miniftramus,  Urc. 

I.  Intris  Tibi  prefato  JoflyuA  Oldfield  obmus  et  Ailamur  Qiiod  tu  fcis, 
fSrc.  Qiiod  oranes  &  finguli  qui  de  et  fuptr  Criminibus  Excdlibus  aut  de- 
lid>is  fidunt  et  funt  Ciiminofi  et  Culpabilcs  Juxta  leges  itatuta  canones  et 
Confiituconcs  Ecclicas  in  ea  parte  edit'  ct  provis'  funt  et  ftint  corrigend'  et 
punicnd'  ct  obmus  et  Ailamur  coniij  diviij  et  de  quolet. 

2.  Item 


Chap.  XVllI.  after  the  Revolution  in  i688.     555 

The  Defendant  obtain'd  a  ftay  of  the  Proceedings  ^».  1697- 
in  the  Ecclefiaftical  Court,  and  brought  up  the  Mat- 
ter to  be  argu'd  at  the  ^in^s  Bench^  where  it  was  de- 
pending Three  or  Four  Terms,  to  his  great  Trouble 
and  Charge.  A  Prohibition  was  at  length  obtain'd, 
and  was  to  have  been  folemnly  Argu'd,  but  that  the 
Eccleliaftical  Court  thought  fit  to  let  the  Caufe  fall : 
Not  without  intimation  from  his  Majefty,  (upon  his 
having  the  State  of  the  Cafe  laid  before  himj  that 
he  was  not  pleased  with  fuch  Profecutions.  Mr.  Frank- 
land's  Cafe  was  Parallel  to  this,  only  went  much  far- 
ther, for  he  was  Excommunicated :  And  feveral  others 
met  with  Trouble  about  this  Time  upon  the  like 
Account. 


2.  Item  Tibi  prefato  Joji}U£  Oldfield  obmus  et  Arlamur  Quod  inter  Ca- 

nones  et  Conftitucones  Ecclicas  in  eoru'  robore  exiften'  et  prefertim  per  77 

Canonem  five  Conftituconem   Canonu'   faft'  in  Synodo  inchoat'  Londini 

Anno  Dni  1603.  inter  alia  Ordinatu'  et  Conflitutu'  eft  prouc  fequitur, 
vizt.  No  Man  fhall  Teach  in  Fublick  School  or  Prhate  Houfe  but  fuch  as 
fl}all  be  allowed  by  the  Biff)op  of  the  Vlocefe,  or  Ordinary  of  the  "Place  under 
his  Hand  and  Seal,  being  found  meet  as  well  for  his  Learning  and  Dexterity 
in  Teaching  as  for  fober  and  honest  Converfation^  and  alfo  for  right  Under- 
fiandlng  of  Gods  true  Religion,  jlnd  alfo  except  he  fl}all  first  fubfcribe 
to  the  First  and  Third  Articles  aforementioned  fimfly  and  to  the  two  firji  Clau- 
fes  of  the  Second  Article.     Prout  per  eund'  Canonem  ad  quern  nos  referi- 

mus  et  pro  hie  left'  ec  infert'  heri  vult  et  petit'  pars  ifta  promovens  quatus 
fibi  expedit  plenius  liquet  et  appareu  et  p'^  ut  fupra. 

3.  Item  Q^uod  premiflis  non   obftantibus  Menfibi^s  Maij,  e^c.  et  Martii 
1^95.  ac  Martii,  ^c.  j6^6.    Nee  non  Martii,  ^c.  tet  Oftobris  hociaftan' 

et  jam  curren',  Anno  Dni  1597.  Eorumve,  ^c.  Touthe  faid  Jofhua  Old- 
field  have  Taught  in  a  FublicJi  School,  or  in  your  own  or  fome  other  Prirate 
Houfe^  Scituate  in  the  City  of  Coventry  within  the  Diocefe  of  Litchfield  and 
Coventry,  without  any  Licence  from,  or  allowance  by  the  Bi^op  of  the  Diocefe, 
or  Ordinary  of  the  Place  under  his  Hand  and  Seal  5  and  without  firji  fubfcri- 
hing  to  the  Firft  and  Third  Articles,  and  to  the  two  Tirji  Claufes  of  the  Second 
Article  mentioned  in  the  Canon  fet  forth  in  the  Virfi  Article  of  thefe  Articles. 

Et  obmus  et  arlamiu:  ut  fupra. 

4.  Jter^  Quod  rone  premiflbru*  Tu  prefatus  ^ofhua  Oldfield  in  psenam 

Juris  Incidifti  et  obmus  et  Arlamur  ut  fupra. 

5.  Item  Qiiod  Tu  prefatus  yofhua  Oldfield  fuifti  et  es  de  Civitate  Co- 
ven'Lichen*  et  Coven' Dioces',^;^^. 

'6.  item  Quod  premiffa,  &c. 

Now 


554        Some  Hifioncrd  Additions     Chap.  XVIIF. 

An.  1697.       Now  came  out  the  famous   Letter  to  n  Convocation' 
^J  B   in-  -^^w  concerning  the  Rights,  Powers,  and  Prix ''edges  of 

311.  that  Body.     The  Author   declares,  That  ti^^       -/as  a 
Convocation  ^his  Time  as  great  need   of  a  Convocation     as   ?ver 
ControyerfjAh^^^  was  fincc  Chriftianity  was  eftablifh'd  ir.  ihisK  ng- 
dom.     He  reprefents  the  Danger  from  the  Sociniirjs, 
and   other  Sabverters  of  the  Catholick  Faith  :   Pleads, 
the  Infufficiency  of  the  Epifcopal  Power  and   Jarifdi- 
dtlon,  and  of  the  Authority  of  the  Univerfitief,  to  give 
a  fuita'^le  Reaiedy  ;   and  intimates,   that  the  Parlia- 
ment s  meddling  would  not  be  fo  proper.     He  afferts, 
that  a  Cmvocatfcn  is  as  much  a.  Part  of  the  Conftitution^ 
as  a  Parliament  it/elf.   He  complains  of  the  difufe  of  it, 
and   the  defeating  the  Ends  of  it,  by  repeated  unwar- 
rantable Adjournments  during  the  Life  of  the  laft  Me- 
tropolitan.    He  puts  the  King  in  Mind  of  his  Corona- 
tion Oath  to  prefeive  the  Rights  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land  intiie;  and  infinuates  that  the  Church  of  England 
might  exped:  from  him,  as  tender  a  Concern  for  her 
Welfare  and  Interefts,  as  that  of  Scotland  had  had,  by 
means  of  General  AjfcmblieSf  often  convened.     He  re- 
prefents a  Convocation  as  a  Spiritual  Parliament,  and 
the  Lower    Houfe  of   it  he  calls  the    Commons   Spi- 
ritual :   And  fays,    That  ths  !\ing  is  intrufted  with  the 
Power  of  convening  Synods  and  Con'vocations^  in  ^fpeB  to 
the  Churchy  as  he  is  with  fummoniyjg  Parliaments  for  the 
^edrefs  of  Grievances^  and  the  Puhlick^  Safety  of  the  Na- 
"tion,  in   the    fnme  Manner^  and  under  the  fame  Limita- 
tions.    He  pleads  that  a  Writ  ought  to  be  iffu'd  for  a. 
Convocation,  whenloever  a  Summons  goes  out  for  a 
ParJiament ;    and  in  Proof  hereof,    he  (among  other 
7  hiiigs  )  urges  a  Ciaufe  in  the  ancient  Writ  whereby 
the  Bilhops  were  fummon'd  to  Parliament,  which  was  a 
Premonition  or  Warning  they  were  required  to  give  to 
their    Deans    and    Chapters,    Archdeacons,    and    the 
Clergy  of  their  Diocefes,  about  their  Prefence  in  Par- 
liament, in  Order  to  form  a  Lower  Houfe  of  Convo- 
cation.    He  affirms  alfo  that  a  Convocation  when  fum- 
mon  d  and  met,  is  at  Liberty  to.  confer  and  treat  about 
Matters  proper  to  their  Cognisance.     He  argues  a- 
gainft  the  Need  of  a  Licence  to  treat  and  debate  :  And 
alferis  that  the  Convocation  has  a  Power  of  proceeding 
againft  any  Bilhop,  Prieft,  or  Deacon,    for  Herefy  or 
Schifmj   or  any  other  Spiritual  Oflfence.that  is  not  re- 

ftiain'd 


Ghap.  XVIll.   after  the  Revoluthn in  j6S8.      555 

ftrain'd  by  any  Adtof  Parliament  whatfoever :  And  tha:  An.  1^97. 
their  Canons  need  not  a  Parliamentary  Confirimation, 
provided  they  do  not  impugn  Common  Law,  Statutes, 
Cuftoms,  or  Prerogative.  Here  began  a  Conteft  which 
is  not  yet  come  to  an  End,  and  it  is  nor  eafy  to  fay 
when  it  will. 

An  Anfwer  to  this  Letter  was  foon  publifh'd  by 
Dr.  I4^akf^  cntituled,  The  Authority  of  Chriftian  Princes 
over  their  Ecclefiapical  Synods,  in  ^vo  ;  and  dedicated 
to  the  Archbilhop  of  Canterbury,  He  charges  the  Au- 
thor of  the  Letter,  with  fome  farther  Defign  in  pub- 
lifhing  it,  than  barely  to  aCfert  the  Rights  of  the  Clergy 
and  Convocation.  He  begins  with  confidering  the 
^ght  of  a  Convocation  to  meet  and  fit ;  and  takes  a 
Compafs,  becaufe  the  Matter  tho*  important  had  not 
been  fo  well  confider'd  as  it  deferv'd.  He  afferts  that 
Chriftian  Princes  have  a  right  not  only  to  exercife  Au- 
thority over  Eccleliaftical  Perfons,  but  to  interpofe  in  ^-  !©• 
ordering  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs  too.  One  great  Part  of 
this  Authority,  has  confifted  in  the  Power  to  convene 
Synods,  and  order  what  relates  to  their  Aflembiing  and 
Ading.  It  was  always  a  Part  of  the  Princes  Preroga- 
tive, that  no  Societies  fhould  be  incorporated,  nor  P.  13. 
Companies  meet  without  his  Pertniffion.     The  iincienc  14. 

Synods  were  conven'd  by  the  Imperial  Authority.  It 
was  fo  as  to  the  greater  Councils  and  leffer  Synods.  No 
AflTemblies  of  the  Clergy  were  fuflfer'd,  but  by  the  leave 
of  the  Emperors,  and  according  to  their  Diredtion. 
And  what  Power  the  Emperors  heretofore  laid  claim 
to  in  the  whole  Empire,  the  fame  fucceeding  Princes 
have  continu'd  to  aflert,  within  their  own  particular 
Dominions.  'Twas  thus  in  Spain^  Germnny^  France^  8<c. 
This  Author  obferves,  That  when  the  Civil  Magiftrate 
advifed  with  the  Clergy  about  calling  a  Synod,  it  was 
not  look'd  upon  as  a  Matter  of  Right ;  and  that  he  of-  ^*  3°° 
ten caird  Synods  together  without  fuch  Advice:  That 
when  the  Bifliops  have  defir'd  a  Council  earneftly,  and 
it  has  been  refafed  by  the  Magiftrate,  they  have  fub- 
mitted,  and  not  reckon  d  they  had  a  Right  to  meet 
without  Leave  .-  Nor  were  the  ftated  Provincial 
Councils  held  without  their  Leave,  or  againft  their  p.  3<», 
Confent.  And  when  a  Synod  was  refolved  on,  the 
Prince  determined  or  allow'd.  Time  and  Place  of 
meeting :  And  alfo  appointed  what  Perfons  Ihould  come 
£0  them,  -         --  "When 


556  Some  Hiftorjcal  Additions     Chap.  XVIH. 

An.  1697-     When  Synods  are  aflembled,  he  afferts  that  the  Civil 

p.  ^^.  Magiftrate  has  a  Right    to  prefcribe  the  Matters  on 

which  they   are  to  debate  .-  And  alfo  the  Manner  and 

p.  55.  &c.  Method  of  their  Proceedings    in    them :    And  if    he 

pleafes ;  to  fit  in  them  and  prefide  over  thenj,  or  ap- 

P.  64.    point  his  Coromiflioner  to  do  it  in  his  ftead  :  That 
they  cannot  difiblve  themfelves,  and  depart  from  fuch 

i*-  'j6.  Council  till  he  gives  them  a  Licence .-  And  thai 
their   Definitions  are  no  farther  Obligatory,  than  as 

p.  7p.  ratified  and  confirmed  by  the  Civil  Authority.  For 
he  declares,  the  Prince  is  not  oblig'd  to  confine 
whatfoever  the  Clergy  fhall  think  fie  to  determine  ; 
that  he  muft  be  allow'd  a  Power  of  annulling  and 
rejecfting  what  they  have  done,  if  it  appears  hurtful 
and  unjuft ;  to  annul  Part  and  confirm  Part  if  he  fees 
good ;  and  to  alter  or  improve  it,  to  add  to,  or  take 
from  it  ;  and  that  the  Prince  has  this  Power  over  the 
judicial  Determinations  of  his  Synods,  as  well  as  over 
their  Canonical  Refolutions.  He  proves  from  Hiftory 
of  Times  paft,  that  thus  it  has  been  all  along ;  And 
declares  that  thefe  Priviledges  belong  to  the  Ghriftian 
Magiftrate  as  fuch :  And  therefore  that  every  Sove- 
reign Prince,  has  a  Right  to  exercife  this  Authority 
ivithin  bis  Dominions ;  and  the  Kings  of  England  a- 
mong  the  reft. 

p.  08.  He  farther  affcrts,  That  by  our  own  Conftitution, 
the  King  of  Englnnd  has  all  that  Power  over  an  Eng- 
lijh  Convocation,  that  ever  any  Chriftian  Prince  had 
over  his  Synods.  He  has  Authority  to  call  the  Clergy 
together  in  Convocation,  to  appoint  the  Time  and 
Place  of  their  meeting,  and  who  fnall  come  to  it;  nor 
are  they  to  fit  or  aci,  but  when  and  as  often  as  he  thinks 
fit ;  which  has  commonly  been  to  give  Money,  after 
which  they  have  been  difmifs'd.  A  Convocation  has 
been  call'd  with  the  Parliament,  becaufe  it  has  been 
ufed  to  give  Money  with  it;  But  the  Clergy  now  not 
afleffing  dicmfelves,  it  were  no  great  Matter  whether 
they  had  a  Right  to  be  fommon'd  or  no. ' 
P.  108.  When  they  are  met  they  cant  confer,  or  make  Ca- 
nons without  the  King's  Licence.  They  may  delibe- 
rate of  what  might  ufefuHy  be  confidered,  but  mayn*t 
proceed  to  any  Canonical  Debates  or  Rcfolotions  about 
any  Thing,  but  according  to  his  Special  Dirediion.  An- 
ciently they  were  won  t  to  judge  of  Hcrefy  in  Convo^^ 

catioa 


Chap.XVIlL  after  the  Revolution  in  i6S8,     557 


Cation:  But  then 'twas  not  fo  much  the  Convocation  An.  i6^j, 
that  judg'd,  as  the  Archbilhop  in  Convocation;  and 
that  with  the  King's  Leave  j  who  may  prohibit  in 
fuch  Cafes,  or  receive  an  Appeal,  and  Confirm,  Suf- 
pend,  or  Annul  Sentence  as  he  finds  to  be  teafonable. 
They  cannot  break  up  at  Pleafure,  but  muft  continue  to 
fit,  as  long  as  the  King  fhall  think  fit  to  require  them  fo 
to  do :  Nor  can  they  execute  any  Canons  without  the 
Royal  Aflent  5  nor  indeed  with  it,  can  they  execute 
any  Canons  againft  the  Prerogative  of  the  King,  the 
Common  or  Statute  Law,  or  againft  any  Cuftom  of 
the  Realm. 

After  this,  he  gives  an  Hiftcrical  Dedudion  of  the 
Stare  of  the  Convocation,  from  the  firft  Convcrfion  of 
of  the  Saxons  to  our  own  Days  ;  And  then  in  Oppofi-  p,  147,52c. 
tion  to  the  Author  of  the  Letter,  he  denies  the  inhe- 
rent Authority  of  the  Church  to  make  Synodical  Au- 
thoritative Definitions,  He  denies,  chat  the  fitting  of 
Convocations  is  any  of  the  Rights  of  the  Church  ( un- 
lefs  by  accident  )  and  much  more  its  chief  Right.  He 
aflerts  that  its  fafer  for  them  to  ad:  in  Convocation  un- 
der the  King's  Direction,  than  at  the  Motion  of  every 
warm  unthinking  Member  of  their  own  Body.  It  is 
(fays  he)  more  than  prohahle  that  had  not  the  Prince  a 
Tie  upon  us^  we  Jhould  before  this  Time  have  run  our  felves 
into  yet  VQorfer  Divifions  than  we  now  labour  under  ;  and 
in  all  Appearance  have  expos' d  both  our  felves  and  the 
Church,  for  a  H^ey  to  the  common  Enemy  of  both.  He  de- 
clares himfelf  not  fatisfied  that  the  Convocation  is  o£ 
the  fame  Power  with  regard  to  the  Church,  that  the 
Parliament  is,  in  refpedt  of  the  State :  And  afleits  z. 
greater  Need  of  frequent  Parliaments,  than  of  frequent 
Convocations.  He  fays,  That  were  it  ftill  the  princi- 
pal Bufinefs  of  a  Convocation  ( as  heretofore  )  to  give 
Money  to  the  Government,  inftead  of  a  Vindication 
of  its  Right  to  fit,  we  Ihould  rather  have  feen  a  Com- 
plaint againft  the  Charge  and  Trouble  of  it.  He 
aflerts  that  the  Convocation  now  debated  of,  is  fum- 
mon'd  by  another  Sort  of  Writ  than  that  which  here- 
tofore came  together  by  Vertue  of  the  Pramonition^  ^c,  p.  284^ 
to  the  Bifliop,  and  that  it  eonfifts  of  another  Sort  of 
Perfons,  and  is  quite  another  Thing :  And  that  the 
25th  of  Hemy  VIIL  has  reftot'd  the  Crown  to  its 
Royal  Authority,  and  put  the  Power  of  diredling  the 

~  Con- 


558         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap. XVIIL 

An.  1697.  Convocation  into  the  King's  Hands,  where  it  ought  to 
be.  This  (  he  fays )  is  the  Senfe  of  that  Statute  that 
has  univerfally  obtain'd,  and  been  confirm'd  by  con- 
ftant  Practice  ;  and  been  acquiefc'd  in,  by  thofe  whofe 
Intereft  it  was  to  have  declared  againft  this  Senfe  of  it. 
For  no  Convocation  fmce  this  Adt,  has  ever  refus'd  the 
King's  Licence  when  fent,  or  protefted  againft  it,  or 
venturM  to  proceed  ro  confer,  deliberate,  and  make  Ca- 
nons, without  it.  He  pjcads  that  the  King  might  keep 
his  Coronation-Oath^  and  that  Mn^na  Charta  might  be 
as  facredly  obferv*d,  as  any  one  could  wifti  it  ihouid  be, 
tho'  the  Clergy  be  not  allowed  all  that  unre;ifonabIe  Li- 

P  30^  berty  which  fome  Men  plead  for  on  their  Behalf.  He 
charges  the  Author  of  the  Letter  with  AAing,  as  if 
he  intended  rather  to  refledt  upon  the  Adminiftration 
of  Affairs,  and  to  raife  Difcontents  in  Men's  Minds  a- 
gainft  the  Government,  than  to  do  any  Service  either  to 
Religion  or  the  Church. 

P.  ^06.  He  pleads  that  Synods  may  in  fome  Cafes  be  ufelefs, 
and  fometimes  hurtful ;  and  are  not  to  be  call'd  toge- 
ther, when  their  Meeting  is  likely  to  turn  to  the  Pre- 
judice of  the  Church.  As  for  Libertines^  he  fays  'tis 
ridiculous  to  think  that  all  the  Synods  in  the  World 
Ihould  ever  be  able  to  perfwade  them.  They  that  are 
not  to  be  reftrained  by  what  has  been  already  deter- 
mined in  Mattets  of  Faith,  will  much  lefs  regard  any 
new  DeciGons  that  can  be  made  againft  them.  He  adds, 
•That  the  King  might  as  well  affemble  his  Parliament 
to  try  a  Thief  or  Felon,  as  his  Convocation  to  con* 
vidl  a  Man  of  Herefy  or  Schifm.  Where  Difcipline  is 
defedtive,  a  Convocarion  may  be  needful  to  confider  a 
Remedy:  But  (fays  this  Author)  I  am  afraid  our 
Diftemper  is  become  too  great  to  be  healed  :  And  that 
we  are  uncapable  of  fuch  a  Difcipline,  as,  above  all 
Things,  we  the  oioft  want.  And  he  adds,  Worn  Mens 
Paffions  are  let  loofe^  and  their  Minds  diforderd:  When 
their  Interefts  and  Defigns^  their  Friends  and  their  PartseSy 
nay,  their  very  Judgments  and  Principles ^  lead  them  different 
IVays  ;  and  they  agree  in  nothing  fo  much  as  in  being  very 
Peevifh  and  Angry  with  one  another  :  Pf^jen  their  very  I{ea- 
fon  is  deprav^dy  and  they  judge  not  according  to  Truth  or 
Evidence,  but  with  refpeh  of  Perfons  ;  and  every  one  cppofet 
what  another  of  a  different  Perfwafion  either  moves  or  ap- 
proves  of:  What  Good  can  the  Prince  propofe  to  bimfelf^ 

0r 


Chap.XVIIl.  after  the  Revolution  tniG'^^.      559 

or  any  wife  Man  hope  for ^  from  any  Affembly  that  can  bs  An.  16^ j, 
brought  together,  under  the  unhappy  Influence  of  thefe,  and 
the  ii!{r  Prepojfeffions  ? 

Tho*  the  Author  declares  himfelf  very  fenfible  of  the  p.  320. 
Loofenefs  of  Men's  Principles  and  Pra&ces,  yet  he  in- 
timates he  is  perfwaded  that  fhould  a  Convocation  meet 
to  reprefs  it,  under  prefent  Gircumftances,  it  would  on- 
ly expofe  its  own  Authority,  and  our  Religion,  to  the 
greater  Contempt  of  Profane  and  Wicked  Men.  He 
declares  he  fees  no  need  of  the  meeting  of  a  Convoca- 
tion againft  Scepticifm,  Deifm,  Atheifm,  or  Soci- 
nianifm,  or  any  Attempts  for  an  Univerfal  Toleration; 
or  whatUfe  it  would  be  of  in  any  of  thefe  Refpe(^s: 
He  argues  upon  the  Point  of  declaring  thofe  Hereticks, 
that  had  departed  from  the  common  Doctrine ;  (hews 
how  likely  the  Convocation  would  be  to  fly  into  Heats 
and  Parties,  and  afier  all  do  nothing  but  expofe  them- 
felves,  and  goes  on  faying ;  PVhilft  Pride  and  Peevi/h' 
nefs^  Hatred  and  lU-will,  Divifions  and  Difcontents,  pre^ 
vail  among  thofe  who  fhould  teach  and  ccrreEt  others  ;  and 
inftead  of  improving  a  true  Spiy^t  of  Piety  and  Purity^ 
Love  and  Charity^  Peaceabl^nefs  and  Humility ^  we  mind 
little  elfe  hut  our  fever al  Inter efis,  and  Quarrels^  and  Con* 
tentions  with  one  another,  what  H^onder  if  we  fee  but  little 
Succefs  of  our  jMiniJiry^  and  are  but  little  regarded  up07i  the 
yiccount  of  it  :  And  he  concludes  with  this  Obfervarion, 
That  the  only  Way  to  deal  with  fame  Perfons,  is  to  treat: 
them  as  they  deferve :  And  to  let  them  kriow,  that  thofe  are 
unworthy  the  ProteBion  of  the  Government,  who  are  em- 
bar  J^d  in  an  Interefl  different  from  it  ;  and  refufe  to  contri- 
bute to  the  Neceffities  of  it. 

This  was  foon  anfwer'd  by  a  Book  calFd  Municipium 
Ecclejzaflicum  ;  or  the  Rights  Liberties  and  Authorities 
of  the  Chriftian  Church  :  AlTerted  againft  all  oppreflive 
DocSrines  and  Conftitutions.  The  Author  feems  fur- 
priz'd,  thatfuch  a  Man  as  the  Doftor  (hould  appear  in 
fuch  a  Caufe.  He  charges  him  with  Erajlian  Divinity, 
He  reprefents  his  Principle  as  woife  than  that  of  the  In- 
dependents, becaufe  it  has  no  Authority  but  humane 
Prudence  at  the  Bottom.  Tells  him,  that  if  he  fhould 
preach  up  his  Maxims  but  on  the  other  Side  Tweed,  they 
would  quickly  bring  him  to  the  Stool  of  Repentance. 
He  complains  of  his  Scheme,  where  the  Prince  is  of  a 
different  Religion  from  the  People.    But  this  Author 

lays 


560         Some  Hifioricd  Addithnt     Ghap.  X VIII. 


>iff.  i^pT-laysthe  Grounds  of  Synodical  Auihority  in  a  Divine 
Charter ;  and  calls  the  Dodior's  an  mjlaving  Hypothefis^ 
charging  it  with  breaking  in  upon  a  Divine  Right. 
He  is  very  angry  that  the  Doctor  fhould  look  upon  Sy- 
nods but  as  prudential  Clubs.  He  fays  the  Clergy  only 
are  the  poor,  tame,  difpinted,  drowlle  Body,  that  are 
in  love  with  their  own  Fetters ;  And  complains  that  the 
Powers  of  the  Church  are  chain'd  down  to  mere  Poli- 
tick Ends  and  Services.  He  wonders  how  a  Claim  of 
an  opprellivc  Supremacy,  can  be  deem'd  a  glorious 
Jewel  in  a  Chriftian  Crown,  which  if  exercifed,  muft 
of  NeceiTity  forfeit  the  King's  Salvation  !  and  asks  if 
it  is  not  a  dangerous  CoiTiplaifance  in  Priefts,  to  fann 
fuch  an  Ambition,  as  muft  end  in  the  Ruin  of  the 
Church,  the  Pricfthood,  and  the  Soul  of  the  Prince  ? 
To  the  DoAor's  Examples  as  to  the  Power  of  the  Jewifh 
Kings,  B^man  Emperors,  and  other  Princes,  and  par- 
ticularly Saxons^  he  fays  they  prove  no  Right :  And  is 
concern'd,  that  every  Adt  of  uncontroulable  Tyranny, 
fhould  pafs  with  the  Dodior  under  the  Reputation  of 
Authority.  He  charges  the  DoAor  with  uling  his  gene- 
rous Adverfary,  not  only  with  extream  Spight,  but  un- 
deferv'd  Contempt :  And  with  being  guilty  of  a  great 
many  Incongruities :  And  at  laft  concludes  with  a 
Wilh,  that  he  might  humble  himfelf  to  God  for  the 
Wrongs  he  had  done  to  the  Church,  and  when  he  has 
done  fo,  he  doubts  not  but  he  would  quickly  endeavour 
'  to  make  her  Reparation. 

Dr.  HeSter  alfo  this  Year  publifli'd  a  Treatife  concern- 
ing Schifm  and  Schifmntickj^  wherein  the  chief  Grounds 
and  Principles  of  a  late  Separation  from  the  Church  of 
England  are  conlider'd  and  anfwer'd.  He  fays  Men  feem 
to  be  hard  put  to  it  to  find  a  Caufe  of  Separation,  when 
Proteftanrs  are  forcM  to  take  up  old  confuted  Popery,  to 
ground  it  upon.  If  they  had  never  fo  juft  a  State  Quar- 
rel on  the  Account  of  a  Popilh  Prince,  one  would  think 
they  fliould  fcarcely  part  with  the  Principles  of  their 
own  Religion  for  the  fake  of  him. 

The  Diffenters  ft  ill  continu'd  divided,  and  that  to 
fuch  a  Degree,  that  they  could  no  longer  keep  their 
Differences  private  among  themfelvcs,  but  publifhed  an 
Account  of  them  to  the  World  ;  as  if  they  were  ' 
afraid  to  feem  to  be  united,  when  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land was  in  fo  divided  a  State.    Now  came  out  a  Export 

of 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       561 


of  the  prefent  State  of  the  Differences  in  DcBrinais,  be-  An.  16^-}* 

iween  fome  Diflenting  Minifters  in  London,  written  by 

Mr.  Lohh,     It  was  anfwer'd  in  a  faithful  ^bti^e  to  a 

falfe  I{eporr,  Written  by  Mr.  y^lfop.     And  now  alfo  cdme 

out,  The  ^ighteonfnefs  of  God  revealed  in  the  Gofpel  -y  ot 

an  impartial  Inquiry  into   the  genuine  DoSrine    of 

St.  Pauly  in  the  Great,  but  much  controverted  Article 

of  Jufiification  ;  by   Mr.  John  Humphrey  ■   prefaced  by 

the  Biftiops  of  £/>-,  PVarceJier^  and  Chcfter, 

This  Year  Sit  Humphrey  Edwin  who  was  i  DilTenter,     rhe  Ciii 
being  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  carried  the  B^galia  with  Sword  car* 
him  to  a  Mfeeting  of  DilTenters  at  P inner s-HalL     This  rled  to  a 
Fac^  had  unhappy  Confequences  both  in  this  and  the  Difentin^ 
next  Reign;   and  many  were  the  Exclamations  and^ee^'wg;. 
Tragical  Complaints  which  it  raifed.    Among  others 
Dr.  N/c/f;o/j  tells  the  World*    That 

to    the  great  reproach  of   the  Lnvps^         i-    «  ,    ^  ^     ^  •: 

nnd  cfthc  Cit,  Magiftracy,  he  tar-     a„  I  t';^,ol!"  ' 

ried  the  Sword  with  him  to  a  Nafly         o-  F- 
Conventicle, that  was  kept  in  one  of  the 
City  Halls  :    Which  horrid  Crime  t         t  Atrox  f acinus. 
(  fays  he  )  one  of  his  own  Party  de- 
fended,  by  giving  this  arrogant  ^eafon  for  it,  that  by  thii 
A^  of  Parliament  by  which  they  have  their  Liberty,  their 
Religion  was  as  much  efiablifhed  as  ours„     But  many  who 
wifli'd  thi^  Action  had  been  wav'd,  a^  tending  to  en- 
rage, were  yet  to  feek  for  the  Horridnefs  of  the  Crime  : 
Nor  could  they  fee  the  great  Arrogance  of  the  Plea; 
when   the    I{eligion  that  is  own'd  in  Churches  and 
Meetings,  is  one  and  the  fame.     A  Pamphlet  was  alfo 
now    publifti'd,    called.    An  Enquiry  into    the  Occnjio-. 
nnl  Conformity  of  Diffenters  in  Cafes  of  Preferment  •  of 
which  little  Notice  was  taken  at  this  Time :    But  it 
was  Republifh'd  in  1701,  when  it  will  in  Courfe  fall 
under  Confideration. 

This  Year  there  was  a  new  Parliament ;  but  they  AH.  i6§d: 
did  not  meddle  with  Matters  of  Religion,   tho*  they 
had  a  Committee  for  Religion  as  ufually. 

The  old  Differences  yet  continu  d  among  the  Diffen- 
ters about  Dodfcrinal  Matters.  There  now  came  ouc 
4.  Defence  of  the  Report  concerning  the  prefent  State  of 
the  Differences  in  DoQrinals,  between  fome  Diffenting 
Minifiers  in  London,  in  Reply  to  a  Book  intituled,  A 
fMful  Rebuke  of  that  I{eport  :  And  it  Was  foon  followed 

O  o  v^kU 


56r        Some  Hijiorical  Addition.      Chap,XVin. 


jtn.   1 6^1 8-  with  <J  Vindication  of  the  fdithfut  I{ebuke  to  a  falfe  Report, 
agni?i/i  th:  rude  Cavils  of  the  pretended  Defence :    And 
that  alfo  was  follow'd  with  a  Pamphlet,  entitul'd,  A 
View  c)  an  EccUjiafticl\   in  his  Seeks  and  Buskins :  Or  a 
j'ttfi  Reprimand  given   to  Mr,  Alfop,  for  his  Foppifh,  Pe- 
dantickf  DetraHive,  and  Petulant  I4^ay  of  fVriting,     He 
that  will  be  at  the  Pains  to  read  over  what  was  pub- 
lifh'd  upon  tins  Occahon,  will  fee  Giufe  to  pity  the 
Diflenrers,  wlio  pelted  one  another  with  hard  Names, 
and  fevere  Refledtiojis :    And  if  they  themfelves  will 
review  them,  it  might  be  a  Warning  to  them  for  the 
future,  to  leave  off  Contention  before  it  be  meddled 
with.     At  length  came  out  Mr.  Lobbs  Appeal  to  the 
Biihop  of  fyotcejicr,  and  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards,  about 
the  Controverfy  between  him  and  Mr.  HMiams  :    And 
the  Congregational  Minifters  about  the  City,  publi(h*d 
a  Declaration  againft  the  Antimmian  Errors. 
the  Conyo-      Neither  was  the  Church  of  England  now  free  from 
cation  Con-    Contentions.     For  Dr.  IVake  publifli'd  an  Appeal  to  aU 
troyerfycon-  the  true  Members  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  behalf  of 
tinu'd.         the  Kjngs  Ecclejhftic.il  Supremacy^    as  by  Law  Eftabli(h*d, 
by  our  Convocations  approved  ;  and  by  our  moft  emi- 
nent Bifhops  and  Clergymen  ftated  and  defended  :  And 
dedicated  it  as  he  did  his  tormer  Book  to  the  Archbifliop 
oiCantcrtury. 

He  feems  furpriz'd  to  find  himfelf  charged,  as  if  in 
defending  the  Authoricy  of  the  Prince,  he  bad  betray 'd 
.  the  Rights  of  the  Church :  This  he  reprefents  as  an 
Evidence  that  Tome  Men  s  Refeniments  are  as  much 
beyond  Modelty,  as  they  are  without  Reafon.  He 
fays,  the  Princss  Authority  was  both  the  Means  by 
which  the  Reformation  was  carried  on,  and  the  Ground 
on  which  it  was  jultified :  and  that  he  hardly  knew 
any  Author  of  the  Church  of  England  till  now,  that  pre- 
tended the  Rights  of  the  Church  were  infring'd  by  it: 
And  that  all  Clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England  have 
Iblemnly  declared  their  Aflent  to  it,  and  are  oblig  d  to 
their  Power  to  maintain  it.  He  wonders  that  the 
Church  of  Englnnd  (hould  be  reprefented  as  in  a  perfe- 
cuted  State,  and  having  been  fo  ever  fince  the%forwjd- 
tion ;  and  not  fo  much  as  a  protected  Church  till  the 
Ad  of  the  Submiflion  of  the  Clergy  is  repeal'd. 

He 


Chap.  XVtlL   after  the  RevolHtion  l*t  1 688.      565 

He  here  fhews  the  Senfe  of  the  Church  of  Englnud  An,  1598^ 
ever  fince  the  Reformation,  as  to  the  Aurhority  of 
Chriftiaa_  Princes  over  the  Ecclefiartical  Synods  of  their 
Realms.  He  begins  with  the  Ad:  of  SubmilTionj 
25  Henry  VIII.  C.  19,  which  continu'd  in  Force  in  the 
Time  of  Edwa)-d  Vf,  arid  was^  reviv'd  t  Eli^,  An 
Oath  was  fram'd  in  Recognition  of  this  Supremacy^  and 
enjoin'd  to  be,  taken  by  ail  Officers  and  Miriifters  Ec- 
clefiaftical  and  Temporal.  The  37th  Article  of  tlie 
Church  agrees  with  this  Oath ;  and  fo  do  the  Canons 
of  1603.  And  the  moft  learned  Divines  and  other, 
Writers,  ever  fince  have  concurr*d.  He  cites  fori 
Proof,  the  Inpitiition  of  a  Chriftian  Man  ;  King  Henrj]^ 
DecUrdtion  againfl  the  Council  cf  Mantua  j  The  Lehcn 
^/  Tonftal  /irtd  Stokelly  to  CdrdjnaJ?oole;  Queen  EI,i;zajr' 
bfeth'j  InfunBions ;  and  her  l^Tfhops  in  tlieir  Articles. ;  Here. 
he  particularly  cites,  Archbilhop  ^;zV^/y>,  Archbifliop 
Bancroft,  Biih'op  jev^el,  Bifhop  J^lljfori^  Deatt-  Notp^/; 
Mr.  Hoo\er :  King  James ;  Bi(hop'  Andrevos^  Mr.  Mafonl 
King  Charles' f.  Archbilhop  Ldud,  Arcfabifhop  Bramhalf^ 
Bilhop  Dkijefjdnt,  Dr.  Heyli'n,  Nor  did  the  Parlianienc 
or  Gonvocatioti  after  King  Charles  II.  Reftauration, 
( tho*  zealous  enough  for  the  Church)  think  the 
Church  was  at  all  opprefs'd,  by  the  legal  Jurifdi(9:iori 
of  the  Prince  over  it.  Nay,  the  moft  eminent  Divines, 
defended  th^  Supremacy  upon  the  Legal  Bottom,  as 
Bilhop  Taylor  and  others;  and  among  the  reft  Bilhop  Par". 
kfr  ;  Tyt'.  Fa'f(ner^  and  Dr.  Barrovp. 

He  aflerts,  That  'tis  the  Riglic  of  every.  Chriftian 
King'  to  call  hi? Clergy  together;  that  the  Perfons  tbac 
meet  in  onr  Convocations  are  determin'd  by  the  King's. 
Writ.-  And  that  tHe  Sovereign  Legiflative  Authd-;- 
rity'  may  appoint  any  other  Method  of  framing  the 
Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  ( than  that  which  is  novv 
ufual )  that  ihould  appear  to  them  more  propter  and  c-k^ 
piediem,  ^c.  And  adds,  That  if  for  thus  defending 
the  iQng* s' Authority  over  the  Clergy  he  ought  to  he  cenfur  d^ 
he  was  afraid  fo  great  a  Part  of  his  Order  would  go  along 
wi^  hifH^  as  vtfould  mah  it  fcandalous  to  (lay  behind: 
And  be  nufnbsr^d  among  that  little^  "^oify^  turbulent  Party ^ 
who  fet  tbemfelves  up  as  Judges  over  them,  -  And  that  he 
was  fully  perfwaded  that  nothing  at  this  Day  prefervd 
thefh  from  I{Uin  and  Deflation^  but  their  not  having  Power 
ofthemfelvss  to  do  the  Church  a  Mifchief^  and  to  throw  all 

O  6  i  into 


564        Some  Hi florical  Additions     Ciiap.  XVlll. 


into  Confufioriy  in  fuch  Times  of  Fnciion  and  Difcontent,  of 
Hetits  and  Animofities  as  the  prejcnt  9  to  the  certain  Scan- 
dal and  Divifion  of  the  Church  y  it  may  be  to  a  new  Con- 
fltfion  of  all  Things  in  tie  State  too. 
Ai»  16^9.  Mr.  Hill  wrote  an  Anfwer  to  this  Afpeal^  and  it 
would  have  been  a  long  Time  before  any  Convocation 
had  bceen  fimmond,  if  the  Government  had  ftaid, 
'till  they  could  have  agreed  what  they  had  a  Right  to 
do,  when  they  came  together,  before  a  Writ  was  iffu'd 
out  for  that  Purpoie. 

In  the  Seihon  of  Parliament  this  Year,  it  was  com- 
plain'd  of  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  that  many 
Perfons  dilfenting  from  the  Church  of  England^  and 
Men  of  fmall  Fortunes,  were  made  Juftices  of  the 
Peace ;  Which  occafioned  an  Addrefs  of  that  Houfe  to 
hisMajefty.  And  great  Complaints  alfo  were  made  of 
the  growth  of  Popery.  An  Addrefs  was  alfo  made  to 
the  King,  for  a  Proclamation  againft  Vice  and  Im- 
morality, which  was  iflliedoutac- 
-,  ,  ,     /.       •       T      cordingly  :    And  a  Circular  Let- 

r       ,    '^'S-a      ^Tt:'^    a     ^er  to  promote  Reformation,  was 
rHif  1   ."^r  ^'^  ^^"^  ^y^^  Arcbbilhop  of  Canters 

'  t'  i/  *  ijf^yy^  to  all  the  Bifliops  of  his  Pro- 

vince *. 
The  DilTcnters  at  length  began  to  grow  more  cool 
«nd  calm.  A  Book  was  now  printed,  intituled,  A 
Plea  for  Mr,  Baxter,  and  thofe  that  fpcak^  of  the  Suffer^ 
,  ings  of  Chriji  as  he  does :  And  Mr.  fViHiams  publi(h*d 
an  End  to  Difcord.  And  fome  Time  after  (•y^*^.  the 
next  Year,  tho'  I  Ihall  mention  it  here,  that  I  may 
have  no  Occafion  to  return  to  thefe  Matters  again  ) 
came  out  a  Difcourfe  of  the  Bifhop  of  H-orcefters^  con- 
cerning the  Dotlrine  of  Chrifi's  SatisfaHlon  :  Wherein 
the  Antinomian  and  Sociman  Controverfies  about  it  are 
truly  dated  and  explained;  in  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Lobb's 
Appeal,  and  to  feveral  Letters  from  the  Diflcnting  Par- 
ties in  London.  The  Bifhop  very  candidly  gives  an  Ac- 
count what  he  eftecm'd  Truth,  and  what  Error,  in  the 
Matters  that  had  been  debated,  and  upon  wluc 
Grounds:  But  intimates  he  cotild  fee  no  Occafion  for  To 
much  Heat :  and  concludes,  there  muft  be  fomethin^ 
farthei  in  the  Matter^  than  afpenr'd  to  an  indifferent  and 
impartial  I{eader;  which  he  would  not  inquire  into  ; 
no  more  (hall  I  :  But  as  it  is  Matter  of  great  Lamen- 
tation 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 688.      565 

cation  that  they  (hould   fpend  the  Reign  of  fucb    a  An.  idpp* 
Prince  as  King  William  in  Party  Quarrels;  fo  it  is  to 
be  hop'd,  the  Scnfeofcheill  Confequences  that  attend- 
ed their  fo  doing,  will  be  a  Caution  for  the  Future. 

The  Bilhop  of  Sarum^  who  feme  Years  before  had  The  Bifhop 
publifti'd  his  Difcourfe  of  the  Pnfloral  Care,   and  dedi-  of  Sarum'i 
cated  it  to  the  Queen,  at  this  Time  publilh'd  his  Expo-  ^xpofition 
fition.  of  the  Thirty  Nine  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England,  °/^''f  2"^"'- 
which  he  dedicated  to  the  King.     Several  of  the  Cler-  ^Jf  ^'nejit^ 
gy  were  not  a  little  incenfed  againft  him  for  the  Free-  ^^* 
dom  he  had  ufed  in  his  former  Performance.    For  he 
there  told  the  Queen  in  his  Dedication^  what  need  there 
was  of  a  Reformation  of  the  Lives  and  Manners  of 
Men,  and  particularly  of  the  Clergy  :  And  in  his  pre- 
face, he  fpeaks  of  the  grofs  Ignorance  of  fome  in  Otders, 
or  that  pretend  to  them  ;   and  the  Infcniiblcnefs  of  o- 
thers  of  the  extent  of  their  Office,   while  they  ima- 
gine their  whole  Work  conlifts  in  Publick  Fundkions, 
and  the  Paftoral  Care  is  generally  neglc(3:ed  ;  and  ma- 
ny confirm'd  in  Atheifm  and  a  difhelief  of  Reveal'd 
Religion,  by  obferving  the  common  Want  of  that  ftrift- 
nefs  of  Life  in  Perfons  confecrated  to  the  facred  Mini- 
ftry,  which  their  Character  calls  for.     And  he  applies 
to  them  the  Words  of  the  Prophets,  Malachi  2.  7,  8,  9. 
and  fer,  10.  21.     And  he  adds,  it  is  not  our  boaftingthnp 
the  Church  of  England  //  the  heft  Reformed,  and  the  be(l 
conftituted  Church  in  the  H^orld,  that  voill  fignify  much  to 
convince  others  .    We  are  too  much  parties  to  be  beleivd 
in  out  ovon  Caufe.     There  was  a  Generation  of  Men  that 
cried.  The  Temple  of  the  Lord,  the  Temple  of  the 
Lord,  as  loud  as  voe  can  cry^  The  Church  of  England^ 
the  Church  of  England^  when  yet  by  their  Sins  they  were 
pulling  it  down,' and  kjndiing  that  Eire  which  confumedit. 
It  will  have  a  better  Grace  to  fee  others  boafl  of  our  Church, 
from  what  they  obferve  inus,^  than  for  us  to  be  crying  it  up 
with  our  Words,  when  our  Deeds  do  decry  it.     Our  Ene- 
mies will  makefevere  Inferences  from  them^  and  our  Pre- 
tenjioris  mil  be  tho't  vain  and  impudent  Things^  as  long  as 
our  Live/ oontradi^i  them.    Such  Paffages  as  thefe  in  the 
Preface,  with  fome  warrai  and  fevere  Reflediions  upon 
feveral  common  Pra£ti(cs  of  the  Clergy  in  the  Book  ii 
felf,  had  exafperated  many  of  them  to  a  great  Degree  ^ 
and  the  Publication  of  this  his  Expofition  of  the  Articled 
laifed  it  to  f^ha'pit<;h,Ehatitcould  not  longbefmotbec'd; 

Oo  i  "     I^ 


566       Some  Hifioricd  Additions     Chap.  XVlll. 


An.  i6p9.  In  the  Dcdicatiqn  of  it,  he  tells  King  l^^iilUm  ih^t  h^ 
VVo)\x9as  not  y^t  done,  nor  his  Glory  compient^  till  he  bnd 
employ  d  thar  ?o-vtr  which  God  had  put  into  his  Hnndi^  in 
Jupporting  and  Jecuring  the  Churchy  in  thehfiatitjg  down  In- 
fidelity hnd  Impisty^  in  the  hcfAJvg  the  H^ounds  and  Breaches 
ihar  are  made  among  thofe  voho  do  iji  common  pyofefs  the 
Faith y    but  are  unhr^ppily  disjointed  and  divided  by  feme 
Difjercfices  that    are  of  lejs  Importance  :   And  above  all 
Thhigs^  in  the  raijhig  the  Power  and  Ejjicacy  of  I{eligion, 
hy  a  juitable  J^formationof  our  Lives  and  Marmers.     And 
adds,  hcvD   low  fo ever  all  our  Hopes  are  either  of  raifmg  the 
Power  cf  I{eligion^  or  of  unititig  thofe  whoprofefs  it,  yet  we 
hr.ve  ofteti  beeji  taught  to  defpair  of  nothing  that  is  once  UN" 
dsrtahen  by  pur  Mnjejiy.     In  his  Preface  he  intimates, 
xhac  he  was  mov'd  to  undertake  the  Work  by  Arch- 
h'i(hop  Tillotfon,  and  encourag'd  by  Queen  Mary  ^  that 
he  had  the  Concurrence  of  Bilhop  Stillingiieet,  and  the 
Appijobation  of  feveral  Bifhops :    And  that  vyhen  he 
was  t^.ifcourfing  with    a  Lutheran  Divine   in  Germany 
about  their  want  of  Union  in  thofe  Parrs,  he  reminded 
tiin  of  the  Divllions  in  England,  about  much  fmaller 
Alatcei;s  that  had  continued  fo  long  ;  declaring  that  if 
the  Church  of  England  would  heal  her  own  Breaches, 
the  reit  of  the  Reformed  Churches  would  with   great 
Refpedv  admit  of  her  Mediation  to  heal  theirs :  Which 
C  wiib  many  other  Things  in  the  Body   of  the  Book 
that  were  no  Way  to  the  Guft  of  fuch  as  tho't  the 
.   Church  of  England  to  approach  the  Borders  of  Perfe- 
ction)  he  recommended  to  the  Condderation  of  the 
O'^i'gy.     Thefe  Things  fo  incenfed  fome  againft  him, 
that  forgetting  all  his  paA  Service  to  the  Church,  they 
bid  him  open  Defiance,  and  could  find  no  room  for 
Forgivenefs,  as  wc  Ihall  fee  in  the  Sequel. 

Now  alfo  came  out  a  Difcourfe  cf  Schifm  :  addrefs'd  to 
thofe  Diffenters  who  conform'd  before  the  Toleration, 
and  haveiince  withdrawn  themfclvesfrom  the  Commu- 
nion of  the  6/j«?c/jc)/£«^//?«^:  By  Mt.  Biirfcough  :  But  it 
Xiras  anfwered  by  Mi.Stoddon^a.  Minifter  in  the  fameGoun- 
try.  About  this  Time  alfo  came  out  a  Book  of  another 
Nature,  call'd  Catholicifm  without  Popery  :  An  Eflay  to 
render  the  Church  of  England,  a  Means  and  a  Pattern  of 
Union  to  the  Chriftian  World  :  Written  by  a  Gentle- 
man of  the  Long-Robe.  The  Author  in  his  Preface 
ktisuics  that  his  Difcourfe  was  prefented  in  Manu- 

fcripc 


Chap.  XVIir.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 688.      567 

fcript  to  Her  late  Majefty  about  the  Year  1691,  and 
was  now  publifli'd  not  to  inflame  our  Differences,  buc 
compofe  them  by  promoting  C/fW/cZ/w ;  in  Order  to 
which  it  makes  fome  Rational  and  Scriptural  Over- 
tures. 

In  July  this  Year  the  Duke  of  G/o«Cff/?fr  died,  which  the  ^n.  lyoo. 
King  took  Notice  of  in  his  firft  Speech  to  his  new  Par- 
liament, iho^Fehruary  following  :  Telling  them  that  the 
Dukes  Death,  made  it  abfolutely  necelTary  that  there 
fliould  be  a  farther  Provifion  for  the  Succellion  to  the 
Crown  in  the  Proteftant  Line,  after  him  and  the  Prin- 
cefs :  And  an  Adb  pafs'd  accordingly,  by  which  the 
Crown  was  fecled,  on  the  Princcfs  Sophia,  Ejeclorefs 
Dowager  of  Hanover^  and  the  Heirs  of  her  Body,  be- 
ing Proteftants :  And  none  were  more  thankful  to  God 
for  this  Settlement  than  the  DifTenters. 

The  Conteft  about  the  iitting,  and  the  Power  of  a  Con-    Dr.  Atter- 
vocation  was  continu'd  this  Year :  Nay,  it  rofe  to  a  great-  hnry's 
cr  height.     For  now  came  out  Dr.  Atterburys  F(ightj,  nights^ 
Powers,    and  Priviledges  of  an  Englilh  Convocation  Stated  jPowers^ajul 
and  Vindicated^    in  Anfwet  to  Dr*  IVake,     He  dedicates  ^^i'^Hed^es 
it  to  the  Two  Archbilhops :   And  tells  them  he  has  no  ^  *'^, 
fhadow  of  Doubt  remaining  with  him,  but  that  his^"§^^^. 
Scheme  is  Truth  and  will  ftand.    In  his  Preface,  he^'""'"''^'''^' 
fays,  that  he  found  Dr.  iVak/s  Book  of  the  Authority  of  ^ 
Chriftian  Princes,  8cc.    a  fhallow  empty  Performance, 
Written  without  any  Knowledge  of  our  Conftitution, 
any  fkill  in  the  particular  Subje6l  of  Debate ;  upon  fuch 
Principles,  as  are  defl-rudiive  of  ail  our  Civil  as  v/eli  as 
Ecclefiaftical  Liberiies;    and  with  fuch  Afperdons  on 
the  Clergy  both  Dead  and  Living,  as  were  no  lefs  inju- 
rious to  the  Body  than  his  OoSrine.     He  declares  he 
found  it  abfolutely  neccjffary  to  fay  lomething  in  Defence 
of  the  Churches  Rights,   or  to  lit  down  contentedly  un- 
der the  lofs  of  them:  And  that  he  was  intirely  acSted  by 
Love  to  Truth,  and  pulh'd  on  by  an  hearty  Concern  for 
the  Interefts  of  Religion  and  of  his  Order,    and  by  an 
eager  defire  of  doing  fome  what  towards  the  fupportin^ 
the  good  old  Conftitution  he  liv'd  under,  which  Dr. 
tifake  both  in  Church  and  State  endeavour'd  to  under- 
mine.   He  charges  the  Dr.  v/ith  liberally  cafting  flights 
and  reproaches  upon  his  own  Order,  when  it  had  the 
ill  luck  to  come  in  his  Way  ;  Nay,  he  fays  his  whole 
Perforcaance  is  nothing  more  than  a  Series  of  long^  flac^ 
^'  ■•■■■■      '  '      O  o  4  ■   m- 


568         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIIL 


;^».  J  700  impertinent  Accounts,  attended  with  fuitable  Refled:i- 
ons;  but  without  one  wile  Word  fpcken,  or  true  Stroke 
ftruck  in  behalf  of  his  Point,  from  the  beginning  of 
the  Book  to  the  end  of  ir. 

Convocations  or  Provincial  Synods,  he  fays,  have  been 
held  frequently  from  the  very  beginning  of  Chriftianity. 
The  Authoritative  Part  of  thefe  Meetings  was  composed 
of   the   Biftiops   and   Presbyters.     They  met  Twice  a 
Year,    and  needed  no  leave.     In  thefe  AlTemblies  the 
Gravamina  Cleric  or  Artictdi  B^formatioriK  were  conftant- 
3y  expedled  from  the  Lower  Houfe.     A  Convocation 
of  the  Province  of  Canterbury^   is  an  attendant  upon  a 
Parliament  of  England,     The  Clergy  were  brought  t(S 
Parliament  by  the  Pramunientcs  Claufe.     But  in  Procefs 
of  Time,    by  a  miftake  in  their  Folitichj,    they  were  fe- 
parated  from  the  Parliament,  and  yet  ftill  continud  to 
attend  it,    in  Two  Provincial  Aflemblies  or  Convoca- 
tions :   Which  as  they  meet  for  the  fame  Purpofe,  and 
had  the  fame  Reafons  of  State  inferted  into  their  Writs 
of  Summons  as  the  Parliament  hid,    fo  did  they  keep 
clofely  up  to  the  Forms  and  Rules,  and  Manner  of  Sit» 
ting  and  Ading,  pracftis'din  Parliament;  and  they  had 
Parliamentary  Wages,    and  Parliamentary  Ptiviledges  ; 
and  attended  the  Parliament  as  one  of  the  Three  States 
of  the  Realm.     But  he  declares  he's  not  for  fetting  up  a 
pica  for  any  old  Priviledges  and  Preheminences  of  the 
Clergy  which  are  long  lince  dead  and  buried,  and  which 
•  he  thinks  ought  never  to  be  revived,  even  for  the  fake  of 
the  Clergy  themfelves,    who  have  thriven  beft  always 
under   a  competency   of  Povpcr^    and  moderate  Pretences, 
Thefe  Parliamentary  Convocations,  he  fays,  came  into 
rhe  room  of  Provincial  Councils.     But  this  Author 
aflerts,  that  the  Clergy  have  not  only  a  Right  to  meeq 
and  fit  in  Convocation,    as  often  as  a  new  Parliamenc 
Sits,  but  a  Right  alfo  (when  met)  of  treating  and  de- 
liberating about  fuch  Affairs  as  lie  within  their  proper 
Sphere,  and  of  coming  to  fit  Refolutions  upon  them, 
without    being    necefTitated    antecedently    to  qualifie 
themfelves  for  foch  Adks  and  Debates,  by  a  Licence  un- 
der the  Broad  Seal  of  England.    He  takes  a  great  deal 
of  Pains  about  the   Statute  of  15  H.  8.  c.  19.    which 
was  the  A61  of  Submiflion  ;(  and  puts  fuch  a  Senfe  upon 
it,  as  at  length  to  conclude,  that  as  to  all  Gonvocational 
A£l8  previous  to  the  pafling,  or  decreeing  a  Canon,  the 

Clergx 


t    Chap.XVllI.  after  the  RevolutioH  in  i68S.      569 


Clergy  have  juft  the  fame  Right  to  them  lince  this  Sta-  An.  1700- 
tuce,  as  they  had  before  it.  Though  they  cant  make  and 
attempt  a  Canon,  yet  they  may  Ipeak  the  Senfe  of  the 
whole  Clergy  of  the  Kingdom  in  Matters  proper  for 
*  them  to  intermeddle  in  :  They  may  Petition,  Advifc, 
Addrefs,  Reprefent,  give  their  Judgment  where  it  may 
be  defir'd,  or  their  Cenfures  either  of  Men  or  Books 
where  it  may  be  needful :  And  fuggeft  the  fitteft  Me- 
thods of  fecuring  the  Chrifkian  Faith,  and  ©f  preventing 
the  revival  of  old  Herefies  and  Errors,  and  the  growth 
of  new  Ones. 

He  charges  Dr.  Pf^ake  with  taking  a  great  deaj  of 
needlefs  Pains  to  prove  what  was  not  contefted  5  vi:(^ 
that  Princes  have  an  Ecclefiaftical  Supremacy.  And 
with  infifting  moftly  upon  general  Councils,  while  the 
Debate  turns  on  Provincial  Synods  only  :  And  in  the 
few  Hiftorical  Fadts  the  Dr.  mentions  that  feem  proper, 
he  fays,  He  either  miftakes  National  Synods  for  Pro- 
vincial, or  extraordinary  Aflemblics  for  ftated  Ones, 
or  conceals  fome  Circumftances  that  would  give  an  Ac- 
count how  the  Royal  Power  came  fo  particularly  10  in- 
terpofe.  He  fays,  the  Dr.  does  not  diftinguilh  between 
the  Powrers  in  FaBt  exercis'd  by  Princes,  andthofeof 
KJghr  belonging  to  them,  by  Vertue  of  their  Office: 
And  that  he  confounds  the  Princes  Power  of  propofin^ 
a  SubjecSfc  of  Debate  to  his  Synods,  with  his  Power  of 
confining  them  to  Debate  of  nothing  but  juft  what  he 
propofes.  And  he  adds,  that  thofe  very  A(5ts  of  Au- 
thority, which  were  exercifed  by  Princes  in  Ecclefiafti- 
cal Matters,  to  fupport  the  Churches  Power,  are  by 
Dr.  ^.  perverfely  made  ufe  of  to  undermine  and  deftroy 
it.  He  intimates,  That  with  the  H^^riters  in  this  Argu^ 
ment  it  has  been  a  fafhion  all  along  to  difguije  Truth,  He 
fays,  Dr.  W.  makes  no  DiftincStion  between  abfolute  and 
limited  Princes,  but  produces  the  A6ls  of  the  one  to  ju- 
ftify  the  Exercife  of  a  like  Power  in  the  other ;  And 
that  he  does  not  duly  diftinguifli  between  the  King  in 
Parliament,  and  the  King  out  of  Parliament,  and  fo 
confounds  the  Executive  and  the  Legiflativc  Part  of  our 
Conftitution ;  thofe  Powers  in  which  the  Crown  is  Ar- 
bitrary, and  thofe  in  which  it  is  purely  Minifterial. 

He  alTcrts  that  the  Prcemunientes  in  the  Bifliops  Writ 
is  not  an  idle  ufelefs  Claufe,  inferted  only  on  a  particu- 
lar Occaiionj  and  continued  by  Accident,  .but  a  real  and 
^ .    '       '  -  effectual 


570        Some  Hi ftorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIIL 


jln.  1700.  effedaal  Summons  of  the  Clergy  to  Parliament ;  fucb  as 
they  heretofore  made  formal  Returns  to,    as  ofiefi  ^s  ic 
went  out,  and  did  exprefly  obey  :    And  of  th's  ne  gver 
Inftances  till  the  Time  of  Hen  y  the  8th  :    n  - 
dertakes  to  prove,  that  the  Writ  to  the  1  w  ■*  .-■■ 
10  <?onvene  the  Clergy  of  their   Provinces, 
does  not  exprefly  mention  a  Parliament,    vet  has  .       a- 
mediate  relv^rencc  to  it :    The  Original  Defign  o'  us 
ifluingout,  together  with  the  Bifliops  Writ,  being  nnly 
to  fecure  an  Obedieijce  to  the  Premunitory  Clmfe  of 
it,  and- to  make  the  Clergies  Parliamentary  Attendance 
*  ihe  more  full  and  cercaiii. 

After  having  difcour/d  largely  of  the  Right  cf  the 
Clergy  to  Meet  and  A<^  in  Convocation,  he  touches  on 
the  need  of  luch  Meetings,  that  (he  may  preferve  her 
Kighc:  And  promifes  di&indly  to  inlift  on  ic  here- 
after. 

Through  the  whole  he  is  not  only  very  liberal  in  his 
Invedives  againft  Dr,  I'P'al^e,  fince  Bilhop  of  Lincoln^ 
but  free  iii  his  Cenfures  on  Dr>  Nicholfon  fince  Bifliop  ot 
Carlifle,  whom  he  calls  a  littk  Writer^  and  Taxes  with 
grofs  overfights,  if  not  wilful  Faults ;  And  with  great 
feverity  falls  on  the  Biftiop  of  Sarum  for  many  miftakes 
in  his  Hiliof  y  of  the  Reformation,  and  his  forwardnefs 
upon  all  OccafioRS  to  bear  hard  upon  the  Clergy.  He 
difcovcrs  a  mighty  Zeal  to  fupport  the  finkjng  Interests  of 
Religion  nnd  the  Clergy :  And  appears  concem'd  for  the 
.  Reputation  of  his  Order  even  in  Popilh  Times,  but 
efpecially  in  the  prefent  State  of  Things.  And  though 
it  Teems  pretty  natural  to  him  to  be  free  with  all  thag 
come  in  bis  Way,  lie  yet  declares,  the  utmoft  readinefs. 
to  do  right  to  nnj  injured  Per/on^  l.t  his  Character  he  vphat 
it  vpill-y  and  that  he  abhors  the  thought  of  falling  in  with 
a  Calmuny  knovoingly^  let  it  be  nez'cr  Jo  Popular  and  Faflji- 
CTjahle  :  And  he  thanks  God  that  there  u  not  a  Line  in  hii 
iVork,  that  can  reproach  him  with  the  Guilt  either  cf  Flattery 
or  Defjgn. 
The  Ei/I)op  The  Bifiiop  of  Sarum  did  not  think  it  proper  to  keep 
of  Saium'5{ilence,butfoon  fern  ^onhhisl{efle^ionj  upon  this  Perfor- 
Refieflions.  mance.  He  fays,Tibj^  tbbugh  the  Author  pretended  to  plead  the 
Caufe  of  the  Church,  which  is  indeed  the  Caufe  of  ChrUt 
himfclfy  yet  he  had  fo  intirely  laid  afide  the  Spirit  of  ■ 
Chrift,  and  the  Charaiters]  of  4  Chrijlian^  that  without' 
large  allow anGes  of  Charity ^  one  can  hardly  thinly  that  he^ 

dil 


Chap.  XVlll.  after  the  Revolution  in  i688.     57 1 

4id  once  refieB  on  the  Obligations  he  lay  under  to  foUoxv  the  An.  1700, 
Humility^  the  Meeknefi,  And  the  gentlenefi  of  Chnft  -.  So  far 
from  that,  he  feems  to  have  forgot  the  common  Decencies  of  a 
Man  or  of  a  Scholar.  He  fays,  a  Book^  writ  with  that 
Youghnefi  and  acrimony  of  Sfirit,  if  well  receivd^  would  be 
a  much  itronger  Argument  againft  the  expediency  of  a  Con- 
vocation, than  any  he  brings  or  can  bring  for  it.  Such  Pra- 
ciices^  be  fays,  do  effiHually  cbJiruH  the  frogrefi  of  ^eli^ 
gion^  while  an  Age  that  w  too  much  foffef^d  againft  both 
m  and  cur  Holy  Faith,  fails  not  to  make  a  very  wicked  Vfe 
of  all  thofe  advantages  with  which  Ambitious  or  ill  natur^d 
T'yealots  furnifh  them;  to  reprefent  m  to  the  World  as  a 
Company  of  ajpiring  and  fa&ious  Men,  who  are  ready  to 
Sacrifice  every  Thing  to  our  own  Humours  and  Notions^  not 
co^Jjdering  how  much  Religion  itfelf  Juffers  by  the  manage- 
tnent.  He  confejfes  that  where  it  lay  in  hit  Way,  either  as 
a  Hiftorian  or  as  a  Divine,  to  acknowledge  ftich  Corruptions 
and  Diforders  among  the  Clergy,  as  were  too  vifible  to  be  de- 
nied, and  too  grofi  to  be  extenuated  or  excus'd,  he  thought  it 
became  him  to  Write  honeftly  and  impartially.  He  fays  he 
knows  that  nothing  pleafes  fome,  but  what  tends  to 
encreafe  the  Wealth,  and  raife  the  Authority  of  the 
Clergy;  Whereas,  others  who  are  juftly  fenfible  of  the 
cJepreiiloa  of  Holy  Fundiions,  chufe  rather  to  fet  about 
thofe  Methods  by  which  the  Church  v/as  at  firft  efta- 
bliihed,  protected,  and  provided  for. 

He  fays  that  a  Convocation  cannot  be  call'd  a  true 
Reprefentative  of  the  Church,  though  it  be  now  a  Legal 
one.    In  that  for  Canterbury  there  are  Twenty  Deans  or 
more  that  pretend  to  fit  there ;    as  many  Prodtors  frona 
Chapters,  and  Sixty  Archdeacons,  and  but  Thirty  eight 
Clatks  chofen  by  the  Clergy.  So  that  the  Deans  and  Chap- 
ters who  had  their  Authority  at  firft  by  Papal  Bulls,  and 
have  now  their  Exeniptions  and  Jurifdidtions  continu'd 
to  them  only  by  a  Provifo  in  the  Statute  of  25  Hen.  8. 
have  more  Iritereft  in  the  Convocation  than  the  whole 
Body  of  the  Clergy.     He  declares  that  for  above  1 40 
Years  the  Crown  has  been  in  Poffeflion  of  a  Right  of 
making  ufc  of  a  Convocation,   or  of  fetling  Matters  of 
Religion  without  it,    at  Difcreiion,  and  that  this  is 
founded  upon  a  Statute  that  has  been  underftood  at 
leaft  by  Divines  and  Lawyers  in  favour  of  the  Prince : 
And  therefore  it  argues  the  Fruitfulnefs  of  a  Mans  Ima- 
gination^   who  could  make  fo  great  a  Book,   and  fuch 

heavy 


5  72  Some Hijiorical Additions     Chap.  XVI II. 

Ait.  lyco.  heavy  Complaints,  for  no  other  Caufc  but  this.    He 
modeftly  defends  his  Hiftory  of  the  Reformation,  inti- 
mates the  Difadvantage  he  was  under  in  drawing  up 
the  firft  Part  of  it,  (ignifies  his  readinefs  to  amend  any 
real  Miftakes,  and  his  hearty  Wiihes  that  another  Spirit 
might  prevail.     But  after  all,  a  Convocation  was  this 
Year  fumniond,  andffate,  and  much  fuch  a  Spirit  ap- 
peared wirhin  Doors,  as  the  Writings  publilh'd  about 
that  Controverfy  difcover'd   without.     The  Convoca- 
tion met  with  the  New  Parliament. 
^  Coyoca-       A  late  Author  here  obferves  *  That  the  Convocation 
tion  now     in  the  Beginning  of  King  H^iHiam's  Reign,  difcovering 
Tnet,  and    an  Averfion  to  the  Scheme  that  was  prepar'd  for  them, 
fate.  was  prorogued,  And  that  afterwards^  a  new  Convocation 

*Compieat  "^^^f^^^ond  with  everyl Parliament^  and  in  being  with  it  ^ 
Hi/iory  of  ^"^  that  for  want  of  proper  Bufwefs  it  was  continued  and  pro- 
England,    ^ogued  by  the^refident  and  left  always  in  a  Capacity  and  {{ea^ 
Vol.    5.      dinels  to  come  together^  upon  any  Exigence  of  Church  or  State 
fa^.  797.    that  reguird  their  Counfel  orAJJiftance^tho*  noJuchExigence 
did  happen  for  fever al  Tears  together.     What  was  thus  de- 
fignd  for  the  Eafe  of  the  Clergy^  in  not  obliging  them  to  a 
fruitlefs  §nd  expenfive  Jit  tendance,  when  there  was  no  Oc 
cafionto  juftify  their  Ahfence  from  the  Duty  of  their  CureSy 
did  by  Degrees  give  an  Handle  of  Complaint.    Murmurs  of 
[{eflraint   avd  Hardfhip    were  privately  fomented  among 
thofe  of  the  Cle,gy  who  were  Non-Jurors.     Thefe  Difcontents 
unhappily  mov'd  the  Letter  Clergy,   to  raife  new  Difputes  of 
'PriviUdge  and  Independence  on   the  Archbifhop,  and  Bi- 
/hops  in  Convocation  ;  and  to  labour  to  bring  t hem fe Ives  to 
be  fuch  a   Spiritual  Houfe  of  Commons,  as  if  their  Preten- 
fifins  could  prevail,  would  very  much  endanger  the  Peace  of 
ChwchandState.XJndcr  this  Difpolition  the  Convocation 
met,   on  Feb.  10.   Dr.  H^ley  Dean  of  Chichefier  preach'd 
the  Latin  Sermon.     The  Archbiihop  in  a  Latin  Speech 
admonifii'd  the  Lower  Clergy  to  choofe  a  Prolocutor,  a- 
gainft  the  z  1  ft  InlJant.    They  chofe  Dr.  Hooper,  who  was 
prefented,  approv'd,   and  tonfirm'd.     On  February  25. 
when  the  Archbifliop's  Schedule  of  Prorogation  was  fent 
down  to  the  Lower  Houfe,  which  was  legally  to  de- 
termine every  Seflion,  they  in  Contempt  of  it  conti- 
nued fitting,  and  proceeded  in  fome  Debates  of  no  Mo- 
ment :  After  which  the  Ifrolocutor  intimated  an  Ad-» 
journment  by  Confent  of  the  Houfe,  to  meet  again  in 
^lenry  VII.   Cbappel,   inftcad  of  the  Prorogi^tion  tq; 

meet 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 68S.     573 

meet  in  the  Jerufahm  Chamber,  as  by  the  Schedule,  -^.  1 700. 
which  exprefly  included  the  whole  Body  of  the  Con- 
vocation, and  left  no  Pretence  to  feparate  Adjourn- 
ments in  either  Houfe.  The  Archbilhop  and  a  far 
greater  Part  of  his  Suffragans  looked  on  this  Proceed- 
ing of  the  Lower  Houfe  as  a  Declaration  of  feccing  up 
for  a  feparate  Intereft  and  Power,  that  would  break 
the  Union  of  a  Provincial  Synod,  and  prevent  the 
good  Correfpondence  of  both  Houfes,  and  fo  fruftrare 
the  connmon  Methods  of  doing  any  Buiinefs.  In  the 
Fourth  Seflion,  February  18,  the  Prolocutor  and  Clergy 
did  not  attend  the  Archbilhop  and  Bifhops  in  the  Sy- 
nodlczl^lice,  the  Jerufalem  Chamber  ;  which  was inter- 
pretied  to  be  a  fecond  Contempt  of  the  Authority  of  the 
Prefident,  and  the  Obligation  of  his  Inftrument,  the 
Schedule  proroguing  and  continuing  the  whole  Body  of 
Prelates  and   Clergy. 

The  Archbilhop  fent  for  the  Prolocutor,  and  with  the 
Confent  of  his  Brethren  putthefe  two  Queftions  to  him : 
I.  Whether  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  did  fir» 
after  they  were  prorogued  by  his  Grace  on  the  25  th  In- 
ftant?  2.  Whether  they  did  meet  this  Morning  with- 
out attending  in  this  Place,  to  which  they  were  pro- 
rogued. Upon  fome  Difcourfe  the  Prolocutor  faid. 
That  the  Lower  Houfe  was  preparing  fomewhat  to  lay 
before  bis  Grace  and  the  Upper  Houfe,  concerning  the 
Methods  of  Prorogation,  and  fome  other  Things  of 
Form.  The  Archbilhop  anfwer'd,  that  he  and  his  Bre- 
thren were  ready  to  receive,whatfoever  Ihould  be  offered 
by  them,  and  would  confider  of  it,  and  do  upon  it  what 
(hould  appear  to  them  to  be  juft  and  right :  But  in 
the  mean  Time  he  and  his  Brethren  tho't  fit  to  conti- 
nue the  ufual  Pra£tife.  Accordingly,  that  the  Fhrafe 
of  Proroguing  in  hunc  locum  might  admit  of  noDifpute, 
it  was  in  the  Schedule  of  this  Day  exprefty  fpecified, 
in  hung  locum  vulgo  vocai  JerufaiemChtimber  :  To  which 
the  Lower  Houfe  fubmited  with  a  Salvo  Jure.  And  at 
the  next  Seflion  March  6th,  the  Prolocutor  with  feve- 
ral  Members,  attended  the  Archbilhop  and  Bifliops  in 
the  Jerufalem  Chamber  ;  and  being  foon  difmifled,  went 
to  their  own  Houfe,  from  whence  in  a  little  Time  they 
carried  up  a  Report  of  a  Committee  appointed  to 
Search  the  Convocation  Books,  for  Dire<^ions  con- 
cerning the  Prorogations  of  their  Houfe.  The  Repore 
was  thus:  i.  We 


5  74        ^^^^  HijiorJcal  Addithns     Chap.  X VIH. 

An.  lyco.  I.  We  find  chat  the  common  Ufage  of  t^is  Houfe 
has  been  to  continue  fitting,  till  the  Prolocutor  did  Pro- 
rogue or  Adjourn,  or  intimate  the  Adjournment  or  Pro- 
rogation thereof,  cither  perfonally  or  by  fome  Member 
of  this  Houfe,  thereunto  deputed  by  him :  And*  in  both 
thefe  Cafes  (as  we  conceivej  with  the  Confcnt  of  this 
Houfe.  And  we  alfo  find  by  fome  Inftances,  that  this 
Houfe  did  not  always  Prorogue  and  Adjourn  ta  the 
fame  Day  with  the  Upper  Houfe.  .  vr».'  >  boo 

2.  We  find  the  like  common  Ufage  by  this  Houf<^ 
to  have  been,  that  when  in  the  Upper  Houfe  the  Con- 
vocation was  Prorogn  d  or-  Adjourn'd,  by  the  Words 
in  hunc  locum^  this  Houfe  did  meet  apart  from  the  fame, 
at  the  fame  particular  Place  v^hete  it  Sate  lail.'  And 
when  the  Convocation  was  Prorogued  or  A^ljournM  td 
fome  other  general  Place,  w":^.  St.  Fauh  and  Lambeth^ 
then  alfo  this  Houfe  did  affemble  in  a  feparaie  Place, 
difiind:ly  from  their  Lord fhips.  And  farther,  we  find 
no  foorfteps  of  Evidence  to  conclude,  that  it  was  ever 
the  PraAice  of  this  Houfe  to  attend  their  Lord(hips  be- 
fore this  Houfe  did  meet  and  fit,  purfuant  to  their  for- 
mer Adjournment.  But  wbeh  this  Houfe  hath  firft  met 
and  fit,  it  hath  been  the  conftant  Pradkice  to  attend 
their  Lordihips  with  Bufinefs  of  their  own  Motion,  or 
when  they  were  calPd  up  to  their  Lordihips  by  a  fpe- 
cial  MeiTenger. 

This  Paper  was  ordred  by  the  Archbifhop  to  be  read, 
.though  it  was  Intitled,  A  H^fort  of  the  Commifte^  and 
did  not  run  in  the  Name  of  the  Houfe  as  it  Ihould  have 
done;  and  then  referred  the  Examination  of  it  to  a 
Committee  of  Biihops.  In  the  mean  while  the  Arch- 
bifhop deliver'd  to  the  Prolocutor  the  Form  of  an  hum- 
ble  Addrefl  to  his  Mn]efty,  atid  propos'd  to  him  the  Con- 
fent  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  which  was  given  without 
Amendment,  only  they  propos'd  it  might  be  [{e formed 
Churches  inf^ead  of  I^eformed  B^ligiort:  And  with  the 
Alteration  of  that  Word,  it  was  prefented  to  His  Ma- 
jefly,  on  March  i  otb,  by  the  Atchbifliop.  It  contain'd 
Thanks  to  His  Majefty  for  his  conftant  Protediion  and 
Favour  to  the  Church  of  England-^  an  Acknowledgment 
of  his  Pious  Concern  for  the  Reformed  Churches  in 
General,  and  an  AfTurance  of  their  f^edfall  Fidelity  and 
Affection,  and  readinefs  to  Maintain  the  Supremacy  as 
felled  by  Law,  G?c:  And  they  wetc  gracioufly  receiv'd 

by 


^  Ghap.  XVIIl.  afterthe  RevolHtionin  i6SS.      575 

by  the  King.     He  thank'd  them  for  their  Promifes  of  ^».  1700. 
maintaining,  his  Supreiinacy  according  to  Law  ;  beyond 
which  be  atfur'd  them  he  would  never  extend  k. 

On  M'tvr.y  20th,  the  Prolocutor  brought  up  a  ^epre- 
fentation  from  the  Lower  Houfe,  with  refpecft  to  Books 
lately  publiih'd  againft  the  Truth  of  the  Chriftian  Re- 
ligion. It  contain'd  feveral  l^ff/oZ-uej  of  a  Committee  of 
their  Houfe,  with  tefpedl  to  a  Book  Entitled,  Chrifii- 
anity  not  Myjieriom,  which  (\n  Conjunction  with  feme 
other  Books)  they  reprefent^d  as  of  pernicious  Princi- 
ples, and  of  dangerous  Confequencc;  and  pray'd  for 
the  Advice  and  Dire£l:ions  of  their  LordiTiips  of  the 
Upper  Houfe,  about  an  efFecftaal  Courfe  to  fiipprefs  fuch 
Books.  And  on  March  ii.  The  Archbifhbp  producing 
a  certain  Book,  Entitied^^  Ballance  of  Fcv^er,  8cc.  In 
the  40th  Page  of  which  were  thefe  Words  ;  Are  not  tt 
great  many  of  us  able  to  point  out  to  feveral  Perfons^  mhcm 
nothing  hcis  recommended  to  Places  of  hig^heH:  Trtiif^  and  ■ 

often  to  r/c^  BENEFICES  ^W  DIGNITIES, 
hut  the  open  Enmity  which  they  have  nlmoftfrom  their  Cradles^ 
prof  eft  to  the  Divinity  ofChrifi:  It  was  agreed  that  a  Paper 
fliould  be  fixM  over  feveral  Doors  in  I4^eftminjier  Abbcy^ 
intimating  that  it  was  defir''d  by  the  faid  4rchbifhop  and 
Bifhops,  that  the  Author  himfelf^  whoever  he  was-,  or  any  one 
cf  the  great  many  to  whom  he  refers^  would  point  out  to 
the  particular  perfins^.ivhom  he  or  they  l{new  to  be  liable  to 
that  Charge^  that  they  might  be  pr^oceed^d  againji  in  a  judi- 
cial iVay  •  which  would  be  eftcem'd  a  great  Service  to  the 
Church  :  Qtberwife  the  abovemention  d  Paffage  muji  be  looh^d 

upon  as  a  PUBL ICK  SC  AN D  A  L.  And  it  was 
Sign'd  at  bottom  T/Jo.'T/i/o/. 

Dr.  Nichols  ^  gives  this  (horc  Account  of  this  Convo-      *  Appa- 
cation.     They  colledked  and  read  feveral  Books  Written  rat.  ad 
againft  the  Orthodox  Faith,  and  noted  down  their  Er-  Defenf.  Ec- 
rors,  and  wanted  nothing  but  the  Kings  leave  to  pafs  cles.  An- 
their  Cenfures  upon  them,  ^nd  condemn  ihem;   and  togHc./'.  io$» 
ftrengthcn  the  Church  with  new  Canons.    Some  com- 
plain d  as  warmly  of  Bilhop  Burnets  Expolition  of  the 
Thirty  nine  Articles,  as  of  the  Writings  of  Atheifts 
and  Deifts.    But  all  being  at  laft  tir'd  out  with  waiting 
feveral  Months  to  no  purpofc,  without  a  Royal  Licence 
to  proceed  to  Bufinefs,   the  Archbiiliop  prorogu'd  them 
to,  the  firft  of  May.    The  lower  Houfe  was  fo  difpleas'd 
with  this  Piorogation  that  by  their  own  Authority  they 

Ad- 


5 7^         Some  Hifiorical  Additioni     Chap.  X VIII; 

An.  1700.  Adjournd  to  tbe  next  Day,  and  then  to  another  Day, 
The  Bilhops  looking  upon  this  as  an  ill  Precedent,  and 
tending  to  tbe  Diminution  of  their  Authority,  were  for 
having  nothing  to  do  with  the  Lower  Houfe,  till  they 
had  given  the  Reafons  of  thefe  their  Proceedings.  And 
thus  there  arofe  a  new  Concroverfie  between  the  Two 
Houfes  of  Convocation,  about  the  Right  of  Proroga- 
tion, which  Controverfie  was  hotly  agitated.  They 
who  were  for  the  Archbiihops  Right  appealM  to  Prece- 
dents for  many  Years  paft,  as  far  as  the  Regifters  re- 
main d.  And  they  who  were  for  the  Right  of  the  Lower 
Houfe,  defended  themfelves  with  Two  Precedents  in 
the  Time  of  Archbilhop  Laud ;  adding,  that  more  In- 
ftances  might  have  been  produc'd,  if  the  Regifters  had 
not  been  loft.  And  about  this  Matter  they  contended 
with  as  much  eagcrnefs,  as  if  the  whole  of  their  Reli-i 
gion  had  been  depending. 
An.  1 70 1.  The  Partition  Treaty  novj  occafion'd  great  Debates. 
In  September  this  Year  King  James  died  at  St.  Germains 
in  France^  above  Twelve  Years  after  his  Exile,  and  af- 
ter frequent  unfuccefsful  Attempts  for  a  Reftoration. 
After  his  Death  the  King  of  France  declar'd  for  the 
pretended  Prince  of  Walei.  King  William  highly  re- 
fenced  it,  and  fo  did  the  whole  Nation.  A  new  Par- 
liament was  call'd.  The  King  made  a  very  AfFedling 
Speech  to  them,  that  will  hardly  ever  be  forgotten. 
Ill  only  tranfcribe  one  Paftage: 

"  hzt  Me  Conjure  Tou  to  difafpoint  the  only  Hopes  of  our 

*'  Enemies^  by  Tour  Vnanimity.     I  have  floewv,  and  xt>iU 

**  always  fheWy  hdvp  defirous  I  am  to  he  the  Common  Father 

**  of  aU  my  People  :  Do  Tou  in  like  manner  lay  afide  Parties 

'*  and  Divifionsi    Let  there  be  no  other  DiJiinHion  heard 

*'  of  among  Vs  for  the  Future^  but  of  thofe  voho  are  for  the 

**  Protefiant  B^ligion  and  the  prefent  Efiabli/hment,    and 

*'  of  thofe   voho  mean  a  Popifh  Prit.ce  and  a  French  Go- 

"  vernment,  ^ 

_,    ,  ^.         At  this  Time  was  Printed  an  Enquiry  into  the  Occafl- 

niivr  of  the  ^*^^   Conformity  of  Dijj enters  tnCaJes  of  Preferment.      1  be 

Grand  Be-  Author  repiefcnts  it  as  a  moft  reproachful  Thing,  for 

bate  about   Pcrfons  to  have  fuch  prepofterous  Confciences  as  10  be- 

Occ^fionarlieve  one  Way  of  Worfhip  to  be  Right,   and  yet  ferve 

Confer-      God  another  Way  themfelves.    By  Conforming  (fays 

mity.         he)  I  deny  my  Diflfent  to  be  lawful ;  or  by  my  Diflent- 

ing  I  damn  my  Conforming  as  finful.    Several  Opini* 

ons 


Chap.  XVIIL   after  the  Rcvohth^  in  1688.     577 

ons  may  at  the  fan^c  Time  confift  in  a  Country,  in  2^  An.  170!- 
City,  in  a  Family,  but  not  in  one  Fierfon.  Either  the 
Conformift  will  mar  the  DifiTenter,  or  the  DifTenter  will 
'mar  the  Conformift.  He  prefix  d  a  Preface  to  Mr.  How^, 
(becaufe  the  Worthy  Perfon  tvho  was  then  Lord  Mayor 
i:^^  London  was  of  his  Congregation)  and  defires  and  urges 
him,  either  to  defend  rhis  Pradice  of  Occafional  Con- 
formity, or  declare  againft  it ;  Icaft  the  World  fliould 
ijelieve  that  Diflenters  allow'd  themfelves  in  what  they 
could  not  defend. 

Mr.  Bovo;  publiill'd  a  fmall  Pamphlet  in  return  to  this 
publick  Challenge,  and  Entitled  it,  Some  Confide  rat  ion  of 
a  Preface  to  an   Eitquiry  concerning  the  Occafional  Confor- 
rnity,  &c.     He  tells  the  Prefacer  that  he  for  a  long  Time 
had  had  an  habitual  averfion  in  his  own  Mind  froni 
perplexing  himfelf  or  difturbing  others,   by  being  con- 
cern d  in  agitating  the  Controverlies  that  have  been  on 
foot  about  the  Circumftantials  of  Religion,     That  he 
had  contented  himfelf  by  the  beft  Means  he  could  be 
furnilh*d  with,    and  the  befl  Ufe  God  enabled  him  to 
make  of  them,  fo  far  to  form  and  fettle  his  own  Judge- 
ment as  was  necelfary  to  his  own  Pradlice :  That  he  had 
faithfully  followed  his  Judgment,   and  abftain  d  in  the 
mean  Time  from  cenfuring  others  who  took  a  different 
Way  from  him.     That  he  was  fenlible  every  one  inuft 
give  Account  of  himfelf  to  God  :  And  that  it  is  a  great 
Confolation  to  fuch  as  fincerely  fear  God,  that  if  with 
upright  Minds,  they  principally  ftudy  to  Approve  them- 
felves to  him  ;  and  if  they  miftakc,  do  only  err  for  fear 
of  erring ;    he  will  not  with  feverity  Animadvert  upon 
the  Infirmity  of  a  Weak,  and  meerly  mifguided  Jndge- 
menr;    And  that  it  is  a  fure  Truth,    worth  all  this. 
World,  that  to  an  honeft  unbyaft  Heart  *tis  afar  eafier 
Thing  to  pleafe  God  than  Men.    That  they  that  con- 
tend  fervently,    and  conclude  politively,   concerning 
Church  Power,   ^c.    ofterk  difcover  more  confidence 
than  Knowledge,    and  folid  Judgment,    and  much  oft- 
ner  little  of  the  Spirit  of  Chrift  and  the  Gofpel.  i 

He  farther  tells  the  Prefncer,  that  before  he  had  offer'd 
at  engaging  him  in  this  Quarrel,  he  ought  to  have  been 
well  allur'd  that  he  really  did  concern  himfelf  to  advife 
one  Way  or  other,  as  to  the  lawfulnefs  or  unlawfulnefs  of 
that  Occafional  Conformity,  about  which  he  contended  ; 
Qs  at  leaft  that  he  ought  to  have  done  fo  :  But  that  not 

P  p  being' 


573         Sof^c  tirjiorjcal Additions     Chap.  XVllI. 


An.  1 70 1,  being  able  to  make  either  of  thefe  appear,  he  had  been 
Guilty  of  an  Affectation  of  intermedling  beyond  any 
Call  he  had,  that  could  lead  him  to  it. 

Hefignifiesto  Mr.  Prefacer^  That  he  had  pretended 
tc  Judge  in  a  Matter  he  had  nothing  to  do  with;  and 
that  he  had  taken  upon  him  to  invade  the  Throne  of 
the  moft  High,  in  charging  the  Worthy  Perfon  referr'd 
to,  with  ading  againft  his  Confcience.  He  tells  him, 
that  before  he  concluded  that  with  fo  rafh  Confidence, 
he  ought  to  have  been  able  to  prove  the  Adt  in  its  Cir- 
cumftance  unlawful.  And  his  making  ufe  of  that  Text, 
2bout  fellow ivg  God  or  Baal^  as  if  the  God  of  the  Dif- 
fenters  and  of  the  Eftablifh'd  Church  difFer'd  as  the  Li- 
ting  God  and  Baal^  he  tells  him  was  prophane  and  im- 
pious Wit. 

He  adds,  That  the  Perfon  by  him  Criminated,  might 
notwiihftanding  any  Thing  be  had  faid,  be  in  the  Right  ; 
But  that  if  the  Prefacers  Judgment  upon  the  Cafe  was 
true,  he  conceiv'd  that  that  Truth,  accompany 'd  with 
his  Temper  of  Spirit,  was  much  worle  than  the  others 
Error. 

The  I{eply  in  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Howe  is  warm, 
and  charges  Him  with  miftaking  the  Perfon,  Tem- 
per, Profellion ,  and  Intention  of  the  Author  of 
the  Enquiry  ;  and  with  fome  angry  Reflediions  drops 
the  Debate. 

It  muft  be  own'd  it  was  wilh'd  by  feveral  of  both 
Sides  at  that  Time,  that  Mr.  Howe  might  have  bee;j 
•  prevail'd  with  to  have  enter'd  into  the  Merits  of  the 
Caufe  ;  and  had  he  forefcen  what  foUow'd  foon  after, 
'tis  uot  very  unlikely  but  he  might  ha\e  then  done  it: 
But  he  not  thinking  it  fo  proper  as  Circumftanccs  then 
ftood,  I  Ihall  here  lubjoin  a  Leitcr  which  be  wrote  fome 
Time /after  to  a  Perfon  of  Rank  and  Figure  upon  that 
Subject ;  which  may  perhaps  be  a  gratification  to  the 
Curious. 


j1  Lei^ 


> 


ai— ■■■  I  ■— ■■         -■■..■.■I        wL-w     II.  ■  ^' I  —    ■     I          ■■!■■■■■  i  ■■»  I    —  „i     ■■  I  .„^  ,.   —■■I. 1 1 

Chap.  XVHI.  after  the  Kevolntioft  in  i6?>'8,       579 


A».  i7oii 
A  Lettsr  to  a  Perfon  of  Ho?70ur^  partly  reprefent- 
hig  the  Rrfe  of  Occafional  Conforjnitj,  partly 
the  Senfe  of  the  pre  fen  t  Non-Conformifts,  ahont 
their  yet  continuing  Differences  from  the  Efta^ 
blifli'd  Church.  _ 

My  Lordif 
'*  '^IS  well  known  to  fuch  as  have  underftood  the  a  letieref 
-■-    *'  State  of  Religion  in  this  Kingdom,    fince  Mr.Howe^s 

*  the  beginning  of  the  Reformation,   that  there  have  ^pon  that: 
'been  very  different  Sentiments  about  the  Degrees  of  ^«^;e<fT. 

*  that   Reformation    itfelf.     Some    have  judg'd    the 
Church,    with  u^,    fo  infufficiehdy  Reformed,   as  to 

*  want,    as  yet^   the  very  Being  of  a  true  Chriftian 
Church ;    and  wherewith  they  therefore  thought  it 

'  unlawful  to  have  any  Communion  at  all.    Of  whom 

*  many,  thereupon,  in  the  feveral  Siicceflive  Reigns, 
^  withdrew  themfelves  into  Foreign  Parts,  for  the  En- 
'  joyment  of  the  Liberty  of  fuch  Worlhip,  as  they 
'  judg'd  more  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God. 

*'  There  have  been  alfo  no  inconfiderable  Numbers^ 
'  in  former,  and  latter  Times,  that,  though  not  entire- 
'  ly  farisfy'd  with  our  Reformation,   were  lefs  fevere 

*  in  their  Judgment  concerning  the  Gdriftitution  and 

*  Pradice  of  the  Eftablilh'd  Church,  /.  e.  did  not  judge 
'  its  Reformation  fo  defedlive,  that  they  might  ftot 
'  Communicate  at  all  with  it ;  nor  fo  compleat,  but 
'  that  they  ought  alfo  to  covet  a  Communion,  more 
^  ftridly  agreeable  to  the  Holy  Scripture;  and  accord- 
'  ingly  apprehended  themfelves  to  lye  Under  a  twofold 
'  Obligadon  of  Confcience  in  reference  hereto. 

'"  I .  Not,  by  anv  Means,  totally  to  cut  themfelves 
'  off,  on  the  one  Hand,  from  the  Communion  of  the 
'  Eftablilh'd  Church,  in  which  they  found  greater  and 
'  more  momentous  Things  to  be  approved  of  and  em- 
'  brac'd,  with  great  Reverence  and  Complacency^ 
^  (W^.  all  the  true,  noble,  Elfentials  of  Chriftian  Re- 
'  iigion  ;    not  fubverted,   as  among  the  Romanifts,  by 

*  any  contrary  Doctrines  or  Practices,)  than  could  be 

*  pretended  to  remain  the  Matter  of  their  difapproba- 
[  cion  and  diflike. 


580        Some  HifloTJcal  Addition,      Chap.  XVlll. 


4i 


It 


Jin.  1701.  2.  ''  Nor,  on  the  other  Hand,  to  decline  other  Com- 
"  munion,  which  to  the  ]udgir,ent  of  their  Confcicnce 
'"  appeared,  in  fome  conliderable  Circuniftances,  more 
*'  agreeable  to  the  Chriftian  Rule,  and  to  their  Expc- 
"  nence,  more  conducing  to  their  Spiritual  Advantage 
*'  and  Edification. 

''  Which  latter  JudgariCnt  of  theirs  (whether  itfelf 
"  juftifiabie  or  no,  we  are  not  now  confideiing)  hath 
**  been  with  many  fo  fixed,  and  inflexible,  tbu,  in  fe- 
"  veral  fucceiTive  Reigns,  ^reat  Numbers  of  fuch  Per- 
' '  fons,  whom  we  had  no  Reafon  to  apprehend  had  any 
*'  Thought  totally  to  abandon  the  EttabUlli'd  Church, 
"  yet  thought  themfelves  obHged  befides,  to  fcek  and 
*•*  procure  Opportunities  for  fuch  other  Gommunions, 
even  with  extream  Peril,  not  only  10  their  Eftates  and 
Liberties,  but  to  their  very  Lives  themfelves. 
"  They  could  not,  therefore,  but  think  both  thefe 
Sorts  of  Communion  lawful,  vi:(.  whereto  they 
*^'  rnig^ht  adjoin,  but  not  confine  themfelves. 
-  **  An4  though  to  that  former  fort  of  Communion, 
*'  there  harb  for  many  Years  by  paft,  been  fuperadded 
*'  the  accidental  confide  rat  ion  of  a  Place,  or  Office  at- 
'*  tainable  hereby  ;  no  Man  can  allow  bimfelf  to  think, 
*'  that  what  he  before  counted  Lawful,  is,  by  this  fu- 
*'  pervening  Confideration,  become  unlawful ;  efpeci- 
**  aily,  if  the  Office  were  fuch,  as  was  in  no  manner 
"  of  Way  to  be  an  emolument,  but  rather  an  Occafi- 
*'  on  of  greater  Expence  to  the  Undertaker  of  it,  ;.  e, 
only  enabled  Iiim  to  ferve  God,  the  Government, 
and  his  Country,  being  regularly  call'd  hereto,  in 
*'  the  Condition  of  a  Juftice  of  Peace,  or  otherwife. 
*'  In  which  Capacity,  it  is  notorious  that  divers  Per« 
**  fons  of  eminent  Note,  of  this  Pcrfwaiion,  (and  fome 
*'  in  higher  Stations^  have  within  the  fpace  of  Forty 
'*  Years  paft,  and  upwards,  been  Serviceable  to  the 
*'  Publick  in  divers  Parts  of  the  Nation. 

**  It  is  not,  indeed,  to  be  thought  that  the  Judge- 
"  ment  and  Practice  of  fuch  Men,  can  be  throughout 
*'  approved  by  our  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren  of 
"  the  E ft abli(h*d  Church,  as  neither  can  we  pretend  it 
*'  to  be  fo  Univerfally  by  our  Selves.  But  we  are  re- 
"  more  from  any  the  leaft  fufpicion,  that  Perfons  of  fo- 
"  excellent  Worth,  and  Chfiftian  Temper,  as  now  pre- 
'fide  over  the  Eftablifli'd  Church,  can  fuffer  themfelves 

*'  to 


cc 


u 


<( 


<c 


Chap.  XVIII.   iifter  the  Rcvoh/tion  in  1688.      581 

*'  to  Judge,  orCenfure  Men  of  this  Scntimenc,  as  be- -4w.  1701. 
"  ine,  for  this  finale  Reafon,  Men  of  Hypocru^cal  a-.d 
*■  infincere  Minds ;  buc  that  they  wiil  rather  think  ft 
"  poffible  their  Underftandings  may  be  i'\ipos'd  upon, 
"  fo  as  this  may  be  the  Judgnnenr,  in  the  whole,  of  a 
fincere,  though  milinform'd  Confcience. 
"  For  when  they  apprehend  this  Church,  having 
a  1  the  tfffential  Parts  of  Chrifiian  Religion,  hath 
not,  by  iadding  fome  much  difputcd  Things,  that  are 
not  pretended  to  be  any  Parts  thereof  (but-  ihar  are 
become  as  ncceflary  to  Comrriunion  with  it,  as  any 
the  moft  effential  Part)  thereby  unchurcht  itfeif,  but 
that  they  may  hold  Communion  with  it;  yet  they  do 
not  fee  that  they  ought  to  appropriate  then  Commu- 
nion to  it,  (o  as  to  refufc  all  other  Commu- 
nion, where  the  fame  Elfentials  of  Cfariftian  Reli- 
gion ar€  to  be  found,  without  thofe  Additions,  which 
really  belong  not  to  it;  They  are  apt  to  think  fuch 
*'  Sentiments  of  theirs,  not  to  be  altogether  deftitute  of 
**  fome  plaufible  Ground. 

**  However,  among  thofe  that  are  not  entirely,  in 
^'  every  Pundilio  of  this  Church,  it  hath  not  any  fo 
*'  firm  Friends,  or  that  are  fo  nearly  united  in  Judge"- 
**  meni  and  AflFedtion  with  it,  as  Men  of  this  Sen- 
*'  timent. 

*'  We,  for  our  Parts  (who,  becaufe  in  fome  Things 
*'  we  conform  not,  are  called  Non-Conformifts, 
"  whereas  no  Man  Conforms  in  every  Thing)  are 
**  not  allowed  to  be  counted  Members  of  this 
*'  Church ,  by  thofe  that  take  Denominations,  not 
"  from  the  intimate  Effentials  of  Things  (as  famenefs 
**  of  Dodiviae,  and  the  Inflitutions  of  Chriftian  Wor- 
*'  fhip)  but  from  ioofe  and  very  feparable  Accidents: 
*'  Yet,  Thanks  be  to  God,  we  are  not  fo  ftupid,  as  not 
**  to  apprehend,  we  axe  under  ftrider,  and  much  more 
^*  facred  Obligation,  than  can  be  carried  under  the 
"  found  of  a  Name,  to  adhere  to  thofe  our  Reve- 
*'  rend  Fathers  and  Brethren  of  the  Eftablifb'd Church, 
'*  who  are  raoft  United  among  themfelves,  in  Du*- 
*^  ty  to  God,  and  our  Redeemer,  in  Loyalty  to  our 
**  Sovereign,  and  in  Fidelity  to  the  Proteftant  Reli- 
"  gion;  as  with  whom,  in  this  dubious  State  of 
*'  Things,  we  are  to  run  all  Hazards,  and  to  live  and 
*^  die  together.    Whether  they  can  have  the  fame. 

Pp  3,,  ?'^^- 


582         Some  Hi  (tone  al  Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 

Ar^.  1701/'  Affarance  ,  both  from  Intereft  and  Inclination  of 
*'  Mind,  concerning  all  that  are  of  the  fame  External 
**  Denomination  with  themfelves,  they  need  not  us  to 
**  to  advife  with. 

"  We  have  our  yet  depending  lefTer  Differences,  a- 
bout  which  wc  have  (notwithltanding  whatfoever 
Provocation)  been  generally,  and  for  the  moft  part 
,'?'  Silent,  and  fee  not  in  Reference  to  them,  what  can 
*'  further  remain,  than  that  we,  for  our  Parrs,  do 
"  confider,  that  all  Minds  are  not  turn'd  the  fame 
*'  Way ;  that  fuch,  from  whom  we  Dilfent,  no  fur- 
*'  ther  dirfer  from  us,  than  we  do  from  them;  and  we 
"  are  therefore,  no  more  to  wonder  at  them,  than  our 
"  Selves. 

"  And  we  cannot  difallow  our  Selves  to  hope,  that 
^'  our  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren  will  conceive 
of  us,  as  humbly  Diffenting  from  them,  without 
diminution  of  that  great  Reverence,  which  their 
real  Worth  claims  from  us ;  and  without  arrogating 
any  Thing  unduly  to  our  Selves  on  that  Account. 
For  tho*  we  cannot  avoid  thinking  we  are  in  the 
Right,  in  tbofe  particular  Things  wherein  we  differ  ; 
yet,  at  the  fame  Time,  we  know  our  Selves  to  be  far 
exceird  by  them,  in  much  greater,  and  more  im- 
**  portant  Things. 


Mj/  Honoured  Lord, 

Tour  Lord/hips  * 

Molt  Obedient 
Humble  Servant, 

7.  ^. 


<c 
<c 
a 


About 


Chap.  XVIIL  afier  the  Revolution  m  1 63H.       ySi 

About  this  Time  came  out  an  EJfay  tovof^rds  n  Com-  An.  lyji- 
prehertfion  ;  offer'd  to  the  Confideracion  cf  the  two 
Houfes  of  Parliament  ;  and  to  the  Archbilhops,  Bi- 
fhops,  and  Ciergy  in  Convocation.  The  Author  of- 
fers feveral  Reafons  to  ihew  the  Neceflity  of  attempc- 
ina  this  Work  ;  conliders  the  moft  common  Objedions 
againftit;  And  propofes  fome  Methods  which  he  tho't 
might  be  ufeful  for  the  efFedting  it :  But  no  Notice 
was  taken  of  it. 

Debates  were   conrinu'd    this  Year  and   managed  2"^«^^^^^« 
with  Warmth,  both  in,  and  out  of  Convocation.  Mr.  Hil!  "^^^"^  ^'^^ 
publiihed   the   F{jgi^ts,  Likrties,    mid   ^utbouties  of  the  ^'&^'^^  ^^  '^ 
Chrifticn  Church,  ajjerted  againft  all  opprcjjlve  DcHrines  '^'^'^^.^'fj''" 
and  Conftitutions :    And  a  Juftification  of  his  ^^^'"^^^*^f" /7^'l?Il  «« 
jtium  EccUfiafticum.     He  fays,  it  cannot  be  unfeafonable  thatSubje^^l. 
to  aflert  the  San(5lity  and  Power  of  the  Church,  when 
every  Afs  and  unclean  Beaft  is  lifting  up  his  Heel  a- 
gainlt  her.     We  (fays  he)  ha\  e  been  Jed  along  to  fuch 
an  Obfervance  of  the  fecular  Weathei-cocks,  and  have 
thereby  fo  far  funk  and  expofed  our  Order  by  our  Re- 
liances on  the  Arm  of  FJefh,  that  being  deplum'd  of 
all  Authority  and  Reverence,  'tis  to  be  fear'd  we  may 
in  fome  little  Time,  be  taken  for  chargeable  Need-nots. 
He  urges,  Dr.  I4^ake's  Scheme  with  a  great  many  Diffi- 
culties.    He  cites  feveral   PalTages  of  the  Fathers  in 
which  they  equal  thePrieftly  tothe  Regal  Power,  nay, 
rather  feem  to  prefer  the  former  to  the  latter  ;  And 
fays,  he  does  it  to  fhew  in  general  the  Superiority  of 
Dignity,   and  the  independent  Freedom  of  the  more 
excellent  Authority  in  Spiritual  Povi^ers,  in  diftindion 
from  the  meaner  Temporal  Authority  ;  that  fo  all  par- 
ticulars in  Synods,   or   other  Procefles   Ecclefiaftical, 
may   be  determin'd  by  the  fame  general  Rules  and 
Maxims,  which  affert  a  greater  Excellency,  and  an  uni- 
verfal  Independency,  of  the  Spiritual  Powers  from  on 
the  Temporal,  in  all  Matters  purely  Ecclefiaftical  with-  "^ 

otic  Exception^  He  proves  by  many  Citations  from  Fa- 
thers,- and  Councils,  a  great  Neceltity  of  frequent  Sy- 
nods: And  aflefts  that  as  Things  now  ftand  with  us, 
no  Men  can  upon  Principles,  with  well  to  the  Confti- 
cuiton  of  Parliaments,  that  are  Enemies  to  the  Rights, 
and  Priviledges  of  Ecclefiaftical  Convocations.  He 
fays.  That  the  deriving  Synodical  Authority  from  the 

P.p  4        -  mec] 


504       Some  Hijloricd  AddJtio?fs      Chap.  XVUl. 

-<5«.  1 701.  meer  Allowance  of  the  Chriftian  Prince,  bewilders 
Men  in  a  Maz'-  of  inextricable  Inconliliences  and  Con-- 
tradiifiions.  He  mentions  fome  Canons  that  requir'd 
itaceJ  Synods  to  be  held,  noiwithftanding  ihc  Prohibi- 
tion of  the  Prince ;  And  cites  many  other  Canons,  to 
prove  that  the  fever al  Maropolitans  had  Power  to  call 
Synods,  without  any  Intervention  of  the  Imperial 
Aiuhority.  He  alfo  oppofes  the  Doctor's  Authorities 
with  many  contrary  Citations,  as  to  the  Rights  of 
Princes  in  calling  EcclefiaOical  Council. 

He  fays  that  Eccle(ial\icks  in  a  State  of  Canonical 
Freedom,   Piety,  and  Learning,  are  not  fuch  a  Knot 
of  unroward  Monfters   and  Salvages  as  they  are  now 
very  pionlly  repreiented.     No  ;  the  Definitions  of  Ca- 
tholick  and  Canoriical  Synods  were  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  : 
they  were  in    their    own  internal  and  facred  Vertue 
Authoritative  and  Obligatory,  without  any  Civil  Ra- 
tification.    This  he  aflerts  to  have  been  the   Senfe  of 
the  Fathers.     And  he  confiders  the  feveral  Inftances  of 
Ecclcfiaftical  Synods  for  feveral  Ages,  under  the  Reigns 
of  Chriftian  Emperors  and  Princes,  both  fuch  as  were 
diredled,   confirmed  or  rejedied  by  fuch  princes,  and 
thofe  in  which  they  did  not  interpofe  at  all,  or  but  in 
Part  only,  making  Remarks  all  along,  in  Oppolition  to 
the  Notions  of  the  Do6tor,  as  Occalion  oft'er'd,  or  he 
Kho't  it  would  in  any  RefpeCl  be  to  his  Pnrpofe  ;  till  he 
concludes  that  the  Do£lor  had  violated  the  moft  impor- 
•    tiint  Truths  of  Principles  and  Hi/lories,  to  fervea  rotten, 
corrupt  and  tyrannical  Hypothefis.     For  his  own  Part 
he  declares,  that  he  had  no  Worldly  Ambitions,  Hopes, 
or  Fears  to  byafs  or  corrupt  him  ;  and  he  pronounces  a 
folemn  Anathema  againft  him,  that  would  for  thefe  or 
any  other  Conhderations  confcioufly  promote  or  pal- 
liate,  any   Errors   or    Delufions.     And    be   conjures, 
challenges,  provokes,  entreats,  and  defires  the  Dodlor, 
upon  all  the  Points  of  Honour,   and  Motives  of  Cha- 
rity,  and   Juftice,   to   the  Church  of  God,    to  Kings 
and  Princes,  to  all  fcducibJe  Confciences,   and  parti- 
cularly his,    to  anfwer  the  former   and    this  Second 
Book,  fairly,  fully  and  openly,  upon  every  Point,  No- 
tion, and  Fadt,  Argument,  and  Inference  wherein  lie 
had  been  tax'd. 


i' . 


At 


Chap.XVlIl.  after  the  Revolntioftin  i6SS,      585 

At  the  fame  Time  came  out  a  Book  of  Dr.  Ksnnet^s^  An-  1701. 
intituled,  Ecclefiafttcal  Synods  nvd  Parliamentary  Convc-    .    , 
canons  in  the  Church  of  England,  hifioricnlly  ftnted^  '^'^^  Ken  net 
jufily  vindicated  from   the  Mif-repre(entatioris  of  lAr.  At- 
terbury.     He  dedicates  it  to  the  Archbifliop  oi  Canter- 
bury, having  fir  ft  (as  he  intimates)  obtain'd  his  Graces 
Leave,  not  prefuming  to  furprize  him  with  an  unex- 
pe<9:ed  Addrefs ;  Tho'  had  he  taken  that  Freedom,  he 
conceives  it  might  have  appeared  the  more  decent,  be- 
caufe  he  had  expreifed  a  due  Refpedi  and  Reverence  to 
the  Governors  in  Church  and  State  ;   and  becaufe  the 
Reports  and  Authorities  he  produced,  were  not  the 
Fruits  of  other  Men's  Colle6tions,  but  the  immediate 
Effe6ks  of  his  own  fearches  into  Regifters  and  Records : 
Nor  did  he  imperioufly  fummon   bis  Grace  or   my 
Lords  the  Bilhops,  to  an  immediate  Compliance,  upon 
Pain  of  being  pronounc'd  the  Betrayers  of  the  Church, 
In  his  Preface,  he   fays,   the  Book  he  wrote  againft 
fallly  reprefents  the  Hiftorical  Part  of  the  Argument, 
and    diicovers  a  Zeal  for   the  Church,    without  any 
Knowledge  in  the  Conftitution  of  it:  And  that  he 
found  it  upon  a  fecond  Edition  of  it,  to  be  one  of  the 
moft  disjointed  Pieces  he  ever  faw,  and  the  moft  im- 
perfedl ;  And  tho't  it  would  be  a  Reproach  to  the  Engli/h 
Church  and  Nation,  if  fuch  a  Book  were  judged  to  be 
the  Senfe  of  the  Clergy,  or  of  any  other  ferious  Men 
of  Letters.     He  declares  he  would  not  have  been  an 
Adverfary  to  Mr.  jitter tury,  if  be  had  not  verily  bc- 
liev'd  him  to  be  fo,  to  Convocations  and  the  Clergy 
of  them  :  And  that  his  Aims  are,  to  reprove  that  de- 
riding   and   infulting  Way  of  Raillery  and   Wrath,^ 
that   wounds    Religion,    and    weakens^^that  Church, 
whofe  Priefts  (hall  fo  attempt  to  vindicate  her  Rights 
and  Powers;    To    affert   the  Nature  of  a  Chrifiian 
Church  ;  to  maintain  the  effential  Difference  between 
a  Church  and  a  State,  and  between  Synods,  and  Ci- 
vil Alfemblies ;    to  defend  the  Reformation,  affert  the 
Excellence  of  Englifh  Monarchy,  plead  for  the  King 
and  Government,  vindicate  the  Honour  of  the  Mini- 
sters of  State,  keep  up  the  Reverence  due  to  Arch- 
bilhops  and  Bifhops,  confult  the  Intereft  and  Security 
of  the  inferior  Clergy  ;  and  prevent  another  fatal  Se- 
paration.   And  he  affures  all  concern*d,  that  he  is  not 
to  be  frighted  by  Menaces, 


586  Sof?ie  ilifiorrcal  Additioias     Cha p.  XV III. 

-  — —  •"  li 

An.  lycf.  He  oblerves  there  have  been  Difpines  in  the  Church 
from  the  rirlt,  efpecially  m  Mr^rrcro  of  Privilcd^e  and 
Power  ;  and  that  in  this  Church  and  Nation,  from  the 
very  firit  ti^abJilhment  of  RcJjgion,  there  has  fcarce 
been  any  one  Age,  but  that  fome  Difputes  for  Prece- 
dence and  Authority  have  been  thrown  in,  to  diftuib 
the  Governmrnt  and  divide  the  People  :  But  that  fince 
the  Reformation  the  CJergy  has  freely  own'd  the 
F{cynl  Supremacy ^  tiil  the  Attempt  of  fome  late  Inno- 
vators. 

He  reiledts  upon  the  Author  of  the  Letter  to  a  Con- 
vocation Man.  He  wont  allow  him  to  be  cither  a 
Lawyer,  or  a  Parliament  Man,  tho'  he  would  feem  to 
be  both  :  Charges  him  with  not  underftanding  what  a 
Convocation  is,  nov  thtFrdemunietnes  or  Diocejnn  Writ  y 
nor  the  Provincird  Writ :  and  reprefents  him  as  inju- 
rious to  King  W.Hlnm^  by  fuch  diredt  Reproaches,  or 
fly  Infinuations,  as  make  the  Letter  a  Libel  He  fays 
that  the  Clergy  we'-e  by  that  Letter  brought  under  a  Sufpi- 
cion  of  beiyig  dijcontented  and  -defigning  Men,  fetting  up 
for  thetnfelves  under  nevp  Pretences  of  Libert;  and  Power^ 
neither  enjoyed  nor  ciaimed  in  former  i{eigns. 

He  fays,  the   Author  of  Municipium^  ^c.  arraigns 
the  fundanienrai  Laws  of  the  Land,  as  derogatory  to 
the  Laws  of  Qhrift.     And  as  for  the  Author  of  the 
■^'?/>^^,  Powers^  and  Priviled'^es  of  an  Englilh  Convocatin^ 
he  charges  him  with  being  a  very  afTuming  Writer,  and 
.  talking  much  of  his  own  Abilities ;  with  appealing  to 
Mamifcriprs  and  Records,  which  he  was  a  Stranger 
ro ;  with  being  fevere   and  bitter  in  his  Perfonal  Re- 
fled:ions-  and  ufing   tauming  and    opprobrious   Lan- 
guage, paft   all  Charity,  and  the  Rules  of  Decorum  ; 
making  his  Adverfary  all  over  Fool  and  Knave ;  and  with 
being,  trifling  and  cbildilTi  incorrediing  fmali  Miftakes. 
He  fays,  That  they  that  are  Critical  lliould  be  careful, 
that  they  do  not  themfelves  commit   a  Multitude  of 
Krrors,    while  they  are  running   over   their    Articles 
againft  other  Men  ;  and  that  they  do  not  tax  a  Fault 
in  another,  when  the  very  Fault  really  is  their  own  ; 
againft  both  which  good  Rules,  this  Author  (  he  fays  ) 
has  offended  i  and  that  particularly  in  his  Refledkions 
on  the  famous  Lyndwood,  and  the  Bilhop  of  Sarum,  and 
Dr.  l^V.ilif,     He  charges  him  alfo  with  exprefling  much 
Rancour  and  Malice,    as   well  as  Rudenefs  ;   with 

triamphing 


Chap.  XVllI.  after  the  Revolution  in  1^88.      587     ~ 

triumphing  over  the  Clergy  upon  their  Lofs  of  their^«.  I'joi. 
Rights,  as  zealous  as  he  appears  for  them  ;  with  creat- 
ing Prejudice  without  Caufe,  and  making  Parties, 
when  there  is  Httle  or  no  Difference  between  them  ; 
and  fays,  that  no  Writer  ever  manag'd  an  Argument 
with  more  Slightnefs  and  more  fuperficial  Touches,  or 
indeed  more  Falfhood  and  Deceit  than  he. 

He.  aflferts,  That  Diocefan  Synods,  are  more  ancient 
than  Provincial.  That  Presbyters  are  no  authoritative 
Part  of  Provincial  Synods.  That  Cr.pitular  Procters  vitrcr 
fummoned  to  our  Convocations,  not  for  Counfel  or 
neceflary  Confent  in  Spiritual  Affairs,  but  for  Secular 
Polfeflions  and  Civil  Rights,  which  were  often  there 
treated  of;  and  to  fupport  the  Government  with  their 
reafonablc  Aid  and  Taxes.  He  diftinguifhes  between 
true  Ecclejjafiical  Synods^  which  had  no  Authority  in, 
or  Dependence  on  the  Parliament,  and  Parliamentary 
Jffemblies  of  the  Clergy. 

He  fays,  That  the  lower  Clergy  for  many  Ages  did 
not  come  to  Provincial  Synods,  but  for  a  dutiful  Ac- 
tendance  on  the  Bifhops,  and  offered  only  a  fubmiflive 
Approbation  of  their  A6ts :  And  that  their  coming  to 
Parliamentary  Alfemblies,  was  to  give  Money.  And  ' 
that  it  was  by  Degrees  found  expedient,  that  the  fame 
Clergy  as  was  fummond  to  the  National  Parliament, 
ihouldatthe  fame  Time  be  fummoned  to  a  Provincial 
Synod  or  AfTembly,  concurrent  with  that  Parliament. 
But  this  was  by  another  Writ,  befides  that  contained 
in  the  Bilhop's  Summons,  with  the  Claufe  Prtgmunien- 
tesi  And  even  by  another  Writ  from  the  King.  And 
he  charges  Mr.  Atterbury  with  miferable  Confufion  all 
along,  as  if  he  tho't  every  Parliamentary  meeting  of 
the  Clergy,  to  b/e  an  Ecclefiaftical  Synod,  and  every 
Ecclefiaftical  Synod,  to  be  a  Parliamentary  Body  of  the 
Clergy  ;  than  which  nothing  more  falfe  in  Fa£t  and 
Law :  And  fays,  That  a  Perfon  that  writes  at  fo  fidi- 
tious  a  Rate,  would  be  a  much  better  Champion  for 
another  Church  of  Traditions  and  Legendary  Tales, 
than  for  the  Church  of  England^  that  can  be  fupported 
by  nothing  but  Sincerity  and  Truth. 

He  fays.  That  Prohibitions  were  not  fent  by  our  Princes 
to  Parliamentary  Convocations,  but  to  Synods  only : 
and  ihat  Mr.  Atterbury  s  account    of  Chriilian  and 

^nglijh 


588         Some  Hifioricnl  Additions      Chap.  XVIII. 


An.  1 70 1.  EngUflo  Synods,    is  the  iroft  inaccurate,  confus'd,  and 
miftaken  Acconnc  that  ever  was  given. 

He  wifties  ibat  the  Pamclnal  Clergy  were  more  equally 
and  faily  reprefented  in  the  Convocation :  That  their 
Vrodlrrs  in  the  Lower  Houfc,  might  be  at  leaft  a  Bal- 
lancc  to  the  other  digmfy*d  Presbyters,  and  not  be  ex- 
ceeded by  them  more  than  one  half;  One  Hundred 
fiippofe  to  lefs  than  Forty. 

He  fcveval  Times  charges  Mr.  Attcrhuryf   with  being 
very  uwjuft  to  the  Rights  of  the  Church,  in  reprefent- 
ing  Affairs  of  Religion  determin*d  in  Civil  Councils. 
He  takes  a  great  deal  df   Pains  to  redtifie  the  Matter 
of  the  Premunientes  Claui'e :  And  then  fays,  That  the 
Engli(h   Clergy  in  their  oven  Parliamentary   Convocations, 
tax'd     their    own    Body,    to    the    15    Car.   II.    1665  5 
when  in  a  following  Sejfions   of  Parliament   in  1664,  hy 
Msafures  wifely  concerted  between   the   Governors  of  the 
Churchy   and  the  lending    Members  of  the  Hctife  of  Com- 
monSf  the  Clergy  were  in  Silence  to  recede  from  the  cujio' 
mary  I{fght  (f  taxing  thewfelves  apart  from   the  Laity  .- 
And  aU  their  Ecelefiajlicnl  Benefices  were  to  be  now  ajfeffed^ 
(as  their  Temporal  Eftates  were  before)  upon  the  fame  Foot 
and  Level  with  aU  other  EngHih  SubfeBs  in  the  Bills  begin* 
ning  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,     And  thus  departing  from 
their  ancient  Pradlice  of  Taxing  themfelves,  the  End 
ot  the  Premunientcs  he  fays  was  loft.     Rectors  and  Vi- 
cars being  now  tax'd  for  tbeir  Glebe  and  Tythes,  by 
•    the  Commons,  have  a  Vote  in  eledting  Members  :  And 
therefore  have  the  lefs  Occafion  to  be  now  reprefented 
by  any  Members  of  their  own  Body.     And  in  Oppofi- 
tion  to  Mr.  Attcrbury^  'vho  w.th  great  Vehemence  pref' 
fes  the   Execution  of  the  Prarnunlentcs  Claufe,  he  al- 
kdpes,  that  the  forbearing  it,  is  no  late  Orriillion  ;  that 
the  reftoring  it  would   be   no  Benefit  10  the  Clergy  ; 
that   it  wo'jld  not  make  a  Parliamentary  Body  of  the 
Clergy,  uniefs  the  Provincial  Writs  be  added  and  exe- 
cuted; that  if  thcOmilfion  be  an  Offence,  'tis  to  the 
King,   otlicrs  are  not  concerned  in  it  ;    that  if  the 
Church  had  had  that  Concern  in  it  that  is  reprefented, 
it  would  hardly  have  been  fo  long  unobferv'd  ;  and  that 
the  altering  now,   might   be  attended  with  ill  Con- 
ftquences:    It  might    be  the  fubjedt  of  forae  unfea- 
fonablc  Difference  among  the  Bilhops,  or  raife  fome 
-  unhappy  Queftions  in  the  Ecclefiaftical  Courts,  and  be 

attended 


Chap.  XVIIl.  after  the  RetfolHtion  in  t6SS.      589 

attended  with  furprizing  Difficulties  ;  It  might  revive  ^«.  170 1. 
the  Claim  of  the  Clergy  to  Tax  themfelves,  and  iflue 
in  their  loofing  their  Votes  in  Country  Eledtions. 

Soon  after  came  out  a  Pamphlet  in  4>^j  entituled,  The 
Principles  of  Mr.  Atterbury';  Book^  confideredy  and  his  Ar- 
guments againft  Dr»  Wake  ^.nd  others  finted  and  examined. 
This  Author  fays>  it  was  Mr.  A^nerhurys  main  Defign 
to  abufe  and  mifreprefent  his  Adverfary,  ftate  his  Argu- 
ments unfairly,  and  anfwer  what  he  never  faid.  He 
alTcrts,  That  whatever  Cuftom  there  may  be  for  the 
Clergy's  being  called  to  Convocarion  when  the  Parlia- 
ment fits,  there  is  not  the  fame  Right  for  their  fitting 
and  a^ing.  Not  one  Inftance  is  brought  to  prove  that 
the  King  fince  the  Reformation,  was  ever  denied  the 
Power  of  proroguing  the  Convocation  while  the  Parlia- 
ment continued  fitting ;  or  chat  when  he  exercifed  his  Au  - 
thoriiy  in  denying  them  to  fit  and  adl,  the  Legality  of  it 
was  ever  difputed.  He  charges  Mr,  Atterbury  with  a  grofs 
Miftake  about  the  Premunire  in  the  Cafe  of  the  Clergy 
in  the  Time  of  Henry  VIII.  He  confronts  Mr.  Atter- 
tury^  with  Mr.  Smalridges  Animndvofions  on  Church 
Government.  He  fays,  that  fuch  Faults  as  Mr.  Atter- 
burys  were,  are  (God  be  thanked)  to  be  found  in  few 
other  Writers  :  He  difcover'd  none  fuch  in  any  of  thofc 
Authors,  whom  with  all  the  Stock  of  Spite  and  Inge- 
nuity he  is  Mafter  of,  he  fets  himfelf  to  defame.  This 
Author  alfo  charges  him  with  falfly  interpreting  the  A£t 
of  Submillion.  He  fays  that  Mr.  Atterbury  has  this 
very  particular  Way  of  managing  Controverfy,  that 
he  is  well  aware  what  Authorities  oppofe  his  Notions  t 
If  they  are  down  right  Enemies,  he  denies  them  to  be 
Legal  Evidence :  If  by  Fraud  or  perverting  their  plain 
Senfe,  he  can  reduce  them  to  bis  Opinion,  he  takes 
that  Method  for  imjjofing  upon  his  Readers  Credulity  -• 
And  if  Confidence  of  being  in  the  Right  can  have  any 
Influence,  his  Readers  are  fure  never  to  want  a  Biafs. 
He  dilates  on  the  Petition  of  the  Convocation  in  Ed-  ^ 

x^ard  VI.  Time,  to  the  King  for  a  Licence  .  And  dif- 
covers  his  Refentment,  that  fuch  a  Storm  (hould  be 
raifed  againft  the  Royal  Supremacy  in  the  Days  of  King 
William^  who  had  been  our  Prote£ior  and  Deli  verer 
mpre  than  any  Prince  before  him. 

This  was  foon  folio w'd  with  fome  I(emarl{s  upon  the 
Kemper  of  the  Inte  H^ritbTf  about  Convocations:   particu- 

Urly 


590         Some  Hifiorical  Addition f     Chap.  XVIII. 

An,  1 70  f .  Urly  Dr.  l^^nke^  Dr.  K^cnnet^  nnd  the  Author  of  Mr.  Atter- 
huns  Principhs,  This  Author  obferves  that  they  who 
were  afraid  to  truft  the  Church  with  too  much  Power, 
had  us'd  all  they  could  againft  their  Adverfaries :  And 
though  they  inveigh'd  fo  mightily  againft  a  rude  un- 
mannerly Way  of  being  treated,  had  yet  very  plenti- 
fully befpattier'd  their  Oppofers.  He  charges  Dr.  J4^ake 
with  inveighing  againft  the  whole  Body  of  the  inferiour 
Clergy,  (upon  whofe  Credit  that  of  Religion  does  in 
a  great  Meafure  depend;)  and  with  reprefenting  his 
Adverfaries  as  difaffedted  to  the  Church  and  State  ; 
as  Men  immoral  and  turbulent  ^  acting  againft  re- 
peated Oaths  and  Subfcriptions  j  Excommunicating 
them,  and  excluding  them  from  the  Sacraments,  and 
pronoiincing  them  Papifts  or  Presbyterians;  Things 
not  eafily  to  be  reconcil'd  with  Charity  and  good 
Manners. 

And  he  fays  thofe  that  wrote  after  Dr.  fVal^c,  and  fot 
him,  have  not  willingly  fallen  much  ftiort  of  hitn.  He 
banters  Dr.  Kjnnet  for  his  Dedication  ;  and  accufes  hinri 
of  making  long  Panegyricks  upon  himfelf;  and  fays 
he  defires  his  Grace  of  Canterbury  to  patronize  a  great 
deal  of  Scandal  and  ill  Manners.  He  is  very  fevere  in 
his  Refle£lions  upon  him,  and  alfo  upon  the  Author  of 
Mr.  Atterbury's  Principles:  And  then  clofes  with  a  Mo- 
tion, that  every  Writer  may  have  a  due  degree  of  Re-. 
fentment,  according  as  he  is  found  to  Tranfgrels  the 
Rules  of  Temper  and  Moderation. 

This  was  followed  with  an  Occafional  Letter ^  on  the 
SubjeH  of  Englilh  Convocations  ;  by  the  Author  of  Ecckfi- 
a/iical  Synods  and  Parliamentary  Convocations  in  the  Church 
of  England.  The  Author  reckons  it  beneath  him  to 
take  Notice  of  the  Remarks  forementionM.  He  leaves 
it  to  the  World  to  judge  on  which  Side  the  Temper  lies. 
He  frankly  owns  fome  Miftakcs  ;  but  they  are  fuch  as 
aflfedl  not  the  main  Caufe  in  Debate.  He  vindicates 
his  Reflections  on  the  Author  he  wrote  againft;  fays, 
he  has  not  one  Word  detracting  from  him  but  as  a 
Writer  only.  He  fays  he  had  not  exhaufted  his  Subje£l; 
and  mentions  many  other  Faults  he  might  have  found 
with  the  Chapters  which  he  had  conficlcr'd  :  And  gives 
his  Friend  Affurance,  that  if  he  (hould  goon,  he  would 
all  along  remember  to  join  heartily  with  Dr.  y^.  for  all 
Legal  Rights  of  an  Envlijh  Convocation ;   for  all  ne- 

celfary 


Chap.  XVUL  after  the  luvoluiionin  1688.     591 


ceflary  or  expedients  Powers  of  the  Church,    and  all  Ah,  1701. 
cuftomary  Favikdgcs    of    the  Clergy;    that  fo  thty 
might  be  on  their  Guard  againft  their  coimnon  Adver- 
faries,  and  not  open  a  Pafs  to  any  oppofite  Army,  while 
ihey  were  Ikirmifliing  in  their  own  Camp,  and  not  gra- 
tify the  Erajiians,    the  Pdpifts,    rhe  y^jftmhly  Men,    nor 
any  other  Party,   who  would  be  glad  to  fee  ihe  EAa- 
blilhment  loft,  by  difputing  about  the  Conftitiuion  of 
it.     He  argues    the   unreafonablenefs   of   the    Lower 
Hcufes  pretending  to  a  Right  of  adjourning  themfelvesj 
and  pleads  for  the  Rights  of  the  Arthbilhop  o^- Canter- 
bury ;    and  fays  that  when  no  Prince  has  challenged  the 
Right  of  having  the  Premunitory  CJaufe  obey'd,    and 
00  Parliament  has  interposed,    no  Bifhop  been  accus'd 
for  not  bringing  up  bis  premoniih'd  Clergy  with  him, 
when  none  of  the  inferiour  Clergy  have  complain'd  of 
not  being  duly  premonilVd,    returned,  and  admitted  to 
Parliament,    when  no  Lawyers  have  pleaded  a  breach 
of  Conftitution  in  the  Cafe,   that  after  the  filence  and 
confent  of  allParties  concern'd,  there  fhould  at  laft  arife 
a  private  Man,   that  fhould  of  his  own  Senfe  requeft, 
or  rather  enjoin  the  Biftiops  to  command  the  ftrid  Ex- 
ecution of  their  Parliamentary  Summons  on  the  Lower 
Orders  of  the  Clergy,    and  do  this  with  a  pure  impo- 
fing  on  their  Lordfhips  and  the  Clergy,   Men  of  Senfe 
will  admire  what  fuch  a  Propofal  means :    And  though 
to  ferve  a  Purpofe  it  may  be  fome  little  Time  com- 
mended,  and  fomewhat  longer  excus'd,  yet  it  will  on 
fecond  Thoughts  be  difcover'd  to  be  a  new  and  dange- 
rous Projeft,  that  has  no  Hiftory  nor  Policy  to  fupporc 
it;  that  would  but  divide  the  Church,  and  difturb  the 
State,  and  put  the  whole  Conftitution  out  of  Order. 

Now  alfo  there  was  pubiilh'd  n  Letter  to  a  Friend  in 
the  Country^  concerning  the  Proceedings  of  the  prefent  Coti' 
vocation ;  a  fingle  Sheet  in  4to.  The  Author  laments 
the  Difputeson  Foot;  and  prays  God  they  may  have 
no  ill  Effeds  on  the  Ecclefiaftical  Conftitution,  nor 
give  too  much  Encouragement  to  the  Enemies  of  Epif- 
copacy.  Befides  a  great  many  Things  hinted  here  before 
(which  its  needlefs  to  repeat)  he  fays  that  the  Pr^emuni^ 
entes  was  at  the  beginning  complain'd  of  and  oppos'd  by 
the  Clergy  as  an  encroachment  upon  the  Rights  and 
Liberties  of  the  Church,  and  a  diminution  of  the  Me- 
tropolitans Power.    And  now  for  fo  many  Ages  it  has 

had 


592         Some  Hfjiorical  Additions     Chap.  X VHl. 


An.  f/of.  had  no  etFedt  in  convening  the  Clergy,  to  plead  for  the 
reviving  of  it,  and  that  coo  under  the  Notion  o£  Defending 
the  i^/V^fj  and  Liberties  of  th:  Churchy  is  ftrangeDo'.^rine 
to  fay  no  worfe  of  it.  He  ArgJcs  from  InOances,  for 
the  Archbilhops  Right  to  Prorogue  the  Lower  Hoafe  as 
well  as  the  Upper,  and  Anfwers  the  Inftances  alledf^'d 
againft  it;  and  vindica:es  the  Proceedings  of  the  Up- 
per Hoafe  with  refpedt  to  pernicious  Books,  that  had 
been  Printed. 

This  wis  foon  Anfwer'd  by  a  Pamphlet  intituled,  The 
Power  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convccation  to  Adjourn  ii^feif, 
vindisated  from  the  Mifreprefentations  tf  a  Ute  Paper ^  8cc, 
The  Author  complains  thai  the  Lower  Clergy  in  Con- 
vocation found  themfelves  obliged  either  to  contend 
with  their  Bilhops,  for  the  Rights  of  their  Houfe,  or  to 
give  up  the  Conf^itution  of  an  Evglifh  Synod,  and  be- 
tray the  Truft  lodg'd  in  rhem  by  the  Clergy  of  the  Pro- 
vince. They  however,  (he  fays)  would  have  kept  it 
within  themfelves  •  But  their  Lordlhips  having  fuffer*d 
a  Vindication  of  their  Proceedings  and  Pretenfions  to 
be  made  Publick,  it  was  no  longer  in  their  Power. 
The  Letter  that  bad  been  Printed,  is  charg'd  with 
giving  a  Relation  that  was  lame  and  imperfe(5^,  nay  in- 
confiftent  with  Truth.  It  omitted  the  unreafonable  At- 
tendance which  the  Bifliops  requir'd  of  the  Lovirer 
Clergy,  which  was  a  great  Grievance.  Having  touch'd 
on  that,  the  Author  fets  himfelf  to  prove  the  Power  of 
rbe  Lower  Houfe  to  Adjourn  itfelf.  He  fays  it  muft 
have  this  Power  becaufe  'tis  an  Houfe ;  which  it  could 
not  be,  if  it  had  not  a  Power  of  fitting  and  riling  at 
Difcretion.  He  pleads  that  the  Archbifhop  has  now  no 
fummoning  Power  but  what  is  Minijieriat'  And  that 
therefore  he  having  now  no  Authority  to  convene  the 
Body  of  the  Clergy,  neither  can  he  ha'^e  any  Authority 
to  Prorogue,  Adjourn,  or  Continue  thenl.  HeArgueS 
alfo  from  the  fitting  of  Committees,  by  the  fole  Autho- 
rity of  the  Hotife,  in  the  intervals  of  its  Seffions  ;  and 
from  the  mifchievous  Confequenccs  that  would  attend 
the  fuppofing  the  Power  of  adjourning  the  whole  Synod 
to  be  in  the  Archbilhop.  His  Graces  Power  (he  fays) 
at  this  rate,  would  be  greater  than  what  the  Crown  it 
felf  ever  Pradtic'd  :  He'd  then  have  it  in  his  Power  to 
quafli  intermediate  Seflions,  and  to  prevent  the  difpatch 
of  all  manner  of  Bulinefs  j   and  fo  defeat  the  very  ends 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 6'$^,        593 


of  the  AfTembly,  and  the  intentions  of  the  Kings  Sum-  y^«   i^oi^ 
mons.     T/w^ 'tis  intimated,    M'^hen  any  future  Prince  [kaB 
arife  who  has  Thoughts  of  fubverting  the  Church  Efinblifh-' 
mcnt^  and  knows  that  the  firfi  and  largeji  step  towards  it^  is 
by  fupprejfmg  Convocations;    he  hath  nothing   to  do  for  the 
attainment  of  thn  End,    hut  only  to  make  an  Archbifhop^ 
vpho  (hall  be  ready  to  exert  his  adjourning  Power  as  direBedy 
and  by  that  Means  to  prevent  all  Oppofition  that  may  arifi 
from  the  united  Counfels  of  the  Clergy  to  the  new  Meafupss. 
nnd  Models  intended.     And  he  adds,  that  of  the  Three 
Books  that  are  left,  which  Ihew  the  Forcns  and  Methocis 
of  Adjournment  prai^ic'd  in  the  Lower  Houfe,  (one  of. 
the  Years  1 586  and  1588 ;   another  of  the  Year  1640  • 
and  a  Third  of  that  Convocation  which  fat  with  the 
Long  Parliament  after  the  Reftoration,)    each  has  feve- 
ral  Inftances,    wherein  the  very  ftile  of  Adjournmerir^ 
ihews  the  Power  of  Adjourning  to  be  lodg'd  in  the: 
Lower  Houfe  itfelf.    He  Argues  alfo  from  the  Form  of 
Adjournments  in  the  Upper  Houfe  Books ;    and  alferts 
that  it  has  been  the  Ufage  of  the  Lower  Houfe  to  Sit^ 
Treat  and  A(3:,  after  the  Upper  Houfe  wasrifen^  and 
on  intermediate  Days  alfo,  when  the  Upper  Houfe  never 
fat  at  ail.     Several  very  nice  arid  critical  Remarks  are  1 

made   to  Confirm  and  Support    this.     Among  other 
Things  he  affirms  as  to  the  Convocation  of  1661,  That 
all  the   Time  that  pajTd  after   1664,   may  be  fuppos'dto 
have  been  a  continud  Dream,  in  which  the  Convocation  (lept 
over  their  Priviledges^    and  having  once  let  go  the  great 
\ight  of  Taxing  themfelves^    might  be  lefl  careful  to  jecure 
the  others.     He  fays,  that  never  any  Body  of  Men  main-, 
rain'd  a  Difpute  of  that  length  and  Confequence,   wirh 
more  calmnefs  or  greater  deference  to  their  Superiours 
than  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  hath  done  this: 
In  which  they  perfifted  to  the  Jaft,    nocwithftanding  the, 
frequent  Changes  of  the  Queftion,   the  flights  and  un- 
reafonable  bardlhips  of  every  Sort,   which  were  in  the 
feveral  fteps  of  this   Debate  put  upon  them  :    And  he 
feems  fearful  leaft  their  Friends  fhould  be  of  Opinion 
that  they  have  rather  ftoop'd  too  much  than  too  little. 
For  the  Members  of  thfe  Lower  Houfe  when  Alfembled^ 
are  no  longer  to  be  look'd  upon  as  fo  many  private  Per- 
fons,  but  as  the  Legal  Reprefentatives  of  Eight  or  Ten 
Thoufand  Men  in  Holy  Orders,    and  carrying  in  them 
the  Weight  of  the  whole  Clergy  of  the  Province.    And 

Q  q  tinder 


594        Some  Hjflorjcal  Addition,      Chap, XVIU. 


An,  1 701.  under  this  View  he  intiinates  they  may  reafonably  hope 
for  good  Ufage  at  leaft,i  if  not  for  fome  little  degree  of 
Reipedt  from  their  betters. 

This  was  follow'd  with  A  Narrative  of  the  Proceedings 
of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocationrelating  to  Prorogations  and 
Adjournments  ;   from  Monday  Feb.  10.1700.  tolVednef. 
day  June  15.  170 1.   Dmvpw  up  by   the  Order  of  the  Houje, 
The  publilher  intimates  that  this  Narrative  was  drawn 
np,  that  the  Lower  Houfe  might  be  in  a  pofture  of  De- 
fence.    That  they  found  there  were  great  endeavours 
us'd  to  prepoflefs  the  Minds  of  the  Inferiour  Clergy 
againft  their  Reprefentatives  in  Convocation,  as  if  they 
were  invading  the  Rights  of  the  Metropolitan,   and 
trampling  upon  Epifcopacy  itfelf:    And  therefore  the 
publifher  thought  it  neceflary  that  it  fhould  fee  the  Light: 
Tho*  for  his  doing  this  of  his  own  Head,  he  begs 
the  Pardon  of  thole  Gentlemen  whofe  leave  he  owns 
he  ought  to  have  asVd  before.    He  retiedrs  with  free- 
dom on  the  foremention'd  Letter  to  a  Friend  in  the  Coun- 
try^ which  he  charges  with  falCe  Affertions,  and  in  con- 
clufive  Arguments,  as  well  as  Prevarications.     He  fays, 
that  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  in  1689,  had  very  un- 
acceptable Bvfinefi  proposed  to  them,    and  were  fo  far  from 
confidering  how  they  Jhouid  fit  to  purfue  it^   that  they  defir'd 
nothing  fo  much  of  to  be  dijchargd  from  it. 

The  NarrativeWgiTiS  with  applauding  the  decency  of 
the  Conduct  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  as  well  as  the  Juftice 
.  of  their  Claim.  It  owns  that  the  greateft  Part  of  their 
Time  was  taken  up  in  defending  their  Power  to  Ad- 
journ themfelves ;  a  Thing  which  it  reprefents  as  ne- 
cefTary  to  fecure  all  the  other  Rights  and  Liberties  of 
the  inferiour  Clergy,  and  of  the  utnioft  Confequence 
to  the  Prefervation  of  the  Church  itfelf.  For  if  the 
Archbifhop  has  a  Power  to  deprive  Bifhops  of  himfeif, 
and  to  Adjourn  both  Houfes  of  Convocation  as  he  will, 
'tis  intimated ,  the  whole  Eftablifh'd  Ecclefitjjiical 
Conjiitution  will  depend  fo  intirely  upon  his  Pleafure^ 
that  fhould  he  fo  thinks  fit,  he  alone  might  effcHunlly  give 
it  up  to  Alteration  or  Deflnitlion, 

The  Narrative  goes  on  to  tell  what  they  did  from 
Day  to  Day,  till  it  comes  to  the  Reply  of  the  Bifhops, 
tD  the  Anfwer  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  to  the  Two  Que- 
ftions  put  to  the  Prolocutor  by  the  Archbiihop,  which 
is   reflcdcd  on  with    Freedom,    though  not  inferted. 

The 


Chap.  XVnr.    after  the  RevoUtionin  16^"^.      595 

The  Arguments  urg'd  are  much  the  fame  as  thofe  in  the  An.  lyoi* 
Anfiver  to  a  Lettsr  to  a  Friend,  SiC.  The  Narrative  fays 
that  in  the  Lower  Houfe,  they  carried  it  for  their  own 
Right  to  Adjourn  themfelves,  by  a  Majority  of  Sixty 
fix  Voices  againft  Twenty  four :  After  which  they  de- 
fir'd  a  Conference,  which  being  refus'd,  and  that  refu- 
fal  followed  with  a  long  Adjournmenr,  they  exercis'd 
their  Right,  and  held  intermediate  Seifions.  Many  are 
the  compla.ints  here  made  of  the  Bilhops,  as  making 
them  attend  needlefly  ;  and  as  doing  what  in  them  lay- 
to  cut  off  all  Coaimunication  between  the  Two  Houfes. 
The  Prolocutor  Dr.  Hooper  is  vindicated  from  the  Pra- 
•varication  which  he  was  charg'd  with  by  the  Bifhop  of 
Banker ;  and  an  Account  given  of  the  fteps  taken  by 
the  Lower  Houfe  with  refp.e£i  to  the  Bilhop  of  Sarums 
Expofition  of  the  Thirty  nine  Articles^  &c. 

The  next  Thing  that  was  Printed  was  the  I{ight  of 
the  Archbijhop  to  continue  or  Prorogue  the  vsf  hole  Convocation^ 
in  a  Second  Letter,  by  Way  of  Reply  to  the  Power  of 
the  Lower  Hcufe  of  Convocation  to  Adjourn  itfelf^  Scc.  and 
the  Narrative,  Scc.  This  Author  fays,  that  after  all  the 
endeavours  to  leffen  the  Character,  and  blemilh  the 
Conduct  of  the  prefent  Prelates,  they  have  a  fuificient 
fhare  in  the  Efteem  and  Affections  both  of  Clergy  and 
Laity.  He  complains  that  fome  Archdeacons  made  the 
Juftification  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  and  the  pretended 
Hardfhips  put  upon  them  by  the  Upper,  a  Part  of  their 
Vifitational  Charge.  He  anfwers  the  Arguments  urg'd 
in  their  Favour.  He  fays  they  may  be  an  Houfe,  with* 
out  being  vefted  in  fuch  Powers  ana  Priviledges  as  none 
of  their  Predecelfors  either  enjoy'd  orclaim'd.  He  proves, 
that  though  the  Archbiihop  is  difabled  by  the  Statute 
of  Submiilion  from  fummonirg  a  Convocation  at  Plea* 
fure,  yet  after  receiving  the  King's  Writ,  he  fummons 
it  as  much  by  his  own  Authority  as  he  did  before.  He 
intimates,  That  if  the  EngJiflD  Clergy  have  been  Jleep. 
ing  ever  their  Priviledges,  it  has  been  fo  ever  (ince 
the  Reformation :  None  having  happen'd  to  Dream 
of  the  refin'd  Scheme  now  contrivM  for  the  Enlarg- 
ment  of  the  prefent  Members  from  the  Authority  of 
their  Ecclefiaftical  (rovernors.  He  afferrs  that  the  Con- 
fent  of  the  Inferior  Clergy  to  a  Continuation  or  Proro- 
gation, was  never  either  ask'd  or  given.  He  charges 
•hofe  he  writes  againft,  with  being  inconfiftent  in  their 

CLq  i  Prin- 


59^        ^ome  H/fiorical  Additions     Chap.  X  V I II . 


Aiu  1 701. Principles.     When  Dr.  iVaks  afTertcd  it  to  be  a  Part  of 
the  Princes  Prerogative  to  furamon  Convocations  when 
hertiall  think  fii^he  was  fevercly  corre(9:ed  for  giving  the 
Kingfo  much  Authority,  betraying  the  Liberties  of  the 
Church,  and  putting  it  in  the  Princes  Power  to  deftroy 
our  Rehgion  at  Pleafurc  :  But  when  they  would  evade 
the  Authority  of  their  Metropolitan  by  transfering  it 
to  the  Crown,  then  all  the  Power  they  can  give  the 
King  is  tho't  little  enough,  and  there  is  no  Danger  at  all 
to  Religion,  nor  are  the  Liberties  of  the  Church  in  the 
Jeaft  affected.     He  next  proves  that  the  Argument  from 
Committees  to  fit  in  the  Interval,  is  not   a  fufficient 
Evidence  of  a  Power  to  continue  ;  infinuatcs,  that  the 
Danger  of  trufting  the  Power  of  continuing   in  one 
Hand,  is  urg^d  upon  Republican  Principles;  and  that 
the  Inconveniences  of  a  Power  to  continue  at  Pleafurc, 
conclude  as  Itrongly  againft  the  Lower  Houfe,  as  againft 
the  Archbilhop ;   that  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convoca- 
tion have  in  their  Pradkices  gone  farther  already  than 
any  of  their  Predecelfors,   but  not  near  fo  far  as  the 
Principles  ufed  in  their  Defence  will  carry  them.     This 
Principle  of  a  feparate  Right  to  continue,  (he  fays)  in- 
troduces  a  co-ordinate  Power  of  Presbyters  with  their  Bi' 
/hops  in  Symdical  Mutters  ;  juflifies  them  in  the  Denial  of 
their  Coimfel  and  Affifltince,  tends  to  divide  their  Confulta- 
tions  and  Interefisy  and  pave  the  Way  far  a  State  of  Pref- 
bytery^  iy  making  all  Iniiances  of  Submifjion^  to   be    /Jtis 
.  of  Choice  and  not  of  Duty,     He  goes  on  to  the  Arguirent 
from  the  Forms  and   Methods  of  Adjournments  pra- 
(Stifed  in  the  Lower  Houfe  :    And  afterwards  proves, 
that  the  Lower  Clergy  are  included  in  the  Continua- 
tions of  the  Upper  Houfe.     He  Ihows  that  in  all  the  In- 
ftances  produced    in  Favour  of  intermediate   Selfn  ns, 
the  Clergy  met  by  the  exprefs  Command,  and  Dirc- 
dtion   of   rhe  Archbilhop,    to  confider  the   particular 
Matters  that  he  prop  fed  to  them  ;  and  that  fuch  Meet- 
ings as  were  held  by  his  Grace's  Command  can  infer  no 
Right  in  the  Lower  Houfe  to  hold  them  without  that 
Command :  That  theAppointment  of  Committees  of  rhe 
Lower  Clergy,  was  always  claim'd  and  cxercis'd   by 
his  Grace  •  1  hat  thefe  Meetings  in  the  Intervals,  could 
be  no  other  than  Commirtees,  becaufe  rhey  frequently 
fuccecded  fuch  Conrinuarions  as  exprefs  an  entire  Suf- 
penfion  of  Convocation  Bulinefs :  And  that  the  Prolo- 
cutor's 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revohtjon  in  1688.      597 

cucor's  Prefence  could  be  no  Argument  that  tbey  ac^ed  -^n  '^1  ' 
as  a  Houfe,  (ince  he  was  ufually  at  the  Head  of  their 
Committees  as  well  as  of  the  Houfe,  &c.  And  he  re- 
prefents  thofe  as  judging  Right,  who  were  apprehen- 
five  that  till  another  Temper  appeared,  the  Clergy's  At- 
dance  upon  their  refpecStive  Cures,  would  be  more  for 
the  real  Service  of  the  Church  and  Religion,  than  their 
meeting  in  Convocation  :  And  fays  it  will  increafe  his 
Opinion  of  their  Wifdom  and  Forefight  and  Concern 
for  the  Church,  at  leaft  till  more  defirable  Effects  of  3 
iittingConvocaiioncan  be  (qqw  than  the  late  Proceedings 
gave  Caufe  to  expedt  in  prefent  Circumftances:  And  that 
it  will  be  the  raorccafily  believ'dfor  the  Future,  that 
the  meeting  of  the  Clergy  is  not  an  equal  BlefTing  to 
the  Church,  at  all  Seafons,  and  under  all  Difpofi- 
cions. 

But  this  was  a  very  fruitful  Debate,  and  made  the 
Prefs  produce  very  plentifully.**  A  Letter  came  out  to 
the  Author  of  the  Narrative^  in  Vindication  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Members  of  the  Lower  Houfe ^  with  I^ela- 
tion  to  the  Archbifhop's  Prcrogation  of  it  Upon  May  the 
8th.  The  Author  profefTes  his  Trouble  to  be  engaged 
in  a  Difpute  of  this  Nature,  wherein  the  Church  in 
general  rauft  fufFer,  which  Side  of  the  Qaeflion  foevec 
prevails,  and  where  there's  no  clearing  one  Part  of  the 
Sacerdotal  Order,  without  laying  the  Blame  on  ano^ 
iher.  He  complains  much  of  the  Narrative  as  not  a- 
greeing  with  the  Minutes ;  and  of  the  Carriage  of  the 
Houle  to  Dr.  Verneyy  and  Dr.  Trimnel  j  and  that  Leaves 
were  cut  out  of  the  Adt  Book.  He  reflecfls  upon  the 
omitting  to  intimate  the  Archbifhop  s  Prorogation,  and 
vindicates  Dr.  Femey's  addrefHng  thereupon  to  the  Arch- 
bilhop  ;  and  the  Abfence  of  thofe  on  Mty  16,  who 
were  prefent  on  the  30th,  againft  the  Reflections  of  the 
Narrative,  and  the  Addrefs  of  the  Lower  Houfe:  And 
makes  a  Motion,  that  they  that  are  in  Authority,  may 
not  be  fought  to  be  devefted  of  a  Power  they  have 
been  accuftom'd  to  exercife,  till  the  Ufurpation  is  plain- 
ly made  out. 

This  was  follow'd  with  a  Letter  to  n  Clergyman  in  the 
Country^  concerning  the  Choice  of  Members^  and  the  Exe- 
cution of  the  Parliament  \>Vrit  for  the  enfuing  Convocation  •: 
Which  upon  the  Kings  fummoning  a  new  Convoca- 
fion  with  his  new  Parliament,  recommends  care  in  the 


598        Some  Hijioncal  Additions      Chap.  XVlll. 

An.  1701.  Election   of  new  Members,   iri  Confidentiori    of  the 
Difpiues  on  Fovoc  between  the  Two  Houfes  •  and  In- 
timates, that  when  they  are  determined  to  the  Preju- 
dice  of  the  Lower  Clergy,  there's  an  End  of  all  the 
Rights  and    Liberties   of  their  Houfe,    and  they   are 
from  that  Moment,  an  ufelefs  and  infignificant  Part  of 
the  Conftitution.     This  iWritcr  obferves,   that  the  ele- 
ctive Members  bear  the  Proportion  of  above  Four  to  Five 
in  the  whole.     And  that  the  Influence  of  the  Bifhopsis 
great  both  m  Chapters  and  Diocefles,  and  that  they'd 
be   likely  to  exert  rhemfeJves  towards    procuring    a 
Lower  Houfe,  that  would  facrifice  its  Rights  and  Li» 
berties  to  the  Upper.     Hereprefents  it  as  a  moft  unrea- 
fonable  Thing,    for  the  Bifhops  to  over-rule  the  Ele- 
(5lions  of  thofe  Prodors,  who  in  Convocation  were  to 
repreient   the  Grievances   and    Hardships   which   the 
Clergy  fuffer  from  their  Lordfhips  Courts  and  Officers. 
He  fays,  it  has  been  refolv'd  m  the  Lower  Houfe,  that 
the  intermcdling  of  Bifhops  or  their  Officers^  to  byafs  the 
EleBion  of  Procurators  to  ferve^  in  Convocation^  is  a  Grie- 
vance :    But  that  this  Refolution  (among  others)  was 
hinder'd  from  being  carried   to  the  Upper  Houfe,  by 
feme  who  had  determined  that  the  Convocation  fhouid 
meet  to    no   Purpofe.     He   begs  therefore,    that    the 
Clergy  will  reprefent  to  their  Bifhops,  that  their  now 
intermcdling,  would  be  injurious  to  the  Rights  of  the 
Clergy,  and  utterly  deArudbive  of  the  Conftitution  of 
-     •      .an  Engi'iflo  Synod.     He  fays,  that  the  late  Pleas  for  the 
Authority  of  Metropolitans,  have  not  been   advanced 
with  any  View  of  perpetuating   the    prefent  Church 
'Eilablifhment  :     And   that   a   Temporal    Government 
founded  in  Liberty,  i  2iS  ihc  En giifh  is,)    can  never  in* 
corporate  kindly  with  a  Spiritual  Society  that  is  fup- 
pof  ted  by  Slavery  :    But  will  either  reduce  it  to  fome 
kind  of  Conf  >rmity  with  it  felf,  or  quickly  deftroy  it. 
He  fays,  the  fi«^///fe  Clergy  have  fo  true  a  Rerpe£l  for 
Epifcopacy   rooted  in  their  Hearts,  that  its  a  Si?n  of 
their  being  ill  ufed  in  an  hiqh  Degree,  and  even  forc'd 
to  adl  on  the  Defenfn  e,  when  they  contend  with  their 
Bifliops :  And  that  they  confult  their  Lordfhips  Intc- 
rcfts,  bj'  preventing;  if  it  be  polfible,  any  Diminution 
of  their  own  ;    and  arc  fo  far  from  attempting  to  en- 
croach on  the  Power  of  their  Bifhops,  that  one  End  of 
iheir  prefent  Struggle  is  to  prevent  fuch  Encroachments. 

Ke 


Chap.  XVIIf.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.      599 

JHe  indmares,  thj^c  it  hadalfo  been  refolved,  That  the  not  An.  1701. 
executing  of  the  Clatife  Prjemuniences  in  the  Bi[hop*s 
ferity  but  fuffrejjing  the  fnme^  after  thnt  the  Hjght  of  the 
Clqrgy  to  meet  in  their  Parliamentary  Convocations  hath 
been,  publickjy  difputed  and  denied,  and  the  encouraging  Boal^s 
and  Paper  J,  written  ^g^^*f(^  the  Flights  and  Authority  of  Con- 
voeaticns  is  a  Grievance  :  And  he  would  have  the  Clergy 
demand  the  Execution  of  this  Claufe,  which  he  inti- 
mate's would  faften  their  Meeting  fo  clofe  to  thofe  of 
the  Parliament,  that  neither  the  Malice  of  their  Ene- 
naies,  nor  Treachery  of  their  falfe  Friends,  would  ever 
be  able  to  diflblve  the  Union.  He  anfwers  Objed:ions 
againft  it ;  'Tis  wi:h  him  a  fufiicient  Proof,  that  the 
Eifecution  of  this  Ckufe  is  of  fome  Importance  to  the 
Conftitution,  that  feme  Men  are  with  fo  much  Zeal 
and  Eagernefs  bent  and  bid  to  oppofe  it.  And  he  con- 
cludes with  that  Text  of  Scripture  ;  Be  of  good  Courage^ 
and  let  m  play  the  Men  for  our  People ^  and  for  the  Cities 
of  our  God ;  and  the  Lord  do  that  which  feemeth  him  good. 
This  w^s  followed  with  a  Second  Letter  upon  the  fame 
Subjedt ;  in  which  he  endeavours  farther  10  clear  an4 
confirm  the  Entry  of  the  Archbilhop's  Parliament  Writ, 
in  the  Convocation  Acfls  of  both  Provinces,  and  to  e- 
Jucidate  fome  other  Matters, 

In  anfwer  to  thefe  two  Lerters,  came  out  the  Cafe  of 
the  Prdtmunientes  confidcred.  The  Author  fays,  that  now 
for  foive  Time  the  Clergy  have  had  a  loud  Alarum, 
that  the  Governors  of  the  Church  are  deftroying  the  ^  . 
Conftitution  of  it.  That  there  was  a  late  Reign, 
when  fome  Bilhops  were  made,  in  Order  to  ferve  an 
ill  Caufe,  and  to  carry  on  very  Arbitrary  Meafures, 
but  that  fince  the  Revolution  it  has  been  otherwife. 
That  It  is  a  meer  Fadlion  that  runs  down  the  prefent 
Bifhops  for  imperious  and  arbitrary  Men  ;  and  that  the 
many  Tragical  Complaints  publickly  urg'd  againft 
them,  are  but  the  unreafonable  Noife  and  Clamour  of 
ibme  of  their  Inferiors,  moved  by  Difcontent  and  I)if-' 
appointment.  That  it  was  they  that  are  againft  the  Bi- 
lhops that  began  the  Difpute,  and  made  the  Aflault  j 
that  the  Writers  on  that  Side  have  trefpafs'd  in  Point  ot 
Charity  and  good  Manners,  and  publifti'd  fo  many 
Infinuations,  Colours  and  Stories,  that  even  Martin 
MAR-PRELA'tE  did  not  more  effedually  affront  th^ 
ehe  Bifliops  of  the  C.  of  E.  That  they  that  have  plead- 

Qq  4  ci 


6oo         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIIF. 


An.  lyci.  ed  againft  the  Bifhops,  have  been  very  inconfiftcnt  with 
one  another,    whic  h  fhews  that  they  begun  their  new 
Claims,   before  they  had  fix'd  either  the  Ground  or 
Extent    of  them  :    That   themfelves  confefs  that  the 
Rights  they  now  claim,  have  not  been  claitn'd  in  the 
Memory  of  Man ;    and   that  the  Power  of  prefiding 
over  a  Convocation  is  fafe  in  the  Hands  of  the  prefenc 
Primate  :  That  they  have  not  been  ingenuous  and  fair 
in  their  Relation  of  Things ;    and  that  the  Archbilhop 
bore  all  their  Behaviour,    with  that   Tendernefs   and 
AfFedion  that  became  his  Character,    and  were  pe- 
culiar to  his  Temper.     In  Anfwer  to  the  two  Letters, 
he  fays,  there's  no  Way  of  ending  the  Difputes,  while  tha 
Church  (lands,   but  the    Clergy's  returning  to  their 
Duty  ;  and  that  even  then  the  Biftiops  can  do  no  Syno- 
dical  A6t  without  them.    He  can  fee  no  Harm  in  it, 
for  the  Bifhop  of  the  Diocefe  to  recommend  this  or 
that  Perfon,  as  befl  qualified  to  reprefent  his  Brethren. 
He  intimates,  that  the  Abufes  of  Ecclefiaftical  Courts 
and  Officers,  were  never  made  a  Subjedi  of  the  Lower 
Clergy's  Remonftrance,  till  the  laft  Convocation:  That 
there  is  hardly  one  of  the  Bifhops  who  difcountenanc'd 
the  late  Attempts  of  the  Lower  Clergy,  but  what  has 
been  exprelly  reviled  and  flander'd,  in  fome  one  or  o- 
ther  of  the  lace  Papers  and  Pamphlets  :  And  that  the 
J^'filves  mcrrtion'd,  pafs'd   not   in  a    full   Houfe,    and 
are  pot  to   be  foa>id,    either  in  the   Minutes  or    the 
.  Narrative.      As   for   the    Motion   about    ftricfbly  exe- 
cuting the  P>(£t?]un:cntes  Claufe,  which  was  Dr.  ^Hter^ 
^ur/s^  he  anfwers  it  cut  of  Dr.  f^^mneth  Reply  to  him: 
And  concludes  with  telling  him,  that  his  Text  in  the 
Clofe,  was  much  like  H.  Petcn  his  Curfe ye  Kierc:^'^  and 
that  he  prayM  Cod.  to  forgive  him.     In  Anfwer  to  his 
Second  I  etter.  He  tells  him  that  the  Sight  of  that  had 
convinc'd  him,   that  his  Caufe  was  now  capable  of  no- 
thing  but  hardy    Countenance,    and  flight  of  Hand; 
And  that  it  would  be  given  up  for  gone  with  all  honeft 
Maukind,  when  it  can  be  no  longer  fupportcd  with  fin- 
cerity  and  plainnefs ;  and  when  the  kit  refort  is  to  great 
L'^ntruths,    ambiguous   Referves,    and  r^  artifices  of 
Deceiving. 

Another  Paper  alfo  came  out  againft  the  forefaid  Let- 
Ur  to  a  Clerpymar},  &c.  The  Writer  of  it  had  faid,  that 
itvas  the  conttam  Practice  everfince  the  Ad  of  Sub- 

miiJioD 


f-~— ^ •-- ^ ' 

'  Chap.XVlII.  after  the  RevolHtioft  in  1688.     601 


miflion,  in  the  front  of  the  Adls  of  every  Synod  to  en- An-  lyof. 
ter  the  King's  Parliament  Writ  with  the  Claufe  Pramw 
rJenees,  as  well  as  that  to  the  Archbifhop  for  calling  the 
Clergy  of  his  Province.     And  in  Proof  of  this  he  ap^ 
peal'd  to  the  Original  A£ls  of  the  Convocations  of  Torl(^ 
Province,   and  the  Authentick  Extracts  of  the  Province 
of  Canterbury.    This  Paper  proves  the  contrary  by  a 
Certificate  from  Torji-;  and  by  Evidence  from  thofeC^w-^ 
ter  bury  £xtra6b ;  And  then  fignifies  concern  at  fo  bold  2 
Stroke,  to  ferve  a  prefent  Turn,   before  the  faJfity  of  it 
could  be  detedled  ;  at  that  Writers  fo  Ihamefully  impo- 
fing  on  his  Brethren,  and  his  prophanenefs  in  applying  a 
Text  of  Scripture  in  the  clofe  of  his  I  etter,  to  the  fiip- 
port  of   what   was  contrary   to  Religion  and  Truth. 
And  that  Writer  having  in  this  Cafe  offer'd  in  fo  many 
Words,  that  if  he  herein  dcceivM,  he  was  contented  to 
forfeit  all  his  Credit  with  any  good  Man  for  ever;  This 
Animadverter  tells  him,    that  he  could  not  fee  how  he 
could  avoid  in  that  Refpe£t  falling  under  his  own  Sen- 
tence.    He  adds,  That  he  could  not  help  being  in  pain 
for  the  Church,  when  they  who  made  moft  Noife  of 
maintaining  it,  put  itsDefcnce  upon  fuch  an  Ifliie  ja&this. 
This  was  follow'd  with  a  Reply  to  his  Additional  or 
Second  Letter;    wherein  bis  Evalions  were  confider'd. 
This  Author  here  freely  told  that  Writer,  that  a  compli- 
cation of  Falfhoods,    put  together  with  fo  much  Ma- 
nagement, could  not  be  the  effedt  of  Ignorance,  though 
even  that  would  not  be  to  be  pardon'd,   at  the  end  of 
fuch  a  foJemn  Appeal:  But  thai  an  intended  deceit  (as 
this  has  all  the  Appearance  of  being)  was  of  a  blacker 
Compie£tion,    and  requir'd  a  folemn  B^cnnting.    That 
explaining  would  not  do.     And  that  he  had  taken  fuch 
lengths  in  his  Affertion,  that  if  he  could  keep  up  his 
Credit,    under  fuch  a  Cloud  of  Witnefles  that  fo  fully 
impeach  it,    he  mtvft  conclude  there  is  not  Encourage- 
ment enough  for  Sincerity  to  be  found  in  this  World. 
But  that  he  could  not  fuppofe  his  Brethren  would  fee 
afide  theii-  regard  to  publick  Records,  rather  than  que- 
ftion  the  Integrity  of  one,   who  kept  his  Conclufion, 
even  when  he  was  forc'd  to  take  Notice  himfelf,  that 
his  Premifes  fail'd.    Nay,   that  he  hop'd  he  himfetf 
would  repent,  of  that  which  upon  the  ftri6teft  Enquiry 
appeared  to  him  to  be  the  greateft  Prevarication  he  ever 
mti  with,  except  his  Poftfcript,  which  alfo  is  here    con- 
fider'd. 


6o2        Some  Hrftoncal  Additiom  '  Chap.  XVIII. 

4n.  lyoi-fider'd,   which  refers  to  a  Claufe  ia  the  Archiepifcop,a| 

Mandate  :  (j.,.,,  i.,\ik-\  :"•  - ;  t 

Thefe  Refle£liorn$  drew  forth  a  "R/r^/  iLe//er  ^o  4  Cler- 
gyman in  the  C^cuntij^   in  Dafer.cc  of  viiJpat  was  /aid  in  thf 
J'wo  formsr,  ^h9Ut  phe  Entry  of  th^  Pftrliament  H^ric^  itf 
the  Journals    of   Convocation  ,      an/f    the  infertion  of  the 
Clni{fe  in  the  yjrchiepi/copal  Mandate,     He  complains  of 
his  Anfwerers,  that  their  chief  Talent  and  Merit  lay  in- 
darkning  Difputes,  and  wearying  Readers,  by  an  end- 
lefs  Repetition  of  the  fame  bajSed  Arguments,   witlv- 
out  any  new  Turn  of  Art  or  Improvement.     The  Ar^ 
of  fpreading  Scandal,    he  fays  is  in  our  Time  grown  to 
an  high   pitch  of  Perfedllon  ;   and  fome  of  the  Order 
are  extreamly  improv'd  of  late  in  their  Skill  this  Way. 
For  his  Part,  he  fays  he  is  eaiier  under  the  Reproaches 
of  his  Antagonift,  than  he  Ihould  be  under  his  Panegy- 
ricks.     He  aiferts  his  own  Innocence  ;    and  declares  he 
had  reprefented  Fads  truly,    and  that  the  Author  or 
Authors  he  was  engag'd  with,  had  deny'd  it  upon  raeei^ 
frivolous  Conjedlures  and  Reafonings.     He  produces 
a  Certificate  of  Five  Parliament  Writs  to  the  Archbi- 
fhop,  inferted  in  the  Extra£ls  of  Five  Convocations 
ior  Canterbury ;   sind  another  Certificate   in  Oppofition 
to  the  Aflfertions  of  his  Antagonifts.     He  fays  that  the 
Wiihes  of  thofe  that  wrote  againft  him,  to  find  the  Fadts 
he  alledg'd  Falfe,    were  exceeding  ftrong;   and   that 
they  miftook  thofe  Wirties  for  Arguments.     And  that 
his  Antagonift  us'd  his  Words  more  like  an  Executionei; 
than  a  fair  Anfwerer;   and  put  what  he  faid  upon  the 
Rack,  to  make  it  confefs  a  meaning  which  he  could 
not  but  know  in  his  Confcience  it  was  never  intend- 
ed to  imply.    He  gives  alfo  a  farther  Account  of  the 
Affair   of  the  Archbifhops  Mandate;    and  charges   his 
Antagonift  with  a  very  grofs   and  wilful  Prevarica- 
tion about  it;    and  calls  upon  him  either  as  publickly 
to  difprove  the  Charge,   or  to  own  it.     And  confefles 
in  the  clofe  that  his  Tafk  had  been  tedious,   but  that 
it  was  abfolutely  necelfary,   in  Order  to  clear  his  own 
Integrity,  and  deted:  the  Artifices  of  thefe  Men,  who 
be  fays,    mal{e  Lies  their  Sf^fuge,    and  in  Falfhood  hide 
themjelvej. 

But; 


Chap.XVllI.  after  the  Revolution  in  \  6^^.     609 


But  its  Time  now  to  return  to  the  Convocation,  that  An,  lyor. 
was  left  fitting,   when  we  broke  off  laft.     The  Biihops    ^  farther 
fas  has  been  already  intimated)  were  confidering  the  ^^^^^^^  \f 
Report   brought  up   from  the   Lower  Houfe.     They  ^/,^  p^^. 
drew  up  an  Anfwer  to  it,    and  were  for  purfuing  the  ceedings 
Debate  about  the  Right  of  Adjournment  in  Writing,  of  tht 
This  the  inferiour  Clergy  were  againft,    and  on  March  Convoc^- 
3r.  i7or,    they  Voted  their  own  Right  to  Adjourn  tion. 
themieives*.     And  then  they  fent 

the    Prolocutor   with    a  MeiTage  to  *  See  the .  Comp/eat    Hlfiory    of 

the  Upper  Houfe,  intimating  that  England,  Fol.  3.  p.  3^6.  &e. 
they  bad  confider'd  their  Reply, 
anddefir'd  a  FREE  CONFERENCE,  upon  the 
Subjedt  Matter  in  Debate.  The  Archbilhop  required 
their  Anfwer  in  Writing.  The  Prolocutor  told  him, 
their  Anfwer  would  take  up  about  Twenty  Sheets. 
The  ArchbiHiop  anfwer'd,  he  did  not  confine  them 
to  length  or  breadth,  but  expedled  their  Anfwer  in 
Writing.  The  Lower  Houfe  infifted  upon  a  Free  Con- 
ference,  and  drew  up  their  Reafons  for  it,  which  were 
prefemed  on  the  5  th  of  ApriL 

The  Upper  Houfe  being  willing  to  give  what  Satis- 
faction they  could  to  the  Lower,  with  refpedl  to  their 
Complaint  againft  Mr.  Toland*s  Book,  Intit.  Chrifiianity 
not  Myfteriovi^  fearch'd  Precedents,  and  agreed  toadvife 
with  Council,  upon  thcfe  Two  Queries,  i.  PVhether  the 
Convocations  giving  an  Opinion  concerning  n  Bool{^  that  k 
"Heretical f  JmpioWy  and  Immoral^  is  contrary  to  any  Larv  ? 
And,  2.  PVhether  the  iVords  in  the  Paper  fent  to  them 
hy  the  Lorver  Houfe,  voere  fuch  an  Opinion  oi  is  contrary  to 
any  Law?  And  having  had  the  Judgment  of  fome  Emi- 
nent Lawyers,  they  gave  this  Anfwer  to  the  Lower 
Houfe,  that  they  did  not  find,  how  without  a  Licenfe  from 
the  King  which  they  bad  not  yet  receivd,  they  could  have 
fufficient  Authority  to  cenfure  Judicially  any  fuch  Bool^s  j 
But  on  the  contrary  were  advifed,  that  by  fo  doings  >  both 
Houfes  op  Convocation  might  incur  the  Penalties  of  the  Sta- 
tute of  z'^  Hen.  VI I L 

On  April  the  8th  a  Paper  was  dcliver'd  to  the  Prolo- 
cutor in  Anfwer  to  that  from  the  Lower  Houfe,  deliver'd 
April  the  5tb,  in  which  the  Bifliops  tell  them,    *  That 

*  their  Proceedings  had  been  irregular,  and  without 

*  Precedent  in  fundry  Particulars:   That  they  could  not 
^  find  fo  much  as  one  Inftance  of  any  Conference  de- 

'  ,      ,     ...  !  fir'd 


6o4  Some  Hiftorical  Additions     Chap.  XVI II. 


Au.   J  701 


fir'd  by  the  Lower  Houfe.-  That  they  were  indeed 
once  call'd  up  ad  Colloquium  in  1689,  but  that  the 
Confequences  of  it  wcic  fuch  as  did  by  no  Means  in- 
courage  the  doing  of  the  like  at  this  prefentTime: 
And  that  their  pretending  to  make  a  rccefs,  by  their 
own  Auth.ority,  apart  froa)  the  Upper  Houfe,  and 
without  Order  from  the  Prefidcnr,  was  altogether 
new,  and  fuch  a  Violation  of  his  Authority,  as  could 
not  be  comply'd  with,  nor  fofFer'd,  without  deftroy- 
ing  the  Fundanriemal  Conftitution  of  an  Englijh  Con- 
vocation.' After  which  the  Archbilhop  nude  a  grave 
Speech,  and  prorogu'd  the  Convocation  to  May  the  8th. 
The  Lower  Houfe  fate  afterwards  as  a  Houfe,  for  fome 
Time  that  Day,  and  then  adjourned  themfelves  to  the 
next  Day.  This  ffays  my  Author)  vvas  an  affectation 
of  Independence  that  was  unknown  to  former  Convo- 
cations, and  never  before  attempted  by  any  Pre»byten, 
in  any  Epifcopal  Church. 

On  Miy  the  8th  the  Archbiihop  told  the  Prolocutor, 
that  '  what  had  been  done  in  the  Lower  Houfe,  as  a 
Houfe,  fince  the  Prorogation,  was  not  only  null  and 
without  Authority,  but  of  very  dangerous  Confe- 
quence  to  the  Conftitmion.  And  that  they  could  not 
receive  from  them,  either  by  Word  of  Mouth  or  in 
Writing,  any  Thing  done  by  the  faid  Houfe  as  a 
Houfe  in  that  Interval.*  At  the  lame  Time  the  Pro- 
jocutor  deliver'd  a  Paper,  as  the  k6i  of  the  Lower 
Houfe  this  Day,  which  was  an  AnUver  to  what  had 
been  fcnt  them  about  Toland\  Book.     '  They  therein 

*  intimate  their  Apprebeniion  of  the  little  need  there 

*  was  to  confult  Lawyers  about  that  Book;  that  the 
'  Archbilhop  might  eafily  have  obtain  d  a  Licenfe;  that 

*  a  bad  ufe  would  be  made  of  their  omitting  to  exprefs 
'  their di Hike  of  fo  ill  a  Book:  And  juftify  their  own 
'  Proceedings,  and  much  complain  of  Grievances  they 

*  fuffer'd  from  the  Upper  Houfe. 

A  Committee  of  Bilhops  prepar'd  a  Reply  tathis  Pa- 
per ;  fignifying,  That  '  they  tho'i  it  fafeft,  and  moft  for 

*  the  Inrereft  of  the  Church  and  Religion,  that  in  the 

*  Matter  of  7oUfid\  Book  as  well  as  others^  they  (hould 

*  govern  themfelves  by  Precedents  of  former  Convoca- 

*  tions  :   That  his  Majefty   was  the   propereft  Judge^ 

*  when  to  gram  a  Licenfe,  and  when  not ;  Tho*  confi- 
I  dering  the  Treatment  which  the  Licenfe  granted  to 

't;l;c 


Chap.  XVHl.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 6SS.     605 


*  the  Convocation  in  1689  met  with,    it  could  not  be  .^.  1701 

*  tho't  advifable  to  defire  another,  till  a  better  Spirit 

*  had  appear'd  m  thofe  of  the  Lower   Houfe,    than 

*  either  did  then  or  now:  That  they  would  endeavour 

*  CO  procure  a  Law  for  Regulating  the  Prefs,  &c.  That 

*  the  Adlions  of  the  Lower  Houle  did  not  agree  with 

*  their  Profcflion  ;    for  that  they  had  rifcn  ro  higher  de- 
'  greesof  difrefpedt  and  invafion  of  the  MetropoJitan 

*  and  Epifcopal  Rights,    than  ever  was  atcempted  by 

*  any  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  before,  &c.     And 

*  that  they  had  hereby  given  the  greateft  blow  to  the 

*  Church,  that  had  been  given  it,   (ince  the  Presbyce- 

*  rian  Aflembly  that  fate  at  fVeftminfter,   in  the  late 
'  Times  of  Confufion. 

A  Committee  of  Five  Bifhops  was  appointed,  to 
meet  a  like  Committee  of  the  Lower  Houfe  to  infpedt 
the  hfSts  of  each  Houfe  in  this  Convocation,  and  report 
their  Judgments.  But  the  Lower  Houfe  r^fus'd  to  ap- 
point fuch  a  Committee.  And  when  the  Schedule  of 
Prorogation  was  brought  down  to  the  Lower  Houfe,' 
ihe  Prolocutor  refus'd  to  intimate  it„  and  Adjourned  to 
the  next  Day,  inftead  of  May  16,  upon  which  Dr.  Ver- 
ney  made  the  Addrefs,  that  was  mentioned  before,  upon 
Occafion  of  the  'Narrative  of  the  Lower  Houfe, 

The  Lower  Houfe  had  been  drawing  A  !{eprefentation 
of  their  Senfe  upon  the  Bifhop  of  Sarum'i  Expofition  of  the 
Thirty  nine  Articles  of  the  C,  of  E,  which  they  brought 
up  May  the  30th.  Then  happened  the  Altercation  be- 
tween the  Bilhop  of  Bangor  and  the  Prolocutor>  men- 
tioned before. 

The  Paper  prefented  with  Relation  to  the  Bilhop  of 
Sarutns  Expofition,  reprefented  it  as  the  Senfe  of  the 
Lower  Houfe,  that  it  was  a  Bool{  that  tended  to  introduce 
fuch  ti  Latitude  and  Diverfity  of  Opinions  m  the  Articles 
vpere  framed  to  avoid*  That  there  were  many  Pajfages  in 
the  Expofition  of  fever al  Articles^  that  appear'' d  to  them  to 
be  contrary  to  the  true  meaning  of  them^  and  to  other  rC" 
ceivd  DoEirines  of  the  Church.  And  that  there  veere 
fi)me  Things  in  it  which  feernd  ef  dangerom  Confequence  to 
the  C  of  "Eos  hy  Law  Eflablifh'd,  and  to  derogate  from  the 
Honour  of  its  Reformation, 

Then  appear'd  Dr.  Sherlock^  and  Twelve  other  Mem- 
bers of  the  Lower  Houfe,  and  exhibited  a  complaint  in 
Writing,  to  the  Archbiftiop  and  Bilhops,  that  they  mov'a 


6o6         Some  Hijioncal  Additions     Chap.  X  VIIL 


Ah.  1 701.  in  the  Lower  Houfe  to  enter  their  Proteftation  againft 
later meSate  Scffions^  but  it  was  by  a  Vote  carried  againft 
them  ,  which  Vote  was  nnt  alJow'd  to  be  Regiftred  nei- 
ther; and  therefore  they  begg'd  leave  to  be  admitted  to 
enter  fuch  Proteftations :  And  they  fubfcrib'd  their 
Names  to  it. 

June  the  6th ;   The  Archbiftiop  cold  the  Prolocutor, 
That  he  could  not  according  to  the  Order  of  their 
Houle  receive  any  Thing  from  him,    till  the  Irregula- 
rity complain d  of  was  fet  Right;    And  yet  at  the  re- 
peated  Requeft   of  the  Bifhop  of  Sarum,   they  were 
willing  to  receive  the  Paper  their  Houfe  had  prepared 
againlt  his  Book.*     The  Prolocutor  not  having  that 
Paper  now  at  Hand  was  fent  to  fetch  it;    And  when  he 
went  away  left  behind  him,  a  Paper,   by  Way  of  De  - 
fence  of  the   Proceedings  of  the  Lower  Houfe,   which 
was  read  in  his  Abfence,   by  the  Regifter.     Ic  contain'd 
their  Reafons  for  declining  to  meet  the  Committee  of 
Biihops  as  they  were  defir'd. 

'  They  intimate  they  were  a  diflindi  Houfe,  and  en- 
tirely at  Liberty  to  admit  or  decline  the  Appointment 
of  Committees  as  they  faw  fit.  That  the  Bilhops  had 
no  regular  Way  of  feeing  the  Tranfac^ions  of  their 
Houfe,  but  by  their  laying  them  before  them  ;  But 
that  if  the  fight  of  their  Journals  was  demanded  as  of 
Right,  they  had  Reafon  to  infift  upon  their  Liberty. 
That  they  could  fee  no  ground  for  fuch  a  Committee. 
That  they  had  Reafon  to  exped  their  Lordfliips  (hould 
put  into  their  Pofleflion  the  Journals  of  the  Lower 
Houfe,  of  is86,  1588,  1640,  1 66 1,  ^c.  (which  of 
Right  belong'd  to  them)  before  they  requir'd  the  In- 
fpecftion  of  their  prefent  Proceedings.  That  they 
were  however  difcourag'd  by  rhe  Declaration  made, 
that  what  they  had  done  was  of  dangerous  Confe- 
quence.  And  that  their  Lordlhips  Sentence,  cutting 
off  all  intercourfe  between  the  Two  Houfes,  was  not 
only  over  fevere,-  being  pafs'd  upon  fo  fmall  an  Occa- 
fion,  but  deftroy'd  for  the  prefent  the  whole  Defign, 
and  the  very  Being  of  a  Convocation. 
This  Paper  was  referred  to  a  Committee  of  Bifliops 
to  examine,  who  drew  up  a  large  and  particalar  An- 
fwerj  fignifying, 

•That 


Chap.  XVlll.   after  the  Revolution  m  1 6SS.      607 

*  That  it  would  have  become  the  Lower  Houfe  to  ^«.  1701- 
have  acknowledg'd  the  Patience  and  Tendernefs  of 
the  Upper  Houfe.  That  fearching  Precedents,  they 
had  found  they  had  a  Right  to  Appoint  Committees ; 
and  that  the  Lower  Houfe  had  never  before  refus'd  to 
comply  with  fuch  an  Appointment.  That  by  their 
Refufal,  they  had  difobey'd  the  Authority  of  the  Pre- 
fident  and  Bifliops,  and  broken  the  intercourfe  be- 
tween" the  Two  Houfes.  That  for  this  ihey  might 
have  proceeded  agiinft  them,  by  Canonical  Admoni- 
tions and  Cenfures,  which  had  hitherto  been  forborn: 
But  that  till  tbey  return'd  to  their  Duty,  Bufinefs  could 
not  proceed.  That  their  Reafons  ofFer'd  for  their  Ju- 
ftification,  were  founded  upon  plain  miftakes  both  of 
Right  and  Faci.  That  they  aflbm'd  to  tbemfelves  to 
be  an  Independent  Body  ;  Whereas  the  whole  Convo- 
cation is  but  one  Body ;  and  both  Houfes  were  always 
continued  and  prorogu'd  with  one  Inftrument  or  Adfc; 
and  that  of  this  Body,  the  Archbiihop  was  the  Head. 
That  the  Aim  of  the  Motion  to  have  the  Books  in- 
fpedted,  was  to  prevent  Miftakes,  and  take  away  all 
Occafion  of  Difputes  and  Controverfies  between  the 
Two  Houfes.  That  their  complaint  of  wanting  for- 
mer Journals,  as  if  tbey  had  a  Right  to  keep  them 
(if  they  knew  vtheie)  was  very  unreafonable  and  un- 
juft.  That  the  Regifters  and  AA  Books  of  both  Houfes, 
belong*d  to  the  Archbiihop.  That  the  Ancient  Regi- 
fters were  in  the  Library  at  Lambeth,  where  they  bad 
free  Accefsto  them.  That  had  they  met,  the  Bifhops 
might  have  fatisfy'd  thofe  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  that 
their  Adjourning  tbemfelves,  ^c.  were  not  only  Ille- 
gal, but  of  dangerous  Confequence.  And  therefore 
they  move  that  they*l  confider  of  their  Irregulari- 
ty, (3c. 

The  Paper  againft  the  Bifhop  of  Snrum  being  brought 
up*,  the  Archbiihop  mov'd  for  the  Particulars  of  their 
Charge  againft  his  Book :  And  waiting  fome  Time  for 
them  to  no  purpofe,  Adjourn'd  ro  June  the  13th. 

A  Committee  of  Bilhops,  declar'd  their  Judgment  as 
to  the  extraordinary  fteps  of  the  Lower  Houfe. 

r.  *  Upon  Occaiion  of  the  complaint  againft  the  Bi- 

*  (hop  of  Snrum^   They  declar'd  it  their  Opinion,  That 

*  the  Lower  Houfe  had  no  manner  of  Power,   judici- 

*  ally  to  Cenfure  any  Book :   That  they  ought  not  to 

'have 


6o8  Some  Hifloncal  Addition t     Ch  a  p.  X  V 1 1  [. 

-^>i.  i-oi.^  have  entred  upon  the  Examination  of  a  Book  of  any 
BiHiop  of  this  Church,   without  firft  acquainting  the 
Preiident  and  Bilhops  :    That  their  Cenfunng  the  Bi- 
fhop  of  Snrums  Book  in  general  Terms,  without  men- 
tioning the  particular  Paifages  on  which  the  Cenfurc 
was   gfv^unded ,    was    defamatory    and    fcandalous : 
That  that    Biliiop  by    his  excellent   Hijiory    of   the 
Reformation,    approv'd   by    both  Houfes  of    Parlia- 
ment,   and  other  Writings,   had  done  great  Service 
to  the   C  of  H,    and  delerv'd  the  Thanks  of  their 
Houfe :    And  that  tho'  private  Pcrfons  may  expound 
the  Articles  of  the  Church,    yet  that  it  could  not  be 
proper  for  the  Convocation  at  this  Time  to  approve, 
and  much  leis  to  condemn  fuch  private  Expofitions. 
2.  As  to  the  Altercation  between  the  Prolocutor  and 
the  Bifhop  of  Bangor^  they  declared  they  were  of  Opini- 
nion,    that  the  Bimop  had  made  a  true  and  juft  Report 
of  the  Anfwer  made  him  at  the  Door  of  the  Hoafe : 
That  the  Prolocutor  made  the  fame  Anfwer  in  EfFedl  to 
the  Archbifhop  in  the  Houfe :   That  the  Paper  read  by 
the  Prolocutor  in  the  Houfe,    was  not  about  the  irregu- 
larity complained  of,    but  to  introduce  a  Complaint 
againft  the  Bifliop  of  Samm  which  had  no  Relation  to 
it :  That  the  Prolocutors  Anfwer  was  fuch,   as  by  no 
Means  ought  to  have  been  given,  by  him,  to  the  Arch- 
bifhop,  or  any  Member  of  that  Houfe. 

5.  As  to  Dr.  Verney  and  the  reft  of  the  Diflenters 
from  the  Majority  in  the  Lower  Houfe,  they  declar'd  it 
their  Opinion  that  they  had  behav'd  themfelves  as  of 
Right  and  Duty  they  ought  to  do  :  They  had  main- 
tained the  juft  Rights  of  Convocation,  and  deferv'd  the 
Protediion  of  the  Upper  Houfe :  That  the  Prolocutor 
and  fome  others  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  had  violated  the 
Methods  of  Proceedings  in  Convocation,  endangcr'd 
the  Conftitution  of  the  Church,  and  been  guilty  of  ma- 
nifeft  Difobedience  and  Contempt. 

June  the  20th,  the  Prolocutor  appeared  in  the  Upper 
Houfe;  and  the  Archbilhop  told  him  ^as  before,)  that 
he  could  receive  no  Paper  but  that  containing  the  Par- 
ticuliarities  of  the  general  Charge  againft  the  Biihop  of 
Sarums  Expofition^  which  at  that  Bifhops  requeft:  he  was 
ready  to  receive.  The  Prolocutor  faying  he  had  Two 
Papers,  but  could  not  prefcnt  the  one  without  the  other, 
without  the  Dircdtion  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  went  back 

for 


Chap.  XVIII.   after  the  Revolution  in  1 688.     609 


for  the  Opinion  of  the  Houfe,   but  did  not  return,  till  An.  1761. 
the  Convocation  was  prorogued  to  Auguft  the  7th,  and 
thence  to  Sej>t ember  i\\^  \%i\\,    till' the  Parliament  was 
DilTolv'd,  and  the  Convocation  with  it.    :\ 

And  here  1  Ihail  take  Notice  olf  the  lilflory  of  this  xhe  Hlfior^ 
Convocation^  that  firft  met  pn  February  6,  I700,  which  of  the  Con- 
was  publilh'd  at  large  in  1701.  I  mention  it  here  for  yocation  ti$ 
fome  Rcafons  that  will  be  obvious.  It  is  faid  to  be  1700.  /\to. 
Fnithfully  drawn  from  the  Journal  of  the  ZJpper^  and  from 
the  Narrative  and  Minutes  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  The  Au- 
thor in  his  Preface  reflects  on  the  Narrative  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Lower  tioufe^  as  drawn  np  in  haft  and  iii 
Anger,  never  ordered  by  a  full  Houfe  in  any  proper  . 
Seffion,  and  read  and  debated  in  intermfdate  Conveii^ 
lions  only.  He  alks  how  the  Lower  Ho(fe  came  to 
a  Power  of  publiihing  any  Synodical  Affairs  without 
the  Concurrence  of  the  Upper,  or  the  Knowledge  of 
thePrefident?  He  fays  there  was  much  difguifc  and 
fubterfuge  in  the  Edition  of  the.  Narrative:  And  that 
-  the  publiflier  of  it,  was  not  mafter  of  the  Argument ; 
and  either  not  well  inftrudted  in  his  Caafe,  or  not  well 
difpos'd  to  report  it.  He  fays,  That  the  late  AlTembly 
Men  would  not  Adjourn  to  the  Day  given  by  Autho- 
[  rity,  but  carried  their  Difobedience  a  ftep  beyond  the 
I  Neighbouring  Prcsb)tery;  and  touches  on  many  un- 
l  warranted  Affertions  and  Kefle(5tions  in  the  Preface  to 
;  thi  Narrative,  He  takes  Notice  that  the  Original  Mi- 
nutes of  this  Lower  Houfe  were  not  preferv'd,  but  had 
been  all  Burnt  or  otherwife  deftroy'd  •  But  that  all  that 
remained,  was  an  A£l:  Book  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  not 
drawn  out  of  the  very  Minutes  of  each  preceding  Day^ 
upon  fre(h  Memory,  by  the  /^cftuarv  himfelf;  but  the 
Work  of  a  Committee  toward  the  end  of  the  Seffion, 
to  make  up  a  Narrative  rather  than  a  journal,  more  to 
i'lftifie  themfelves,  than  to  deliver  naked  Matter 
of  Fadt. 

In  the  entrance  on  the  Hifi^ry^  the  Narrative  is  Re- 
fle(5):ed  on,  for  faying  that  the  Righrs  they  claim  are 
indifputably  clear,  and  necclfary  to  the  very  Being  of 
^  Convocation.  If  it  be  fo,  this  Author  fays  we  have 
had  no  Convocation  in  Being  thefe  400  Years.  As  to 
the  Temper  boafted  of,  he  fays  ihe  World  will  Read 
And  Judge,  He  fays  that  Men  of  Defign  may  inforni 
the  Clergy,  that  their  Rights  and  Privlledges  depend 

R  r  on 


6lo        Some  Hiilorkdl Additions     Chap.  XV 111. 


An.  lyoi.on  frequent  and  uninterrupted  Convocations;    but  if 
their  Scheme  (hould  prevail,  and  the  inferiour  Qergy 
be  bound  to  a  continu  d  Attendance  during  the  whole 
SclHons  of  every  Parliament,    it  would  be  foon  found 
the  Burden  of  the  Church,   and  the  Oppreflion  of  the 
Clergy.     He  fides  with,    and  vindicates  Dr.  K^nnet 
about  the  Atchiepi/cofal  Mandate ;    and  when  he  has 
done  it  makes  this  Remark:    That  in  an  Hiftorical 
Subjed:.  if  Writers  fail  for  want  of  Light  and  Know- 
ledge,  it  is  fomewhat  excufable ;    but  when  once  they 
come  to  invent,   and  to  impofe  their  Inventions,    for 
difgracing  an  Adverfary,  and  deceiving  a  Reader,  it 
muft  be  downright  want  of  Sincerity  and  Confcicnce. 
Refle(flions  are  all  along  inferred  upon  the  Paffagesand 
Proceedings  of  the  Lower  Houfe,    and  alfo  upon  the 
Karraiive,     He  obferves  that  the  Lower   Houfe  firft 
exempted  themfelves  from  Obligation  as  to  the  Place 
which  the  Archbilhop  Adjodfn'd  them  to ;   by  Degrees 
they  exempted  themfelves  as  to  the  Time  alfo,  nil  at 
length  they  entirely  rejedked  the  Authority  of  the  Sche- 
dule.   Firft  they  pleaded  for  a  Tacit,   and  then  they 
came  to  an  exprefi  Ccnfent  to  their  own  Prorogation  ; 
by  which  they  took  away  the  natural  Senfe  of  the  Pro- 
locutors intimation  ;    For  none  can  want  to  have  their 
own  Will  and  Pleafurc  intimated  to  them.     There  are 
many    fuch   Remarks  made  in    the    Courfe  of  this 
Hiftory. 

There  are  alfo  fome  other  PalTages  to  be  there  met 
with,  one  of  which  I  think  it  proper  to  take  No- 
tice of. 

When  on  Afril  the  8th,  Dr.  Finch  return  d  from  the 
Upper  Houfe  to  the  Lower,  with  an  Account  that  no 
Meffage  would  be  receiv'd  from  them  for  want  of  the 
Prolocutors  Prefence,  the  Dean  of  Glccefter  in  fome  re- 
fcncmcnt  took  Occafion  to  fay,  that  fmce  the  Upper 
Houfe  denied  this  Correfpondence  with  them,  it  was 
row  Time  for  the  Ho  ife  to  return  their  Thanks  to 
Mr.  Atterhury,  for  his  learned  Pains  in  AflVrimg  and 
Vindicating  the  Rights  of  Convocation.  LTpon  which 
it  was  warmly  Debated,  and  the  Form  of  Thanks  be- 
ing pr.ipos'd  to  be  chang'd,  from  learned  Pains  in  Ajfer" 
thig  arid  Vindicating^  into  his  Endeavours  to  Ajfert  and 
Vnidicafc,  upon  a  Divifion  of  the  Houfe,  it  was  carry 'd 
as  dcfign'd,  in  the  Affirmative.    And  then  the  Prolocurot 

faid. 


Chap.XVin.   afterthe  K  evolution  in  1 6^^.       6ll 


■^aid,   Mr.  Archdencon  of  Totnefs  I  and  this  Hcufe  (no  Par-  ^»'  i  l^J- 

liameorary  Phrafe  fays  the  Author  of  ihe  Hiftory)  re- 

tun  you  our  Thanks^  8cc.     Upon  which  Vote  a  Letter 

was  afterwards  fent  to  that  Univerfiry,   That  whereas 

Mr.  Francis  Atterbury, /^f^  o/Chrift  Church  had  fo  hap^ 

ply  Ajferted  the  Bights  and  Pr  hi  ledges  of  an  EngHfh  C(?«- 

vocation,  m  to  merit  the  folemn  Thanks  of  the  Lovper  Hou/e 

of  it,  for  hfs  learned  Pains  on  that  Subjeff.     *-^It  migb^ 

he  hop  d  the  ZJniverfity  would  not  be  iefl  forward  in  takjng 

fome  publick^  Notice  of  fo  great  a   Piece  cf  Service  to  the 

Church.     And  that  the  moft  proper  and  feafenable  marl;  of 

J^'Jps^  to  him,  would  be  to  confer  on  him  the  Degree  of  Dr. 

of  Divinity  by  diploma^    without  doing- Exercife^    or  pacing 

Fees:  "Which  was  accordingly  done. 

Many  other  Particulars  are  contain'd  in  this  Hiflory^ 
not  to  be  elfewhere  met  with  :  The  taking  diftindt  No- 
tice of  which  would  not  confift  with  my  defigned 
Brevity. 

About  this  Time  alfo,   Dr.  Hody^  publifli'd  A  Biflory  Dr.  Hody*i 
of  Englifli  Councils  and  Convocations-^    And  of  the  Clergies  Hijlory  of 
fitting  in  Parliament,  Sec.  in  8vo.     In  his  Preface,  hQ^^uncils 
promifes  a  faithful  and   impartial  Hiftory  ;    without  ^^^^  ConyH" 
adding,   concealing,   or  falfe  Colouring.     He  fignifies  ^^^f^^"^' 
that  he  had  perus'd  the  Ancient  Records  of  the  Archbi- 
Ihops  of  Canterbury,    and  examin'd  the  Edition  of  our 
Engiijh  Councils.     He  declares  himfelf  an  adverfary  to 
no  Man;   and  promifes  not  to  go  out  of  his  Way  to 
find  Faults  in  other  Mens  Writings ;   but  that  where  he 
notes  them,  'twas  becaufe  they  lay  direcStly  in  his  Way. 
He  fays  he  had  no  inclination  to  thofe  modifli  Figures 
f'f  Writing,    Raillery    and  Contempr.     And   yet  he 
couldnotforbear  with  indignation  to  take  Notice  of  fomd 
laie   Retleftions   on  the  prefent  Government  both  in 
Church  and  State. 

He   begins   with  afi   Account  of  the  Members  of  P^^e  i> 
^X/hicn  an  Engllfh  Convocation  is  made  up,  which  have  "^c. 
been  in  fome  Refped;s  different  at  feveral  Times,    and 
lipon  feveral  Occafions.     He  confiders  a  Convocation,     p.  12, 
either  in  itfdf  as  it  is  a  S>nod,    and  c.ail'd  by  the  Arch- 
biOiops  Mandate,    or  as  it  is  a  part  of  the  Parliament, 
and  fummon'd  by  a  Royal  Writ  directed  to  each  parti- 
cular Bilhop.     He  fays  the  Prxmunicntes  Writ  has  fel- 
dom  been  executed  by  any  Bilhop,  or  if  executed,  never 
^^e£lually  obey'd:    Neither  has  it  been  exped:ed  it 

R  r  2  Ihould 


6 1 2         Some  Hijiorical  Additions      Chap.  XVIII. 

Am.  lyoi.lhould  be.     He  gives  an  Account  of  Ancient  Synods; 

P.  14.  fome  H^elcb,  others  under  Augufiine  firft  Archbifhop  of 
Cnnteibwy^  8cc.  He  obferves  tbac  in  old  Times  they 
often  held  their  Councils  in  open  Fields,  upon  the  Bank 

P.  34.  of  fome  River,  and  under  fome  great  Oak.  He  men- 
tions the  Synods  and   Councils   of  the  9ch  Century. 

p.  51.     They  confifted  not  only  of  Bifhops,  but  of  other  the  moft 

p  ^^  Famous  and  Wife  Men.  He  proceeds  to  the  Synods 
and  Councils  of  the  loih  Century.  In  this  Time  the 
married  Clergy  or  Seculars^  were  turn'd  out  of  Mona- 
fteries  and  Cathedral  Churches,    and  [{eguUrs  put  in 

p  go  their  Places.  He  goes  on  to  thofe  in  the  i  nh  Century, 
before  the  Ccnquep.  Where  the  Author  obferves,  That 
all  thofe  Charters  in  which  Exemptions  are  pretended 
to  be  granted  to  Monafteries  before  the  ConqueSi  are 

P.  106.  rpurious.  He  touches  on  the  Laws  of  King  Edward 
the  Confeffor  :  And  it  is  is  obferv'd  out  of  an  Ancient 
Writer,  that  even  in  the  Confetfors  Time,  as  well  as 
afterwards  under  the  Conqueror,  c^c.  the  Clergy  were 
reprefented  by  Two  Prodlors  fent  up  from  every  Arch- 
deaconry and  Deanry,  as  the  Commons  by  their  Knights 

p.  125.  of  Shires  and  Burgeffes :  But  he  fays  'tis  forg'd.  He 
then  conliders  State  Councils  or  Parliaments  after  the 
Conquer ^  and  how  far  the  Clergy  were  concerned  in  them. 

p.  1 32.  He  gives  a  Lift  of  Bifhops  and  Abbots  and  other  Eccle- 
fiafticks,  who  held  o(fVilIiam  the  Conqueror  as  Tenants 
in  Capite:   He  obferves  that  many  Presbyters  were  fok 

^-  M5- .  He  goes  on  to  Parliaments  under  the  Conqueror.  He 
obferves  that  in  thofe  Times,  the  Mafters  of  Chancery 
and  of  the  Rolls,  the  Clerks  in  Chancery,  and  of  the 
Two  Benches  and  of  the  Exchequer,  were  all  Clergy- 
men; And  the  Clerks  of  the  Kings  Courts  being  ftiU 
Mrn  in  Holy  Orders,  all  Livuigs  in  the  Kings  Gift, 
not  exceeding  the  value  of  lo  Marks  were  therefore  put 
into  the  Hands  of  the  Lord  Chancellor,  to  be  difpos'd 
'  of  arr,ong  fuch   Servants    of    his   Majefty,    as  he  faw 

deferv'd.  The  Clerks  of  Parliament  were  alfo  Clergy- 
men :    And  no  longer  fince  than  1551,  the  Clerk  of  the 

P-  1 74     Parliament  was  Prolocutor  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Con- 

P.  18$.  vocation.  He  comes  next  to  Parliaments  under  l^niliim 
{i.)P.2io-  /^/^yTj^j  .  ^qJ  fo  tQ  thofe  under  Henry  I  j  and  thofe  under 
S^)^*'^' Ring  Strphc?n  (f.)  Under  Hw>  the  II:  (2)  Under 
C^'^Pidl^  /<^/V'4rti  I:  (3.)  Under  King  Joh;.  '4.:  Under  Hen- 
U  )P  i^  r;  111.  (5.)  He  confidcrs  how  far  the  inferiour  Clergy 
'^  ■   ^  were 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  \  62^.      615 

were concern'd  in  Parliament,  after  Edwardl,  (6.)  And -^'*-  170'- 
after  many  Remarks  made  upon  the  Pr<£municvtes  Claufe,  (6.)  P.37 1 . 
he  concludes  that  it  was  continud  in  the  Writs,   afcer 
it  became  a  conftant  Cuftom  for  the  Clergy  to  meet  in 
a  feparate  Body   by  Vertue  of  the  Archbilhops  Man- 
date, that  thereby  our  Princes  might  alTert  their  Right 
of  calling  the  Clergy  (if  they  pleafe)  to  Parliament ; 
which  the  Clergy  opposed,    as  an  invafion  and  inroad  ^   >,  p 
upon  their  Liberties.     (7.)  ^^'^    '^^^' 

In  the  Third  Part  of  his  Hiftory,  He  gives  an  Ac-(8.)P.i.&c. 
count  of  Synods  under  the  Archbilhops  Stigand  and  Lan-  (9.)  p.  2  j. 
frtmc:     (8.)  In  the  Time  of  Anfelm  and  William  Corhel6ic. 
Archbifhops :     (9,)  In  the  Time  of  Archbifliop  Theobald:  ('io.)P.4o. 
(10.)  Under  Hemy  II.  in  the  Time  of  Theobald^  Thomas  "^c. 
Beckety  s,nd  [{jcbard  Archbilhops:  (11.)  Under  i(/cA4r^ I.  ('  i')^-<^o. 
in  the   Time    of    Baldmn    and   Hubert  Archbilhops;^'^- 
(li.)  Under  King  John  in  the  Time  of  Hubert  and  Ste-  >*^'<'f*Z 
pljen  Langton  Archbilhops,     (13.)  Under  Heny  ^^^' ^^(\^Ap'qq\ 
the  Time  of  Stephen  Langton^  S.  Edmund  and  Boniface  ^  /  ^  ^  \'  p 
Archbilhops.    ( 14.  j  He  proceeds,  to  give  an  Account  of ,  35  ^c. 
Convocations   in  the   Reign  of  Edward  1,  under  John    (i^.)  p, 
Ftckham  and  I\pbert  Winchelfee  Archbilhops;     (15.)  Ift  165.    ~ 
the  Reign  oi  EdivnrdW.    under  Robert  Wincheljee  a4id   (17.)  P. 
l^ulter   Reynolds  Archbilhops.     (16.)   In  the  Reign  of  179. 
Edvard  III,  under   I{eymlds,    Mepham,   Stratford,    IJJip,  (18.)  P. 
Langham,  VVittlefey^  and  Sudbury  Archbilhops.   (ij-)  In  ^^9- 
the  Reign  of  I{ichardH.  under  Sudbury,  Courtney,  and    C'9-)  ^• 
^rww^e/ Archbilhops.     (18.)  In  the  Reign  of  /^^«>7  IV.  ^45- 
under  Archbilhop  y^/wwie-/.     (10)  In  the  Reign  of  Hen.    y®*^  "• 
ry  V.  unditv  Arundel  and  Chichley  Archbilhops.     (lo.)  Ex-    ^^  *  >  p 
traces  out  of  the  Parliarrent  Rolls  of  Hemy  VL  relating  277. 
to  Convocations.    C2i.)    Convocations  in  the  Reign   (22.)?, 
of  Edward  IV.  under  Archbifliop  Bowchier.    (21.)    In  279. 
tlie    Reign   of    Hsnry  VU.    under   Archbilhop    Mor-   (21.)  J?# 
-*<»«.    fl3.)  280. 

Together  with  the  new  Parliament,  the  King  fuiij-     TheFro-r 
mon'd  a  new  Convocation.     Dr.  Sherlock,  preach'd  a  ceerf;«^5  of 
I,atin  Sermon  at  the  opening  it,  from  Jude  v.  3. Dr.  fVood^  the  new 
W4r^Dean  o^Sarum  (a  Civilian  grown  Popular  fays  my  Conyo- 
Author,  by  oppoling  his  Diocefan  to  whom  he  ow'd  \i\%cation. 
Preferments)    carried  it  for  Prolocutor,   from  Dr.  Beve- 
ridge  Archdeacon  of  Colchejier,   The  Two  Houfes  agreed 
in  an  Addrefs  to  his  Majcfty,  which  was  prefented  on 
Jan,  2%*  SL^Jf^enfingtono 


6l4         Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XVIII* 


Ait.  i7or.  They  fignifyM  therein  to  hfs  Majefty  the  deep  Re- 
fentment  every  cne  of  them  had,  at  their  firft  hearing 
of  the  great  Indignity  which  the  French  King  ofTer'd  to 
His  Majel^y  and  His  People,  in  declaring  the  pretend- 
ed P  ince  of  fV^^ics  to  be  King  of  his  Majefty's  Realnns 
and  Dominions.  They  renew'd  their  Proteftations  of 
a  firm  and  unftiaken  Allegiance:  And  alTur'd  his  Maje- 
fty, they  would  do  their  utmoft  Endeavours  in  their 
refprdhvc  Places  and  Stations,  to  Maintain  his  right- 
ful Title,  and  the  SuccelTion  in  the  Proreftant  Line  as 
by  Law  Eftablifh'd,  againit  the  faid  pretended  Prince, 
and  all  other  HisMajefty's  open  and  fecret  Enemies,  C^c. 
And  the  King  gave  them  a  Gracious  Anfwer. 

There  was  however  a  great  Difference  between  the 
Two  Houfes,  and  between  the  Members  of  the  Lower 
Houff,  about  the  Right  of  Adjournment.  This  Diffe- 
rence was  heightened  on  Jan,  28.  For  then  a  Member 
of  rhe  Lower  Houfe  mov'd  to  change  the  Form  of 
Entry  in  their  Minutes,  and  to  ufe  the  Phrafe,  of  Do- 
rtiinus  Prolocutor  Continunvit  (^  Prorogazit  quoad  banc 
Domum  ;  and  it  was  done  accordingly :  The  Prolocutor 
in  his  own  Nanic,  continu  d  and  prorogued  that  Houfc, 
inftep.d  of  intimating  that  it  was  continu'd  and  Pro- 
rogu'd.    / 

This  was  excepted  againft  by  fevera!  Members  on 
Veh'-.  1  .  But  it  was  carry'd  by  a  Majority,  that  there 
•  fhonid  be  no  A  teraiion,  and  that  the  Matter  fliould 
7)Ot  rhen  bf:  furrher  debated  :  And  when  the  Schedule 
of  P'orpf^ation  came  down  from  the  Upper  Houfe,  it 
;>^a^  laid  afide,  while  the  Houfe  was  proceeding  to  other 
I'uiiiiefs.  A  Mem'^er  mov'd  that  the  Meffage  deliver'd 
to  the  Prolornror  might  be  Communicated  to  the  Houfe, 
w!i!ch  he  tho't  they  had  a  Right  to  infift  on  •  the  Majo- 
rity Qppos'd  him,  and  they  went  on  to  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee of  Grievince?.  And  then  the  Prolocutor  Ad- 
journ'd  as  by  rhe  Authority  of  the  Houfe,  and  the 
Dilf-nting  Members  Protefted  by  Word  of  Mouth; 
and  before  rhe  next  Meeting,  put  their  verbal  Protefta- 
t^on  into  Writing.  On  l\-hr.  p.  a  Motion  was  made, 
ihat  that  Proteftation  might  be  admitted  and  entred,  as 
a  iVanding  Evidence  of  their  alferiing  the  juft  Rights . 
..nd  A' thoritv  of  the  Prefident.  This  was  oppos'd  by 
-a  Majority.  But  Dr.  BcverUge  propos'd  a  Qneftion, 
I4^,jitber  upon  Suppofition  that  the  Houfe  may  fit  upoti  Syno- 

4ical 


Chap.  XVIII.  after  the  Revolution  in  i68S.      615 

dical  Bufjnefiy  dfter  the  coming  down  of  the  Schedule,  till  An.  lyol. 
they  think  their  Bufinejl  over^  the  Hcufe  would  agree  thnt 
the  Schedule  fhould  be  then  executed^  and  the  Houfe  Pro- 
rogud  to  the  Day  and  Hour  there  jpecifyd^  by  Vertue  of  the 
faid  Schedule,  and  in  Obedience  to  the  Authority  whereby 
the  whole  Convocation  woi  Prorogud,  To  evade  anfwer- 
ing  this  Queftion  it  was  at  laft  agreed,  that  a  Commitiee 
fhould  be  appointed  to  confider  of  fuch  an  expedient 
about  the  Prorogation  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  as  might 
tend  to  the  compo(ing  of  Difputes:  And  Eight  were 
fix'd  on  one  fide,  vi:{.  Dr.  Hooper^  Dr.  Jane,  Dr.  Aldrich^ 
Dr.  Atterbury^  Dr.  Binck^s,  Mr,  Needham,  Mr.  Moory 
and  Di.  PVynne:  And  Eight  on  the  other  Side;  vi:(. 
Dr.  Beveridge ,  Dr.  Hnyley,  Dr.  H-^illfs  y  Dr.  K^nneP, 
Dr.  Trimnel,  Dr.  Prideaux,  Dr.  Green,  and  Mr.  Lloyd, 
And  this  Committee  meeting  Febr,  10,  Agreed,  That  no 
Forms  of  Prorogation  fhould  be  us'd  b)  the  Prolocutor  here- 
after^ that  were  net  Uid  before  the  lait  Convocation  :  That 
the  Forms  Ui*dby  the  Prolocutor  in  the  Convocation  of  j  586, 
4nd  1588,  fhould  hereafter  be  us'd  by  the  Prolocutor  in  the 
Order  they  lie  in  the  Bocl{s,  beginning  with  the  Firft  till 
they  are  aU  gone  through  ;  And  that  they  fhotdd  be  pronounced 
by  the  Prolocutor^  when  the  Houfe  agreed  that  their  Bufinefl 
was  over.  After  this,  fome  boalted  of  the  Advantage 
gain'd  on  the  Side  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  and  that  the 
Archbiihops  Friends  had  given  up  his  Caufe;  and  ex- 
cluded the  Schedule  from  any  concern  in  the  Adjourn* 
ment.  To  obviate  which  Senfe,  fome  prepar'd  a  Paper 
againft  the  next  Seflion,  in  which  they  declar'd,  That 
they  underftood  the  latter  part  of  the  Agreement  aforefaid, 
with  an  Exc^f^on  to  any  Cafe^  when  the  Pre/ident  f/oould 
fee  Caufe  to  J  end  an  Order  with  the  Schedule^  fi^^^fy^f^g  the 
exprefl  Time  of  intimating  the  V'Orogation  upon  that  Day : 
Otherwife  if  it  were  pretended  to  mean^  that  the  Authority 
of  the  Archbifhop,  or  any  Order  fent  from  tbe  "Upper  Hwfe^ 
W^t  thereby  excluded  or  diminijh'd,  they  then  folemnly  prO" 
tefted  againfi  any  fuch  meaning  or  intended  meaning  l 
Which  was  brought  to  be  offer'd  to  the  Houfe,   on 

Febr.  1%, 

The  Eight  Members  alfo  drew  up  a  Declaration  o£ 
their  Senfe,  in  which  they  fignify'd,  among  other 
Things,  that  they  refused  an  Alteration  that  was  ofFer'd 
on  the  Third  Article  of  the  Agreement  foremention*d^ 
'si^.  That  the  Form  fhould  not  be  pronounc'd  by  the  Prolocu- 

R  r  4  t^or^ 


41 6       Some  Hiftorical  Additions      Chap.  XVIIT. 

An.  1701.  tor  till  the  Hotife  ngreed  that  their  Bufinep  xpas  over:  This 
they  refus'd,  becaufe  tho'  they  might  generally  prefuine 
upon  the  Archbilhops  confent  for  their  futing  to  dif- 
patch  all  proper  Bufinefs;  yet  they  could  not  agree  to 
any  Thing  that  fliould  preclude  his  Right  to  Prorogue 
them  immediately  if  he  found  it  expedient:  And  that 
they  us'd  the  Words  protiounc'dly  the  l^rolcciitor,  loprc- 
vem  the  putting  any  Queftion  to  the  Houfe  about  Ad- 
journing  thewfelva  ;  and  that  the  Prorogation  might  be 
always  to  the  Time  and  Place  appointed  by  the 
Schedule, 

Xk\Febr.  IX.  The  ProJocutor  being  indi(pos*d,  ap- 
pointed the  Dean  of  Chrift  Church  to  Ad:  as  bis  Depu- 
ty; And  a  Deputy  fo  appointed,  had  been  accepted, 
had  Apphcation  been  duly  made  to  thePiefident  to  Ap- 
prove and  Confirni  him.  But  no  fuch  Application  being 
made,  the  Archbiftiop  fent  for  the  Clergy,  and  pro- 
f f  gu*d  the  Convocation  to  the  1 4tb,  telling  them  that 
sin, incident  had  happen d  of  great  Moment,  which 
he  and  his  Brethren  muft  take  time  to  confider  of. 

On  Febr.  13.  Dv.fVoodxvard  the  Prolocutor  died,  in 
his  Lodgings  zttVJlminJier^    in  very  unhappy  Circum- 
ftances.     (Says  my  Author)   The  Archbifhop  on  the 
14th  told  the  inferiour  Clergy  he  was  much  furpriz'd  at 
the  News  of  it,  and  adjourned  them  to  the  19th.    The 
Prolocutor  before   his  laft   Sicknefs,    had  complain'd 
rtvuch  of  his  Bilhop,  my  Lord  of  Snrum^  on  Account  of 
his  Breach  of  Priviledge  in  his  Treatment  of  him.     The 
Cafe  was  thus:    The  Bilhop  Yifiting  his  Clergy,  The 
Clergy  paid  their  Attendance  :    But  the  Dean  of  Sarum 
dechn'd  appearing  as  Redor  of  Pef//;,  wii^out  making 
a  reafonable  Excufe  ;    nay,    rarher  aggravated  his  Ab- 
fence  with  Contempr.     The  Bifhop  order'd  a  Citation 
in  the  ulijal  Method.     When  the  Time  of  Priviledge 
afterwards  commenc'd,  he  ordred  his  Chancellor  to  pur  a 
^tet  upon  the  Caofe,  and  there  was  no  farther  Proceed^ 
ing.     Upon  this  a  formal  Complaint  was  on  Febr,^, 
piicfenred  10  the  Upper  Houfe,  in  which  this  was  repre- 
fcnted  not  only  as  an  unlawful  Molcrtation  of  a  Mem- 
ber of  the  Lower  Houfe,    but  an  injury  offer'd  to  the 
whole  Body  of  the  Convocation,    in  the  Perfon  of  the 
Referendary  between  the  Two  Houfes  of  it.  The  Arch- 
biftiop  and  Biihops  anfwer'd,    that  the  Proceedings  re- 
ferred to,    were  begun  when  there  was  no  Priviledge^ 
♦  and 


Ch3ipW\\L  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.     617 

and  that  upon  the  opening  of  the  prefent  Convocation  ^«.  1701, 
a  Stet  was  put  upon  the  Caufe,  nor  was  there  any  Cita- 
tion of  Procefs  decreed  fince. 

But  thefe  Matters  were  canvafs'd  wiihoi^t  Doors  as 
well  as  within :  yind  a  faithful  Account  of  what  p^H  in 
Contocation  was  pijbhih*d  in  Three  Letters,  Ntimb.  i,  2,  3. 
Whrre  there  are  Hints  of  a  fetled  Refolution  taken,  of 
rendring  Convocations  infignificant  and  ufclefs.  The 
Author  in  his  firft  Letter  fays  that  for  nefar  150  Years 
paft,  there  is  no  one  Inftance  of  the  Confirmation  of  a 
Deputy  Prolocutor  above .  nor  any  Ground  or  Co- 
lour to  believe  that  the  Bifliops  at  ail  inrermedied 
with  it. 

On  Fehr,  19.  the  Archbifliop  difmifs'd  the  Clergy 
with  a  Speech :  In  which  taking  Occafion  from  their 
Complaint  of  the  Biftiop  of  Sarum,    he  tells  them,  '  he 

*  hopes  for  the  Future,   they  would  not  be  furpriz'd  in- 

*  to  Complaints,    but  would  ftay  till  they  wereaffur'd 

*  they  were  well  grounded  both  in  Xi^l^i^  and  FaSi.     He 

*  adds  that  the  Choice  of  a  new  Prolocutor  would  not 

*  now  be  fo  feafonable,    for  that  many  Members  were 
'  abfent,   attending  their  refpedfcjve  Cures;    and  that  a 

*  War  was  breaking  out,    which    would  turn  Mens 

*  Tho'ts  another  Way :  And  that  therefore  he  intended 
"  a  Prorogation.    He  tells  them  their  Heats  had  given 

*  great  Offence,    even   to  thofe  that  underftand  not. 
the  Nature  of  the  Controverfv,   but  were  concern'd, 

*  that  there  fiipuld  be  any  Differences  among  fuch  as 

*  were  by  Profeflion  the  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel  of 

*  Peace,  &c.'  The  Prorogation  was  to  M4rc/j  5.  The 
Second  Letter  now  came  out.  The  Author  fays  that 
his  Grace  was  pleasM  to  read  his  Speech;  and  that  more 
Members  now  attended  than  were  prefent  at  the  Choice 
gf  the  laft  Prolocutor:  That  more  came  to  Town  upon. 
this  Occafion  than  had  left  it  to  go  to  their  Curesj  and  he 
left  his  Friend  to  gnefs  whether  their  Prefence  might  not 
be  a  truer  Reafon  for  the  putting  off  the  Ele^fiion  than  the 
others  Abfence.  He  adds,  that  fuch  hindrances  as  thofe 
mention'd  had  not  been  thought  fufHcient  in  other  In- 
fiances ;  And  that  there  was  not  even  a  War  wanting 
in  1666  to  call  oflF  Mens  Minds  from  Convocational 
Bufinefs.  He  intimates  that  the  fear  of  an  Accommo- 
dation of  their  Differences  was  the  Occafion  of  thefe 
unprecedented  Proceedings.    And  in  the  Third  Letter, 

■ ,  .     -        .-■....  ■  he 


6 1 8  Some  Hifhrical  Additions     Chap.  XVIII. 

An.  lyoihe  carps  at  the  Rcprefentation  given  by  the  Upper 
Hoiifc  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Bifhop  ofSarum  againft 
his  Dean,  and  (hews  the  Grounds  they  went  on  in  their 
Complaint. 

About  this  Time  came  out  an  Expedient  froposd^  in 
Anfwer  to  the  R^ight  of  the  Archbifhop  to  Continue  and 
Prorogue  the  whole  Convocation  afferted.  The  Author  fays. 
That  there  is  no  one  Church  throughout  the  Chriftian 
World  more  remarkable  for  Unity,  and  a  good  Corrc^ 
fpondence  between  its  Members  than  the  C.  of  E.  as  by 
Law  EftablifliM,  from  the  Time  of  its  firft  throwing 
out  the  Superftition  and  Corruption  of  Popery,  to  its 
Second  Deliverance  from  ^mifh  Tyranny  and  Op- 
prelfion  ;  But  that  fince,  the  Clergy  have  fallen  out 
among  themfelves,  and  from  little  mifunderftandings 
are  in  danger  of  breaking  out  into  a  Flame.-  And  where- 
as Divifions  in  the  Church  us'd  to  be  heal'd  by  Synodi- 
cal  Aflemblies  and  Councils,  Things  have  been  fo  ma- 
naged by  the  fomenters  of  the  Differences,  as  to  make 
the  very  Meetings  of  the  Clergy  anOccafion  of  warmer 
Difpiues.  He  obferves  that  from  the  very  Time  that 
the  DiflTenters  were  by  Law  indulg'd,  the  Clergy  of 
the  Eftablilh'd  Church  found  themfelves  abridgd  of 
their  Ancient  Priviledges.  He  afcribes  the  Differences 
between  the  Two  Houfes,  very  much  to  the  miftakes 
which  both  of  them  fell  into, upon  the  Bifliaps  changing 
their  Houfe,  and  removing  to  Jertifnlem  Chamber,  leaving 
'  the  I  ower  Houfe  to  fit  in  HewyWW  Chappel.  And 
the  main  of  the  Expedient  propos'd,  is  that  the  Lower 
Houfe  fliould  agree  always  to  Adjourn  to  the'  Day  to 
which  the  Archbifhop  AdjournMrhe  Upper  Houfe,  that 
they  might  be  always  ready  to  attend  him  where  they 
were  f-nt  for.  This  was  anfwer'd  in  a  Letter  to  the  Au- 
thor of  the  pretended  Expedient,  which  told  him  that  an 
Expedient  muft  begin  in  owning  the  Authority  of  the; 
Metropolitan  and  his  Suffragans :  Whereas  what  he  pro- 
pos'd, referv'd  the  Authority  of  Adjourning  the  Lower 
Houfe  to  themfelves :  And  that  Grievances  may 
be  redrcfs^d,  but  a  Power  fo  elTential  to  the  Conftitution 
maft  not  be  parted  with.  Another  Anfwer  alfo  came 
out,  Entituled,  {{efleHions  upon  a  Inte  Paper,  Ent.  4n  Ex- 
pedient propos'd  :  This  Author  charges  that  Paper,  as  be- 
ing rather  an  Inve(5livc  againft  the  Upper  Houfe,  than 
an  Expedient  for  reconciling  them  to  the  Lower. 

/  Aftec 


Chap.  XVIII.  afUr  the  Revolution  in  1688.      619 

After  the  Archbifhops  Speech,  with  which  fome  were  An.  1701. 
well  fatisfy'd,  others  difcover'd  their  great  diflatisfaition.  ^^^^  ^^^ 
They  met  again  Two  Days  after,  and  chofe  a  Chair-  riageofthe 
man  or  Moderator.  And  when  the  Day  came  to  c/et^y, 
which  both  Houfes  had  been  Prorogu'd,  they  meeting 
the  Bifliop  of  Lincoln^  who  as  the  Archbilhops  Com- 
mifTary  had  Prorogu'd  the  Convocation  to  a  farther 
Day,  begg'd  him  to  carry  a  MelTage  to  the  Archbilhop, 
of  their  defire  to  proceed  to  the  Choice  of  a  Prolocutor. 
He  offered  to  take  their  Senfe  in  Writing.  Thereupon 
they  cry'd  out  that  it  was  the  Vmnimom  defire  of  the 
Loxver  Houfe  of  Convocation,  ^c.  One  prefenc  oppos'd, 
and  faid  that  they  were  not  a  Houfe,  and  that  many 
Members  did  not  alTent  to  fuch  a  MefTage ;  and  that 
at  moft  it  could  with  Truth  run  only  in  the  Name  of 
fever aI  Members  of  the  Lower  Houfe.  This  rais'd  a  new 
Clamour ;  and  the  Member  who  thus  openly  Diffented, 
was  feverely  reflected  on^.  And  the  King  dying  within 
a  few  Days  after,  the  Convocation  was  Diffolv'd  ;  tho' 
fome  would  gladly  have  had  it  continu'd,  becaufe  the 
Parliament  did  fo:  The  Lawyers  declar'd  it  could 
not  be.  And  when  they  made  an  Attempt  to  have 
it  continu'd  by  an  extraordinary  Claufe  added  in  fome 
'-Parliamentary  Bill,  the  Attorney  General  declared  it 
was  againft  the  Queens  Ecclefiaftical  Supremacy ;  up- 
on which  they  were  forc'd  to  acquiefce  in  its  Diflb^ 
lution. 

Our  Glorious  King  0^illiam  died  at  KJnfmgtov^  on^*'*^  ^i^' 
Mtrch  8,    170'.      The    Hiftorian  li^msDeatk 

who  wrote  his  Life*,   fays,   That 

tho    he  publickly    frofefs'd  the    Efiu-  *  ^'^  ^^'^    '^^'"^^    Volume  in 

hliflod  [^eligior?,  yet  he  fti/I  retained     ^^""""^  P*  5«7. 
a  great   Tendemejl    for   the   Dijfen- 
ters^    and    was  ever    averfe  to    Perfeeute    People  on  the 
yiccount    of  their    Belief,     And   he 

elfewhere    f  intimates,    That    he         t  preface  to    Volume  Firfl, 
was     by    fome     looked    on     as     one     -P^^  ^V* 
voho     by     Tolerating     all    {{eligionSy 
intended     to     overturn'    the     Eftnblifyd     Church.     The 
former  Pan  of   this  Charadier  argu'd   him  to  have 
a  juft  Senfe  of  the  Rights  of  Humane  Nature,    as  well 
as  of  the  true  Intereft  of  Britain  :   The  Latter,  is  a  Re- 
flexion that  difcovers  at  once  the  Ingratitude,   Igno- 
rance, and  Bigotry,  of  thofe  that  made  it.    He  had  in- 
deed 


620  Some  Hifiorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1701.  deed  a  Regard  to  the  DifTcnccrs,  and  yet  they  were  not 
even  in  his  Reign  intireiy  free  from   Hardlhips.     He 
knew  they  were  Hrm  in  his  Intereft,  and  true  to  his  Ti- 
tle,   and  faithful  in  his  Service;    and  they  never  gave 
him  any  uneafinefs  :    It  is  not  therefore  to  be  wondrcd 
he  fhould  difcover  a  good  Opinion  of  them.     Perhaps 
the  Time  may  come,  when  that  may  prove  not  to  be  to""^ 
their  Difadvantage.     They  not  only  at  firft  cxtoU'd  him  '^ 
as  their  Deliverer  from  Popery  and  Slavery,   bat  in  the 
whole  courfe  of  his  Reign  ('which  vilibly  aim  d  at  the 
Publick  Good)  they  carried  it  to  him  with  the  Refpeft 
that  was  due  to  the  great  Defender  of  the  Liberty  of 
Europe :  None  more  heartily  Lamented  the  unfpeakable 
Lofs  which  the  Nation  fuftain'd  by  his  Death,  or  arc  to 
this  Day  more  grateful  to  his  Memory  ;  or  more  thank- 
ful for  the  Settlement  of  the  Succeffion  to  the  Crown  in 
the   Proteftant  Line,    which  muft  be  afcfib'd  to  his 
tender  Concern  for  the  fecuhng  our  Liberty  and  Reli- 
l^ion,  to  our  Pofterity  after  us. 


CHAP.     XIX. 

An  Account  of  the  Cafe  of  the  Dijfenters^ 
and  of  other  material  Incidents  in  the 
Reign  of  ^een  ANNE,  till  the  pajfing 
the  Bill  again(l  Occafional  Conformity, 
?«  1 7 1 1 . 


K 


ING    PVilliam  was  no  fooner  dead,   than   ihq 

Diflfenters  felt  the  Effedts  of  the  Change.     They 

that  bore  them  ill  Will  before,    and  were  ready 

to  reflect  upon  them  on  all  Occafipns,  now  openly  Tri- 

umph'di   and  tho*  their  Hands  were  tied  before,  feem'd 

now  to  conclude  they  ihould  have  full  Liberty  to  deal 

with  them  as  they  pleas'd  ;   and  talked  of  nothing  lefs 

than  fupprefling  them.     This  was  common  in  the  City: 

And  in  fcveral  Parts  of  the  CouBtry,  they  talk'd  of  pul- 

*  New-      ^^"^  down  the  Meeting  Houfes,   as  Places  not  fit  to  be 

caftle  under  fuff^r  d.     A|id  in  one  Town  *  they  a6tually  went  to 

Line.  Work,  as  foon  as  ever  the  Tidings  of  the  Kings  Death 

•  reach'd 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  i6^Q,         621 

reach'd  ihcm.  Several  Sermons  were  preached,  and  Pam->1».  1703^ 
phlecs  difpers'd  to  blacken  them  as  much  as  was  poflibJe. 
And  fuch  a  violent  Temper  difcover'd  itfelf  on  a  fud- 
den,  and  fucn  an  inclination  to  Heat  and  Fury,  as 
plainly  fliew'd  the  Parties  afFeded  to  have  been  kept 
under  an  unnatural  fort  of  Reftraint  before.  Some  that 
had  taken  the  Oaths  to  King  fVilli/im,  ftiew'd  that  they 
did  not  love  him  by  Afperfing  his  Memory.  He  was 
bred  lip  amongftche  Presbyterians,  and  on  that  Account 
whatever,  he  faid  or  did,  they  could  never  think  faim  a 
true  Friend  of  their  Church :  But  having  now  a  Queen 
Upon  the  Thirone,  that  was  bred  up  in  the  Way  of  the 
Church  of  England^  they  threatened  Revenge  upon  thofe 
who  had  done  them  no  other  Injury,  than  the  modeft 
ufing  the  Liberty  that  had  been  Legally  granted  them 
amounted  to.  But  Her  Majefty  openly  declaring  for 
the  fame  Meafures  as  had  been  purfu'd  in  the  laft  Reign, 
and  the  Houfe  of  Peers  appearing  Zealous  for  the  Me- 
mory of  King  fP'i/liam,  it  was  a  curb  and  a  check  to 
them. 

Among  the  many  Addrefles  prefented  to  Her  Majefty 
at  the  firft  entrance  on  Her  Reign,  the  Diffenting  Mi- 
nifters  in  and  about  the  City,  of  all  the  Three  Deno- 
minations, Presbyterians,  Congregational ^  and  Antifa- 
dobaptifts.  Waited  on  Her  in  a  Body,  with  Dr. Daniel 
fVil/iams  at  the  Head  of  them,  with  the  following 
Addrefs,  Signd  by  all  their  Hands ;  which  was  after- 
wards inferted  in  the  Gazette,  of  March  13  170', 

To  Her  moft  Excellent  Majefty^  Anm^  by  the  Grace 
of  God,  Queen  of  England^  Scotland,  France,  and 
!■  eland.  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c. 

MoFt  Gracioui  Sovereign, 
'  \\/  E  Your  Majefty's  moft  Loyal  and  Dutiful  Sub- 
^    '  jeds,   the  Proteftant  Diffenting  Minifters  in 

*  and  about  the  City  of  London,  crave  leave  humbly 

*  to  Reprefent  the  deep  Senfe  we  have  of  the  unfpeak- 

*  abieLofs,   We  and  all  Your  Majefty's  good  Subjed^S 

*  fuffer  by  the  Death  of  our  late  Glorious  Monarch, 
'  fVilIiam  the  Third. 

,  *  But  herein  we  are  moft  fenfibly   and  effed^ually 

*  Relieved,    by  Your  Majefty's  moft  Happy  and  Peace- 
l  able  Succeflion  to  thefe  Crowns,    whofe  rightful  and 


*  un^ 


6i2  Some  Hifiorjcal  Additions     Chap.  XIX» 

wl«.  1702  *  undoubted  Title  we  acknowledge  with  the  greateft 

*  Sincerity,   and  whofe  conftant  Zeil  for  the  Proteftant 
'  ReJigion  is  fo  juftly  Rcnown'd:    For  fll  which,  with 

*  Unfcign'd    Joy,    we  Blefs    and   Adore    the   Divine 

*  Goodncfs. 

'  We  farther  beg  leave  to  AlTiire  Your  Majefty  of 

*  our  moit  Dutiful  AfFedion,   and  inviolable  Fidelity, 

*  to  Your  Royal  Perfon  and  Governnfient ;   not  doubt- 

*  ing  of  our  Share  in  the  many   Bleflings  of  Your  Ma- 

*  jefty's  Wife  and  Happy  Reign,   which  vre  heartily 

*  Pray  may  be  long  over  Us. 

This  w4s  the  firft  Titne  that  the  Three  Denominations 
appear  d  together  at  Court  upon  fuch  an  Occaiion ; 
and  it  was  de(ign*d  hereby  to  manifeft  to  thofe  who 
Were  common  Enemies  to  them  all,  that  their  Diffe- 
rences among  themfelves  were  not  fuch  as  hindred 
them  from  maintaining  a  Brotherly  Aflfedion.  They 
took  the  Oath  to  the  Government,  as  it  was  now  al- 
ter'd  by  the  Parliament  as  freely  as  any  Men ;  and  de- 
flr'd  and  aim'd  at  nothing  but  to  live  Peaceably  and 
Quietly,  ferving  God  according  to  their  Confciences, 
and  to  their  utmoft  aflifting  and  fupportmg  the  Go- 
vernment, in  a  neceifary,  hazardous,  and  expenlive 
War  againft  the  Enemy  of  the  Peace  of  Europe. 

But  the  Debate  about  Occafionnl  Conformity,  which 
had  been  rais'd  in  the  foregoing  Reign,  was  now  revived 
.  with  great  Warmth.  Few  wrote  on  the  Church  Side, 
but  what  made  this  the  Matter  of  their  Invedtives  and 
Cenfuies.  The  Moderation  of  the  Diflenters  towards 
the  Eftablifh'd  Church  that  was  formerly  reckon'd  a 
Vertue,  was  now  reprefented  as  Criminal,  and  an  Evi- 
dence of  an  ill  Defijrn  :  And  that  was  cry'd  down  as 
flnfulwhen  it  qualify 'd  for  an  Office,  which  they  had 
from  the  firft  Declar'd  to  be  Lawful  in  their  Apprehen- 
fion,  and  had  accordingly  pradlic'd  in  a  private  Capa- 
city. It  being  the  defire  of  many  to  bring  them  under 
a  Popular  Odium,  this  was  reckon'd  a  proper  ftep  to  it. 
This  was  the  common  Cry  of  the  Leaders  of  the  Party 
in  the  Eledlionof  anew  Parliament:  Andthc Populace 
thac  are  ufually  led  more  by  Noife  than  Realon,  gene- 
rally gave  intoir. 

Before  the  new  Parlianicnt  which  was  call'd  this 
Year  (and  in  Elec5bing  which  there  was  a  mighty  ftruggle) 

fate 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  RevolHtionin  1688.        625 

face  down,  a  Pamphlec  came  out  with  this  Title,  The  £-  ^».  1702- 
ftnbli(hment  of  the  Churchy  the  Fre/ervation  of  the  State  ; 
Shewing  the  Reafonablenefs  of  a  Bill  againft  Occafional 
Conformity :  In  which  the  Author  undertook  to  prove  the 
encouraging  Diffenters  utterly  inconfiftent  with  that  Duty 
of  Charity  that  wasow'd  them  by  the  Church ;  that  a  ci- 
vil Difcouragement  of  them  would  be  highly  agreea- 
ble to  Religion ;  that  their  Objedtions  as  to  Cruelty, 
and  with  Refped;  to  Confcience  had  nothing  in  them  ; 
and  thai  the  Countenancing  them  would  be.  as  little 
Politick  as  Pious.  And  it  was  foon  follow'd  by  ano- 
ther, call'd,  The  Cafe  of  Toleration  I{ecogm^y ;  in  which 
a  ftrenuous  Motion  was  made  for  the  adding  farther 
Conditions  to  the  Toleration,  and  efpecially  that  of  In- 
capacitating fuch  as  had  Benefit  by  it,  for  all  Civil 
Employments.  And  the  Author  has  this  remarkable 
PaiTage.  If  the  Strength  of  the  Dijfenting  Intereji  is  at 
frefent  fo  confiderahle  as  to  make  it  dangerous  to  provoke 
them,  by  impojing  Sacramental  Tefis,  this  jsfo  far  from  be- 
ing an  OhjeBion  againji  them,  that  it  is  a  good  Argument 
for  having  them.  For  if  their  Interefl:  is  Jo  formidable,  as 
to  make  it  ha:{ardous  to  offend  them,  it  is  full  time  to  ven* 
ture  their  Dijpleaffire,  when  there  k  Juch  f{eafon  to  dread 
their  Power  :  And  if  they  ar?  not  fo  terrible  as  they 
would  maks  the  iVorld  belive  they  are,  it  is  prudent  to  pre- 
vent their  being  fo.  And  he  clofes  thus  ;  J  dare  venture 
to  conclude  with  the  Words  of  David,  That  tho'  Father  and 
Mother  fkould  forfake  us,  tho  Kings  and  Queens  ftoould 
in  their  turns  fuccejfively  overlook  our  Bjghts,  yet  the  Lord 
rrill  be  both  a  Sun  and  a  Shield  ;  Light  and  Prote^ion  to 
his  People,  It  was  Defeated  to  the  Earl  of  Marlbo^ 
roughf  as  to  one  of  udfufpedked  Zeal  for  the  Church. 
This  was  anfwer'd  in  an  ingenious  Letter  to  the  Author, 
by  no  Occafional,  but  a  conftant  Communicant  with 
the  Eftablilhed  Church  :  Who  upon  his  own  declar'd 
and  avowed  Principles,  pleads  for  a  fimple  Toleration, 
without  any  Preternatural  Embargoes  laid,  or  to  be 
laid  upon  it,  according  to  the  unalienable  Right  of  < 
Humanity. 

The  Queen  at  the  opening  of  the  New  (and  Her 
firft;  Parliament,  OBoh,  21,  told  them,  that  She  was 
refolvd  to  defend  and  maintain  the  Church  as  by  Law  £- 
fiablijhedy  and  to  protefi  them  in  the  full  Enjoyment  of  all 
iheir  Bjghts  and  Liberties  |   but  faid  not  a  word  of  the 

ToU'P 


6 1 4  Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap.  XlX. 


An.  iio'2. Toleration.  The  Commons  in  their  Addrefs,  ORober 
17,  have  thefe  words  ;  iVd  neither  doubt  of  the  full  Eti" 
joyrtient  of  all  our  Hjglits  and  Liberties^  nor  of  Yow  Md- 
jefties  Defjndiyiz  and  M/iintaining  the  Church  en  by  Law 
Eflnblifhcd.  T'ur  Majcfty  hat  been  alxvays  a  mo/}  IHuJi'iom 
Ornament  to  this  Church,  nnd  have  been  exposed  to  great 
J-J.t:^a'dj  for  if  I  and  thetef ore  vo^  f  rami fe  our  feheSy  that  in 
Tiur  M^jejlies  I{eign,  we  foal  I  fee  it  pcrfecily  refiord  to  iti 
due  Hjghts  and  Priviledges^  and  fecar^d  in  the  fame  to  Po- 
ferity  •  which  is,only  to  he  done^  by  divefiing  thoje  JVf  j/i  of 
the  Pox9er^  who  hxve  fhewn  they  t^hnt  not  the  PViU  to  de* 
Jiroy  it. 

No^.  4.  Mr.  Bromley,  Mr.  St.  John,  and  Mr.  Annefly^ 
were  ordered  to  bring  in  a  Bill  foir  preventing  Occafonnl 
Conformity.  It  was read  a  id  time,  Nov.  17,  and  a  Mo- 
tion made  for  the  Exempting  Proteftant  Diffenters  from 
fuch  Offices  as  cannot  by  Law  be  executed  without  re- 
ceiving the  Sacrament  according  to  the  Ufage  of  the 
Church  of  England,  it  was  carried  in  the  Negative. 
The  Bill  pafs'd  the  Houfe,  and  was  fent  up  to  the  Lords ^ 
and  Deeem.  9.  it  pafs'd  there  alfo,  with  fome  Amend- 
ments. The  Prince  was  for  the  Bill,  and  mo  ft  of  the 
Great  Officers  of  the  Court  ;  but  a  Majority  of  the 
Biihops  were  for  fuch  Amendments  as  occafion'd  a  Con- 
ference between  the  two  Houfes,and  at  length  the  drop- 
ping of  the  Bill. 

As  it  now  pafs'd  the  Coitimons,  it  was  to  this  Pur- 
,  pofe :     That     '  As  nothing  is    mure  contrary   to   the 

*  Profeflion  of  the  Chriftian  Religion,   and  particular^ 

*  Jy  torheDodirinc  of  the  Church  of  England,  than  Per- 
'  fecution  for  Confcience  only  ;   and  in  due  Confide- 

*  ration  of  it,    an  Adl  paft   in    the  ift    Year  of  King 

*  Pf^Ulion  and  Queen  Mary,    for  the  exempting   their 

*  Majefties   Proteftant    Subjedks    diffenting    from  the 
^  Church    of  England,     from   the  Penalties  of  certain 

*  Laws,    which  Ad:  ought   inviolably  to  be  obferv'd, 

*  afid  Eafe  given  to  Confciences  truly  fcrupulous :    Ne- 

*  verchelefs,  whereas  the  Laws  provide,  that  every  Per- 

*  Ton  to  be  admitted  into  any  Office  or  Employment, 

*  fhould  be  conformable  to  the  Church,  as  by  Law  E- 
ftabliOi'd,  by  Enading,  that  every  fuch  Perfon  fo  to 
be  admitted  fliould  receive  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  to  qualifie  themfelves  to  have  and 
enjoy  fuch  Offices  and  Eriiploymencs,    and  do  afrer- 

'  waids 


Chap.  XIX.    after  the  RevolHtion  in  1688.         6  2  f 


wards  reforc  co  Conventicles    or  Meetings  for  xVt  An.  1707/ 
Exercife  of  Religion  in  other  manner  than  according 
to  the  Liturgy,  ^c.  contrary  to  the  intent  and  mean- 
ing  of    the   Laws  already   made ;   It  was   therefore 
mov'd  to  be  Enad:ed,  ^c  That  if  any  Perfon  or  Per- 
fons  after  the  Firft  Day  of  March  1707,    either  Peer^ 
or  Commons,  having  any  Office  or  Offices,   Ci  il  or 
Military,  or  receiving  any  Pay,  Salary,  Fee  or  Wages^ 
by  Reafon   of  any  Patent  or  Grant,    or  having  any 
Command  or  Place  of  Truft  under  Her  Majefty  01: 
Her  Predeceffors,    or  by  Authority  deriv'd  from  Her 
or  them ;   or  that  Ihould  be  admitted  into  any  Service 
or  Employment  reiatibg  to  the  Government  of  Cities, 
Corporations ,    Burroughs,    Cinque  Ports  and  Port 
Towns,    who  by  the  Laws  are  oblig'd  to  receive  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  according  to  the  Rites 
and  Ufages  of  the  Church  of  England;    Ihouid  at  any 
Time  after  their  Admiflion  into  fuch  Offices  or  Em- 
ployments,   or  having  fuch  Grants,   or  during  their  * 
eontinuance   in  them ,     or    injoying  Advantage  by 
them,   knowingly  and  willingly  refoirt  to,  or  be  pre- 
fent  at  any  Conventicle,    or  Meeting  under  ^Coloui: 
of  any  Exercife  of  Religion,   in  other  Manner  thaij 
according  to  the  Liturgy  and  Praftice  of  the  "Churcli 
of  England  J  at  which  Conventicle  or  Aflembly  there 
fhould  be  Five  Perfons  or  more  Aflembled  together, 
over  and  befidesthofe  of  the  fame  Houlhold,  if  in  any 
Houfe  where  there  is  a  Family  inhabiting;  or  if  in  an 
Houfe  or  Place  where  no  Family  inhabits,  where  Five 
Perfons  or  more  are  fo  Affembled ;    or  fhould  know- 
ingly and  wittingly  be  prefent  at  any  fuch  Meeting, 
ahho*  the  Liturgy  be  there  us'd,  in  Cafe  Her  Majefty, 
the  Queen   Dowager,    the   Princefs  Sophia^   or  fuch 
others  as  (hall  from  Time  to  Time  be  lawfully  ap« 
pointed  to  be  Pray'd  for,    fhall  not  be  PrayM  for  in 
exprefs  Words ;  fhall  forfeit  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred    , 
Pounds,   and  Five  Pounds  for  every  Day  that  any 
fuch  Perfons  fhould  continue  in  the  Execution  of  fuch 
Office  or   Employment,    after  their  being  prefent  at 
any  fuch  Conventicle  ;     to  be  recovered  by  him  or 
them  that  fhould  Sue  for  the  fame,  by  A6lion  of  Debt^ 
Bill,  Plaint  or  Information,    in  any   of  the  Queen^ 
Courts  at  H^ejiminjler,  8cc.     —And  that  every  Perfon 
Coovi4^ed  in  any  fuch  Adion.    or  upon  any  Informa- 

S  r  '  iionl 


626  Some  Hiftoricdl Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  lyci. 


/ 


lion,   Prefcnrment,    or  Indi£lmcnt,    in  any  of  the 
Courts  at  l^'rftminfier,   or  at  the  A/Hzes,    Ihould  be 
difabled  from  thence  forth  to  hold  fuch  Offices  or 
Employments,    or  to  receive  any  Profit  or  Advantage 
bytheai,  G^c     And  fhould  be  adjudged  incapable  to 
bear  any  Ofiice  or  Employment  whatfoever.    — And 
that  if  my  who  fhould  have  been  Convi<^ed,   and 
thereby  made  incapable  to  hold  any  Office  or  Em- 
ployment,   fhould  after  fuch  Convit^ion,   Conform 
to  the  Church  of  EnglnnA^   for  the  Tpace  of  One  Year, 
without  having  been  prefcnt  at  any  Conventicle,  and 
receive  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lxjrd's  Supper  at  the 
leafl  Three  Times  in  the  Year,   they  fhould  be  capa- 
ble of  a  Grant  of  any  Office  or  Employment,  or  of 
being  Eiedlcd  into,   or  holding  of  any  of  the  afore- 
fa  id  Offices    or  Employments.    — And  that  all  fo 
Convidted  and  afterwards  Conforming,   fhould  at  the 
nexr  Term  after  admiflion  into  any  fuch  Office,  make 
Oath  in  Writing,    in  fome  of  the  Queens  Courts  at 
IP'eJlminfter^  Publickly,  between  9  and  1 2  in  the  Fore- 
noon, or  at  the  next  Quarter  Seffions  for  the  County 
or  Place  where  they  refide,  that  they  have  Conform'd 
to  the  Church  of  Englandy   for  the  fpace  of  One  Year 
before  fuch  admiflion,    without  having  been  prefent 
at  any  Conventicle;    and  that  they  had  recciv'd  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at  the  leaf^  Three 
Times  in  the  Year;    which  Oath  Ihould  be  there  in- 
rolJ  a,    and  kept  upon  Record.    — And  finally,  That 
if  any  Pcrfon  after  fuch  admifTion  into  any  Office, 
fhoujd  a  Second   Time  offend  in  Manner  aforefaid, 
and  be  thereof  lawfully  Convidked,  he  fhould  incur 
double  the  Penalties  foremention'd,  to  be  recovered  in 
the  Manner  aforcfaid,   and  forfeit  fuch  Office  or  Em- 
ployment,  and  not  be  capable  of  having  any  Office 
or  Employment,  until  he  had  Conform'd  for  the  fpace 
of  Three  Years,  in  Manner  aforefaid  ;  whereof  Oath 
to  be  mads  in  Writing,    in  one  of  the  Queens  Courts 
at  i^eflmirifter^  or  at  the  Quarter  Seifions  of  the  Coun- 
ty where  he  Reiidcs. 

The  Lords  Amendments  were  moflly  Alterations  of 
Words  and  ExprefTions,  except  the  Third  of  them,  by 
which  they  difown'd  that  every  Perfon  to  be  admitted 
to  any  Office  or  Employment,  was  by  Law  obliged  to 
be  iuiirely   Conformable  to  the  Church  j   or  that  that 

was 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  RevolntTon  in  1688.         6zj 


wastbc  intention  of  the  Law,  when  it  provided  that -«4».  1702. 
every  Perfon  to  be  admitted  to  Office  Ihould  receive  the 
Sacrament  according  to  the  Rites  and  Ufage  of  the 
Church  of  England:  And  except  the  Alteration  of  the 
Penalties  fix'd  by  the  Commons.  They  brought  down 
the  Forfeiture  from  100/.  to  ao/,  of  which  one  Third 
to  go  to  the  Queen,  another  Third  to  the  Poor,  and  the 
other  Third  to  the  Informer. 

And  they  left  out  the  5  /.  for  every  Day  the  Offen- 
ders continued  in  their  Office;  and  all  the  latter  part  of 
the  Bill,  with  refpedt  to  future  incapacity  for  Office,' 
and  the  rccapacitating,  and  the  encreafmg  the  Punifli- 
ment  for  the  Second  Onence.  ^ 

Their  Lordfliips  alfo  added  Five  Claufes,  by  which 
they  provided,  that  Oath  ihould  be  made  of  the  Offence 
to  be  punilh'd,  before  fome  Judge  or  Juftice  within 
10  Days  after  Commiflion;  and  the  Profecution  be 
within  Three  Months,  and  the  Convidtion  upon  the 
Oath  of  at  leaft  Two  credible  Witnelfes :  That  Diffen- 
ters  fliould  not  be  compeU'd  to  hold  any  Office  or  Place, 
for  which  they  could  not  be  legally  Qualified  without 
taking  the  Sacrament :  That  the  Univerfity  Churches 
might  be  exempted,  where  Sermons  were  preach'd 
without  Prayers  :  That  fuch  as  went  to  the  French  and 
Dutch  Churches  might  be  excepted :  And  that  Go- 
vernours  of  Hofpitals,  and  Afliftants  of  Corporations 
and  Workhoufes  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Poor,  might  be 
exempted  alfo. 

On  Jan.  1 6th,  there  was  a  Free  Conference  between  ^^'«  Confe- 
the  Two  Houfes  about  thefc  Amendments.     The  Ma-  ''^^^^  ^^- 
nagers  on  the  part  of  the  Commons,   were  Mr.  Bromley,  txp^en  the 
Mr.  Si,  John^    Mr.  Finch^    Mr.  Solicitor  General,    and  '^'^^Hrufes, 
Sir  Thomoi  Pown  r    On  the  part  of  the  Lords,  the  Duke  ^'^^t  f/;e 
of  Devon/hire,  the  E.  of  Peterborough,  the  Bifliop  of  Sa-  ^j^afional 
rum^  the  Lord  Somme7Sf  and  the  Lord  HnlJifax. 

The  Managers  for  the  Commons  intifiated,     '  That 

*  the  intent  of  this  Bill  was  onlv  to  reftrain  a  fcandalous 

*  Practice,  which  was  a  reproach  to  Religion,  and  gave 

*  Offence  to  all  good  Chriftians,  and  to  the  BeH  among 

*  the  Diffenters  themfelves.     That  it  enadJ'ed  nothing 

*  N  E  W,    and  was  only  intended  to  make  the  Laws  in 

*  Being  more  Effedual.     That  this  Bill  appearM  to  the 

*  Commons  abfolutely    neceffary    for  the  preventing 
I  thofe  Mifchiefs  which  tnuft  prove  deftrudive  to  the 

S  f  a  *  Church 


628  Some  Hiflorrcal  Additions      Chap,  XIX* 


An.  lyoi- 


Church  and  Monarchy.     That  an  Eftablifh'd  Religion 
and  a  National  Church  are  abfolutely  neceflary,  when 
{"0  many  ill  Men  pretended  to  Infpiration,   and  when 
there  were  fo  many  weak  Men  to  follow  them.     That 
the  only   Effe£lual  Way   to   preferve  this  National 
Church,    was   by   keeping   the  Civil  Power  in  the 
Hands  of  thofe  whofe  Principles  and   Pradliccs   are 
Conformable  to  it.     That  ihe  Parliament  by  the  Cor- 
poration  and  Teft  AAs  tho't  thev   had  fecur'd  our 
Eftablifliment,  and  provided  a  fufficienr  Barrier  to 
difappoint  any  Attempts  againft  them,  by  Enading 
that  all  in  Offices  (hould  receive  the  Sacrament  ac- 
cording to  the  Ufage  of  the  C.  of  £,    and  never  ima- 
gined a  Set  of  Men  could  at  any  Time  rife  up,    whofe 
Cmfcitnces  were  tco  tender  to  obey  the  LawSy  hut  hnrdend 
enough  to  break,  them.     That  as  the  laft  Reign  began 
with  an  Adl  in  Favour  of  the  Diifenters,  fo  the  Com- 
mons did  defire,    that  in  the  beginning  of  Her  Maje- 
fty's  Aufpicious  Reign,   an  A(5l  might  Fafs  in  Favour 
of  the  C.  of  H,    That  thofe  Men  might  be  kspt  ou  t  of 
Offices^  who  have  fhewn  they  never  wanted  the  H^iQ,  when 
they  had  the  Power,    to  Defiroy  the  Church,     And  that 
this  Bill  did  ftot  in  any  Refped:  intrench  on  the  Adl 
of  Toleration,    or  take  from  the  Diifenters  any  one 
Priviledge  they  have  by  Law,   or  give  any  one  Pri- 
viledge  to  the  C.  of  £,   which  was  not  at  leaft  in- 
tended her  by  the  Laws  as  they  then  ftood. 
*  As  to  the  feveral  particular  Amendments  made  by 
the  Lords,    the  Managers  for  the  Commons  in  lifted 
upon  it,   That  if  the  Laws  provided  that  they  that 
had  Offices  (hould  receive  the  Sacrament,    and  by  that 
intended  a  Conformity  ;   then,  whofoever  breaks  the 
intentions  of  the  Law,    breaks  the  Law,   or  at  leaft 
evades  it;    and  that  it  was  fit  to  provide  againft  luch 
a  Praflice.     That  if  the  intention  of  the   Teft   Adt, 
was  the  Rea%)n  to  provide  againft  fuch  Evaders  of  ir, 
the  like  intention  in  the  Corporation  Adt,  would  ierve 
for  a  Rcafon  to  provide  againft  the  Evaders  of  that. 
That  by  Occjfirmal  Conformity,    the  Diifenters  might 
let  themfelves  into  the  Government  of  all  Corpora- 
tions ;    and  that  it  was  obvious  how  far  that  would 
intiuence  the  Government  of  the  Kingdom.     That  to 
feparate  from  a  Church  which  has  nothing  in  it  againft 
a  Mans  Conicience  to  Conform  to,    is  Schifm:    And 

*  ibac 


Chap.  XIX.   after  the  Revoifit/on  i»  1688,        62^ 

that  that  is  a  Spiritual  Sin,  without  the  fuperadding  An.  1702* 
a  Temporal  i  aw  to  make  it  an  Offence.  That  Occr.- 
fional  Conformity  declares  a  Mans  Confcience  will  let 
him  Conform ;  and  in  fuch  a  Mart  Non- Conformity 
is  a  wilful  Sin.  And  why  fhould  Occafionnl  Confer- 
mity  be  allow'd  in  Corporations,  when  the  Lords 
agreed  that  out  of  Corporations  it  ought  not  to  be 
allow'd }  That  in  laying  Penalties,  the  Commons 
would  always  endeavour  to  make  them  fuch  as  lliould 
neither  tempt  to  Perjury,  nor  totally  difcourage  In- 
formations and  Profecutions ;  which  they  thought 
the  Lords  Amendnienc  would  do,  fhould  they  Agree 
to  it.  That  the  Pumlhment  of  incapacity ^  the  reca' 
piicitating^  and  the  increafe  of  Punifhmsnt  for  a  Second 
Offence,  are  warranted  by  many  Precedents  of  the 
like  Nature,  in  other  Penal  Laws.  That  an  incapa- 
city is  a  very  proper  Punifliment;  and  that  a  Second 
Offence  is  a  [{eUpfe  and  Apoftacy^  which  makes  it  more 
heinous  than  the  firft  Offence,  and  therefore  deferve 
an  encreafe  of  Punilli  rent.  That  he's  indeed  reduc'd 
to  a  very  unhappy  Condition,  who  is  made  incapable 
of  ferving  his  Prince  and  Country ;  But  in  the  prefent 
Cafe  both  Prince  and  Country  would  be  in  a  more 
unhappy  Condition,  to  be  ferv'd  by  fuch,  whofe  Prin- 
ciples are  inconliftent  with  the  Good  and  Welfare  of 
the  Eftablifhment.  That  the  Tf/^rd.'^/fl^i  was  intended 
only  for  the  eafe  of  Tender  and  Scrupulous  Confci- 
ences,  and  not  to  give  a  Licenfe  for  Occeifional  Con- 
formity.  Thar  Conforming  and  Non-Conforming  are 
Contradidiions;  nothing  but  a  firm  Perfwaiion  thaC 
the  Terms  of  Communion  reqair'd  are  (inful  and  un- 
lawful could  juftify  the  one,  and  that  that  p  amly 
condemns  the  other.  That  the  exempting  Diffe-nters 
fromferving  Offices,  would  rather  EftabliOi  Occ.'ijionat 
Non-Conformity ,  than  prevent  Occafional  Confo^-mity^ 
and  therefore  increafe  and  not  cure  the  Evil  the  Bill  was 
intended  to  Remedy.  That  the  AH  of  Vnifofmify 
had  provided  for  the  Sermons  or  Ledlures  in  the-  Uni- 
verfities  j  and  that  therefore  the  A6^s  againft  Con- 
venticles in  the  \6  and  22  Car.  II,  made  no  particular 
Exceptions  for  them,  and  yet  they  were  never  taken 
^  to  be  Conventicles.  That  the  exempting  fuch  as 
'  (hould  be  prefent  at  the  Foreign  Reformed  ChurcbeSj 
^  would  be  Eo  open  a  Door  to  evade  this  Law.    Aiid  th-zs 

S.  f  1,        ■  'the. 


650  SoMe  Hifloricdl  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1702-  *  the  Places  of  Governours  of  fome  Hofpitals  are  very 
'  conliderable  Preferments,    and  given  as  fuch  to  the 

*  CJergy  of  the  C  of  £;    and  that  the  Commons  could 
'  never  Confent,  by  any  Law,    to  let  in  the  Diflenters 

*  to  the  Enjoyment  of  them. 

The  Managers  for  the  Lords  on  the  other  Hand  dc- 
clar'd,  thar,  '  By  agreeing  fo  far  as  they  had  done  to 
this  Bill,    they  had  gone  a  great  Way  for  preventing 
the  Evil  it  was  intended  to  Remedy ;    and  own'd  it 
to  be  a  Scandal  to  Religion,   that  Perfons  fhould  Con- 
form only  for  a  Place.     That  they  did  not  think  go- 
ing to  a  Meeting  to  be  malum  in  /f,  for  that  the  Dif- 
fenters  areProteftants,and  differ  from  the  C.  of  £.  on- 
ly in  fome  little  Forms,   and  therefore  they  tho't  lofs 
of  Office  a  fufficient  Punifhment  without  an  incapa- 
city.    That  it  could  never  be  tho't  thofe  of  the  better 
Sort  would  be  Guilty  of  this  Offence;    if  they  were 
they  (hould  lofe  their  Offices :    That  in  inferiour  Offi- 
cers of  the  Cuftoms  and  Excife,    who  had  little  elfe 
to  fubfift  on,   lofs  of  Office  was  fevere  enough  fince 
thereby  they  would  be  undone.     And  that  this  was 
yet  more  confiderable  in  Patent  Places,    which  by  a 
Common  Cuftom  are  Bought  and  Sold,   and  are  of 
the  Nariire  of  Freeholds.     That  Incapacity  was  too 
great  a  Penalty  ;    and  that  it  is  hard  to  imagine  any 
Offence  that  is  not  Capital  can  deferve  it.     That  there 
is  no  more  Reafon  to  punilh  this  Offence  with  Incapa- 
city,   than  to  make  it  Felony.     That  the  Diffenters 
are  not  obnoxious  to  the  Government  as  when  the  Cor- 
poration Adt  was  made;    the  moft  confiderable  Per- 
fons amongft  them  being  well  affedled  to  the  prefenc 
Conftitution,  and  hearty  Enemies  to  the  Queens  and 
the  Kingdoms  Enemies.    That  in  fome  Corporations 
they  took  the  Election  of  Members  to  fervc  in  Par- 
liament to  be  only  in  fuch  as  are  concern'd  in  the  Go- 
vernment of  them,  as  at  Buckingham  -,  and  the  Lords' 
would  not  by  this  Bill  deprive  Men  of  their  Birthrights; 
neither  did  they  think  fit  to  bring  any  greater  Hard- 
fhips  upon  the  Diffenters,  fince  great  Advamages  have 
accrued  from  the  A£t  of  Toleration,     That  the  Lords 
did  eqnnlly  defire  a  good  Correfpondence  betwixt  the 
Two  Hoiifes,  and  were  fo  faiisfy'd  of  the  neceffity  of 
Union  ac  this  Time,    that  they  tbo^t   all   Meafures 
fatal,  that  might  create  Diviiions  amor.gft  Prote/lants 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1 688.         631 


*  at  Home,  or  check  the  neceflary  Union  of  the  Allies  -An.  1702- 

*  Abroad.    That   in  a  Time  of  War  they  tho't  Al- 

*  terations  unneceffary  and  dangerous,   and  were  un- 

*  willing  to  bring  any  real  Hardihips  lapou  the  Diflen- 

*  ters  at  this  Time,   or  give  ihem  any  Caufeoif  Jealou- 

*  fies  and  Fears.     That  the  Toleration  bad  had  fuch  gootj 

*  EfFedts,  contributed  lb  much  to  the  Security  and  Re- 

*  putation  of  the  C.  of  £,    and  produced  fo  good  a 

*  Temper  among  DilTenters,   That  the  Lords  were  nn- 

*  willing  to  give  the  leaft  difcredit  to  that  A(^;  Liberty 

*  of  Confiienccy  and  gentle  Meafu res  being  moft  proper, 

*  and  having  been  found  n>oft  EfFecftoal  toward  increa- 

*  fing  the  Church,    and  diminifhing  the  numbei  of 

*  Diflencers.    That  fome  Pares  of  the  Bill  had  an  Air 

*  of  Severity  not  proper  for  this  Setfon;.  that  a  proper 

*  Time  ougbc  to  be  taken  to  apply  Remedies;   the  at* 

*  tempting  too  hafty  Cures  having  often  prov'd  Fatal, 
**  That  if  there  had  been  fach  Danger  and  Nccefliiy,  this 

*  Remedy  would  have  been  proposed  before;    That  if 

*  this  Bill  did  Enad  nothing  NEW,  there  would  not 

*  be  fuch  a  Conteft  about  it.    That  they  did  confent 

*  to  a  Punifhment,    but  would  proportion  the  Penalty 

*  to  the  Offence.    That  they  hop*d  their  defires  of  fe- 

*  curing  the  Toleration  A&^  the  Peace  and  Quiet  of  the 

*  Kingdom  at  Home,  and  the  Intereft  of  the  Nation 

*  Abroad,  would  meet  with  a  fair  Conftrudlion.    That 

*  they  tbo*t  the  only  Conteft  between  the  Two  Houfes 

*  was  which  ihould  moft  befriend  and  take  Care  of 

*  the  Church  J    the  one  would  procure  a  haity   fetled 

*  Submiflion,    not  fo  much  to  be  depended  on;    the 

*  other  woul^  obtain  for  her  a  more  gradual  but  a  fafer 

*  Advantage  over  Diffenters.     That  they  conceiv'd  both 

*  the  laft  Reign  and  this  began  upon  the  fame  Bottom 

*  and  Foundation;    and  that  as  in  this  Reign  Her  Ma- 
^  jefty  has  been  pieasM  to  give  Gracious  Affurances  as 

*  to  Liberty  of  Confcience,  fo  in  the  lafk  the  Church  ever 

*  met  with  ProtE(ftion  and  Support.    That  it  is  hard  as 

*  well  as  untrue,   to  fay  of  the  Diifenters,    they  never 

*  wanted  the  fViU J   v^heri  they  had  the  Power  to  defray  the 

*  Church  and  State ;   fince,  in  the  laft  and  greateft  Dan- 

*  ger  the  Church  was  expos*d  to,   they  join'd  with  her,  *£^ 

*  with  all  imaginable  Zeal  and  Sincerity  againft  the 

*  Papifts,  their  Common  Enemies;   and  that  ever  fince 
J  lixey  have  cojitina'd  to  ibew  ail  the  Signs  of  Friend- 

Sf4  ^ihip 


652  Some  Hiji  or  leal  Additions      Chap.  XIX. 

A-i.  1702*  Ihip  and  SubmiiTion  to  the  Government  of  Church 

*  and  State.     That  Toleration  and  Tendernefs  had  ne- 

*  ver  mifsM  of  procuring  Peace  and  Union,  as  Perfe- 
'_  cution  had  never  faild  of  producing  the  contrary 
\  Eflfedls.     That  the  Lords  could  not  think  the  Dilfen- 

*  ters  could  properly  be  caJi'd  Schifmaticks ;  that  fuch 
'  an  Opinion  allowed,   would  bring  an  heavy  Charge 

*  upon  the  C.  of  £,  who  by  a  Law  have  Tolerated  fuch 
'  a  SchiJ'm:  And  that  the  Church  Men  having  allow'd 

*  Communion  wirh  the  Reformed  Churches  Abroad,  ic 

*  muil  follow  they  hold  them  not  Guilty  of  Schifm^  or 

*  could  not  allow  Communion  with  them.  That  this 
'  Bill  would  inflidt  a  Second  Punilhmenc  on  them  who 
'  fled  from  F^-mce  for  their  Religion.    That  this  might 

*  be  us'd  a;S  an  Argument  to  juftify  even  the  Perfecution 

*  in   Fmnce.    That  they  could  not  depart  from  the 

*  Claufe  relating  to  the  Dutch  and  Wnllcon  Churches 

*  fo  long  Eltablilh'd  among  us,  leaft  it  (hould  give  great 

*  Diiguft  and  Oflfence  to  the  Allies  Abroad,  and  at  the 

*  fame  Time  forfeit  the  grcateft  Charadkercan  be  given 
*,  a  Church,  that  of  Tendernefs  and  Charity  to  fellow 
'  Chriftians,  ^c.  That  as  ro  iVorJ^houfes,  they  could 
'  not  conceive,  that  the  diftributing  of  fome  Presbyte- 
'  rian  Bread  to  the  Poor^  and  Diffcnting  H'ater-gruel  to  the 
'  Sick,f  could  ever  bring.any  Prejudice  to  the  C.  of  E: 
^  And  that  they  were  of  Opinion,  that  the  Diflenters 
\  were  coming  into  the  Church,   and  that  nothing  but 

•  *  terrifying  Meaiures  and  Sc^verity  could   prevent  the 

*  happy  Union. 

*  'Twas  farther  added,    That  a  Papift  Convidt,  as 
'  foon  as  he  Conforms  himfelf,    and  rccei^^s  the  Sacra*. 
^  ment  is  immediately  clear'd  ,    no  Incapacicy  lies  upon 

*  him  .  But  this  Act  would  carry  the  Matter  farther  to 
'  a  Years  Incapacity.  A  Papift  that  ihall  relapfe  and 
'  fall  under  a  Second  Convi6Vion,    is  only  Convi(5led 

*  over  again,  without  any  Aggravation  of  the  Cenfure; 

*  which  by  this  Bill  would  be  much  heighren'd  upon  a 

*  Second  Oifcncc:  So  that  the  Penalties  ot  this  Bill  are 
*"  higher  than  any  the  Law  has  laid  on  Papifts  for  alFift- 
'  ing  at  the  folcmnelt  A61  of  their  Religion.  Before 
'  the  Ad  of  Trleratiou  pais'd,    while  Conventicles  were 

*  Illegal  aivl  Criminal  Alfemblies,  a  Man  in  Office,  that 
was  prcfcnt  ac  them,  was  only  liable  to  a  Fine  of  10/. 

*-  Whereas  by  this  Bill  he'd  be  liable  to  a  Fine  of  an  1 00  /, 

'foi 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        653 

for  being  prefent  at  them,  tho*  they  have  an  Impuni-  ji„^  ,-q2" 
ty  by  Law :  It  does  not  feem  fo  very  fuitable  that  the 
fame  Adiion  (hould  be  made  10  Times  more  Penal, 
after  fuch an  Impunity  is  granted,  than  it  was  before 
the  paifing  that  Law,  while  fuch  Aflemblies  were 
Illegal.  It  feems  infnaring,  and  unbecoming  fo  mild 
a  Government  as  ours,  to  lay  fo  heavy  a  Penalty  on  a 
Crime  fo  dubioufly  exprefs'd :  Nor  is  it  proper  that 
the  Sums  rais*d  by  the  Bill  Ihould  all  go  to  the  Infor- 
mer, which  might  give  incouragement  to  falfe  Acca-  ' 
fadons  and  Perjury.  This  Occajlonal  Conformity  has 
been  both  the  Principle  and  Pradice  of  fome  of  the 
moft  Eminent  among  the  DifTeniers  ever  fince  St.  B^r- 
tholomevps  in   1662*.     Nor  is  it 

a  certain  Inference,  that  becaufe  ^  Not  only  Mr.  Baxter  and 
a  Man  receives  the  Sacrament  in  ^r.  Bates  were  here  mentioned, 
the  Charch,  he  can  therefore  ^«^  f^  w<«  faid  that  there  was  a 
Conform  in  every  other  Par-  Pamotts  and  Learned  Man  that 
ticular.  Occafional  Conformi-  ^'^'"^  ''^  Salisbury,  Mr,  Tombs, 
ty  was  a  ftep  that  carried  *'^?,  *''**  ""  ""^^  f  ^^^"^^  ^^'f  *"■ 
many    much    further  :     And    it     ^'^  !^  ^U  founts  but  one,  infant 

was    intimated   that    the    Lords    f/'^r^T;*    /Tc''"'^'"^''^!: 
.,,.  .     r»     r-  that  recetyinz  the  Sacrament  does 

werenotwillmg  to   ruinPerfbns  „ot   necefarUy  import    an    entire     ^ 

Utterly  on  Account  of  a  PradlCe,  conformity  in   eyery   other  Tarti'     ^ 

that  many    well    meanmg   Men  cuUr -,    no  more   than   a    Man 

have    been    and    may    be    led  who  can  fubfcribe  to  the  Two 

into,      and      which     they     think  firsi  Articles   of  Religion,     ii  by 

naturally    tends    to  bring   them  that  concluded  to  Jjfent  to  the 

over    intirely    to     the    Church,  ^eU  of  the  Thirty  Nine. 

*  The  Managers  on  the  behalf  of  the  Commons, 
Reply'd,  that  feveral  Arguments  urgd  by  the  Mana- 
gers for  the  Lords,  were  againft  the  Bill,  which  they 
had  feem'd  to  Agree  to.  That  no  Time  could  be 
more  feafonable  for  this  Bill  than  the  Prefent,  becauie 
good  Laws  may  be  obtain'd  mofl  eafily  in  the  beft 
Reigns.  That  fliould  any  by  this  Bill  be  turn'd  out 
of  their  Employments,  and  confequently  lofe  their 
Votes  in  Elections,  yet  it  cannot  be  faid  they  lofe 
their  Birthrights,  becaufe  no  Man  is  born  a  Magi- 
ftratc.  That  fome  of  the  Lords  Arguments  had  been 
fo  irregular  as  to  defend  Occafional  Conformity :  And 
that  they  were  furpriz'd  to  hear  a  Prelate  fpeak  in 
Defence  of  fuch  a  Practice*    —They  left  the  Bill 

with 


634  SomeHifiorkalAddithtts     Chap.  XIX. 

.^- 1702.  with  the  Lords,  and  faid  that  tbey  hop'd  they  would 
not  let  the  Publick  lofe  the  Benefit  of  fo  good  a  Law. 

But  the  Lords  adher'd  to  rheir  Amendments,  and  fenc 
the  Bill  back'  to  the  Commons:  And  they  perfifting  to 
difagree  to  ihem,  for  this  Time  the  Ell)  came  to 
nothing. 

At  the  end  of  the  Seflion,  ¥eh.  27.  170I,   theQpeen 
declared  from  the  Throne  in  Her  clofing  Speech,    That 
She  wai  firmly  B^folvd  to  Maintain  the  A&  of  Toleration  : 
And  i{?commeuded  Peace  and  Vnion^  at  the  molf  Effe^uai 
hieans  that  could  he  devis'd  to  difcourage    and  defeat  the 
Defigns  of  our  Enemies.    While  this  Bill  was  depending, 
3l?f /Jortp;?  a  pamphlet  was  publifh'd,   intituled.    The  Jhorteft  f^ajf 
MayvFtth   with  the  Dijfemerj,    It  was  very  Sharp  and  Poignant; 
the  Dijfen-  ^^  fome  On  both  Sides  were  at  fir  ft  amus'd  with  it,  as 
texs.  queftioning  what  its   Defign  was;    biat  it  was    iy)t 

long  before  that  was  fufficiemly  difcovcr*d.  This  Au-!- 
thor  here  told  the  World,  that  the  Repr efentatives  of 
the  Nation  had  now  an  Opportunity,  and  perhaps  the 
only  one  they  fiiould  ever  have,  to  fecure  the  Cb.  of  E^ 
and  deftroy  her  Enemies,  under  the  Favour  and  Pro- 
tection of  a  true  Englifh  Queen  :  That  this  was  the  Time 
to  pull  up  this  Heretical  Weed  of  Sedition,  that  bad  fa 
long  difturb'd  the  Peace  of  the  Church,  and  poifon  d 
the  good  Corn :  That  if  it  ftiould  be  objected,  that  this 
renewing  Fire  and  Faggot  would  be  Cruelty,  and  ac- 
counted Barbarous,  he  anfwer'd,  that  *tis  Cruelty  to 
"kill  a  Snake  or  a  Toad  in  cold  Blood  ;  but  the  Poifon 
cf  their  Nature  makes  it  a  Charity  to  our  Neigh- 
bours to  deftroy  thofe  Creatures,  not  for  any  per- 
fonal  Injury  received,  but  for  prevention  .-  Not  for  the. 
Evil  they  have  done,  but  the  Evi]  they  may  ^©, 
And  that  as  Serpents,  Toads,  arid  Vipers  are  noxious 
to  the  Body,  and  poifon  the  fenfitive  LAfe,  fo'  the 
DiiTenters  poifon  the  Soul,  corrupt  our  Pofterity,  cr» 
fnarc  our  Children,  deftroy  the  Vitals  of  our  Happi- 
nefs,  our  Future  Felicity,  and  contaminate  the  whole 
Ma(s;  and  therefore  they  are  to  be  rooted  out  of  this 
Nation,  if  ever  we  would  live  in  Peace,  ferve  God, 
and  enjoy  our  own. 

The  Commons  ordrcd  the  Book  to  be  Burnt  by  the 
Hands  of  the  common  Hangraan,  and  the  Author  to  be 
Profecuted.  He  pleaded  for  himfelf  that  he  gave  them 
hxn  their  own  Language,  or  at  leaft  the  Sccfe  of  their 

owa 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         655 


own   Expreflions  when  they  talk*d  of  hanging  out  bloody  An,  1702,. 
Flaggs^  and  Banners  of  Defiance  i  and  Ihew'd  them  what 
many  of  theirPamphlets  and  Sermons,as  well  astheir  com- 
fiion  Converfation  tended  to:  But  it  was  not  to  be  born. 
He  muft  be  made  an  Example,  for  the  Terror  of  others. 

A  Convocation  was  this  Year  called  with  the  Par-  j/,^  Py^,, 
liamenc  :     And    Dr.  Aldrich  Dean   of   Clmfi-Chwch,  ceedin<rsQf 
Oxon,  was  chofen  Prolocutor.     Both  Houfes  prefent-  the  Hew 
ed  an   Addrefs  to  the  Qiieen,     on  Nov,   6.  in  which  Convocation. 
they  expreffed    their    great    Senfe  of  the   Favour   and 
Goodnefj  of  God  in  fetting  her  'hinjefly  on  the  Throne  of 
her   AnceJiorSf    and  mal{ing    her  the    Defender    of  that 
Faith,   of  which  (he  had  heen  fo  glorious  an  Ornament, 
They    thanked  her  Majefly^   for  her   many  gracious   Af- 
furances  of  her  unmoveable  I{efolution  to  fupport  and  fro- 
te8  the  C.  of  E.  as  by  Lavp  EJiablifh^d,  and  to  continue  it 
to  future  JigeSy  by  maintaining  the  Succejfion  of  the  Crown 
in  the   Protejiant  Line,     And  told  her  Majefty,   That 
^hey  promifed  therrifelves,  that  whatever  might  be  wanting 
to  reft  ore  the  Church  to  its  due  Rights  and  PriviledgeSy  her 
^ajefty  would  have  the  Glory  of  doing  it,  and  of  fecuring 
it  to  Pofierity,    She  told  them  in  Anfwer,  That  their 
Concurrence  in  this  Dutiful  Addrefs,'  was  a  good  Pre/age 
of  their  ZJnion  in  all  other  Matters,  which  was  very  de- 
firable  for  her  Service,  and  the  Good  of  the  Church,     But 
they  did  not  anfwer  her  Majefty's  Expedlations.    The 
former  Conteft  was  foon  revived.    Many  Days  were 
not  paffed  before    the  Lower  Houfe  applied  to  the 
Archbifhop  of  Canterbury ,  and  his  Suffragans,  begging 
that  the  Matters  in  Difpute,  about   which  there  had 
been  Differences  in  two  late  Convocations,  concerning 
the   Manner  of  Synodical  Proceedings,  and  the  Right 
of  the  Lower  Houfe  to  hold  intermediate  AfTemblies, 
might  be  taken  into  Confideration,  and  fpeedily  deter- 
mined, that  fo  Bufinefs  might  not  be  hindered,  nor  the 
Order  and  Peace  of  the  Church  difturbed. 

The  Archbifhop  and  Bilhops  made  Anfwer  Nov.  1 3.' 
That  they  defired  to  put  an  End  to  all  Differences,  and 
preferve  a  good  Underftanding.  That  as  for  the 
Point  of  Proroguing,  they  were  in  Poflefiion  of  a 
Right,  deriv'd  from  their  Predeceffors ;  in  the  ex- 
ercife  of  which,-  they  would  ufe  fuch  Methods  as  ap- 
peared mofl  conducing  to  Unity.  -And  that  accordingly 
they  had  appointed  a  Committee  of  feven  Biihops,  to 


6^6  Some  Hifiorjcal  Additjons     Chap.  XIX. 

An-  1702.  meet  with  Deputies  from  the  Lower  Houfe,  to  offei 
and  receive  what  might  conduce  thereunto.  The 
Committee  of  Biihops  ofFer'd,  that  the  Lower  Houfe 
might  meet  in  Committees,  to  prepare  Bulinefs  be- 
tween the  Synodical  Prorogations  :  And  that  when 
Bi'finefs  ftioald  be  before  the  Coovocation,  the  Arch- 
bifbop  with  the  Confent  of  his  Suffragans,  would  fo 
order  the  Prorogations,  that  there  fhould  be  fufficient 
Time  aUow'd  for  the  confidering  and  finifliirg  of  it. 

The  Lower  Houfe  replied  Nov.  18  :  That  they  con-' 
cciv'd  fuch  a  Power  as  the  Archbifliop  cUim*d,  was 
no  way  inconliftent  with  the  Right  which  they  claior/Ji, 
£0  hold  Alfemblies,  and  continue  to  a£i  as  an  Houfe  in 
ihe  Intervals  of  Prorogations,  which  Right  they  looked 
upon  as  fo  indifpenfably  neceflary  to  the  Being  of  a 
Lower  Houfe,  and  which  had  lately  been  fo  openly  op- 
pos'd,  and  with  fo  much  Pretence  of  Authoritydenied, 
that  they  declared  they  tho't  they  could  not  anfwer  the 
Truft  repos'd  in  them,  unlefs  they  continued  to  inlift 
upon  it :  And  therefore  they  renewed  their  Requeft 
that  fomething  might  be  offered,  more  effec5kual  to  the 
Purpofe  intended. 

On  that  very  Day,  it  was  ordered  by  the  Houfe  of 
Commons,  that  Mr. Lloyd  (Son  of  the  Bifhop  o{  fporce- 
Jier^)  (hould  be  profecutcd  by  the  Attorney-General,  after 
his  Priviledge  ns  a  Member  of  the  I  ower  Houfe  of  Ccnvo-, 
cation  was  out.  This  being  taken  Notice  of  by  the  faid 
Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation,  they  on  Nov.  zo.  or- 
dered that  their  Prolocutor,  and  three  of  their  Mf  m- 
bers,  Ihould  wait  on  Mr.  Speaker,  of  the  HoiK)urable 
Houfe  of  Commons,  to  rctnrn  their  humble  Thanks 
to  him,  and  to  that  moft  Honourable  Houfe,  for  the 
great  Favour  which  they  had  on  all  Occafions  beerj 
picafed  to  exprefs  :  And  particularly  for  the  late  Re- 
gard which  they  of  themfelves,  without  Suggeftion  or 
Solicitation,  were  picafed  to  have  to  the  Priviledges  of 
their  Houfe,  in  the  Cafe  of  one  of  their  Men:ibers, 
^  who  had  the  Misfortune  to  fall  under  their  Difpleafurc. 

This  was  read  to  Mr.  Speaker  at  his  Houfe,  Nov.  z  i  ; 
and  the  fame  Day  he  read  it  in  th^  Houfe  of  Commons  ; 
who  thereupon  pafled  a  Vote,  by  which  it  wasrefolv'd. 
That  the  Houfe  tpould  on  all  Occajions  ajfcrt  the  juft  {{jghts 
and  Privileges  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation.  Which 
made  fome  conclude,  that  now  they  Ihould  certainly 

carir^ 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Uevolution  in  1688.         637 


carry  their  Point.  But  the  Archbifhop  and  Bifhops  re-  An.  1702. 
folving  to  (land  their  Ground,  the  very  next  Day, 
Nov.  21,  made  Anfwer  to  the  Lower  Houfe,  that  they 
tho't  they  had  offer'd  what  was  fufiicient  towards  the 
ending  the  Differences  there  had  been  between  them. 
That  they  could  not  depart  from  the  Archbifliop's  Righc 
of  proroguing  the  whole  Convocation,  with  Confenc 
of  his  Suffragans,  according  to  conftant  Ulage.  That 
by  the  fame  A6t  by  which  the  Convocation  is  proro- 
gu'd,  the  whole  Bulincfs  of  the  Convocation .  is  conti- 
nu'd  in  the  State  it  is  then  in,  to  that  farther  Day 
of  the  next  Seflion.  That  they  could  not  admit  of 
their  new  Claim :  and  that  what  had  been  offer'd,  was 
fufiicient  for  the  doing  of  any  Bufinefs  to  be  done  in 
Convocation.  -^ 

The  Lower  Houfe  therefore  Dec,  2.  reprefenting  it  as 
not  fo  rcafonabie,  that  either  Houfe  fliould  be  judge  over 
the  other  in  its  own  Caufe,  propofed  that  both  fhould 
join  in  an  humble  Application  to  the  Queen,  praying 
that  Ihe  would  take  this  Controverfy  into  her  Con- 
fid  eration,  and  appoint  fuch  Perfons  as  (he  tho't  fit, 
to  hear  and  finally  determine  it. 

The  Archbilhop  and  Bi(hops  on  Dec.  u.  anfwerd, 
that  they  could  ]  ield  no  farther  than  they  had  done, 
M^ithout  manifeft  Injury  to  their  Conftitution  asanEpif- 
copal  Church.  That  they  did  not  admire  their  affe-  * 
(Sling  to  exprefs  themfelves  in  a  Manner  that  fets  the 
two  Houfes  on  fuch  an  Equality,  as  was  inconfiftenc 
with  the  Epifcopal  Authority,  and  the  Prefidency  of 
the  Archbifhop  :  But  that  they  could  not  think  it  pro- 
per to  trouble  her  Majefty  with  this  Controverfy  .-  And 
that  it  was  not  in  their  Power  to  part  with  any  of 
thofe  Rights  with  which  they  were  intrufted  by  the 
Conftitution  of  the  Church,  and  the  Laws  and  Cu- 
ftoms  of  the  Realm. 

The  very  fame  Day  the  Lower  Houfe  addrefs'd  the 
Upper,  fignifying  their  Trouble  to  find  themfelves  af- 
perfed,  as  ill  affected  to  the  Metropoliticai  and  Epif- 
xropal  Rights,  and  that  therefore  they  tho't  themfelves 
obligd  to  make  and  fign a  Declaration  that  was  annex'd, 
and  to  beg  that  their  Lordihips  would  not  give  credit 
CO  any  fuch  evil  Suggeftiens,  and  caufe  their  Declara" 
tion  to  be  entered  on  their  Books. 

The 


6^8  Some  Hi(iorjcal  Additions     Chap,  XIX, 


^d».  ijoi»  The  import  of  their  Declaration  was,  That  rvhereas 
they  bad  been  fcandaloufly  and  malicioujiy  ^eprefented  as 
Favourers  of  Presbytery^  ifi  oppojjtion  to  Epi/copacy,  they 
now  declar'd,  that  they  adinowledgd  the  Order  of  Bifoops 
as  juperior  to  Presbyters ^  to  be  of  Divine  Apoflolical  Infti" 
tution^  and  that  they  claimed,  no  Rights^  but  what  they 
ccnccivd  necejjary  to  the  very  Being  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of 
Convocf.tion. 

The  fame  Day  they  prefentedan  Additional  Addrefs, 
fignifying,  That  whereas  this  their  Declaration  had 
given  new  Otfence,  and  that  from  having  been  rraduc'd 
for  allowing  too  little  to  Epifcopacy,  they  were  now 
accufed  of  afcribing  too  much  to  it,  they  begged  there- 
fore that  their  Lordlliips  would  take  the  Dodrine  a- 
forcfaid  into  their  mature  Confideration,  and  that 
ihey  would  abet  and  fupport  it,  and  difcourage  and 
reprefs  the  contrary,  whether  Arian  or  Eraftian  O- 
pinions. 

Some  of  the  Lower  Houfe  made  a  feparate  Addrefs 
to  the  Archbilhop,  and  Bilhops  upon  this  Occafion, 
fignifying  that  they  who  had  not  fubfcrib'd  the  Decla- 
ration aforefaid,  and  who  were  refled:ed  on  in  the 
Additional  Addrefs  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  did  not  ob-  I 
jedi  againft  the  Truth  of  the  Dodrine,  (vi^^.  That  the 
Order  of  Bifhops  as  fuperior  to  Presbyters,  was  of 
Divine  Apoftolical  Inftitution )  but  againft  the  Le- 
gality of  alTerting  it ;  being  apprehenfive  of  the  Dan- 
ger of  making  any  Declaration  of  that  Nature  in  Gonvo- 
cation,  without  a  ^yal  Licence :  And  therefore  they 
difclaimed  the  faid  Declaration^  and  Begg'd  that  their 
Diflent  and  Proteftation  might  be  cntred  into  the  Adksof 
the  Upper  Houfe;  and  that  all  that  offered,  might  have 
leave  to  fubcribc  it. 

Dec.  1 5 .  The  Archbifliop  told  the  Prolocutor,  that 
this  was   a  Matter  of  great  Moment,    that  requir'd 
mature  Deliberation  and  good  Advice :  and  that  there-      \ 
fore  he  relerved  it  till  they  met  again  after  Chriftmas.  i 

Bur  on  Dec.  23.  the  Lower  Houfe  prcfented  a  Peti-  j 
tion  to  her  Majefty,  [hewing  that  after  ten  Years  In-  \ 
terrnption  of  holding  Convocations,  fcvcral  Queftions 
arofc  in  that  in  1700,  concerning  the  Rights  and  Li- 
berties of  the  Lower  Houfe,  and  particularly  about 
Prorogations  and  Adjournments.  That  the  Upper 
Houfe  had  rcfufed  a  Verbal  Conference.    That  in  the 

next 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolfitionin  i6S8.        659 

next  Convocation  the  fame  Clueftion  took  Place,  and  An,  1702. 
that  it  was  expected  they  fhould  abfolutely  fubmit  to 
their  Lordlhips  Judgment,  tho'  in  their  own  Gaufe. 
That  in  this  G)nvocauon  they  had  applied  to  their 
Lordlhips  to  fuggcft  a  Method  to  fettle  the  Matter  : 
But  not  fuccceding,  had  offer'd  to  fubmit  it  to  her 
Majefty's  Determination^  which  their  Lordlhips  alfo 
declined.  They  therefore  fled  for  Protedion  and  Re- 
lief to  her  Majefty,  begging  (he  would  call  the  Que- 
ftion  into  her  own  Royal  Audience,  &c.    The  Queen  j 

promifed  to  confider  their  Petition,  and  give  them  an 
Anfwer  as  ibon  as  ihe  could« 

The  Archbifhop  on  Jan,  10.  anfwer'd  the  Lower 
Hoiife,  that  the  Preface  to  the  Form  of  Ordination^ 
contain'd  a  Declaration  of  three  Orders  of  Minifters 
from  the  Apoftles  Times,  vi:(.  Bifliops,  Priefts,  and  kC^ 
Deacons,  to  which  they  had  fubfcrib'd :  But  that  he 
and  his  Brethren  conceived,  that  without  a  Royal  Li- 
cence, they  had  not  Authority  to  attempt^  enn^,  pro- 
mu/ge  or  execute  any  Canon,  Sec,  by  whatever  Name  ic 
might  be  called,  which  (hould  concern  either  Dodrine 
or  Difcipline  :  And  that  this  was  the  Opinion  of  di- 
ver* learned  Perfons  in  their  own  Houfe  •  but  that  they 
took  Notice  of  their  Zeal  for  the  Epifcopal  Order,  and 
hop'd  they  would  AiSt  agreeably  to  it  in  their  future 
Proceedings. 

The  Lower  Houfe,  on  F^^.  if.  reply *d,  that  they 
wonderd  at  their  Lordlhips  Caution,  That  they  would 
not  fo  much  as  fatisfy  the  lower  Clergy,  that  they  did 
not  diffent  from  them  even  in  this  Point  too.  They 
took  the  Freedom  to  tell  their  Lordlhips,  that  they  mif- 
recited  the  Statute  of  25  H.  VIII,  and  fignify  to  them, 
that  declaring  their  Senfe  concerning  a  Truth  in  Re- 
ligion, fpeculativcly  only,  and  without  requiring  either 
Aifent  or  Obedience,  was  not  forbidden  by  that  Adt : 
And  intimate  their  Sorrow,  that  the  Reflexions  of 
ignorant  and  malicious  Men,  of  which  they  com- 
plained to  their  Lordlhips,  were  rather  likely  to  be 
confirm^  by  their  Lordlhips  Anfwer :  And  difcover 
their  Refentment  of  the  clofing  Admonition,  &c. 

But  the  Contention  was  (  as  formerly )  carried  on 
without  Doors  as  well  as  withiuo  For  about  this 
Time  came  out,  The  'Narrative  of  the  Lower  Houfe  vin* 
dkatsd  from  the  Exceptions  of  a  Letter^  intit.  The  ^ght 

of 


640  Some  Hijlorical  Addition f     Chap,  XlX. 


An-  I7C2.  of  the  Archbifhop  to  continue  or  prorogue  the  xphole  Convo" 
cation.  The  Author  complains,  that  the  Caufe  of  the 
Lower  Houfe  had  been  perfecuted  with  Pamphlets, 
He  aflerts,  that  the  Caufe  was  important,  and  the 
Controverly  of  no  fmall  Moment.  The  Lower  Clergy 
would  prefcrve  their  Rights  which  tbey  have  enjoy *d 
for  many  Ages,  and  were  never  queftion'd  till  within 
thefe  Five  Years.  He  alferts  the  Juftice  of  their  Caufe, 
and  urges  many  Confiderations  in  Proof  of  it :  And 
then  m  the  Vindicntion  continud^  he  proceeds  to  give 
Evidence  out  of  remaining  Convocation  Rcgiiters  j 
and  particularly  the  Journals  of  1640.  Now  alfo 
came  out,  4  Reconciling  Letter^  upon  the  late  Difference 
about  Convocntional  l{ights  and  ProceedingSy  as  managed  by 
thofe  who  have  maintaind  the  Liberties  of  the  Lower 
Clergy.  This  Letter  complains,  that  there  was  now 
as  much  canvafling  for  Members  of  Convocation,  as 
for  thofe  of  Parliament.  It  obferves,  that  Dr.  Jitter- 
bnry  and  Mr.  Hill  who  joined  in  the  fame  Caufe,  are 
as  wide  in  their  Principles  as  Eaft  and  Weft,  never  to 
be  reconciled.  That  Dr.  A.  made  two  Editions  of  the 
fame  Book,  directly  contradicting  one  another  in  many 
material  Points  ;  That  in  both  Editions  he  kept  to  the 
one  Defign  of  lelfening  the  King's  Prerogative  in  Con- 
vocational  Affairs :  And  yet  that  he  is  fince  engaged  in 
a  meet  oppofite  Argument,  of  advancing  the  Royal  Pre- 
rogative much  beyond  the  Adt  of  the  Clergy's  Submif- 
•  fion,  and  the  Claims  of  any  former  Reign  ;  by  making 
the  Synod  purely  fubfift  by  the  King's  Writ ;  and  ren- 
dering the  Archbifhop  an  Inftrument  only  of  the  King, 
and  only  Minifterial  to  him.  He  particularly  ob- 
ferves, how  little  the  flights,  Powers^  and  Priviledges  of 
an  Englifh  Convocation,  and  thf  Power  of  the  Lower 
Houfe  to  adjourn  it  felf,  agree  in  Principle  and  Notion, 
with  each  other,  and  with  the  Narrative  ;  and  Inftances 
In  28  Particulars  in  which  they  differ.  Another 
Pamphlet  was  publilh'd,  call'd,  The  prefent  State  of 
Convocation  in  a  Letter^  P'^^^g  ^^^  /"'^  Relation  of  Pro- 
ceedings in  feveral  of  the  late  Sejjions  :  Beginning  from 
Wednefday,  Jan.  i8^^,  and  continud  to  Thurfday, 
Feb.  19,  This  was  oppofed  to  the  faithful  Accounts 
Number  i,  1.  Thefe  faithful  Accounts  are  charg'd 
with  containing  many  Particulars  mif-rcprefented,  and 
fome  intircly  miftaken.    The  thus  making  Convoca- 


Chap.  XIX.    after  the  Revolution  in  1 688.         64 r 


lional  Tranfadions  publick  without  Leave,  is  faid  to  -4«.  1 702- 
be  raifing  a  War  in  the  Church,  and  drawing  out 
the  Clergy  againft  one  another.  This  Letter  contains 
many  particular  Fac^s,  not  to  be  met  with  elfewhere, 
but  at  the  Clofe  of  the  Third  Voluaie  of  Hhe  Compleat 
Hifiory  of  England.  Another  Pamphlet  came  out,  cal- 
led the  Cafe  of  the  Schedule  ftnted  .  Giving  an  Account 
of  the  Rife  and  Defign  of  that  Inftrument,  and  its  In- 
fluence on  the  Adjournments  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of 
Convocation;  and  examining  the  Authorities  urg'd  in 
behalf  of  the  Archbifliops  fole  Power  to  prorogue 
the  whole  Convocation :  To  which  was  opposed,  the 
Schedule  Review  d.  *Tis  here  complain'd,  That  the  Ma- 
nager of  the  Caufe  of  the  Lower  Houfe  had  betray'd 
fuch  an  unfkeadinefs  in  his  Opinions,  and  had  recourfe 
fucceflively  to  fuch  a  Variety  of  Shifts,  as  would  tempc 
one  to  think  that  he  firft  refolv'd  upon  his  Point,  and 
then  fet  himfelf  to  find  out  Ways  to  maintain  it : 
That  the  Foundations  of  the  Defence  were  fo  often 
chang'd,  that  it  was  a  Sign  the  Caufe  had  not  been  well 
confidered  by  the  firft  Undertaker.  He  here  attempts  to 
prove,  that  the  Principles  of  thofe  of  the  Lower  Houfe 
upon  the  Point  of  Continuation^  are  fairly  reprefentcd 
in  the  ^jght  of  the  Archbifhop^  according  to  the  Journal 
of  the  Houfe,  and  the  Books  publilh'd  in  Defence 
of  their  Proceedings.  That  by  the  prefem  Principles 
of  the  Lower  Houfe  as  contained  in  their  own  Books, 
the  Archbilhop  and  Bilhops  have  no  Security  that  the 
Clergy  (hall  attend  their  Lordlhips  on  the  Synodical 
Day^  nor  any  Power  to  oblige  them  to  it :  And  that 
the  Reafons  offered  in  the  Vindication  of  the  Narrative^ 
and  by  the  Author  of  the  Cafe  of  the  Schedule  ftated^ 
.in  behalf  of  feparate  Adjournments  and  intermediate 
Seflions,  are  difagreeable  to  the  Nature  and  Pradlice 
of  Convocation,  and  the  eftablilVd  Diftindtion  be- 
tween Bilhops  and  Presbyters.  This  was  follow*d  with, 
T/W  Parliamentary  Original  and  Bights  of  the  Lower 
tJoufe  of  Convocation  cleared  ;  and  the°  Evidences  of  its 
Separation  from  the  ZJpper  Houfe  producd  on  feveral 
Heads  ;  particularly  in  the  Point  of  makjn?  feparate  Ap" 
plications,  as  a  dijlinB  Body  of  Men  to  other  Bodies  or 
JPerfons :  in  Purfuance  of  an  Argument  for  the  Power  of 
uhe  Lower  Houfe  to  adjourn  it  felf  The  Schedule  I^eview'd 
\  is  here  reprefen^ed  as  a  defpicable  Performance.    That 

T  t  Author 


641  Some  Hifloric^l Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An.  1702.  Author  is  charg'd  with  imitating  the  new  compendious 
Method  of  anfwering  Books  introduced  by  my  L.  of  5. 
The  fevcral  Particulars  in  which  the  Separation  of 
the  Synodical  Clergy  from  their  Bilhops  confifts,  are 
here  dilated  on  ;  and  it  is  iilferr'd,  that  an  Houfe  of 
Convocation  fo  defcended  from  an  Houfe  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  modell'd  upon  the  Platfora-.  of  it,  and  fo 
refembling  it  in  its  feveral  Forms,  Ufages,  Interefts, 
and  Priviledges,  cannot  with  any  Probability  be  fup- 
pofed  to  want  one  of  the  firft  Rights  of  a  Parliamen- 
tary Houfe,  the  Right  of  Adjourning  it  felf. 

At  this  Time  alfo  a  Book   was  publifli'd  in  %vOy 
-call'd  Synodus  Anglicana  ;  or  tlie  ConOitution  and  Pro- 
ceedings of  an  Engliflo  Convocation,    fhewn  from  the 
Ads  and  Regifters  thereof,    to   be  agreeable    to  the 
Principles  of  an  Epifcopal  Church  :  With  an  Apfendixy 
containing  the  Regifters  of  the  Upper  Houfe,  in   1561, 
1640,  and  166 1  ;  and  the  two  entire  Journals  of   the 
Lower  Houfe,  in  i  586,  and  1588.  This  Author  confiders 
'the  Method  of  fummoning  an  Englijh  Convocation, 
'and  the  Manner  of  opening  it ;  Shevys  that  there's  no 
Power  in  the  Lower  Houfe  to  admit  or  deny  Proxies  : 
Confiders  the  Eleftion    and   Office  of  a  Prolocutor, 
and  by   what  Degrees  the  inferiour   Clergy    became 
a  feparate  Houfe  from  the  Bifhops:  States  the  Man- 
ner of    cntring  upon  Bufinefs ;    and    the  Right    of 
the  Archbifhop  and    Bifhops,    to  require  the   Clergy 
to  confider   any  particular  Bufinefs ;     and  to  order 
Committees  of  the  Lower  Houfe  ;  and  alfo   to  pre- 
fcribe  a  Time   for  the  return  of  Bufinefs  committed 
to  them,  and  to  require  Anfwers  in  Writing  :    Shews 
the  Right  of  the   Prefident  and   Bilhops  to  take  to 
them  the  Afliftance  of  Perfons  learned  in  the  Law  : 
And  treats  of  the  Gravamina  or  B^formanda   in   Con- 
vocation  ;   and  the  Clergy's  Petitions  of  other  Kinds, 
and  the  Part   which    the  Clergy  have  had   in   judi- 
cial Cafes  ;    and  the  Clergy's   Right  of  a  Negative, 
or  final  Diffem'from  the  Upper  Houfe  :  He  then  con- 
fiders the  Manner  of  paffing  Bufinefs  in  Convocation, 
and  the  Proroguing  or  Dilfolving  it  :  And  after  pro-  J 
ducing  the  Regiftcrs  foremention'd,  he  adds  fome  Ob- 
fervaiions,  concerning  the  Right  of  continuing,   and 
concerning  the  Right  to  determine  controverted  Ele- 
'  <5lions,  and  concerning  the  fubftituting  a  Prolocutor ; 

and 


Ch^p.Xiyi'  ^fierthe  Revolfithnin  i683,  "  ^  645 


and  the  Authority  of  the  Summons  to  Convocation,  ^«.  1702* 

■  &c. 

Some  of  ihe  Members  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  finding 
thcmfelvfis  unable  to  deal  with  the  BiHiop  of  Sarum 
in  a  judicial  Way,   in   Convocation,    now  afTauked 
V  him    with    great    Heat    and    Vehemencej    with  one 
Pamphlet  after  another  from  the  Prefs.    Firft  came  out 
j4  Prefatory  Difcourfe  to  an  Examination  of  the  Bifmop  of 
SarurnV  Expofition  on  the  39  Articles,  &c.     That  Book 
is  there  reprefented,   as  giving   great  Offence  to  the 
Generality  of  the  Clergy.  It  is  accufed,  as  encouraging 
a  Latitude  that  would  open  a  Way  to  a  Comprshenfion  t 
And  the  Three  Heads  of  Complaint  mentioned   be* 
fore,  p,  605.    that  were  fent  from  the  Lower  to  the 
Upper  Houfe  againft  it,  are  dilated  on.  Theti  came  omj 
j^n  Examination  of  his   Expofition  of  the  Second  Article^ 
and  that  was  followed  with,  -4  FiW/V/?//ow  of  the  %r^d 
Article  from  his  Expofition  of  it.     The  Bilhop  pubiinie4 
a  Sheet  which  he  call'd  B^mnrhjcn  the  Examination  of 
the  Expofition  of  the  Second  Article  of  our  Church  :  Ahi 
a  Friend  of  his  publifhed,  An  Anfwer  to  the  ^Pr^fatgry 
Difcourfe',    And  <J.  Defence   cf  his  Expofition' of  the  ^3^ 
Article,  which  he  clofes  with  a  Motion,  That  they  that 
were  fo  angry  with  the  Bi(h9ps  Expofition,  fliourd  givd 
^he  World  a  better.,       ;    ,  -  r■■■^^^\J  "  -  \*  .  ■!-,  -.*.' 

This  Year  I .  puBlifJbed  tfie 'Tirft"    Udiiibh  otjrn^ 
Abridgment  of    Mr.   B/j;c^er's  Life,  with  the  Reafohs 
given  by  the  filenced  Minifters  for  their  Nonconfor-) 
mity.     I  have  had  the  Thanks  of  ibme  that  belong  to 
the  Eftablifli'd  Church,  as  well  as  feveral  that  were 
outof  it:  But  many  alfo  have  been  difpieafed.     A- 
mong  the  reft  Dr.  Nichols  charges  me,  with  fome  hard 
and    fevere  Reflections:   For  which  Charge  if  therd 
be  any  Ground,  I  can  fafely  fay  it  was  againft  my  In- 
tention.   I    am  fure  many  fuch  were  wav'rl^    where 
fome  would  have  tho*t  there  was  fufccient  Occafion, 
and  Provocation.      He  alfo-  blames  me  for  treating 
fome  Eminent  Perfons  of  their  Communion,  and  the 
Church  it  (elf,    with   lefs  Reverence  than  was  becom- 
ing ;•  And  fays,  that  when  I  gave  the  Pvcafins  of  Non- 
conformity, i  acdufed  the  Church,   in   &  Manher  that 
"not  a  little  difturb'd  fome  of  the  graveft  Men.     But 
*fuch  fore  of  Charges  were  fo  comrr.oh  as  the  Times 
.then  went,  that  thefe  may  very  well  be  look'd  upon  as 
Words  in  Courf^,  Tt.*  Tbi^ 


644  ^^^^  Hijiorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1702.  This  Year  alfo  was  Printed,  A  Letter  from  fome  Aged 
Nonconforming  Minifters  to  their  Chiftian  Friends,  touch- 
ing the  ^eafons  of  their  PraElice  :  Which  tho'  drawn  Up 
without  any  concert  between  the  Author  or  Authors 
and  me,  will  be  found  by  one  that  examines,  to  have 
much  the  fame  Faulrg  as  my  Account  has  been  charg'd 
with,  which  I  extracted  out  of  their  Writings,  andcn- 
deavour'd  to  tack  together  upon  the  moft  moderate  and 
charitable  Bottom,  that  a  Confciemious  Nonconformity 
can  be  fuppos'd  to  allow  of. 

Now  alio  Mr.  Sncheverel,  who  became  afterwards  (b 
Famous,  pubhfli'd  a  Difcourfe  at  Oxford,  calfd  the  Po- 
Hticiil  Vnion,  in  Qu :  Reflecting  upon  the  Tolcratiou, 
tnd  with  a  Defign  to  advance  the  Temporal  Power  of 
the  Church  :  And  it  wis  anfwer'd  by  a  Difcourfe  of  the 
Danger  of  Prieftcraft  to  I{eligion  and  Government,  with 
fome  Politick  Reafons  for  Toleration.  This  occafion  d 
the  coming  out  of  the  new  Ajfociation  of  thofe  call'd 
Moderate  Church  Men,  with  the  Modern  Whigs  and 
Fanaticks  to  undermine  and  blow  up  the  preftnt  Church 
and  Government,  4to.  Part  t.  Which  was  folJow'd 
foon  after  with  Part  1,  with  Refledkions  on  divers  Pam- 
phlets. 

Many  other  Pamphlets  now  appear*d  ;  As  Mr.  Hoad- 
iys  Vindication  of  Dr.  Sherlock,  in  Anfwer  to  Mr.Taylor^g 
Treatife  againft  him,  about  Church  Communion.  The 
irue  Characler  of  a.  Church  Man:  The  Character  of  a  Lotp 
.  Church  Man.  A  *icix>  Tfjl  cf  the  Church  of  England*/  Loy^ 
alty ;  or  Whiggiih  Loyalty  and  Church  Loyalty  com- 
par'd.  The  Cafe  fairly  Stated,  in  a  Dialogue  between 
Af  deration  and  Confiitution.  A  Cafe  of  prefent  Concern j 
in  a  Letter  to  a  Member  of  the  Houfe  Commons,  in- 
veighing againft  my  Abridgment.  Mr.  Stubbs'sS^Tmoth 
for  God  or  for  Baal:  Or  no  Neutrality  in  Religion. 

Now  alfo  the  Cafe  of  the  I{egahy  and  of  the  Pontifi- 
cate, Stated  in  a  Conference  concerning  the  Independency 
of  the  Church,  made  a  Noifc.  It  came  out  before,  but  was 
now  Reprinted  with  Additions,  and  may  ferve  for  a  fit 
clofe  of  the  Writings  of  this  Year.  This  Book  avow- 
edly fets  the  Church  above  the  State,  and  attempts  to 
take  from  the  Crown  the  Nomination  of  Bifnops  : 
Would  have  the  Bilhop  pray'd  for  before  the  King  or 
Qtiecn,  and  would  make  Princes  the  Servants  of  the 
Church,  and  the  Church  to  have  an  Authority  over  the 

King 


Ghap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  \  688.        645 

King  hicnfclf ;  and  thai  not  only  to  debar  him  the  ^«-  1702. 
Prayers  and  Sacraments,  but  to  proceed  to  Excommu-  p.  68. 
picatioj),  if  other  Methods  prevail  not  to  bring  hiao  to 
Penance  for  open  Scandals.  'Tis  here  afletted  that  the 
J^egale,  that  is  the  PoNver  of  Princes  in  Matters  Eccle- 
fiaftical  (which  by  the  Way  has  been  commonly  repre- 
fented  as  a  main  Fundation  our  Reformation  ftands 
upon)  is  ihe  effect  of  Popery,  and  the  Caufe  of  all 
manner  of  Mifchiefs;  And  the  quitting  all  pretences 
to  it,  is  neceffary  to  the  thriving  of  Religion.  This 
Author  leaves  the  Reformation  in  a  Schifm  ;  And  moves 
for  a  Treaty  with  the  Church  of  France^  apd  is  for  fp- 
far  reconciling  our  Differences  as  not  to  hinder  Com- 
piunion.  He  was  for  a  Treaty  between  the  Englifh 
Convocation,  and  the  general  AlTembly  of  the  GaUicnn 
Bifliops  and  Clergy :  And  in  a  Marginal  Note  condoles  p.  255, 
the  Misfortune,  that  ihe  Englifh  Convocation  not  being 
fuffer'd  to  (it  while  that  of  France  lafted,  rendred  any 
Treaty  betvveen  them  impra(fticable.  But  he  feems  to 
promife,  that  as  the  Iffue  of  that  French  Aflembly  ex- 
ceeded Expectation,  fo  there  may  be  a  Time,  when  by 
the  afliftance  of  a  reconciling  Body  of  Men,  who  are 
not  againft  a  Peace  with  France,  a  pioft  Glorious  Step 
may  be  made  in  this  great  Work,  by  that  King  whom 
God  Ihall  infpire  to  take  his  ^gale  out  of  the  Way, 
from  obftrucfting  fqch  mighty  Ends  as  thofe  propos'd, 
.by  which  be  would  truly  deferve  the  Title  of  moft 
Chriftian,  and  moft  Catholick,  and  would  be  in  good 
earnef)  the  Defender  of  the  Faith. 

The  Parliament  met  again,    Nov.  9.  this  Year.    The  An.  1705 
Qpecn  in  Her  Speech  earneftly  defir'd  them  to  avoid       , 
Jjeats  and  Divifionf,  that  would  give  Encouragement  to  the       ,.  . 

common  Enemies  of  Church  and  State.     The  Commons  ^^^  p°y/^-^{ 
in  their  Addrefs  which  was  prefented  Nov.  1 1,  promis'd  ^g„f  ^y,,^ 
they  would  take  Care  of  it.    The  Lords  in  their  Ad-  the  Affair 
direfs  which  was  ptefented  the  next  Day,  promis'd  Her  ofoccafiona 
Majefty,  nut  only  to  avoids  but  oppofe,  vohatfeever  might  tend  Conformity- 
to  create  any  difyuiet  or   difunion  amongft  Her  SuhjeBs» 
The  Two  Houfes  had  not  fate  long,   before  the  Bill  for 
preventing  Occafional  Conformity  which  had  mifcarried 
in  the  former  Seflion,  was  again  fet  on  foot,  among 
the  Commo^is.     The  BUI  was  the  fame  in  Subftance 
now  as  before,    and  yet  in  feyeral  Things  it  differ'd» 
The  Preamble^  againft  Berfesution  for  Confcience  only^ 


6a,6  Some  Hlfioncal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An.  1703-  was  now  left  out.     The  former  Bill  began  with  men- 
tioning  the  AH  of  Indulgences    faying,    That  that  /Jit 
ou^ht  inviculny  to  be  ohfey%>'*dy    whereas,   this  takes  not 
the  leaft  Notice  of  it..   This  Bill  began  with  mention- 
ing the  Corporation  and  Telt  A6ls,  which  it  fays,  fnani- 
fe'ily  ifjrer^cd  true  nil   Perfons  to  be   admitted  into  fuch 
Ojiccs,  /ind  Emf.oyments^    [hould  be^    ayid  always   remain 
..Cofiforrnablff  to  the  C.  of'E.  as  by  Law  Eftabliflo^d ^    which 
ASis^  it  fays,    have   been  notorioufly  eluded^  &:c.     And  .in 
the  cnaclivg  Part,   whereas   tlie  former  Bill  allow'd  but 
Four  beficjcs  the  Family  where  a  Conventicle  was  held, 
|:his  alioN^d  Nine,    and  inflicted  no  Punifhmenr,    unlefs 
there  were  Ten  or  more,   betides  the  Family.    The  Pe- 
nalty  in  the  former  Bill  was  100/,  and '5 /.  for  every 
Day  that  the  Perfons  concern'd  continu'd  afterwards  in 
Office;  But  now  it  was  brought  down  to  a  Forfeiture 
of  50/.     There  were  alfo  fome  other  Differences. 

A  Member  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons  fpeaking  to 
phis  Bill,   among  other'Things,  faid  that  Her  Majefty 
fufficiently  Ihcw'd  Her  defire  to  fee  it  fuccecd  the  laft 
.S^efTions,    by  the  Prince  of  Denmark^s  conftarit  Atten- 
dance upon  it;    And  that  he  believM  the  Reafon  why 
fome  Perfons  oppos'd  it,  was  becaufe  the  Queen  feemM 
to  efponfe  it.     The  Bill  he  faid  was  loft  becaufe  Two  or 
Three  Noble  Lords  were  by  turn^  to  be  Abfcnt :    And 
(loinplain'd  that  the  Mifcarriageof  the  Bill  was  imputed 
*  to  their  want  of  Attendance,    when  at  the  fame  Time 
they  were  defirM  to  be  out  of  the  Way.     He  reprefent- 
ed  it  as  iliameful,   that  there  (hould  be  fuch  Trimming 
in  a  Bill  to  prevent  Hypocrify.     He  faiJ,  when  Mem- 
bers of  Parliament  and  Minifters  of  State  ftand  Neuter, 
in  Matters  thar  nearly  concern  the  Intereft  of  the  C.  of  £, 
and  have  not  Courage  ro  own  their^  Opinion,  they  very 
well  deferve  to  le  torn'd  cur.     He  banter'd  the  Arch- 

biiliop  pf  C- y  as  oppoiing  the  Bill,   becaufe  my 

Lord  S r J  told  him  it  ought  not  to  Pafs;  arid  inti- 
mated that  none  of  the  reR  of  the  Bilhops  that  u'ere 
■  againft  the  Bill  could  give  a  better  Reafon :    And  talk'd 
cf  moving  for  leave  to  bring  in  a   Bill  in  Favour  of 
Epifcppacy.    For  (fays  he)  fince  they  are  of  the  fame 
Principles  with  the  Diflfentcrs,  it  is  but  juft  that  they  . 
ftould  ftand  on  the  fame  Foot.     He  argu'd  that  it  could 
iiot  be  more  unfeafonable  to  Pafs  a  Law  for  the  farther 
Defence  of  the  Ch.  of  ZT,  here,  than  it  was  for  Scotland 

laft 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  RevolhUon  in  1 688..        6^j 


laft    Seffions  to  Pafs   an  Ad  for  the  Security  of  the  An,  1703. 
Kirk  there.    And  whereas  it  was  pleaded  that  the  Bill 
would  create  Divifion,   he  queried  whether  a  Schifm 
was  to  b^  allow'd  to  avoid  Divilion  ?    He  faid  one  Dif- 
fenter  in  Place  was  capable  of  doing  more  Mifchief  to  ^ 

the  C.  of  E,  than  Ten  out  of  ir.  He  concluded  with 
faying,  that  the  Pradice  of  Occafional  Conformity  elu- 
ded the  Force  of  one  of  the  beft  Laws  made  in  the 
Church  of  Engtands  Defence,  and  that  it  was  Scanda- 
lous and  knavifli  in  itfelf  j  and  that  he  might  pretend* 
to  foretel,  that  by  the  Benefit  of  this  Occafional  Con- 
formity, the  Diffenters  would  come  to  be  the  Majority 
of  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  then  he'd  venture  to 
pronounce  the  Days  of  the  Church  of  England  few  ; 
And  that  he  might  not  fee  fuch  difmal  Effeds  of  a  pre- 
tended Moderation,  he  heartily  wifh'd  Succefs  to  the 
Bill.  It  pafi  the  Commons  on  Dec,  7,  and  was  fent  up 
to  the  Lords,  who  treated  it  fo  coldly,  that  they'd  fcarce 
allow  it  a  fecond  Reading.  The  Bifliop  of  Sarum  ma- 
king a  Speech  upon  the  Occalion,  faid  that  he  was  fen- 
fible  it  was  a  Difadvantage,  efpecially  to  one  of  his 
Bench,  to  fpeak  againft  any  Thing  which  in  the  Sound 
and  firft  Appearance  feem'd  to  be  intended  for  the  Ser- 
vice of  the  Church,  and  that  if  he  was  he  not  fully 
convinc'd  that  this  Bill  was  not  fo,  he  could  not  have 
a  Heart  or  a  Face  to  fpeak  againft  it.  That  he  look'd 
upon  himfelf  as  bound  up  in  this  refped  by  his  Promife 
in  the  Addrefs  at  the  beginning  of  the  Seflion.  That 
the  Bifliops  had  been  indecently  refle£led  on  becaufe  they 
could  not  think  this  Bill  for  the  Service  of  the  Church  : 
But  that  they  appealed  to  the  World  and  their  Diocefes 
as  to  their  true  Zeal  for  the  Church;  and  that  they 
were  above  fuch  Calumnies.  That  the  Capital  Pro- 
ceedings in  Queen  Eli:{abeth's  Reign,  and  the  fevere 
Adt  in  her  25th  Year,  thatpunilhes  Meetings  with  Im- 
prifonment,  Banilhmenr  and  Death  wasablemilh  even 
of  that  glorious  Reign.  That  the  Repeal  of  that  A<a 
paft  in  both  Houfes,  and  its  known  hy  rvhaf  Mfinagement 
it  waiy  that  it  was  not  tendered  to  the  B^yal  Ajfent.  That 
Queens  Treafurer  was  knowq  to  be  a  Church  Papift 
or  Occafional  Conformifi,  and  yet  continued  in  thai  great 
Poft  14  Years  till  his  Death.  She  encourag'd  Occafional 
Conformity ^  and  no  Body  was  uneafie  at  it. 

T  t  4  That 


648  Some  Hffiorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX- 


An.  1703.      That  the  Severities  of  King  James*s  Reign  caft  a 
Blot  upon  it,   and  the  Proceedings,  and  the  Star  Cham- 
ber, and  High  Commiffwn^  not  a  little  contributed  to  the 
Miferies  of  the  Civil  War.     That  the  Proceedings  in 
King  Charles  s  Reign  were  fevere,   and  fet  on  with  bad 
Defigns.     That  after  the  Reftoration  it  had  been  a  very 
eafie  Thing  to  have  made  up  all  Differences  among  us; 
but  the  Defign  was  to  inflame  them.    That  all  the  Se- 
verities of  that  Reign  cpuld  not  bring  the  Dilfencers  to 
Petition  fer  a  general  Toleration.    But  that  the  whole 
Management  with  Relation  to  Dilfenters  was  an  Arti- 
fice to  advance  a  Popiflo  Intereft.     That  by  the  Toleration 
Adl,  the  Heat  rais'd  by  the  DifTentions  h  much  allay'd. 
But  that  this   Bill  alarm'd  them ,    who  apprehended 
the  Toleration  was  aim'd  at ;   and  that  it  was  a  Step 
that   would    be  follow'd  by  more;    That  this  would 
make  Men  Jealous;   and  was  very  unfeafonable,    in  a 
Time  of  War,   when  all  was  at  Stake ;    And  that  to 
raife  Difcontents  and  Apprehcnfions  in  great  Numbers 
at  fuch  a  Time,  might  have  very  ill  Effedls.    That  any 
Thing  that  divides  and  weakens  us  mart  give  our  Allies 
a  melancholly  ProfpeO. 

That  Things  are  fufpicious  when  the  Men  that  pro- 
mote them,  and  Write  for  them  without  Doors,  are 
known  and  avow'd  Enemies  of  the  Government.     He 

intimated  that  L »   that  High  Church  Man,  had 

written  Two  furious  Books  for  this  Bill.  That  he 
knew  one  of  the  emjnenteft  Papifts  of  the  Age,  fay 
that  he  was  for  the  C  of  E.  as  by  Law  Eftablilh'd : 
And  that  being  afk'd  how  fuch  a  Profeflion  could  agree 
with  Sincerity,  he  anfvver'd,  that  he  look'd  upon  all 
the  Laws  of  Queen  Mary^  as  yet  in  full  Force.  That 
the  Fury  with  which  this  Matter  was  driven,  heighcen'd 
the  Jealoufie. 

That  it  was  hard  that  they  who  had  all  their  Lives 
been  building  up  the  Church,  muft  now  be  defam'd  as 
undermining  it,  becaufc  they  could  rot  corhply  with 
other  Mens  Notions.  That  he  own'd  he  began  the 
World  on  a  Principle  of  Moderation,  which  he  had  car- 
ried down  through  his  whole  Life,  and  in  which  he 
hop'd  he  fhoujd  continue  to  his  Lives  end.  That  he 
crtuld  not  in  the  General  condemn  Occafional  Conformity, 
That  he  had  himfcif  pradlic*d  it  in  Geneva  and  Holland^ 
and  would  do  fo  again  if  there  were  Occafton.    That 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        649 

fdppofing  the  Diflenters  iniftaken,  yet  he  did  not  fee ^«.  1703. 
why  they  might  not  be  Tolerated  in  it.  That  the 
Diflenters  have  all  along  been  call'd  on  to  come  as  near 
the  Church  as  they  could ;  And  after  feveral  other  Rea- 
fons  againft  the  Bill,  he  added  in  the  cJofc,  that  he 
thought  it  ought  not  to  be  now  entertained  ;  but  that  the 
Subject  matter  of  it  ought  to  be  left  to  be  coniider*d  at 
a  properer  Time. 

The  Lord  Haverfham  alfo  made  a  Speech  againft  it, 
and  told  the  Lords  that  whether  the  pofture  of  Affairs 
was  confider'd  at  Home  or  Abroad,  by  Sea  or  Land,  in 
Court  or  Camp,   he  could  never  think   this  a  proper 

Time  for  fuch  a  Bill.    And  the  Lord  M »  faid 

that  if  they  pafs'd  this  Bill,  they  had  as  good  tack  the 
pretended  Prince  of  TVales  to  it.  After  a  warm  De- 
bate, at  the  Second  Reading  the  Bill  was  rejeded  by  a 
Majority  of  ii  or  13  Voices.  Among  the  Lords  that 
were  for  the  Bill,  and  that  enter'd  their  Diflent  when  it 
was  rtjeded,  were  the  Duke  of  Marlborough^  and  the 
Lord  Godolphin. 

But  there  were  warm  Debates  without  Doors  as  well  Occafionall 
as  within,  about  this  Bill  againft  Occafional  Confor-  Conformity 
mity.     A  little   before   this   Seflion    of  Parliament,  De^^fe*^ 
Dr.  Dnvenant  a,  Civilian,  wrote  a  Book  Entiturd,  EJf/jysfrom  the 
upon  Peace  at  Homey  and  iVar  Ahroad^    which  was  faid  ^''^A 
to  be  written  with  the  Encouragement  of  the  Lord 
Treafurer,   perfwading  all  to  throw  alide  their  Heats 
and  Animofities,  and  Unite  in  their  own  Defence  againft 
the  common  Danger,    with  a  deiign  to  diifwade  front 
bringing  in,  and  pafling  this  Bill.    Sir  Humphrey  Mack^ 
"north  alfo,  a  Member  of  the  Houfc  of  Commons,  pub^ 
lifli'd  a  Treatife  in  Defence  of  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Commons  in  Relation  to  that  Bill,   which  was  chiefly 
made  up  of  the  Arguments  us'd  a  Year  before  on  the 
fame  Subjeft.    And  Mr.  Tutchin^   the  Author  of  the 
Gbfcrvator,   was  Voted  againil  by  the  Commons,  for 
fome  of  his  Papers  that  related  to  Paflages  in  the  Houfc 
about  Occafional  Conformity. 

The  Queen  in  Her  Speech  at  the  rl£ng  of  the  Par- 
liaitient,  prefs'd  them  to  go  down  into  their  feveral  Coun- 
tries^ fo  dijpos'd  to  Mdderation  and  Vnity^  at  it  became  aU 
thofe.wbo  were  joynd  t^etber  in  the  fame  l^ligion  and 
Intereif,     v  ■     ,■  tf-.  r 

i        ::' 

Thi» 


650  Some Hiftorical Additions     Chap.  XIX- 

^n.  1703.  This  Year  Mr..  James  Owen  publifti'd  a  Pamphlet 
in  4C0,  Entituled,  Moderation  a  l^eriue^  or  the  Occafjonal 
ConformiH  juftify'd  from  the  imputation  of  Hypocrify. 
It  runs    upon    St\cn    Heads.    The    Author    afferts, 

I.  That  Occafionai  Conformity  is  no  new  Thing,  buc 
warranted  in  fome  Cafes,  by  the  moft  facred  and  in- 
con:eftabIe  Precedents.  John  the  Baptift  was  an  Oc- 
c^fjonal  ConformiH  to  the  Jevoifh  Church  9  and  fo  was 
our  Lord  Jefm  QhriH^  and  his  Apoftles.  Sr.  ?aul  \\\ 
particular  was  Eminent  for  ir.  He  judg'd  the  occa- 
(ional  Ufe  of  the  Levitical  Ceremonies  lawful  to  avoid 
Offence,  and  the  conftant  Ufe  of  them  linfuJ,  becaufe 
it  would  encourage  an  Opinion  of  their  being  neceflary. 
The  Apoftles  made  no  Laws  for  Uniformity  in  leffer 
Matters,  por  was  their  Pradice  Uniform.  The  Jemfh 
Church  encouraged  OccaficnaL  Conformity,  whilft  Ihe  un- 
derftood  her  true  Intereft;  but  when  the  narrow  fpi- 
rited  Zealots  pr evail'd,  they  by  their  fierce  Oppolition 
to  Occafional  Conformity,  ejcafperatcd  the  B^omAns  againft 
them,  to  the  utcer  fubverfion  of  their  Church  and  State, 

II.  That  the  Principles  of  the  Occafional  ConformiUs  are 
truly  Chriftian  and_Catho]ick.  They  confine  not  their 
Communion  to  any  one  Sedl  or  Party  of  Chriftians, 
but  have  an  Univerfaland  Comprehenfive  Charity  to- 
wards all  that  belong  to  the  Myftical  Body:  And  to 
this  was  their  Cccifional  Conformity  owing,  before  the 
Corporation  and  Teft  A£ls  were  made  ;    and  fo  could 

•  not  be  juftly  charg'd  as  a  Crafty  invention  to  gee  into 
Places.  111.  That  the  Difference  between  the  Church 
and  moderate  Dilfentcr  is  inconfiderable.  They  agree 
in  an  hearty  Oppcfuion  to  Popery ;.  in  a  firm  Adherence 
to  the  Queen  and  the  Proteflant  Succeffion:  In  fub- 
fcribing  the  fame  Docflrinal  Articles,  and  in  the  fub- 
ftagce  of  publick  Worlhip.  Tlic  Things  in  vyhich  they 
differ  are  fmall,  if  compared  with  the  great  Things 
wherein  they  agree  :  And  at  the  fatrie  Time  there  are 
great  Differences  in  the  Eftabliih'd  Church.  The  Prcf- 
byters  are  hgainft  the  Bifhops  j^n  Convocation  :  Some 
fubfcribe  the  Art  ides  as  Articles  of,  Pe^ae^,  and  others  as 
Articles  of  Faith '.  Some  profefs  Calvinijm,  others  cfpoufe 
Pelagianifm :  Some  are  for  the  Jus  Divitjum  of  Monar- 
fhy,  and  the  unalterable  SuccelTion  in  the  right  Line; 
and  others  as  much  againft  it,  ^c  When  the  Church 
allows  fo  great  a  divedity  of  Opinions  and  Pra«5lice, 

why 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         651 


why  (fays   he)  fhould   the   little  Peculiarities  of  the  ^«.  1703. 
harmlefs  Diffenter,   be  a  bar  to  his  ferviog  the  Govern- 
ment ?     IV.  That  the  employing  of  fober  DilTenters  in 
publick  Trufts  is  fo  far  from  being  prejudicial  to  the 
C.  of  Ey  that  it  really  ftrengthens  it,  in  Oppofition  to 
Immorality    and  Prophanenefs.      V.   That  Occ/ifional 
Conformity  is  an  advantage  to  the  Church,    and  weakens 
the  DifTenters,    frequently  adding  to  the  former,   and 
taking  from  the  latter,    as  the  Lords  obferv'd  in  their 
Debates.    VI.  That  the  late  Bill  againft  Occafional  Con^ 
formlt)  would  have  been  highly  prejudicial  to  the  C. 
of  \E,   by  cutting  off  all  hope  of  accommodating  the 
Difference,  between  the  Church  and  DifTenters,  driving 
them  to  a  total  Separation:    By  bringing  the  C.  of  E. 
under  the  invidious  imputation  of  Perfecution:  By  ex- 
pofing  even  the  moft  fober  part  of  the  C.  of  E.  to  the 
Mercy  of  Informers :   By  widening  our  Breaches  at  a 
very  unfeafonable  Juncture,   when  there  is  fuch  a  ne- 
ceflity  of  all  Hands  to  obviate  the  Deligns  of  Fmnce 
and  /^.7Wf.     VII.  That  the  DilTenters  from  the  Religion 
of  the  State,  have  been  employ'd  in  moft  Governments. 
This  was  the  Pradlice  of  the  Ancient  Egyptians^  BabylonU 
AnSy  Perfians,  Grecinns  and  Romans  •  and  that  both  imder 
Pnganifm  and   Chriflianity.     The  fame   is   obferv'd  in 
the  y^n?//^  Nation,  and  even  in  Popt/h  Countries ;   with 
which  the  Argument  is  concluded. 

At  the  fame  Time  came  out,    the  Interest  of  England 
corfide/dy    in   re(peci  to   Proteftants   Dijfenting  from   the 
Eftnblifh*d  Churchy  with  feme  Tho'ts  about  Occaficnal  Con- 
formity.    This  Author  in  his  Preface,   declares  himfelf 
fo  Zealous  for  the  Caufe  of  Liberty,    that  he  Ihould  not 
be  afraid  to  lofe  his  Life  for  it.     He  obferves  in  his  Dii- 
courfe,  that  the  DilTenters  who  were  long  run  down  as 
Rebels  and  Schifmaticks,  were  now  reprefented  as  Hy- 
pocrites;   as  if  they  were   doom'd  to  Calumny  and 
Hardlhips.     They  are  treated  as  Exceptions  from  Hu- 
mane  Nature.     But  fince   Intereft   might  poiTibly  be 
heard,   when  Juftice  can't,    he  undertakes  to  cpnfider  - 
how  the  Intereft  of  England  is  concerned  in  their  Treat- 
ment.    He  firft  confiders  the  Intereft  of  the  Government, 
The  DilTenters,  he  fays  will  be  difoblig'd  by  being  In- 
capacitated for  having  any  Place  of  Profit  or  Truftj 
they'l  be  affronted:    For   theyl  be  punilh'd  without 
offending  J   nay,   after  having  done  the  Government 

fignal 


652  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

4in^  1703  fignal  Service.  He  fays  they'd  be  depriv'd  of  their 
Property,  and  branded  wich  Infamy  and  Di^uce, 
which  i%  proper  Perfecution.  He  intimares,  thai  when 
they  were  thus  wcaken'd  it  would  give  ground  of  Fear, 
that  their  Extirpation  was  the  Thing  intended.  He 
fuggefts  therefore,  That  it  is  againft  the  Intereft  of  the 
Government,  to  make  the  Dilfenters  uneafy,  who  are 
confiderable  for  their  Number  as  well  as  their  Subftancc : 
And  that  he  that  advifed  thus  to  difoblige  them,  in 
Hopes  they  would  refenc  it,  defign'd  ill  to  the  Security 
of  the  Government ;  while  he  that  Ihould  do  ir,  in 
Hopes  they  would  l^ar  it  with  a  Chriftian  Patience, 
was  an  Enemy  to  the  Reputation  of  the  Government, 
and  to  the  Chriftian  Faith.  He  intimates  alfo,  that 
fuch  a  Method  would  weaken,  and  tend  to  fubvert  the 
Conftitution :  It  would  difcourage  a  Number  of  Men 
of  Senfe  and  Subftance  from  aflifting  the  Government ; 
and  tend  to  deftroy  the  Ballance  of  England.  For  as 
the  Liberty  of  Europe  would  be  dcftroy*d,  fhould  any 
one  Power  be  fuffered  to  become  Exorbitant  and  out 
of  the  reach  of  the  reft;  fo  muft  we  bid  Farewel  to  the 
Liberties  of  England ,  when  we  allow  one  of  the  Par- 
ties there  ro  be  above  the  Check  of  the  other.  And 
be  adds,  That  our  Religion,  and  Liberty,  our  Property 
and  Trade  ;  our  Peace  and  Ciedit  ;  the  Integrity  of  our 
Councils ;  the  Adminiftration  of  Jaftice,  and  the 
Succefs  of  our  Arms  ;  our  happy  Eftablifhmeni  under 
a  Proteftant  Qiieen,  and  the  Succeflion  in  the  Prote- 
ftant  Line,  are  all  built  upon  the  Conftitution,  and 
can't  fail  to  (hare  in  the  Fate  of  the  Foundation  which 
fupports  them.  He  then  proceeds  to  the  Intereft  of  the 
Churchy  and  coni^ders  how  that  is  concernd  in  the 
Treatment  of  Diffenters.  And  here  he  afferts,  that 
the  C.  of  E.  is  in  greater  Danger  from  the  Enemies 
of  Religion,  and  of  the  Government,  and  from  fome 
of  her  violent  Friends,  who  fubvert  her  Conftitu- 
tion, whilft  they  pretend  to  put  her  upon  a  better 
Foundation,  than  trom  the  Diffenters  who  ftand  upon 
the  fame  Bottom,  and  only  differ  in  the  Plainnefs  and 
Simplicity  of  the  Superftru£hirc  :  And  'tis  highly  for 
the  Intereft  of  the  C  of  £.  to  incorporate  their 
Strength  with  her  own,  that  (he  may  the  better  with- 
ftand  the  Defigns  of  her  Enemies  -  And  that  fooncr  or 
later  the  Diffenters  will  be  found  to  be  the  Ballance  of 

Rcii^ioi^ 


Ghap.  XIX.  afierthe  Revolution  in  1 6^^,         655 


Religion,  as  wdl  is  of  the  Civil  Gonftitution.  He  ^.  1703. 
afterwards  (hews,  that  the  Teft  A<a,  was  not  deh'gn'd 
to  affedi  the  Diflentcrs ;  and  he  vindicates  them  from 
the  Charge  of  Hypocrijy  j  and  (hews  that  in  the  Affair 
of  Occafional  Conformity,  they  could  produce  Apofto- 
lical  Example  to  fupport  their  Pradice.  He  obferves. 
That  St,  Peter  generally  worfhipped  God  with  the  Ufe 
cf  Jewifh  Ceremonies,  and  fometimes  without  them  : 
That  St.  Paul  worfliipped  God  generally  without 
^ewifh  Ceremonies,  and  fometimes  with  them ;  That 
he  advis'd  Timothy  to  be  circumcifed  at  Lyftra,  but 
would  not  allow  Titus  to  be  circumcifed  at  Jerufalem : 
Thai  he  did  it  in  a  Progrefs  made  to  deliver  a  Decree, 
ivhich  term'd  Circumcilion  a  Subverfion  of  Men's 
Souls :  That  he  advis'd  all  that  were  Jevps  to  remaio 
fo,  and  yet  told  the  Galatians,  that  if  they  became  Jews 
they  could  not  be  faved  ;  That  he  allows  the  Corir.- 
thians  to  cat  Meats  offered  to  Idols,  in  the  Idols  Tem- 
ple, and  forbids  them  to  eat  thofe  Meats  in  an  Idola- 
ters private  Temple  :  And  then  fays,  Th^t  he  that  has 
read  the  Scriptures,  till  he  is  able  to  lolve  thefe  Para- 
doxes, will  underftand  the  Reafons  of  Occafional  Con- 
formity, and  none  elfe. 

Many  other  Pamphlets  were  alfo  publifh'd  about  this 
Time  ;  as  Apofiolicsl  Conformity  flated  and  ajferted  : 
A  View  of  the  prefent  Controverjy  about  Occafional  Con^ 
formity,  as  far  as  Religion  is  engaged  in  it ;  xvith  a  Vindi" 
catim  of  Mr,  Stubbw'i  Sermon,  Some  Confiderations  hum- 
hly  dffered  to  the  Lord's  in^  relating  to  the  Bill  to  pre- 
vent Occafional  Conformity  :  And  a  Sermon  of  Mr,  Sache- 
verelV,  0/  the  Nature  and  Mifchief  of  Prejudice  and  Par- 
tiality, Among  others,  there  now  came  out  a  Letter  to  d 
Clergyman  in  the  Country,  concerning  the  Votes  of  the 
Bifhops,  upon  the  Bill  againft  Occafional  Conformity  • 
^vith  a  Defign  to  prove  that  their  Lordfhips  neither 
adt6d  igainft  the  Intereft  of  Epifcopacy,  nor  of  the 
E(tabli(h*d  Church,    in  being  againft  that  Bill.    This  * 

Letter  reprefents  the  Time  as  improper  in  which  the 
Bill  was  propos'd:  And  intimates,  that  it  tended  to 
divide  and  enflame  us :  That  it  would  be  a  Difadvan- 
tage  to  the  Common  Intereft,  and  an  Advantage  to  the 
common  Enemy :  that  the  Tho'ts  of  it  much  pleafed 
the  ^manifisy  who  could  not  rejoice  at  as  it  would 
promote  the  Intereft  of  the  Church  :  That  the  great 

Concern 


654  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


jIh.  1703.  Concern  for  it  which  app^ar'd  in  chofe  that  hared  the 
prefcnt  Eftablilhircnc,  made  it  fufpicious  that  ir  might 
have  an  ilJ  Influence  on  tiie  State  of  Atfairs :  That  it 
was  improper  to  begin  a  Reign,  with  what  would 
alarum  and  difcompoie  the  Minds  of  the  People  :  That 
it  would  be  abfird  to  pretend  to  fccure  the  Intereft  of 
Pofterity,  by  making  Laws  likely  to  have  pernicious 
Efftds  in  our  own  Days:  And  as  for  the  Bilhops,  ic 
mov'd  that  their  Behaviour  and  Charadlers  might  be 
confidered  and  pleaded,  that  they  had  been  the 
Chief  Defenders  of  the  Church  againft  itf  Adverfa- 
ries;  and  true  to  the  Intereft  of  the  Nation.  As  for 
the  Bill,  it  pleaded  that  it  could  be  no  Advantage. 
It  could  not  ftrengthen  the  Security  of  ttie  Succef- 
fion  in  the  Proteftant  Line,  becaufe  it  would  turn  out 
feveral  that  were. well  affedtcd  to  it :  That  the  natural 
Tendency  of  the  Practice  hereby  prevei^ted,  was  of 
prefent  Advantage  to  the  Church,  tending  to  reconcile 
many  to  it  :  But  that  this  A6b  would  more.incenfe 
Perfons  againft  the  Church  inftead  of  convincing  them, 
and  fo  make  them  much  more  formidable  to  the 
Church  than  they  were  before,  ^c. 
TroceediTfrs  The  Convocation  fitting  again  this  Year  with. the 
of  the  Con-  Path  amcnt,  were  divided  as  before.  The  Lower  Houfe, 
yocation.  on  December  8.  fent  up  a  Paper  to  the  Archbifliop  and 
Bilhops,  fignifying  that  being  called  together  to  con- 
fult  about  fuch  Matters  as  concern'd  the  Safety,  Honour., 
.  and  Advantage  of  the  Church,  they  tho't  themfelvca  o- 
blig'd  above  all  Things  to  have  a  regard  to  the  Sound- 
nefs  of  its  Dodrine,  and  to  labour  fome  effedtual  Pro- 
vifion  againft  ;its  being  corrupted  and  depraved :  And 
therefore  they  reminded  their  Lordlhips  of  the  daring 
Licentioufnefs  of  the  Prefs,  through  which  there  had 
for  fome  Years  paft,  feveral  Books  been  printed,  pub- 
liftied,  and  difperfed,  in  which  not  only  the  Worlhip 
and  Difcipline  of  the  Church,  but  the  known  Fun- 
damentals of  our  Holy  Religion  had  been  impugn'd,C3'c. 
They  added,  That  they  had  other  Things  lying  before 
them,  relating  to  the  Difcipline  of  the  Church,  which 
they  conceived  to  be  fit  Matter  to  be  enquired  into  by  a 
Convocation  :  hsClnndeJUiie  Mnri/jgcj  ,  and  the  Scan- 
dal faid  to  be  given  by  Negle<^  or  Non-obfervance 
of  the  Eccleliaftical  Laws  and  Canons  in  regard  to 
Commutations  :    But  that   thefe  Things    requiring 


Time, 


Chap.  XIX,  after  the  Revolution  in  i6i^,        65  j 

Time,  They  laid  this  Gompkint  againft  Heretical  and  An,  lyojj. 
Atheiftical  Books  before  them  by  itfelf.  And  they 
begg'd  their  Lordfhips  would  take  the  Matter  into 
their  ferious  Confideration  ;  not  doubting  but  that  thro' 
their  great  Wifdom,  and  Intereft  with  thofe  in  whom  a 
fufficient  Power  is  lodg'd,  to  efFedt  fo  good  a  Work, 
fotne  fpeedy  Remedy  might  be  found,  and  a  Stop  put 
to  fo  growing  an  Evil. 

The  fame  Day  alfo,  they  by  another  Paper,  laid  be- 
fore their  Lordfhips  the  Inconveniences  to  which  they 
were  liable,  for  want  of  a  more  efFe£i:ual  Method  for 
recovering  Rates  made  for  the  Repair  of  Churches 
and  Chappels.  They  delir'd  it  might  be  confider'd, 
how  far  it  was  proper  for  the  two  Houfes  of  Convo- 
cation 10  join  in  preparing  fuch  a  Bill  to  be  offered  in 
Parliament,  as  naight  enforce  the  railing  fuch  Rates  in 
the  moft  effe<3:ual  Manner,  confiftent  with  the  ancient 
Liberties  of  Holy  Church,  and  the  Ecclefiaftical  Jarif- 
didibri.  *^^   '■'-■■ 

In  Feb,  i7o|.  The  LowerHoufe  fentup  a  Reprefei> 
tatibn  to  the  Bilhops^  intimating,  that  having  by  a 
Meflage  brought  by  their  Piolocutor  from  his  Grace, 
Dec.  15.  been  encouraged  to  hope  that  againft  their 
noeeting  on  Febr,  4,  fufficienc  Power  might  have,  been  , 
procured  for  the  joint  ^Difpatch  of  Sy nodical  Rufinefs, 
they  had  employ'd  feveral  Members  in  preparing  Heads 
of  Matters  fit  to  be  oifered-  to  their  Lordfhips  Confi- 
deration. And  accordingly  they  reprefented  to  them, 
that -a  General  Negledt  of  divers  Canohs'  and  Confti- 
tutions  now  in  Force,  '  tends  to  introduce  fuch  Cu- 
ftoms  as  may  in  Time  be  interpreted  to  amount  to  a 
Prefcription : '  And  complained,  That  Matter  of  great 
-OflTence  had  been  adminiHred  to  Pious  Chriftians,  and 
'  many  evil  Confequences  might  arife  from  the  Pradice 
of  ifuch -Minifters  as  read  not  the  Common  Prayer, 
DiflinStlyl^F^everently,  and  Intirely,  (as  by  the  Rubrick, 
-and  by 'the  14th  Canon  they  are  obliged  to  do)  with- 
out ■•either  diminilhing  in  regard  of  Preaching,  or  in 
any  other  Rcfpe£t,  or  adding  any  Thing  in  the  Mat- 
ter arid  Form  thereof. 

They  alfo  complain'd,  That  the  unjuftifiable  Ufe  of 
the  Form  of  Publicii  Baptifm  in  Private  Houfc^s,  had 
leffened  the  Rs-iverence  due  to  that  Office^  and  had 
Qccafion'd  thofe  undue  Pra6lices  of  mutilating  the  pub- 
lick; 


6§6  Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap. O^IX* 


Af%.  1705.  lick  Form,  and  baptizing  without  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs, 
or  Godfatheis  and  Godmothers  :  Thai  Churchwardens 
were  remifs  in  noi  making  due  Provifion  for  the  Admi- 
niftration  of  the    Sacrament    of  the  Lord's  Supper  : 
That   Decency  and  Order   were  not  duly  obferv'd  in 
fcveral  Churches,  and  that  feveral  were  irreverent  and 
diforderly,  covering  their  Heads  in  Time  of  Divine 
Service,    ^c :    That  due  Care    was   not  taken   about 
Holy  Orders  ;  and  here  the  Things  particularly  com- 
plained of,    were  the  little  Caution  ufed  by  Tome  in 
granting,  and   by  others  in  allowing  of  Letters  Tefti- 
monial ;    the  not  infifting  on  true,  certain,  and  fafli- 
cient  Titles  ;  the  want  of  a  ftri^  and  diligent  Exami- 
nation  of  fuch  as  offer'd  themfelves  to  be  ordain  d .; 
and  an  unnecefTary  Ordination  of  Perfons  without  De- 
grees ot  Education,   G?c.  That  frequent  Abufes  hap- 
pen'd  by  Clandeftine  Marriages,  (^c  ;  That  excommu- 
nicate Perfons  were  not  deoounc'd  as  the  65  th  Canon 
prefcrib'd  ;    for  want  of  which,  the  Awe  of  Excom- 
munication had    bean   diminifti'd  :    That  there  were 
great  Abufes  about  Commutations  of  Penoance  .*  That 
Perfons   were  fufFer'd  to  inftruc^  Youth   without  due 
Licences  ;   and  ignorant  and  difafifeifled   Perfons  en- 
courag'd  to  eredl  Seminaries,  to  the  Prejudice  of  the 
Two  Univerfities,   and  in  which  fuch  Principles  arc 
inflill'd  into  Youth  as  tend  to  perpetuate  Schifm,  and 
fubvert  the  Eftablifli*d  Conftitution  :  That  Perfons  were 
.admitted  to  be  Chancellors  or  Officials,  and  exerci(e 
Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdidtion,   without  taking  any  Degree 
in  any  Univerfity :  That  the  Prefentments  of  Church- 
wardens were  commonly  defedlive,  and  yet  they  went 
unpunilhed  :   That  the  Pradkice  of  Regifters  was  cor- 
rupt :    That  the  Seal   of  Jurifdidion  has  been  kept 
by  other  Perfons  befides  the  Judges  themfelves,  aad 
their    lawful  Subftitutes :   That  Inconveniences  have 
ari fen  for  want  of  regiftring  Teftaments ;  That  cxceffive 
Fees  were    exa(^cd  for  Collations  and  Inftitutions  .* 
That  Fees  were  unneceflarily  demanded  at  Vifiiations, 
(Sc.  That  grofs  Errors  were  committed  in  fomc  late 
Editions  of  the  Bible  and  the  Liturgy  ;  And  that  the 
Stage  was  guilty   of  great   Immorality  and  Profane- 
nefs.     The  Articles  of  this  Reprefeniation  were  21  in 
Number. 

The 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Re^ixolution  in  1688.  657 


The  Archbilhop  told  the  inferiour  Clerpy,  that  an -4»- 1703* 
Order  was  given  for  the  making  out  Copies  of  this  Re- 
prcfentacion  both  for  the  prefenc  and  abfent  Biftiops  : 
And  that  they  would  make  the  proper  Ufe  of  it  at 
all   Times,  and  efpecially  at  their  Vifitations. 

Her  Majefty  on  Febr,  7.  fent  a  IV^lfage  to  the  Honfe 
of  Coromoiis,  by  which   fhe  intimated,    that  (he  had 
remitted  to  the  poor  Clergy  the  Arrears  of  their  Tenths, 
and  would  make  a  Grant  of  her  whole  Revenue  a- 
rifing  out  of  her    Firft-Fruits  and  Tenths^    to  be  ap- 
plied that  Way.     The  Houfe  of  Commons  hereupon 
prefented  ah  Addrefs  of  Thanks.     The   Convocation 
alfo  for  Canterbury  prefented  a  like  Addrefs  of  Thanks  to 
her  Majefty  upon  this  Occafion,  on  febr.  1 5.     And  the 
Convocation  for  Torh^  that  was  now  fitting  foon  after 
did  the  fame :    And  the    Lower  Houfe  of  Convoca- 
tion, fent  their  Prolocutor  with  fome  of  their  Members 
to  wait  upon  the  Speaker  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons, 
by  him    to  return  their  Thanks   to   that  Honourable 
Houfe,  for  their  efpoufing  the  Intereft  of  the  Clergy, 
and  promifing   to  purfue  fuch  Methods  as  might  beft 
conduce  to  the  Support,  Honour,  Intereft,   and  Secu- 
rity of  the  C.  of  E,  as  now  by  Law  Eftablilh'd  :  And 
thefe  Thanks   of  theirs,  as  Mr.  Speaker  Y /^o/'i??^  H^r- 
ley,  Efq; )  afTur'd  them  by  a  Letter  in  return,  were  re- 
ceived wich  the  RefpetSk  and  Affe£iion  juftly  due,  to 
that  Reverend  and  Learned  Body  of  the  Clergy. 

On  March  10.  lyoj.  The  Lower  Houfe  fent  up  a 
Paper  to  the  Upper,  aflerting  their  Right  to  be  fum- 
mond,  as  often  as  a  New  Parliament  was  called,  and 
that  according  to  the  Tenor  of    the   Claufe   Pr^emu- 
nientesy   as  well  as  by  Vertue  of  the  Royal, Writ,  apd 
Archiepifcopal  Mandate  :   And  complaining  that  this 
had  been  omitted  in  many  Diocefes  ;  and  tbat  even  the 
Royal  Writ  it  felf,  and  his  Graces  Mandate  purfuant 
vto  it,  had  not  been  executed-  at  all  this  Convocation, 
in  the   Dioccfe  oi  Bangor.     They  alfo   aflerted  their 
Right  to  have  a  Prolocutor  chofen  and  admitted^  at 
firft,    and  as  often  as  that    Office  (hould  be  vacaet 
by   Death  or  Promotion  ;  and  to  alTome  an  A(5^.uary, 
and  have    a   convenient  Place  for  Debates  :    and   to' 
difpofe  of  the  intermediate  Time  as  they  tho't  good, 


tJ  u.  Ssvetal 


6^8  Some  Bftorkal  Additions     Chap.  XlX. 


Ah.  1705.     Several  Things  were  aMb  publifti'd  upon  this  Con- 
troverly  without  Doors  :    As  the  New  Danger  of  Prtf- 
More  Wri-  hytery,  &c.  In  which  there  is  a  Complaint,  that  tho^" 
ti»^s  9»  the  ^^^  Archbiihops  Right  in  Oppofition  to  the  Claims  of 
Convoca-    ^^^  Lowci  Houfe  was  fully  juftified,  and  the  contrary 
tionalCon-  pj^^^  anfwered,  «yet  the  Controverfy  was  maintain'd 
trove  y.     ^.^^^  ^^  much  Heat  and  Confidence  as  ever.     This  it  is 
intimated,   created  a  Sufpicion  there  was  more  at  the 
Bottom  than  meer  Zeal  for  the  Rights  of  the  LoweE 
Houfe.    Their  Proceedings  this  Author  fays,  naturally 
tend  to  introduce  a  Presbyterian  Parity  into  the  Church : 
And  he  refers  to  a  Letter  ( printed  feme  Tiaoc  before) 
from  the  Borders  of  ScotUnd,  for  Proof  that  they  ufed 
the  very  fame  Arguments  and  Methods,  that  ibc  Puri- 
tans did  in  Qpeen  Eli-!;^aheth''s  Time,    and  the  Scotch 
Presbyterians  in  the  Reign  of  King  James  I.     He  fays, 
the  Lower  Houfe  take  a  Method  to  deftroy  the  EH- 
ftindion  of  Orders  between  Bilhops  and  Presbyters, 
and  fo  create  Confufion.    This  Year  alfo  came  out,  A 
fhort  State  of  fame  prcfent  Queftions  in  Convocation  :   A 
fummAry  Defence  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation,  con- 
cerning Adjournments.    The  pretended  Independance 
of  the  Lower  Houfe  upon  the  Upper,    a  groundlefs 
Notion  ;    in  Vindication  of  ihe^.Synodus  AngUcana,  and 
the  Schedule  R^iew^d.     A  Letter  from  a  Convocation-Man 
in  Ireland  to  a  ConvocdtioK-Man  in  England     And  the 
h4a\s  of  a  Defencelejs  Caufe,  &C.     But  the  main  Book 
.    that  now  came  out,  was,    The  State  ef  the  Church  and 
Clergy  cf  England  in  their  Councih,  Synods^  Convocations^ 
Conventions^  and  other  Publick^  AjfernblieSy  Hiftorically  de- 
duced fo*n  the  Converfion   of    the  Saxons  to  the  pre/ent 
Times  :   By  Dr.  H^ake.    It  is  Dedicated  to  the  Archbi- 
JTiops,  and  Bi(hop«,  and  Clergy  of  the  two  Provinces 
of  Canterbury  and  Tork^.     In  the  Preface,   he  laments 
bis  being  oblig'd  to  engage  in  fuch  a  Controverfy  ; 
pafTes  a  Cenfure  on  his  own  former  Work,  and  freely 
complains  of  Dr.  //.  for  his  wrathful  and  uncharitable 
Spirit ;  his  Obfcurity,  and  his  Confidence  ;  and  fays, 
that  there  was  fcarce  a  Leaf  in  his  Book  that  would 
bear  a  rigorous  Scrutiny,  and  but  few  that  would  Oand 
tlie  moft  favourable  Examination.     In  his  Firji  Chapter^ 
he  confiders  the  feveral  Kinds  of  Affemblies  of  the 
Clergy  of  England,  in  a  Parliamentary  Convention,  a 
Provmcial  Convocation,  in  DioceCan  Synods  and  Pro- 
vincial 


Chap.  XIX.   after  the  Revolution  in  \  688.        659 


cial  Councils.  In  the  Second,  he  fetshimfeJf  by  Argu- ^».  1703. 
ments  to  prove  the  real  Difference  both  in  Law  and 
Fad,  between  a  Parliamentary  Convention  of  the 
Clergy,  fummon'd  by  the  Praemunitory  Claufe  ;  and 
Provincial  Convocations,  fummon'd  by  the  King's 
Writs  CO  the  two  Archbilhops.  He  fhews  they  have 
ditferenc  Rights,  Powers,  and  Priviledges  as  fuch.  In 
the  Thir(i  he  (hews,  That  the  Bilhops  and  Clergy  have 
a  Right  to  be  afTembled  in  Convocation,  at  any,  and 
all  Times,  whenever  the  Affairs  of  the  Chvirch  re- 
quire rheic  Confultarion,  or  any  Benefit  may  thence 
accrue  to  Religion :  But  have  no  Obligation  to  at- 
tend upon  the  Parliament,  much  lefs  be  forc'd  to  conti- 
nue their  Attendance  during  every  Seflion,  when 
they  have  cither  nothing  to  do,  or  nothing  to  counter- 
vail the  Trouble  and  Charge  of  fuch  an  Attendance. 
Jn  the  Fourth  he  fhews.  That  the  Convocation  has  not 
as  a  proper  Provincial  Council,  any  Right  to  meet 
once  a  Year,  by  Vertue  of  the  ancient  Canons.  In  the 
Vth,  Vlth,  Vlltb,  and  VII Ith  Chapters,  he  proves, 
that  neither  in  the  Time  of  Edxv.  I.  nor  any  of  the  fuc- 
ceeding  Reigns  to  the  Time  of  Hen,  VIII.  did  the  two 
Convocations  attend  upon  the  Parliament,  nor  was  ic 
accounted  their  Duty  or  Priviledge  fo  to  do.  Iii 
Chap.  IX,  he  (hews  that  no  Right  can  in  this  Cafe  be 
prov'd  from  Cul^om.  In  the  Tenth,  he  confiders  the 
Right  of  the  Convocation  to  treat  of  Canons  and  Con- 
ftitmions,  without  the  Affenc  or  Licence  of  the  Prince. 
And  at  the  End  there  is  a  large  Appenndix,  of  Inftru- 
ments  and  Records,  very  few  of  which  were  evei 
publifh'd  before. 

This  Year  came  out  Mr.Hoadly^s  Hs^fi^^j^^^nefs  of  Con' 
fcrmity  to  the  Church  qf  England,  in  two  Parrs;  as  Mr.  O/- 
lyffe%  Defence  of  Minifierial Conformity  did  a  little  before; 
both  in  Reply  to  my  i  oth  Chapter,  in  which  I  atfted 
but  the  Part  of  an  Hiftorian,  in  reprefenting  the  Senfe 
and  Reafons  of  the  ejecSled  Niflliconformifts ;  and  was 
not  aware.  That  I  affaiilted  any.  Dr.  Nichols  fpeaking 
of  Mr.  Hoadlys  Performance,  is  pleafed  to  fay,  (  how 
truly,  let  others  judge)  that  arguing  from  my  ConceJjionSy 
he  ftabbs  and  cuts  the  Throat  of  the  Caufe  which  I  had  un^ 
dertnken  to  defend"^.     However  it 

yet  furvives  ;  and  as  it  unhappily      ^  ^  Apparat.  ad  Defenf.  Ecct 
falls  out,  the  Franknefs  of  thofe    ^ngic  p^^.  uo. 

U  u  a  wh# 


66o  Some  Hiflorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1704.  who  are  moft  zealous  for  the  Church,  who  are  not 
backward  upon  Occafion  to  declare  againft  luch  a  fofc 
Senfe  of  the  Terms  of  G^nformicy  as  thefe  Gentlemen 
contend  for,  helps  to  keep  it  alive.   1  publiftiM  the  Firft 
Part  of  my  Defence  of  Moderate  'Nonconformity,  in  an- 
fwer  both  to  Mr.  OUyffe,  and  Mr.  Hoadly.     Now  alfo 
caaie  out  the  Church  of  England'^  I4^i(hj  for  the  refloring 
of  Primitive  Difcipline:  In  which  the  Author  attempts 
to  (hew,  that  the  C.  of  E,  hath  a  Right  ro  have  her 
Difcipline  reftored,  which  it  bas  in  vain  wilh'd  to  fee 
effedied  ever  fince  the  Reformation  ;  and  that  this  was 
a  proper  Seafon.    He  fattens  upon  the  Words  in  the 
CommincticYj^  that  is  ufed  from  Year  to  Year,  accord- 
ing to  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  in  which  are  thefe 
Words,  That  in  the  Primitive  Church  there  vpas  n  Godly 
Difcipline,    and  till  it  may  be  reftored   agnin^    which  is 
much  to  be  voijh'd.  Sec.     He  fays,  That  Wifhes  are  in- 
deed Marks  of  a  good  Intention,    and  an  acceptable 
Zeal  where  no  more  is  poflible  to  be  done;  But  ever 
to  wifli,   and   make  no  Attempt  towards  the*  Thing 
wifh'd  for  ;   if  it  be  Zeal,  is  fuch  as  is  a  Reproach  to  ic 
felf.     Now  alfo  came  out,  A  l^etter  concerning  the  Edu' 
Cfithn  of  the  Dlffenters  in  their  private  Academies.     The 
Author  brings  heavy   Charges  againfk  their   Manage- 
ment, and  particularly  the  dangerous  Political  Princi- 
ples ther^  inflill'd  :  To  which  an  Anfwer  was  returned 
in  the  Year  following. 
ViinherTfa-     M.  D.  CCI V.  The  Parliament  met  a  Third  Time 
ceed'iHg  in    in  OHober  this  Year.     Her  Majefty  fignify'd    in  her 
Parliament  Speech,  her  Hopes  that  there  vpould  be    no  Contention   a- 
ahout  the     f^ong  them,  but  xvho  fkould  moft  promote  the  Publicly  fi^el- 
Occafional  jr^^^^    -j-f^g  Commons  in  their  Addrefs  promifed,  that 
they  would  endeavour  by  all  proper  Methods  to  prevent  Divi- 
fions  :   But  on  Nov.  23.  bro*t  in  the  Bill  againft  Occafjo- 
nal  Communion  a  Third  Time.     It  had  now  a  Preamble 
of  the  fame  import  with  the  firft  Bill,  intimating,  that 
the  Adi  of  Indulgence-ought  inviolably  to  be  obferv'd: 
It  put  the  fame  Glofs  upon  the  Corporation  and  Teft 
AcSbs  as  before :  The  firft  enadting  Claufe  was  exadlly 
the  fame  with  that  in  1703  :  And  the  Difference  in  the 
other  Part,   was  iiot  in  any  Thing  very  material.     At 
the  fecond  heading  it  was  mov'd  to  tack  this  Bill,  to  a 
Money  Bill;    but  a   Majority   of  251  Voices  againft 
134,  carried  it  in  the  Negative.     And  when  it  was  af- 
terwards 


Chap.  XIX*  afierthe  Revolutionin  1688.         66t 

afterwards  fenc  to  the  Lords,  they  carried  it  againft  a  -4«.  1704. 
fecond  Reading  of  it,  by  a  Majority  of  71  Voices  a- 
gainft  50.  Had  this  Tacking  Method  fucceeded,  Pub- 
Jick  Aifairs  would  have  been  at  a  ftand  :  And  the 
Queen  minded  the  Parliament  of  it  at  their  rifing, 
when  in  her  clofing  Speech  fhe  told  them,  That  they 
had  fo  narrovplj^  efcap'd  the  Fatal  EjfeBs  of  unreafonable 
Humour  and  Animofity  in  that  Sejfion,  that  it  ought  to  he 
a  Jiifficient  pVarning  againft  all  dangerous  Experiments  for 
the  Future,  This  Tacking  feemed  to  carry  in  it  a  De- 
fign  to  take  away  the  Negative  of  the  Sovereign  and 
the  Lords.  And  had  the  Lords  thrown  out  the  Mojjey 
Bill  on  the  Account  of  the  Tack,  the  Parliament  would 
in  all  likelyhood  have  been  diflblv'd  prefently,  and  the 
Preparations  for  the  War  hindred.  This  caus'd  a  gene- 
ral Indignation  againft  the  Tackers. 

.  Mr.  James  Ovpen^  Difcourfe  calFd  Moderation  a  Ver-  ^e^'tf^i 
^«f,  had  this  Year  a  furious  Reply  to  it,  calFd  the  TVolf^L^"^  *^^^ 
Jiripp'd  of  his  Shepherds  Cloathing,  faid  to  be  written  by  ^^^' 
Mr.  Leflsy  :  To  which  he  return 'd.  a  modeft  Anfwer, 
and  ftii'd  it  Moderation  ftill  a  Vertue,  This  was  indeed 
an  AnCwer  to  feveral  bitter  Pamphlets ;  and  particu- 
larly to  one,  entit.  Occafional  Conformiiy  a  mo  ft  unjufiifia" 
hie  FraHice^  as  well  as  to  the  Wolf  firipp'^d.  He  here 
fays,  he  does  not  wonder  that  fuch  Gentlemen  as  now 
argu'd.  the  Caufe,  ftiould  be  unwilling  to  grant  to  Dif- 
fenting  Proteftants  the  Priviledges  of  EngUfKhmen^  fince 
they  denied  them  the  Charity  they  ow'd  to  their  Fel- 
low Chriftians  ;  pafs'd  a  feverer  Sentence  on  their 
Everla(ting  State,  than  they  did  on  Heathens  or  Pagans, 
and  fcarce  allowed  them  the  common  Deference  that 
is  due  to  the  Rational  Nature.  He  reprefents  it  as  very 
odd,  that  Occafional  Conformity  to  the  Church  (hould 
be  fo  vehemently  oppos'd,  by  one  that  was  no  Member 
either  of  Church  or  State.  He  adds  a  Defence  of  the 
private  Academies  of  the  DilTenters,  againft  Mr.  Sache- 
vereCs  Mif-reprefentations  of  them.  Now  alfo  came  out 
a  Pamphlet  call'd  Myderation  truly  Jiatcd  ;  which  con- 
founds Moderation  ivith  Lukewarmnefs  in  the  Efteutials 
and  Vitals  of  Religion  :  As  if  there  were  no  Difference 
between  Divine  In  Citations,  and  Humane  Additions. 

Now  alfo  came  out  The  Bights  of  Frotcjlant  'Diffenters, 
in  Two  Parts :  The  Fitft  being  the  Cafe  of  the  Diffemers 
revievsi^d:  The  Second,  A  Vindication  of  their  }{jght  to 

U  u  3  an 


662  Some  Hi^loricd  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An.  1704.  an  Abfolute  Toleration^  from  the  ObjeBions  of  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Mackworth.     The  Dedication  of  this  Tradk  to 
her  Majefty,   is  an  handfome   Apology  for  the  Diflcn- 
ters,    againft  the   invidious  Charges  and  Infinuations, 
of  an  Epiltle  Dedicatory  to  one  of  the  VoJumes  of  the 
Lord  Ciaretuion's  Hiftory.     In  the  Tra6t  it  felf^  the  Au- 
thor rcprefents  the  Diflenters  Principles ;  fhews  their 
Right   to  a  Toleration  ;    vindicates  them   from  the 
Charge  of  Schifm;  and  urgesa  great  many  Confiderations 
in  Proof  of  the  Jiiftifiablcnefs  of  Occaiional   Confor- 
mity, and  the  unrcafonableneCs  of  attempiing  to  incapa- 
citate Men  to  fervethe  Pubiick  upon  the  Account  of  ir, 
C^f.     Now   alfo  canie  out  the  Second  Volume  of  Ca- 
tbolicifm  xgithout  Popery^  in  Anfwer  to  Sir  H.  Mackworth 
about  Occafional  Conformity, 

The  Prefs  indeed  fwarm'd  about  this  Time  upon  this 
Subjedt.     There  was  a  Serious  Incjuiry^  into  this  grand 
Queltion,  W>)ether  a  Law  to  prevent  the  Occafional  Con^ 
formity  of  Dljfcnters^    xoould  not  he  inconjjflent  with  the 
AH  of  Toleration^  and  a  Breach  of  the  Queen  sPromife  ? 
The  Chrifiianity  of  High  Church  confide/ d,     A  Letter  to 
a  Friend,    concerning  the  New  Diftinciion  of  High  and 
Low  Church,     A  Brief  Account  of  the  Tack,  in  a  Letter  to 
a  Friend.     C  flandra,  but  I  hope  not,  telling  what  will 
come  of  it ,  &C. 
Xhe  Tro-         The  Convocation  fate  at  the  fame  Time  with  the 
<r««i/«5«o/ Parliament,  and  continu'd  divided.     The  laft  Notice 
^he  ConvQ-  we  took  of  them,  was  with  refpe^t  to  the  Archbilhop's 
cition  thii  (hort  Speech  ro  them  on  March  17,   170J.  whenhctold 
Tear.  then),  that  Order  was  givtn  for  the  making  out  Copies 

of  tht  ir  R^pYcfjntatiot)^  both  for  the  prcfent  and  abfent 
Biihops.  When  the  Lower  Houfe  was  with  the  Arch- 
bilhop  on  Apri,  ^.  1704.  He  fpoke  to  them  largely  of. 
their  Reprejcntntion  as  he  had  promifed  them  he  would 
do.  He  own* d  to  them  their  Right  to  complain  of 
real  Abufes  and  Grievances  in  the  Church,  but  obferv'd, 
that  fome  of  their  Complaints  did  not  come  properly 
under  the  Power  of  the  Canons,  or  the  Authority  pure- 
ly Eccleiiaftical  .  And  that  thofe  of  them  that  were 
properly  Ecclcfiaftical,  were  laid  down  as  Particulars 
preparative  to  a.  Royal  Licence  :  And  that  the  Abufes 
complained  of  had  not  commenced  within  a  few  Years 
la(t  paft,  or  been  paflcd  over,  every  where  with  Supine- 
n:fs  and  Dii-rer^ard ;  and  that  many  of,  die  Abufes  they 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revoltitwn  in  1688.        66^ 


leferred  to,    were  mention  d    in  King  H^tUiam^s   In-  ^*  1704* 
jun<aions,  and  his  own  Circular  Letter  in  purfuance 
of  them.    An,  169^.      He   told  them    withal,   that 
fince  the  Time  of  our  Publick  Deliverance  from  the  \ 

open  Attempts  of  Popery,  there  have  never  been  more 
frequent  and  careful  Vifiutions  of  Bifliops  In  Perfon^ 
never  more  Precautions  and  ftrid:  Examinations  before 
giving  Orders  in  moft  Diocefes,  never  more  folemn 
and  orderly  Confirraations,  even  in  very  many  Places 
where  a  Bilhop  had  not  been  feen  fince  the  Reforma- 
tion. He  alfo  faid,  they  had  promoted  the  good  De- 
fign  of  fetting  up  Schools  of  Inftru(5lion  for  the  Poor, 
been  concern'd  for  the  propagating  the  Gofpel  in  Fo- 
reign Parts,  in  prefling  the  frequent  Chatechizing  of 
Youth,  and  helping  forward  the  Converfion  of  DiA 
(enters  of  all  Sorts,  by  found  Arguments  and  gentle 
Methods,  and  exerting  thcmfelves  in  behalf  of  the 
Protef^anc  Succeflion,  which  is  neceifary  to  the  pre- 
ferving  the  Queen,  and  the  Faith  of  which  Ihe  is  De- 
fender. And  yet  he  own'd,  there  was  Reafon  for  all 
poiltble  Care  and  Diligence  in  re£lifying  Abufes  j  and 
that  the  Bifhops  needed  their  Alliftance,  ^c, 

OnDfc.i.  1704.  The  Lower  Houfe of Convocatioa 
prcfented  another  Reprcfentation  to  the  Archbilhop? 
and  his  Suffragans,  fignifying  their  Grief  at  the  gene-', 
ral  Complaint  of  the  Clergy,  that  tho*  ConvocationsB; 
had  been  held  now  for  fome  Years,  after  a  long  difcon- 
tinuance,  yet  the  Publick  had  not  hitherto  reap'd  the 
Benefits  that  might  be  expeded  :  That  this  tended  tO: 
difparage  the  Conftitution  of  the  Church,  and  tempt- 
ed fome  to  fpeak  againft  the  Necellicy  and  Ufeful- 
nefs  of  Eccleliaftical  Synods.  They  promife  for  Time, 
to  come  to  do  what  they  can  to  (ilence  that  Com«* 
plaint :  And  intimate  that  the  Fault  did  not  lie  in  them^ 
that  more  had  not  been  done.  That  the  unhappy  Di- 
fputes between  the  two  Houfes  had  been,theirHindrancej, 
but  that  they  neither  raifed  them,  nor  omitted  any 
Means  they  could  contrive  for  bringingthcm  to  a  regular 
Determination.  That  they  would  gladly  have  received 
Directions,  but  none  being  offered,  they  tho*t  they, 
Hjight  without  Prefumption  make  their  Applications  a-, 
boutfuch  Matters  to  their  Lordlhips.  Accordingly  fome. 
Years  ago,  they  laid  before  ihcm  Toland's  ChrikUnitjf 
no$.  Myftsrious^  and  defit'd  Dire(5tions  whsit  Courfe  to. 
'"^  '  Uu  4  taW 


6^4 Some  Hjjlorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1734;  tikfe  to  fupprefs  fuch  Boote,  but  could  not  obtain  the 
Adtice  and  Direftion  they  prayed  for.     Afterwards  o- 
rhcr  Books  of  the  like  Nature  were  publirtied,  and  they 
Ii'i'd  'reminded  their  Lordfhips  again  of  the  Liberty  of 
c"he  Prcrs,    pointing  at  a  Book  0/  the  immorttility  cf  the 
S&iif'j  ^s/hich  the  Houfe  of  Commons  bad  fincc  cenfur'd, 
ro*^heti^own  Honour,  and  the  Reproach  of  ihe  Convo- 
<fanon.     They  had   fmce  laid  other  Grievances  before 
i1ierff,'arid  (hould  be  glad  to  know  what  had  been  done 
toiWirds  the  redreiTing  them  :  But  that  they  had  no  In- 
tention  to  bring  their  J>ordfhips  under   any    Odium. 
They  therefore  beg  their  Lordfhips  to  exert  their  Vigi- 
lance'and  Zeal,  for  rcfcuing  Convocations  from  that 
Conr'empr,  into  which  they  are  in  Danger  of  falling  5 
ind  that  they  wovdd  impart  to  their  Clergy  the  refulc 
of  their  wife  Confultations  about  what  mights  be  done 
by  the  Synod  for   the  Honour  of  Religioo,   and  the- 
Maiintenance  of  the  Do(5tiine,  "Worfliip,  and  Difcipline 
cf  the  Church;    and  candidly  to  receive  their  dutifdi 
jfipplications  from  Time  to  Time. 
*^  At  prefent,  they' 'repeated  a  Motion  formerly  made, 
concerning  a  Bill  for  the 'more  eafy  and  fpeedv  Recovery- 
cffChurch  Rates  ;  and  defired,  thatfomeof  iheirHoule 
that  had  Jurifdidtion,'  might  be  permitted  to  join  with 
th'eir  Lordlhips,  in  preparing  the  Heads  of  a  Bill  for  that 
PurpoTe,  which  they  intimated,  was  therefore  the  more 
ne^dfuljbecaufeof  the  Damage  done  to  fev era!  Churches 
by  the  late  Storm.     They  begg'd  Leave  again  to  tak^ 
Notice  of  the  many  pernicious  Books  that  were  pub- 
Jifh'd  and  difpers'd,  and  requeued  their  Lordfhips  (  as 
formerly  )  to  ufe  their  Intereft  in  Parliament  for  a  Bill 
to  reprcfs  the  Licentioufnefs  of  the  Prefs.     They  re- 
prefented  alfo  the  encreafing  Difficulties  of  the  Paro- 
chial Clergy,  about  adminiftring  the  Holy  Sacrament 
indifTerer'tly  to  all  Pcrfons  that  demand  it,  in  order  to 
quality  themfelvc^  fc  r  Offices  ;    becaufe   they  faw   not 
hf)wir  rhey  could  in  feveral   Cafes,  adt  conformably  to 
*^     the /^ .'/'/-. TJ^j  and  Cnw  s  of  the  Church,   in  repelling 
fuch  Pel  Tons  as  were  unv/orthy,  and  particularly  noto- 
rious  Schifmaticks,    without  expofing    thcmfelvcs    to 
vexatious  and  expenfivc-  Snits  at  Law.     They  beg  they 
would  ufe  their  Inrcrcft  for  the  freeing  them  from  thefe 
Difficulties,  and  in  the  mean  Time,  give  them  Dire£tions 
how  to  behave  themfclves  under  fuch  Exigcnees. 

On 


Chap^XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         66$ 

On  Febr.  14.  170^,  another  Paper  was  brought  Uf  An.  1704. 
by  the  Lower  Houfe,  in  which  they  reprefented  to  his 
Grace  and  their  Lordfhips ,    that  among  many  other 
Encroachments    of    the    Dijfenting  Teachers  upoa   the 
Office  and  Rights  of  the  Clergy,   their  frequent  pre- 
j    fuming  to  Adminifter  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  Baptifm 
in  Private  Non  Licensed  Houfes,   was  a  great  Abufe  of 
evil  Confequence,   no  Way  warranted  by  the  A<^  of 
Toleration.    They  begg'd  their  Lordfliips  would  take 
this  Matter  into  their  wife  Confideration,   and  by  all 
proper  Means  endeavour  to  put  a  ftop  to  all  fuch  bold 
intrnfions  upon  the  Rules  and  Difcipline  of  the  Church. 
•- — They  alfo  intimated,    that  they  could  not  without 
great  Concern  obferve,   how  the  Numbers  of  Non  Li- 
censed Schools  and  Seminaries  was   maltiply'd,   and 
how  the  Dangers  arifing  thence  encreas'd ;   and  under 
a  deep  Senfe  of  what  might  be  the  fatal  Confequence 
of  fuch  irregular  Societies,    as  gave  no  Security  to 
Church  or  State,  and  which  they  believ'd  were  labour- 
ing the  Subverlion  of  both,    they  earneftly  befeech*d 
their  Lord  (hips,   to  ufe  their  utmoft  Authority  and  In- 
tereft  for  the  fupprefling  fuch  Seminaries,    and  thereby 
prevent  the  growth  of  Popery,  Schifm,  and  Sedition. 
At  the  fame  Time  they  carried  up  another  Paper,  in 
which  they  intimated  to  their  Lordfhips,   the  unwel- 
come Neceflity  they  had  more  than  once  found  them- 
felves  under,   of  laying  before  them  their  Complaints 
•  againft  the  Bilhop  of  Sarumi   And  yet  as  unwilling  as 
they  were  to  multiply  Complaints,    they  now  found 
themfelves  compelled  by  a  groundlefs  Afperfion  with 
which  he  had  lately  loaded  them,    and   which  th'ey 
fho'ild  feem  to   have  deferv'd,    fhould  they  continue 
filent  under   it.     Their  Reprefentation  of  Grievances 
Ja(t  Winter  they  declare  to  have  been  inoffenfive  and  re- 
fpecflful,  and  they  add,  that  it  had  been  favourably  receiv'd 
and  anfwer'd :  But  that  from  thence  the  Bilhop  had  taken 
occaiion  to  infinuate,  if  not  to  affirm,  that  many  of  the 
Perfons  concerned  in  preparing  it,   *  were  Enemies  to     *  They 
their  Lordf^oips^    the  Queen^    and  the  Nntion,     Which  re-  herein  refer 
proachful  Character  the  Bilhop  gave-  of  them  to  the^^^^^s^'/hop 
Clergy  of  his  Diocefe,    and  had  fince  publiih'd  to  the  ^f  Sarum* 
World  ,even  while  they  were  Aflcmbled  in  Synod.  They  f^'^^S^^  '^^ 
thank  God  they  are  Confcious  the  Accufation  did  not''^!^'""''*''^ 
belong  to  them.    They  ever  accounted  the  Enemies  •  ^^1*^"' 

or        '  ^ 


666         Som€  Hijiorkal  AddUious     Chap.  XIX. 

Jl^  1704.01  faKc  Friends  of  Epifcopacy  to  be  for  that  Reafon 
theirs.  They  Reveience  the  very  Bilhop  againft  whom 
they  coaiplaiii.  They  were  ever  zealoufly  devoted  ta 
Her  MajjeAy's  Intereft,  even  before  She  Afcendcd  the 
Throne.  That  they  had  rcceiv'd  fuch  unparallei'A 
Marks  of  RoyaJ  Favour  and  Bounty,  that  they  Ihould 
be  the  moft  di (loyal  Subjc(5ls  and  the  unworthieft  of 
Men,  if  they  (hould  not  make  Her  all  the  returns  of 
Duty  and  Gratitude  that  were  poffible.  And  that  they 
qoxxii  not  be  Enemies  to  the  Nation,  when  they  were 
born  and  bred  in  it,  and  had  true  EngU/h  Hearts  and 
Erglifh  Principles  fuitable  to  their  Birth  and  Education. 
Being  thereto je  openly  afpers'd  by  undiftinguiftiing  Re- 
Uedions,  they  beg  that  his  Grace  and  their  Lordihipa 
would  interpofe  their  Authority  and  influence,  that 
the  Bifhop  may  be  oblig'd  either  as  openly  to  difclaim, 
any  fuch  imended  meaning,  or  to  make  fomc  fufficient 
and  fpeedy  Reparation. 

A  Third  Paper  alio  was  ofFer'd  by  the  Clergy  at  the 
feme  Time  in  which  they  complain  that  their  Paper  of 
bee.  had  had  no  Reply.  That  they  were  hindred  in 
Bufinefs  by  fo  frequent  Adjournments,  which  tended 
to  fruftracc  the  Ufe,  and  fubverc  the  Conftitution  of  an 
BngU(h  Convocation,  ©"c. 

The  Archbilliop  and  Bifliops  made  large  Obfervati- 
ons  on  the  Paper  that  came  from  the  Lower  Houfe^ 
Dec.   I.     They   obfcrve  that   this  Paper  was  not  di- 
re£led  to  the  Prefident,   whom  they  bad  endeavoured 
to  deprive  of  his  Ancient  Tide.     They  tell  them  that 
it  is  they,  who  b^  their  unwarrantable  Claims  and  En- 
aoachments  made  it  impoffiblc  for  the  Convocation, 
to  do  the  Church  any  Service.     That  fhould  their  in- 
novations run  on,    there  would  be  a  new  Danger  06 
Presbytery ;   for  Presbyters  would  be  enabled  hereafterv- 
to  bid  defiance  to  their  Eccleliaftical  Superiours,   and, 
tjo  ad  independently  from  them,    in  the  higheft  and, 
moft   general   Concerns    of    the   Church.     That   'tis, 
ftrange  any  of  the  Clergy  Ihould  underftand  fo  little 
of  the  Conftitution,   as  to  complain  that  no  Bufinefs  is. 
finifh'd,   when  the  Royal  Licenfe  has  not  enabled  to" 
begin  any  :   Or  that  they  Ihould  hope  that  an  Attempt 
10  do  Bufinefs  while  this  was  wanting,    could  have, 
any  other  Etf::v5l  than  the  encreaftng  Ditferenccs.     For^ 
thai  they'd  be  ftili  ruiuung  inio  irregular  Pradkicei' 
':•  againft: 


_ 

Chap.  XIX.  aper  the  Revolution  in  1 688.        667 

againft  which  their  Brethren  would  enter  their  Pro-  An.  1^04. 
tcftations,  and  againft  which  their  Lordfliips  muft  find 
fome  other  method  of  Proceeding.     That  their  Lord- 
fhips  could  not  but  look  upon  the  feeming  earneftnefs 
of  the  Clergy  to  proceed  to  Bufinefs,   as  a  defit»j)  to 
render  themfelves  Popular,  and  their  Superiours  odious : 
And  that  it  was  dangerous  to  thofe  wl\oai  they  reprc- 
fenTed.     That  in  1 689  the  Lower  Houfe  was  for  fuper- 
feding    all   Bufinefs    with    a   Royal  Licenfe  in  their 
Hands,  (3c.    That  there  are  Laws  and  Canons,  in  being 
fufficient  to  corre(^  and    punilh  Offenders.     That  if 
any  Thing  hindered  Difcipline,   it  was  the  Reproaches 
induftrioufly  fpread  amongft  the  Clergy  againft  the  Bi- 
(hops  and  their  Proceedings.    That  the  prefent  Difputes 
grew  purely  from  the  Attempts  of  fome  of  the  Clergy 
to  difengage  themfelves  from  the  Authority  of  the  Bi- 
(hops,    by  Priviledges  which  their  PredeccfTors  never 
claim'd  nor  pretended  to,     and  therefore   they  were 
amaz'd  at  their  folemn   contrary   Declaration.    The 
fteps  the  Biftiops  had  taken  are  reckoned  up,   by  which 
they  had  teftify'd  their  defire  of  Peace  and  good  Agree- 
ment.   That  the  Convocation  has  really  no  Authority 
10  pafs  fuch  Cenfures  upon  Books  as  they  defir'd :   That 
grievances  of  the  Clergy  may  be  regularly  offer'd  by 
their  Reprefentatives   in  Convocation.    But  that  'tis 
vvithout  Precedent  for  Presbyters  to  expedk,    that  their 
Metropolitan  and  Bifhops  (hould  be  accountable  to  them 
for  their  Condu£t  and  Behaviour  in  their  feveral  Vifi- 
tations.    And  that  as  concerning  Direftions  about  their 
refufal  of  the  Holy  Sacrament  to  unworthy  Perfons, 
they  could  give  them  no  better  than  the  ^ubrickj  and 
Canons  of  the  Church,    which  he  that  would  ftridlly 
and  religioufly  obferve,    could  not  be  wanting  cither 
in  a  dutiful  Regard  to  his  Superiours,   or  in  a  Confcien- 
tious  Care  of  the  Flock. 

The  Archbilhop  onFebr,  14.  ask*d  the  Prolocutor  of 
the  Lower  Houfe,  if  they  bad  had  any  intermediate 
SeflIons:fince  thelaft  Synodical  Day?  The  Prolocutor 
anfwer'd,.  that  they  had  had  one  the  Monday  before. 
He  told  hin^  it  was  very  irregular,  and  that  he  admo* 
wpod  them  to  hold  no  more  iniesaiediate  Seflion,  which 
was  a  violation  of  the  Prefidents  Right,  and  contrary 
IQ  the  conftant  Cuftom  of  Convocations^     * 

''  "  "  Vebrl 


668  Sof»e  Hiftorical  Additious     Chap.  XIX. 

JiM.  1704.      Fehr.i-^.    The  Prolocutor  told  the  Archbifhop  that 
^  their  Houfe  bad  taken  his  Admonition  into  Confideration ; 

and  reprefentcd  in  return,  that  they  had  not  been  Guilty 
of  any  irregularity  by  their  intertnediate  Seflion;  that 
the  holding  fuch  Seffions  as  oft  as  they  fhall  fee  Caufe 
is  no  violation  of"  the  Prefidents  Right,  nor  contrary 
to  the  Cuftom  of  Convocations,  but  an  unqueftionable 
Right  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  from  which  they  could 
not  depart.  And  that  if  the  Admonition  was  intended 
as  judicial,  they  Protefted  againft  it  as  Void  and  Null,- 
and  of  no  Effed:  in  Law,  and  to  which  no  Obedience 
can  be  due.:  And  defir'd  that  this  their  Anfwer  and 
Protefta'tion  {for  which  they  were  ready  to  Aflign  their 
Reafons)  might  be  entered  in  Form  by  the  Regifter  in- 
the  Ads  of  the  Day. 

On  MAYch  15.  1 70 1,    at  the  Proroguing  the  Convo- 
cation, the.  ArchbilTiop  made  a  Speech  to  the  Prolo- 
cutor and  the  Clergy,    and  told  them,   that  whereas 
they  had  brought  up  many   Complaints,  the  greateft 
Part  of  them  did  not  require  any  Anfwer,   after  fo  ma- 
ny former  Expreflions  of  the  Judgments  and  Refoluti-^ 
ons  of  the  Biihops  concerning  them.     That  their  Paper 
of  Dec.  I.  was  of  fo  undutiful  a  Nature,    that  it  might 
juAly  be  accounted  an  Adl:  of  Clemency  in  their  Lord- 
ihips  to   pafs  it  by  without  Cenfure:    And  yet  they 
drew  up  Obfervations  upon  ir,   and  entered  them  in 
their  Regifter,  and   they  might  be  feen  by  any  one  that 
defir'd  it.     That  there  is  no  fuch  Thing  as  Adjowtjmcntj, 
*in  the  Language  or  Pradlice  of  Convocation,  and  that 
Prorogations  have  been  all  along  raanng'd  by  CommiiTa- 
ries,   from   the  Reltoration  to  the  Revolution.     That 
their  Reprefentation  concerning  unlicens'd  Schools  and 
Seminaries  was  a  Matter  of  Law.    That  their  former 
Complaints  agaioift  the  Biihop  of  S/jm/w  had  not  fuifi- 
cient  Ground.     That  in  what  they  now  complain'd  of, 
the  Bifhop  referrd  to  flying  Repojts  fet  about  to  the 
prejudice  of   the  Upper  Houfe,    which  ihey  had  all 
Reaibn  to  <;omplain  of;    thq*,  they  pray'd  God  to  for- 
give the  Guilty,   and  pity'd  thofe  who  were  led  away 
by  wilful  and  perpetual  mifreprcfentaticns.     That  their 
Lordlhips  would  govern  thejnfelves  by  the  Articles  and 
[{ubricksy   ih^  Canons  Sind  Statutts ;    and  that  they  knew 
no  way  of  retrieving  the  Honour  of  Convocations,  but 
by  the  departing  of  the  Clergy  of  the  Lower  Houfe 

from 


Chap.XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        66^ 

from  unwarrantable  Claims,  and  Innovations,  and  ie-vl».  1704, 
turning  to  the  Ancient  Canoncial  Methods. 

He  added,  that  this  Convocation  was  near  an  end, 
and  a  New  one  would  probably  be  fummon'd :  And 
that  if  new  Occafion  fhould  be  ofFer'd,  he  (hould  think 
himfelf  oblig'd  to  exert  his  Authority,  feeing  no  better  . 
Fruit  had  been  reap'd  from  his  paft  Condu*^,  which 
fome  •  afcrib'd  to  fear  and  others  to  remifnefs.  And 
he  told  them,  he  wifli'd  that  the  Clen|fy  of  the  next 
Convocation  might  govern  themfelvcs  by  the  Conftitu- 
tion  as  it  is,  and  not  as  they  would  defire  it  might  be  ; 
that  they  might  not  divide  in  Two,  that  Body  of  the 
Convocation  which  is  but  One  ;  but  prevent  all  Irrego- 
Jarities,  and  thereby  all  Cenfure,  by  Meeting  together 
with  fuch  peaceable  Tempers  and  dutiful  Difpoficions, 
as  became  their  Fun6tion  and  Order,  &c, 

I  have  drawn  up  this  Brief  Account,  out  of  the  Com- 
plainer  ^eprovd^  the  CompUiner  further  BsCprovd^  and  the 
CoUeBion  of  Papers^  ^xMi^'diin  I'jo'y,    , 

I  this  Year  publilh'd  the  Second  Part  of  the  Defence 
of  Moderate  Nonconformity ,  in  Anfwer  to  the  RefletSions 
of  Mr.  Ollyffe  and  Mr.  Hoadly,  with  an  IntroduHion  that 
contains  /as  I  conceive)  the  Merits  of  the  Caufe  in 
Debate,  between  the  Conformifts  and  the  Nonconfor- 
mifts.  Here  I,  that  had  before  but  ad;ed  as  an  Hifto- 
rian,  and  reprefented  the  Senfe  cf  others  as  fairly  and 
faithfully  as  I  could,  gave  my  own  Senfe  and  Princi- 
ples, for  which  I  own  myfelf  to  be  Accountable,  to 
any  one  that  will  fairly  take  them  into  Consideration. 
At  this  Time  came  out  Anonymous  B^fisHions  on  my 
/ihridiment,  in  a  Dialogue  between  a  Churchman  and  a 
Peaceable  DrfTenter,  which  was  followed  with  fome 
other  Eflays  of  the  fame  Kind ;  condemning  ray  Book 
to  the  Flames,  and  inveighing  againft  the  Ejected  Mi- 
nifters,  without  any  concern  what  was  faid,  fo  it  might 
but  blacken :  But  I  never  could  think  it  worth  while 
to  take  Notice  of  a  Writer  of  his  Complexion,  let  him 
be  ever  fo  much  affronted  at  it.  A  Defence  of  the  Dif 
fcnters  Education  was  Printed ;  and  foon  after,  A  Ds" 
fence  of  the  Letter,  Printed  about  it  the  Year  before  t 
And  Mr.  Wejley  now  tho't  fit  to  fet  his  Name  10  his  An- 
fwer, tho*  he  did  not  at  firft  to  the  Letter  upon  that 
Subjedt. 

Among 


670  Some  Hiflorical  Additions     Chap.  X(X. 


An.  1704.      Among  the  many  CJamours  rais'd  about  this  Time 

The  Diffcft-  ^S*^"^  ^^^  Dijfentersy   One  was,   that  they  did  not  de- 

ters  not  for  ^^^^^  ^^  h^^'Q.  Liberty  themfelves,    becaufe  they  were 

confininr     Enemies  to  the  Liberty  o£  others.    This  was  ftarted  as 

Libercy  to  a  Maxim,    that  they  that  would  be   for  ftraitning  of 

tbemfehet.  Others  if  they  were  able,   could  not  reafonably  expeft 

Liberty  from   thofe  that   were  in   Power,    when   chcy 

difFer'd  from  chem.     1  fhall  not  fet  myfelf  to  Debate 

this  Maxim,  (St  confider  what  might  be  obje£led  againft 

it :  But  (hall  let  the  World  underftand,  that  the  Diffen- 

ters  took  another  Way  to  Anfwcr  it.     For  they  were 

apply'd  to,   by  fome  of  the  Denomination  of  Q^akers^ 

ivho  complain'd  to  them,    that  in  Nctt^  England  there 

were  fome  fcverc  Laws  of  a  long  ftanding,  not  lepeal'd, 

tho*  not  of  late  rigoroufly  put  in  Execution  againft 

Perfons  of  their  Character,    which  they  dcfir'd  their 

kind  Inrerpofition  to  fcreen  them  from,   as  they  would 

manifeft  they  were  real  Friends  of  Liberty^    and  not  for 

confining  it  to  themfelves.     Hereupon  the  following 

Letter  was  drawn  up,  and  Signed  by  feveral  of  the  other 

Three  Denominations  of  DifTenters,   and  fent  in  their 

common  Name  to  fome  Minifters  of  Reputation  in 

"NevQ  Englnndy  to  be  Communicated  to  their  Brethrea 

,  Reverend  and  dear  Brethren^ 

*  "y  O  U  may  from  the  cnclofed  gather  the  Occafion 

^    *  of  our  giving  you  this  Trouble.     As  for  an  Ap- 

'  *  plication  tX)  the  Queen  therein  defir'd,   we  could  by 

'  no  Means  count  it  agreeable  to  the  Refpecfk  we  have 

*  for  our  Brethren  of  New  England^    had  we  iho't  it 

*  ever  (o  fuitable  to  our  more  private  Station  and  Mi- 

*  liifterial  CharaAer.    We  pretend  not  to  Form  a  Judge- 
'  meat  in  the  prefent  Cafe,   which  would  not  be  [uft, 

*  without  a  full  hearing  of  both  Sides ;    much   lefs 

*  would  we  prefume  to  di(flate  Meafures  to  you  a- 

*  bout  it. 

'  We  cannot  reafonably  fnppofe,   but  You  as  well  as 
'  We,  are  for  a  Liberty  of  Confcience  as  full  as  it  is 

*  here  Eftablilh'd  and  enjoy *d  5    fincc  you  are  not  fo 

*  much  as  charged  with  having  lately  executed  thofe 

*  Laws  among  you,    which  might  now  appear  to  in- 

*  fringe  it,    whatever  peculiar  Reafons  your  Anceftors 
'  had  for  firft  enading  chera. 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  H evolution  in  i6'd^,         671 


*  We  conclude  you  agree  with  us,   that  the  Truth  is  An.  1 704. 

*  not  to  be  propagated  or  mainiain'd,  by  external  Force 

*  or  Violence,  againft  Errors  or  Miftakes,    but  by  the 

*  gentle  Methods  of  Argument  and  Perfwafion :  And 

*  we    cannot    but     judge    it    difagreeing     with   the 

*  Spirit  and  Principles  of  the  Gofpel,    and  an  en- 

*  croachmeni  upon  the  Divine  Prerogative,  and  the 

*  undoubted  Rights  of  Mankind,    to  punifh  any  for 

*  their  confcientious  and  peaceable  Dilfent  from   the 

*  Eftablilh'd  Way  of  Religion,  whilft  they  are  not  juft- 
*'  ly  chargeable  with  any  Immorality,  or  what  is  plainly 

*  Deftru<Skive  of  Civil  Society. 

*  Since  this  is  our  real  Sentiment,   and  we  are  call'd 

*  upon  to  own  it,   we  think  our  Selves  obligd  thus  to 

*  exprcfs  it,  for  the  avoidit^  that  odious  Imputation  of 

*  denying  to  others  what  we  claim  our  Selves:   And 

*  that  we  may  not  give  any  handle   or  colour,  for 

*  the  undermining  your  and  our  common  Liberties. 

*  We  would  alfo  do,  whatever  may  be  done  with  Chri- 

*  ftian  Prudence,  to  engage  the  Affedtions  of  thofe  who 

*  differ  from  us;   and  at  the  fame  Time  teftify  our  ab- 

*  horrence  of  the  Pofifio  pretended  Infallihilityy   and 

*  French  Perfecution, 

'  We  cannot  think  the  Truth  to  be  betray 'd,  or  any 

*  Way  injured  by  the  avowing  fuch  Principles,  as  fecure 

*  it  the  Liberty  to  fpeak  for  itfelf ;  and  which  ifuniver- 
^  falJy  efpous'd,  muA  open  it  a  Way  into  all  Parts  and 

*  Places  of  the  World. 

'  Therefore  upon  the  whole,   we  conceive  that  the 

*  Honour  of  God,  and  the  Intereft  of  our  Redeemer 

*  engage  us  thus  to  appear   for  Liberty  of  Confciencs^ 

*  And  we  perfwade  our  Selves,  you  will  look  upon  our 
'  laying  this  Matter  fo  freely  before  you,  as  an  Inftance 

*  of  our  Brotherly  Aflfedion  to  you ;  nor  is  it  the  wide 

*  diftance  of  Place,   or  any  little  difference  of  Senti- 

*  ment  that  may  poffibly  be,    which  can  leflen  our 

*  Concern  for  Members  of  the  fame  Myftical  Body  of 

*  Chrift. 

*  We  therefore  humbly  offer  it  to  the  ferious  Confi- 

*  deration  of  yourfelves,  and  by  you  to  your  fellow  La- 

*  bourers  in  the  Miniftry,  together  with  other  Chriflian 

*  Brethren,  what  farther  Affurance  may  be  prudently 

*  and  fitly  given,  that  in  the  prefent  Affair  you  are  like 
\  minded  with  as,  and  are  not  to  be  out  done  by  any  in 

the 


672  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX» 


An. 


1704 


.*  the  Evidence  and  Exercife  of  a  truly  Chriftian  Chari- 

*  ty ;  and  that  you  will  rather  employ  your  own  Inte- 
'  reft  for  the  procuring  fomc  fuch  Liberty  as  is  here 

*  allow'd,  than  that  others  Ihould  be  left  to  try  what 
'  their  Endeavours  can  do,    which  we  would  gladly  di- 

*  vert  them  from,  in  expcdtation  of  what  this  Lettier 

*  may  produce. 

*  Finally  Brethren,  you  will  not  forget  that  the  Apo- 
'  ftle  tells  us  after  the  mentioning  of  Faith  Hope  and 

*  Charity,  that  the  greateft  of  thefe  k  Charity'^  fince  you 

*  are    (we  doubt  not)    guided  by   that  iViJdom  from 

*  nicve,    which  is  not  only  Pure  but  Peaceable^  Gemfe, 

*  an'.-f  Eafi'j  to  he  intreated,  full  of  Mercy  and  good  FruitSy 

*  without  Pnrtinlity,  and  without  Hypocri/y,  &c. 

About  this  Time  alfo  came  out,  The  Layman  s  ^eafons 
for  his  'joining  in  Stated  Corntnunion  with  a  Congregation  of 
Moderate  Diffcnters^  in  a  fingle  Sheet,  which  well 
deferves  to  be  preferv'd,  and  Ihall  therefore  be  here 
inferred. 


The  Lay*  V/f  Y  Cafe  is  in  fhort  this.  I  am  born  in  a  Chri- 
mans  Rea-  ^^  '  Alan  Nation,  and  baptiz'd  into  the  Chriftian 
fans  for  his*  Faith;  and  1  reckon  it  my  unfpeakable  Honour  and 
Noncon-  *  Happinefs  that  1  am  fo,  and  that  I  live  in  the  Times 
formity.       *  of  Reformation.     In  this  Nation,    wherever  I  am,  I 

*  find  Publick  Affemblies  for  Religious  Woriliip,  all 

*  agreeing  to  Worship  the  fame  God,   in  the  Name  of 

*  the  fame  Mediator,    under  the  Condudl  and  Inflili- 

*  ence  of  the  fame  Spirit,  according  to  the  Rule  of  the 
*'  fame  Scriptures,    holding  Communion  with  the  Unl- 

*  verfal  Church  in  Faith,   Hope  and  Love,   under  the 
'  Prefidency  of  Gofpel  Minifters,   by  the  fame  Ordi- 

'  nances  of  the  Word,  Sacraments  and  Prayer,  looking* 
'  for  the  fame  Blelfed  Hope :    All  thefe  Affemblies  con- 

*  cur,    in  their  Teftimony,   not  only  againft  Jews,  Pa- 

*  gans,  and  Mahometans  Abroad,   but  againft  Aiheifts, 
'  Infidels  and  Profane  at  Home;    and  likewife  in  their 

*  Proteftation  againit  the  Tyranny  and  Idolatry  of  the 

*  Church  and  Court  of  [{prrje. 

'  But  I  find  there  is  fome  Difference  among  ihcfe 

*  Chriftian    Aflemblies;    tho'  all  good   Chriftians  are 

*  one  in  Chrift  by  Faith,    and  one  with  each  other  by  .. 

*  Holy  Love,    yet  in  outward  and  lelfer  Things  I  ob-  i 

*  ferve  they  do  not  all  agree;    and  it  is  no  Surprize  to 

'me 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  i»  1688.         675 


me  that  they  do  not ;  for  I  know  that  the  beft  are  im-  -dn.  1704. 
perfed:  in  this  World,  i .  I  find  fome  of  thefe  Affeiii- 
blies,  and  indeed  far  the  greater  Number,  EJiab'ijhed 
and  Appointed  by  an  Adt  of  Parliament  at  the  Time 
of  the  happy  Reftoration,  14  Car.  x.  The  Mini/lers  ^ 
prefiding  in  thefe  AfTemblies  ordain'd  by  Bilhops,  ufa- 
ally  prefented  by  Lay-Patrons,  and  to  the  great  Ad- 
vantage of  their  Miniftry  dignified,  and  honourably 
provided  for  by  the  Civil  Government;  the  Ordi- 
nances Adminiftred  in  thefe  Aflemblies  according  to 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer;  and  the  Difcipline 
manag'd  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  Diocefs  and  his 
Court. 

2.  *  I  find  fome  few  of  thefe  Aflemblies^  Permitted 
and  Allowed^  by  another  Ac^  of  Parliament  27  Years 
after  the  former,  at  the  Time  of  the  late  Glorious 
Revolution,  i,PV.  and  M.  The  Minifters  prefiding 
in  them  ordain  d  by  Presbyters,  chofen  by  the  Peo- 
ple, and  the*  taken  under  the  Protedlion,  yet  defti- 
tute  of  the  Authority  and  Support  of  the  Civil  Pow- 
ers. The  Ordinances  Adminiftred  in  them  not  by  a 
fet,  prefcribed,  conftanc  Form,  but  by  the  Rule  of 
the  Scripture  in  general,  and  according  to  the  Mea» 
fare  of  the  Gift  given  to  him  that  Minifters.  The 
Difcipline  manag'd  by  the  Minifter  himfelf,  who 
prefides  in  other  Ordinances,  with  the  Advice  and 
Concurrence  of  the  Congregation.  Providence  hath 
fo  caft  my  Lot,  and  appointed  the  Bounds  of  my  Habi^ 
teition^  that  Affemblies  of  both  thefe  Kinds  are  within 
my  Reach. 

*  And  through  the  Grace  of  God  I  think  I  can  truly 
fay,  this  is  my  CharaBer,  I  am  heartily  concerned 
about  my  Soul,  and  my  cverlafting  Condition.  It  is 
my  Care  and  Defire  to  pleafe  God,  and  to  work  out 
my  Salvation.  All  other  Interefts  and  Concerns  are 
nothing  to  me  in  Comparifon  with  this.  I  ferioufly 
profefs  I  am  afraid  of  Sin,  and  am  follicitoos  to  be 
found  in  the  Way  of  my  Duty,  and  to  get  all  the 
Help  I  can  to  forward  me  towards  Heaven,  and  fie 
me  for  it.  Hereunto  I  can  aid  this  farther  Protefta- 
tion,  that  through  the  Grace  of  God  I  have  a  Catho- 
lick  Charity  for  all  good  Chriftians.  1  cannot  mono- 
polize the  Church  ;  'tis  narrow  enough,  I  dare  noc 
make  it  narrower.    I  love  a  good  Man,   whatever 

Xx  1  Party 


674  ^^'^^  Hijloricd  Additwns     Cbap,  XIX. 


4«.  1704 


Party  he  belongs  to,  and  him  that  follows  GhrtH, 
iho'  he  doth  not  foUovfi  with  me.  He  that  fears  God^ 
and  vforl^i  ^ghtemfnefl,  u  accepted  of  God^  and  fliali 
be  accepted  by  mc. 

'  My  Pradkice  is  this.    I  join  myfelf  rometimes  with 
the  Affembhes  of  the  Pubhck  Eftablilhment,  if  an  Op- 
portunity offers  itfelf  on  a  Week-day;    or  if  I  happen 
on  a  Lord'*  Day  to  be  out  of  the  Reach  of  foch 
Aflfcmblies,  as  I  <:hufc  ftatcdly  to  join  with,  I  freely 
and   chearfully  attend  the  Divine  Service  of  the 
Church,   knowing  nothing  io  the  Prayers  but  what  I 
can  heartily  fay  Amen  to,    which  I  chnfe  rather  to 
do  than  to  Anfw£t  aloud  after  the  Minifter.    And 
this  I  do,   that  I  may  teitifie  my  Catholick  Charity, 
and  my  Communion  with,   and  AfTediion  to  all  good 
Chriftians,    tho'  I  be  not  in  every  Thing  of  their 
Mind.     Hereby  likewife    I  endeavour  to  fulfil  aU 
B^ghteoufnef^^   and  in  my  Place  I  bear  my  Teftimony 
to  that  which  is  of  God  in  the  PubUck  Eftablilhment, 
wherein  I  do  rejoice^  yea^  and  will  rejoice. 
*  But  I  conftantly  join  in  all  the  Ordinances  with  a 
Congregation  of   moderate   and    fobcr  DiiTenters ; 
with  them  I  hold  Stated  Communion,    and  with 
them,    after  many  ferious  and  impartial  Thoughts, 
have    put  myfelf  under    the  Minifterial  Condu<^, 
aud  Infpe(3:ion  of  a  Preacher  Of  Teacher,    AHoxod^ 
iho'  not  Authoyi;(d  by  the  Law  of  the  Land,    but  one 
who  is  manifefted  in  my  Conscience  to  be  a  true  and 
faithful  Minifter  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
^  The  Reafons  why  I  chufe  my  fetled  Communion 
with  Diffenters  are  thcfe  Six,  which  abundantly  fatis- 
fie  my  own  Confciencc  at  prefent,   not  judging  other 
Mens  Confciences,   nor  knowing  what  further  Light 
God  may  hereafrer  give  mc  in  this  Matter. 

I  think  it  is  my  Duty  to  own  and  adhere  to  that 


I. 


Minifiry^  which  feems  to  me  to  be  wrongfully  and  inyw 
rioujly  excluded  fiotn  the  Puhlick,  Eftahlifhment,  and  the 
Exclufton  of  which  was  profeffcdly  intended  and  de- 
fign'd  by  the  Ad  of  Uniformity.  By  making  fuch 
Oaths,  Declarations,  and  Subfcriptions,  the  indi- 
fpenfible  Terms  of  their  Admiflion  into  the  Mini/lry, 
or  Continuance  in  it,  as  they  could  not  comply  with, 
without  finning  againft  their  Confcienccs,  they  were 
and  are  effc(^ually  ihut  out  from  the  Publick  Efta- 

[  blifliinent; 


chap.  XIX.    after  the  Re'vohifjon  in  i6%Q.         6j% 


*  bliihrneiic ;    This  I  take  to  ht  a  XVrong  both  ro  them  An,  1704^ 

*  who  are  w^ll  worthy  ojf  the  Church's  double   Ho? 

*  nours,  ^n^  to  i^t. church  which  flands  in  need  of,  and 
f  would  be  greatly  benefired  by  their  iifeful  Labours. 

*  I  therefore  thirik  thac  I  ought  in  my  Place  both  to 

*  hear  my  7eJlimony  againfl  the  Exctufion  of  them^    left  1 

*  fhould  partake  wi|th  other  Mens  Sins,  and  fnould  be 

*  found  to  have  faid  a  Confederacy  with  thofe  that  put 

*  fo  many  burning,  fhiiiinp  Lights  under  aBufhelj  and 
f  a!fo  to' ^i^i  '  ^J^/i  and  encourage  tbofe  that  are  Jo  exr 
^  clu^c'tf,   putting  rriy  Soiil  into  their  Spuls  ftead,   and 

*  then  doing  as  J  xvonld  be  done  by.     Were  I  a  Mini? 

*  ftcr  I  mult  be  (hut  out  as  they  are,   and  fhould  expedt 

*  to  be  countenanced  in  foffering  for  Confcience-fake^' 
'  and  therefore  cannot  but  countenance  them.  And 
^  this  is  that  \Vhich  I  verily  believe  moft  Men  will  da 

*  when  it  comes  to  be  their  own  Cafe,   whatever  theyj 

*  talk  when  they  are  uf^pei-moft.    Thofe  who  at  any 

*  Time  have  thought  themfelves  unjuftly  reftrain'd 
f  from  the  publick  Exercife  of  their  Miniftry,    have 

*  eyer  yet  thoiight  themfelves  oblig'd  to  exercife  it  iri 
f  private  as  they  could,   and  their  Friends  oblig'd  to 

*  ftand  by  thern  in  it,  and  fo  I  believe  they  ever  will. 

V    2.  '  I  think  it  is  my  Duty  xo  chufe  rather  Ji ate dly  t: 

*  join  in  thofe  Adminift rations  which  come  neareft  to  the 
f  Divine  tnjiittition^    than  in  thofe  which  have  in  them  art 

*  unneceffary  Mixture  of  Humane  Invention,  How  far 
*.  Men  may  lawfully  devife  and  ufe  Ceremonies  of 
*' their  owft,   uhdfer  pretence  of  beautifying  God's  Or- 

*  dinances,   and  edifying  thernfelves  and  others,  I  pre- 

*  tend  not  to  be  a  competent  Judges  but  to  me  it  feems 

*  very  plain  that  the  Ordinances  of  Chrift  are  purer^ 

*  and  look  ke:ter  without  them,  ', and  that  thofe  who 

*  rnake  tht^ Scripture  only  their  Rule,    and  admit  no- 
'  thing  iffe'^thteWorlhip  but'  \V.Hat  is  warranted  by 

that,  are  tc»  bspVeferrMrnuch  before  thofe  who  Pra- 

'  (^ice  niany  Things  in  their  ftated  publick  Worfhip,' 

which  they  3o  nor  produce  any  Ground  or  Warrant 

*  for  in  the  Holy  Scripture.    To  me  it  feems  much  bet-r 
'  ter  iq  Baptifm  only  to  wafli  a  Child  with  Water  in 

*  the  Name  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft,  in  Token 

*  that  he /hall  not  te  afhamed  to  confefi  Chrisi  crucified^ 

*  which  is  Chrift*s  Inftitution,   than  befides  that,  ,ini 
I  Token  of  the  fame  Thing  to  (Tgn  him  with  the  Sign 

Xx  %  lot 


676  Some  Hifiorkal Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1704. 


of  theCrofs;  and  in  the  Lord's  Supper  10  ufc  the 
Gefture  Chrift's  Difciplcs  us'd,  rather  than  another 
devifed  by  Men.  Having  chofen  the  Saipiure  for  the 
ftanding  Rule  of  my  Faith  and  Practice,  1  chufe  to 
have  Communion  with  thofe  who  fecm  to  me  to  keep 
moft  clofely  to  it. 

3.  '  I  think  il  is  my  Duty  to  chufe  rathtr  flatedly  to 
join  with  ihofe  who  Ajfert  and  Maintain  the  Liberty 
wherewith  Chriji  has  made  us  free,  than  with  thofe  that 
willingly  fubmit  to  the  Impofitions  of  Men  in  the  Things 
of  God  f  and  ]upifie  thofe  Impofitions,  lam  very  well 
fatisfied,  that  when  my  Redeemer,  in  kindnefs  to  his 
Church,  broke  rhe  Yoke  of  that  Ceremonial  Law 
which  war  ^iver.  by  Mofes,  he  did  not  leave  it  in  the 
P'-wec  of  any  Man,  or  Company  of  Men  in  the 
Wcrld,  to  m?-ke  another  like  Yoke,  and  lay  that  upon 
the  Necks  of  the  Dilciples.  I  doubt  not  but  there  is 
a  Power  in  the  Chriftian  Magiftrates,  or  other  Go- 
vernours  of  the  Church,  to  reftrain  and  correct  Na- 
tural Indecencies  in  any  of  the  Ncceflary  Circumftan- 
ces  of  Publick  Worlliip ,  Time,  Place,  Habit,  or 
Gefture,  and  ihat,  in  any  of  thefe  which  unavoidably 
renders  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Ordinances  either 
defpicable,  or  inconvenient^  or  unprofitable  to  thofe 
that  attend  upon  them ;  but  I  fee  nothing  in  the  Gof- 
pel  which  warrants  any  Governours,  Civil  or  Sacred, 
to  impofe  fuch  Habits  and  Geftures  as  they  pleafe, 
becaufe  they  think  them  Decent,  upon  thofe  who 
think  them  incongruous,  and  then  to  make  the  ufe 
of  them  theindifpenfible  Condition  of  their  Commu- 
nion, In  the  Religious  Aflemblies  of  the  Diffcnters 
I  obferve,  that  generally  every  Thing  is  done  with 
the  Gravity  and  Decorum  that  becomes  the  Solemni- 
ties there  performed.  I  fee  no  uncouth  Habits,  I  hear 
no  noifie  Refponfes,  but  all  Things  are  managed  De- 
cently and  in  Order,  with  Reverence  and  to  Edifica- 
tion ;  and  yet  no  Cfcrcmonics  arc  impos'd,  no  Terms 
of  Communion  made  which  Chrift  has  not  made,  no 
Days  made  Holy  but  that  which  God  has  made  fo, 
no  ftrefs  laid  upon  the  Holinefs  of  Places,  which  the 
New  Teftament  gives  not  the  leaft  hint  of  fince  the 
Deftrudion  of  the  Temple,  and  therefore  I  chufe  to 
join  with  them,  for  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is, 
there  is  Liberty:    Their  Minifters  are  not  ly'd  up  to 

*any 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         677 

*  any  one  prefcribed  Form  of  Prayer,  but  are  at  liberty  An.  1704* 

*  to  vary  and  enlarge  according  to  the  Improvements 

*  of  their  Knowledge  and  Warmth  of  their  Devocion, 

*  and  the  Cafe  of  thofe  whofe  Mouth  they  are  in  Pray- 

*  er:   And,  as  I  think,   every  Minifter  ought  to  have 

*  forac  Competent  Meafure  of  the  Gift  of  Prayer  as 

*  well  as  Preaching,  and  that  oiherwife  he  is  not  duly 

*  Qpalificd ;  fo  I  think,  having  that  Ability,  he  ought 
'  not  to  be  abridg'd  of  his  Liberty  to  ufe  it,  ejpecialfy 

*  no(  in  the  Adminijlration  of  Sacraments.     All-  Things 

*  dre  lawful  for  me,    but  t  will  not  he  brought  under  the 

*  Power  of  any^  i  Cor.  6. 1 1. 

4.  *  I  think  it  is  my  Duty  to  chufe  rather  to  join  with 
thofe  that  refufe  to  admit  into  Communion  with  them, 

*  fuch  as  are  openly  Vicious  and  Prophane,    than  with  thofe, 

*  that  being  under  an  unhappy  Obligation  to  Adminijier  the 

*  Lord*s  Supper  to  aU  in  Office,  and  to  transfer  the  Trial  of 
'  all  Sujpenjions  to  the  Bifhofs  Court,  cannot  poffihly  ufe  fo 
^  ftrifi  a  Difcipline,  Not  that  I  think  1  am  ever 
^  the    worfe   for   bad  Peoples    joining  with  me    in 

*  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  perhaps  they  are  the  worfe 
'  for  my  joining  with  them ;  and  I  would  not  be  acceflb- 
'  ry  to  the  hardening  of  them  in  their  Impieties.  I  do 
'  not  expedt  to  meet  with  any  Society  of  Chriftians 
^  perfecSkly  pure  on  this  fide  Heaven ;  there  are  Spots,  I 
'  know,  in  our  Feafts  of  Charity :    But  I  muft  prefer 

thofe  who  appear  to  me  either  to  be  more  pure  from 
the  mixture  of  corrupt  Members,    or  at  leaft  more 
felicitous  and    defirous   to    be  fo ,     and   more   ca- 
pable of  being  fo  by   their    Conftitution      1  have 
f«en  with  much    fatisfa^Vion  many  of   the  Church 
of  England  Zealous  againft  Vice  and  Prophanenefs, 
and  a(flive  for  the  Suppreffing  of  it,    and  have  a 
mighty  Value  and  Veneration  for  them  upon  that  Ac- 
count, and  wilh  their  Con/^i.ution  would  allow  'hem 
to  do  more,   by  Church  Cenfjres,   in  Profec'Jt'OD  of 
that  worthy  Dcfign  than  I  apprehend  it  will;   but  for 
that  Pious  Zeal  of  theirs  I  have  fo  ofteii  heard  them 
caird  Presbyterians,    by  thofe  that  are  Bigots  for  Epif- 
copacy  and  the  Ceremonies,  th?it  lo  n»^2fs  i.  has  made 
me  love  the  Presbyterians  the   better,    li.-ice  Zeal 
againft    Prophanenefs    enters    fo   much    into    their 
Chara(fler,  even    their  Enemies    themfelves    being 
Judges. 


678  Some  Hifioricai  Additions     Chap.  XlX. 

j3^,  1704.       5-  '  I  cbink  it  is  my  Duty  to  chufe  rather  to  join  v^ith 

^  •  '  thcfe  Churches,  vphofe  Co;f(iUun'or.  lenves  room  for  a  Ca- 

'  tholick.  And,  Comtrei:sr.p,--;  Cl^arlt)^  ^than,  with  thcjc  xohofe 

'   avowed  ^^rinclfCes  :cr,tt,s  .ffircj^   tj^ffm  to  Morfo^ 

*  po!i:{e  the  Chf^^f/f  IH  i^i^e^und,  ^^  thewjcivej^  tijjd  forbid 

*  thetri  to    own  t/je pjjlfntn)^  i\(ii7nfiyrj^rj  ixne  Mmijiers, 

*  and   their  Ciurche.%  4/.  true  Churchrj.     Toi^  .1  confefs- 
'  has  a  mighty  Vifiveocebp^^'n  me.     Th^jlober  Diflent-- 

*  ing  Mini  Iters,   as  far  "as  T  am  acquainted  with  them,' 
'  aretnanift^ft  m  my  Confcience   to  be  faithful  Mini- 

*  (lets  of  jefus  Chriit  ;  and  ii)  their  Adminiftrations  I 

*  cannot    but  fee    the  Inftitution  of  Ordinances  ob- 
'  ferv'd,   and  eye;y  Thin^    well  fiit'^d  to  anfvyer  the 

*  End  of  them  :    ITcnowniany  who  cohftantiy  attend 
'  in   their   Affemblie*,    and  have  obferved  them  to  be 

*  found  in  their  Principles,  fober  in  their  Lives,  honeft 

*  in  their  Dealings,  conflant  in  their  Devotion?,   and 

*  in  all  Inrta^ncts   to  have  given  undeniable  Proof  of 
*■  their  being  fincere  good  Chriftians  ;  when  therefore 

*  in  the  ^jooks  and  Se.nwons  that  plead  for  the  Church 
'  of  !iy}gUnd,  I  find  thefe  Minifters,  cenfur'd  and  con- 

*  demn'd  as  yfur|-crSy    tippoftors,  and  Lay-intruders  ; 

*  all   theix  Aan^iniflration    nuii'd,  their  Affemblies  de- 

*  nied  to  be  Parts  of  the  Caiholick  Church,  all  that 
'  join  with  th'  m  femenced   as  Schifmaticks  to  the  Pit 

*  of  Hell,  and  no  Hopes  of  Sal vadon  given  them,  but 

*  what  Clod's  General  Mercy  aljows  to   Moral  Hea- 

*  iheiw";  and  all,  the  Reformed  Churches  that  have  no 

*  ^ifhops,  falling  fo  fir  under  the  fkme  Cenfure,  that 

*  their  Miniders  cannot  be  admuted  Minifters  of  the 
'  Church  of  E>ij^!nnd^  unlefs  they  Be  Re-ordain'd, 
^  while  thofe  th-t  have  been  Popilh  Pnefts  may  ;  and 

*  all  thefe  h-ril^  Cenfures  excus'd  f/om  Uncharitable- 
»     *  nefs  with  this^  tiiat  they  cannot  help  it,  theirPrinci- 

*  pies  If^ad    em.  to!  it;  then  think  I,  the  Lord  deliver 

*  me  from  fncH  Principles,  and   from   that  pretended 

*  Unity  which  is  deftrudive  of  real  Charity  1  On  the 
'  other  Side,    I   find  the  Difltnters  willingly  owning 

*  tW  Ef^ablifh'd  Chufches  as  irue  Churches,  their  Mi- 

*  niflrrs  as  true  Minifters,  their  Principles  leading  them 

*  to  do  fo.     \  often  hear  them  in  theif  Publick  Aflem- 

*  Mies  pray,  fox  them,  and  £b|'  their  Succefs  in  their 

*  Mlniflry,    apd  profefs  thei^  Communion  with  them. 
Il,  in  Faithj   Hope  and  Love,    aiid  i:i  :hcir  commoa 

*  Convcric; 


Ghap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.       679 

*  Converfe  I  hear  \m  fpeak  of  them  with  Love  and  Re-^«.  1704- 
^  (pe(^.    My  Judgment  and  IncHoation  leads  me  co  the 

*  charitable  Side,   as  the  beft  and  fafeft  ;  and  by  all  I 

*  have  read  and  heard  in  this  Comroverfy,  that  appears 
J  to  me  to  be  the  Side  of  the  DilTenters. 

6.  *  I  think  it  is  my  Duty  to  attend  m  thofe  Admini- 

*  flratlons  which  I  find  to  he  moft  for  my  onn  Edifica- 

*  tim  in  Faith ^  H.olinefs^  and  Comfort^    and  beft    (  with 
^  me)    to  anfxver  the  Ends  of  Holy  Ordinances,     Herein 

*  I  hope  I  may  be  allow'd  to  judge  for  my  felf ;  I  have 

*  often  tried  both,   and  if  I  know  my  own  Heart, 

*  without  Prejudice  or  Partiality,  and  I  muft  fay,  that 

*  I  have  found  my  Heart  more  affe6ied  and  enlarged 

*  in  thofe   Confeflions,  Prayers,   and  Tbankigivings, 

*  which  have  been  offered  up  wiihoui  a  ftated  prefcrib- 

*  ed  Form,  than  ever  it  was  in  thofe  that  have  been 

*  unavoidably  ty'd  up  to  certain  Words.  Far  be  it  fronci 

*  me  to  make  Gomparifons  of  Men's  Abilities  and  Per- 
'  formances.    I  greatly  honour  and  value  the  Gifts  and 

*  Labours  of  many  that  are  in  the  Publick  Eftabliih- 

*  ment ;  but  to  my  Capacity  the  Diffenters  Praying 

*  and  Preaching  is  moft  adapted^  acd  moft  profitable ; 

*  and  thofe  I  am  to  reckon  the  beft  Gifts,  and  to  coveP 

*  earneftlyj   which   I   find  by   Experience  beil  for  me, 

*  Sabbath  Time  is  precious,  and  I  would  willingly  iiipi- 

*  prove  it  fp  as  will  be  raoft  for  my   Advantage   in 

*  keeping  up  Communion  with  God,   and  preparing 
'  for  Heaven.    If   it  be  owing  co  my  own  Weaknefs 

*  that  thefe  Admiftrations  are  moft  agreeable  to  me, 

*  yet  while  I  finceiely  defign  God's  Glory,    and  my 

*  own    Spiritual    Benefit    therein,    I    truft,    through 
'  Chrift,  that  God  will  not  only  forgive  me,  but  accept 

*  me,  and  thit  th^y  zMo  who  are  ftrong  mil  bear  mtb 
'^  my  Infirmities. 

*  Thefe  are  the  Principles  I  go  upon,  and  from  tjien^ 

*  I  conclude, 

I .  *  That  if  the  prefent  Didate  of  my  Confcience 

*  and  Practical  Judgment  be^   that  it  is  my  Duty  to 

*  chufe  my  fiated  Communion  with  the  Congregations 

*  of  Diflenters,  then  it  is  my  Sin  if  I  do  not  do  it  j 

*  for  to  bim  that  kflows  to  4pgoody  and  doth  it  not^  to  him. 

*  it  K  Sin, 


68o  Some  tiifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


Jin*  1704.     X.   '  Then  by  Occafional  Communion    with    the 

*  Church  of  Englajiit,  whereby  I  defign  to  teftifie  my 

*  Charity  and  Cathoiick  Cotnmunion,  and  my  Appro- 
'  bat-ion  of  chat  in  it  which  is  good,  I  do  not  in  the 

*  leaf^  condemn  my  ftated  Communion  with  the  Dif- 

*  fencers ;  for  though  I  am  not  convinced  that  it  is  a 

*  Sin  of   Commiilion  at  any  Time  to  join  with  the 

*  Eflablifhed  Cburch,nor  that  anyThing  in  itfelf  unlaw- 

*  fill  is  required  as  the  Condition  of  Lay  Communion, 

*  yec  upon  the  Grounds  aforefaid  I  am  fuUy  convinced 

*  it  would  be  a  Sin   of  Omiflion  not  to  join  with  the 
'  Diflenters.     I  will  not  condemn  any  Thing  that  is 

*  good,  nor  refufe  a  Icfs  good,  when  a  better  is  not  in 

*  my  reach ;    but  when  it  is,  I   think  1  am  obliged  in 
^  Duty  to  God,  and  in  Concern  for  my  own  Soul  to 

*  prefer  it.     All  Things  are  lawful  for  me,  but  all  Things 

*  edifie  not, 

3.  Then  in  all  this  I  am  far  from   judging  and  cen- 

*  furing  thofe  who  diifer  from  me.     1  walk  according 

*  to  my  prefent  Light,  preferring  that  which  I  thinS 

*  and  find  to  be  beft  ;   and  I  venly  believe  thofe  good 

*  Chriftians  whom  I  know,  that  conftantiy  join  with 

*  the  Publick  Eftablilhment  do  fo  too,  preferring  that 

*  which  they  think  and  find  to  be  beft  ;  and  both  they 

'  and  I  (I  truft)  are  accepted  of  God.    To  thofe  who  , 

*  condemn  me  herein,  I  fhall  only  offer  that  reafonable 
f  Demand  of  St.  Paul's,  2  Cor.  10.  7.  If  any  Man 
•*  truji  to  himfelf  that  he  is  Chnji''s,  let  him   of  himfelf 

*  thinl{  this  agnin^  that  oi  he  is  Chriji's,  even  Jo  are  v^e 
'  ChnJi'S. 

An.  1703.      The  Mifcarriageof  the  Occafiona!  Bill,   provok'd 

fome  Men  to  that  Degree,  that  they  fcem'd  terribly 

fearful  the  Church  would  be  ruin'd,    .ind  with  great 

Bitternefs  inveighed  againft  the  Governnnent,  the  Iv'-ni- 

ftcrs  of  State,  The  Houfe  of  Lords,  the  Bilhops ;  and 

all  that  contributed  to  the  eroding  of  their  Defig   >. 

In  the  Election  of  a  New  Parliament  which  came  c;i 

this  Year,  The  Danger  of  the  Church  was  the  common 

Cry  on  one  Side,  while  the  Danger  from  the  Tackcrs  was 

The  Memo-  the  Cry  on  the  other ;  but  the  Moderate  Party  carried 

Tin!  of  the  it  :    The  Memorial  of  the  Church  nf  England  was  fent 

Church  of  forth  to  enflame  the  Nation,  and  made  more  Noife 

rng.and.    than  any  Thine  that  had  been  of  2  long  Time  pub- 

lifli'd. 


Ghap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         681 


lifti-d.  This  M^wa^nW  bitterly  complain  d  of  the  great  ^«.  1705. 
Favour  ihewn  to  the  Diflenters  and  their  Abetters,  and 
reprefemed  the  Church,  as  us'd  moft  unmercifully  by 
the  Queen  and  her  Miniftry,  and  moft  terribly  Peife- 
fecuted :  And  among  others,  there  is  this  remarkable 
Palfage  in  it ;  1/  the  DiJJenters  xvill  be  dijcbli^d  if  they 
are  not  put  into  Place  and  Authority,  and  the  C.  of  E. 
xvill  be  difobliged  if  they  are^  whence  may  the  greateji  In- 
convenience arife  ?  Perhaps  cur  voife  Men  thinl^^  themfelves 
fecure  in  the  Pajfive  Principles  of  the  Church,  ^g^irifi  any 
l^efentments  on  that  Side  j  and  therefore  bend  all  their  Ap- 
plication to  gain  t' other y  vehofe  Temper 

and  Principles  are  more  mutinous  *,  *  ^/  *^'^^»  *he  World  is  left  to 
If  this  be  their  true  Motive,  they  sudge  by  the  Sequel,  That  the 
may  be  fmple  voell  meaning  Men^  Temper  of  High  Church  hat 
hut  mud  be  metched  Politicians,  ^^^«  fufficiently  Mutinous,  ap- 
The  Principles  of  the  C.  of  E.  mU  {,^^"  (l''^'^'''  Memorial  and 
JT   r    -KA       .     I  ^    J    /       *"^    °"^^*'  lamphlets    and  Ser- 

difpofe   Men  to  hear  a  great  deal ;  ^j^.^j^    ^^^^     j^^.^,^  .^ 

but  hesa  Mad-man   that   trtes   hox9     jp^rfuance  of  it :  uiU  that  their 
much.     For  when  Men  are  very  much     Principles  are  bad  emugh,  ap- 
provoked.  Nature  is  very  apt  to  rebel    pears  from    their  Praftices,  in 
againft  Principle,  and  then  the  Odds     the   InfurreHion   upon   the  Trial 
/ire  vaft  on  Nature's  Side.     Wlnther     of  Dr.  Sacheverel,  and  its   Con- 
the  Provocations  given  to  the  C.  of  E.     fequences. 
may  riot  if  continii d,  be  fir ong  enough 
to  rous[e  Nature,  fome  of  our  Statefmen  would  do  well  to 
confider  in  Time,      For    tho*  the    Church  is    not  to   be 
wrought  up  to  I{ebellion,  yet  they  may  be  fo  alarmed,  as  to 
fecure  themfelves,    at  the  Expence  of  thofe  Mini/iers  who 
give  them  the  Alarm,     Nor  is  it  to  be  expecled,   that  they 
fhould  long  bear  to  be  thus  ufed,  and  fee  a  Party  that  they 
linow  feei^  their  ^uin,  courted  at  their  Expence,   This  whole 
Memoy  in!  was  indeed  a  plain  Threatning  of  the  Court 
gnd  the  Miniftry.  Enquiry  was  made  after  the  Author  or 
Authors  ;  but  no  fatisfacSory  Difcovery  could  bemad^* 
This  Paiwphlet  gave  general  Offence.     It  \yas  anfwer'd 
Paragraph  by  Paragraph :    And  yet  fome  there  were 
that  vindicated  it.     It  was  for  a  Time  the  moft  com- 
mon Subjed  of  all  Converfation.    And  whoever  will 
he  at  the  Pains  to  give  it  the  reading  now,  and  com- 
pare feveral  Paflages  of  it  with  what  has  fincc  hap- 
per/d,  will  be  apt  to  conclude,  that  they  who  fram'd 
this  Memorial,  gave  Meafures  to  Other?,  and  hs^d  the 
Conducjl  of  the  whole  Party. 

It 


682  Some  Hiftorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


7hr  Tfn- 

CttdzTtgi  lit 


170  J.      Ic  was  prefcntcd  by  the  Grand  Jury  of  the  City  of 

London  ;  and  by  Order  oif  that  Court  burnt  at  the  Oldr 
Baily^  and  before  the  i{pynUExchayige  :  And  the  new 
Parliament  met  in  Odoher^  under  the  Impreffions  of  ill 
Oefigrjs  on  foot,  among  fome  that  pretended  a  mighty 
Zeal  f^)r  the  Intereft  of  the  Church. 

Her  Majefty  in  her  tiilt  Speech  to  the  two  Houfes, 
Otl.  27.  among  other  1  hings  earneftly  recommended 
4'  *  An  Union  of  Minds  and  Affections,  as  that  which 
would  above  all  Things  difappoint  and  defeat  the 
Hopes  and  Defigns  of  our  Enemies  .-  And  added  thefe 
memorable  iVords :  I  cannot  but  with  great  Grief  ob- 
fervc,  there  are  fome  amongft  us,  who  endeavour  to 
fornent  Animoftiies  ;  but  i  perfwade  my  felf  they 
win  be  found  to  be  very  few,  when  you  appear  to 
aifift  me,  in  dircountenancmg  and  defeating  fuch 
Prai^lices^  I  mention  this  with  a  little  more  Warmth, 
becaufe  there  have  not  been  wanting  fome  fo 
very  malicious,  as  even  in  Print  t©  fuggeft  the  C.  of 
E.  as  by  Law  EftabJiih'd,  to  be  in  Danger  at  this 
Time.  I  am  willing  to  hope  not  one  of  my  Subjeds, 
can  really  entertain  a  Doubt  of  my  Affection  to  the 
Church,  or  fo  much  as  fufpe(5t  that  it  will  not  be  my^ 
chief  Care  to  fiipport  it,  and  leave  it  fecure  after  me. 
And  therefore  we  may  be  certain  that  they  who  go 
about  to  infinuate  Things  of  this  Nature,  muft  be 
mine  and  the  Kingdom's  Enemies,  and  can  only 
mean  to  cover  Defigns  which  they  dare  not  publickly 
own,'  by  endeavouring  to  diitiac^  us  with  unreafona- 
ble  and  groundlefs  Dvftriifts  and  jeaioufies.  1  will  al- 
ways affi.(5tionately  lupport  and  counienance  the  C, 
of  E.  as  by  1  aw  Eftabhlh'd.  I  will  inviolably 
maintain  the  Tolerati6n,  ^c*  The  Lords  in  the'ir 
Addrefs,  intirelv  Hnrmonizd  with  her  Majefty,  in 
tbefe  Words  :  '  We  alfure  your  Majefty,  we  will  do  all 

*  we  can  to  difcounte nance  and  defeat  the  Defigns  and 
and  Praflices  of  thofe  who  foment  Animofities  among, 
your  People,  and  will  ever  (hew  the  utmoft  Derefta- 

*  lion  of  thofe  ungrateful  and  wicked  Men,  who  la- 
bour to  difbonour  your  Ma jefty's  Reign,  and  diftra(9« 
your  Subje6ts  with  iinreaionable  andgroundlefsjealou-' 

*  fits  of  Danger  to  the  G.  of  F.  We /hall  be  ready  to  con- 
cur in  all  Meafures  requifire  to  put  a  ftopto  the  Malkre 

I'  of  thcie  Incendiaries."    Th«.  Commons  alfo  wercin 

■        .    ,  -  .  <    i 

•  '   ■  tl22 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  R^^^  68g 

tbe  fame  Difpofition,  as  appears  from  thefe  Words  in  An.  ijjq^* 

the  Addrefs  of  their  Houfc  :  *  It  is  the  greateft  Con- 

^  cern  imaginable  to  us,  to  find  your  Majefty  has  fo 

'  juft  Reafon  to  refent  the  Ingratitude  of  fome,  who 

'  endeavour  to  foment  Aninaofities  and  Divifions  a- 

'  mongft  us  :    And  we  cannot  without  Indignation  le- 

*  fled,  that  there  ihould  be  any  fo  Malicious  as  to  in- 
'  finuate  that  the  C.  of  E,  as  by  Law  EftablUhM,  is,  or 
'  ever  can  be  in  Danger,  for  want  of  your  Majefty*s 
'  Care  and  Zeal  to  fupport  and  maintain  it.  Thefe 
'  Suggeftions  proceed  from  your  Majefty *s  and  the 
^  Kingdom's   Enemies,  who  to  cover  their  own  Difaf- 

*  feaion  to  the  prefent  Eftablifliment  and  Adnainiftra- 

*  tion,  endeavour  to  diftrac^  your  Subjefts,  with  un- 
^  reafonable  and    groundlefs  Diftrufts  and  JealoufieS. 

*  Your  Majefty  may  be  affured,  that  your  Commons 

*  will  zcalouily  concur  in  every  Thing  that  may  tend 

*  to  difcourage  and  puniih  fuch  Incendiaries,  and  to 

*  difappoint  your  Enemies  both  at  Home  and  Abroad. 

On  Dec.  6.  There  were  warm  Debates  in  the  Houfe  DeBata  a- 
of  Lords  upon  this  Capital  Point,  whether  or  no  the^^'w*  ff*^ 
Church  of  England  was  in  Danger.    The  Lord  Rochefter  ^^n?^'  <>f 
declared  himfelf  afraid  the  Church  was  in  Danger,  be-  ^"^  ^''«^^'^' 
caufe  of  the  A(5t  of  Security  which  had  paffed  in  Scof^ 
land,  by  which  that  People  were  Arm'd,  and  fo  had  a 
Power  given  them  to  invade  England,  where  they  had 
a  great  Party  of  Friends,  who  never  wanted  Will  to 
deftioy  the  Church.    That  he  tho't  the  Heir  of  the 
Crown  ought  to  be  prefent,  in  order  to  be  fully  ac- 
quainted with  our  Conftitution,  and  enabled  to  pre- 
vent Evil  Defignsupon  Church  and  State.    And  that 
the  Occnfionnl  Bill  was  in  it  felf  fo  reafonable,  and  the 
Churches  Requeft  in  it  fo  fmall,  that  the  Induftry  for 
oppofing  it,    gave   the  greater  ground  of  Sufpicioo-^^ 
The  Lord  Halifax  faid,    that    the    Aft   of  Security 
in  Scotland,  was  wholly   foreign  to  Church  Affairs. 
That  the  Abfence  of  the  Princefs  Sophia  was  a  Danger 
to  the  Church,  but  lately  ftarted ;  and  that  he  hop'd 
the  Ads  for  Lords  Juftices  had  made  fach  Provifionp 
that  he  thought  no  Evil  could  happen  to  the  Church 
after  the  Queens  Death,  before  her  Arrival.    That  a 
Clergyman  in  a  Company  of  Convocation- Men  ( as  he 
could  prove)  had  faid,  ihatthatPrincefs  wsLsSLnunbapfij(d 
Lutheran  i  and  therefore  he  wonder'd  how  hes  coming 

-"'■;"■""    ;*"'/""    ihould?  , 


684  Some  Hiftorhal  Additions     Chap.  XlXr 

^^^^'~~  ""^^^^  ~ —  ■ 

^  170$'  fhould  now  be  rcckon'd  fuch  a  Security  to  the  Church. 
That  it  had  appear  d  to  that  Houfc,  when  they  can- 
vafTed  the  Occafional  Bil/y  that  it  would  not  prove  a  Se- 
curity to  the  Church,  but  rather  the  conrrary.     That 
there  had  been  Tinaes  when  the  Church  was  in  Dan- 
ger.    As  when  King  Charles  II,  reigned,  that  was  a 
J{pmamfl,   and  yet  the  Church  thought  her  felf  then 
fecure,  and  thofe  Patriots  who  flood  up  in  Defence  of 
it,  and  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  Evils  that  might  en- 
fuc  from  a  Popiih  Succeflion,  were  difcountenanc'd  and 
punifh'd.      That  when  that   Succeflbr  came   to    the 
Throne,  and  the  Church  was  apparently  in  the  greateft 
Danger,  fome  could  (it  in  the  High  CommiJJion  Court,  Gfc, 
That   after  the  Acceflion    of    King  fVilliam  to  the 
Crown,   the  Cry  of  the  Churthes  Danger  hegzn,  and 
was  continu'd  all  his  Reign  ;  but  he  could  not  teJl  up- 
on what  Ground.     That  upon  her  Majefty's  Succefllon 
the  Complaint  was  filentfor  a  Time,  but  revived  upon 
fier  making  fome  Alterations  in  her  Miniftry  ;  but  with- 
out any  juft  Reafon,  C^c     The  Bifhop  of  London  in 
Proof  of  the  Churches  Danger,  urg'd  the  cotnmonneft 
of  Prophanenefs  and  Irreligion,  and  the  Licentioufnefs 
of  the  Prefs ;    and   that   Sermons  were  preach'd,  in 
which  Rebellion   was   authorized,  and  Refinance  to 
the  higher  Powers  encouraged :  fn  which  he  referred 
to  a  Sermon  of  Mr.  Hoadlys  before  the  Lord  Mayor, 
printed  not  long  before.     The  Bilhop  of  Sarum  replied, 
that  if  the  Dodirine  of  that  Sermon  was  not  good,  he 
did  not  know  what  Defence  his  Lordlhip  could  make 
for  his  Appearance  in  Arms  at  Kcttingh^m.     He  imput- 
ed all  the  prefent  Clamour  to  the  Ambition  and  Dif- 
content  of  particular  Men.     And  faid,  that  the  Church 
would  always  be  fubjedi  to  the  Enmiry  of  Prophanenefs 
and  Irreligion  ;  and  refledted  on  fome  Sermons  preach'd 
at  Oxford  upon   Publick  Occalions.     The  Archbilhop 
of  Tork  intimated  his  Apprehcnlion  of  Danger  from  the 
mcreafe  of  Diffentcn  and  their  Academies ;  and  mov'd 
that  the  Judges  might  be  cohjultcd  what  Laws  were  in 
Force  againfi  fuch  Seminaries^  and  b)  what   Means  they 
might  be  fupfreffed.     The  Lord  H^narton  mov'd  for  con- 
fuking  the   Judges  about  Means   of  fupprelling    the 
Schools  and  Seminaries  of  Non-Jurors,  G^c.  And  added, 
thar  after  all  the   Cry  of  the  Churches  Danger,   he 

couid  find  nothing  in  u,  but  the  D.  of  B ,  £.  of  /<, 

and 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        685 


and  the  E.  of  N,   were  out  of  Race,  ^c.  The  Bilhop  ^*  1705. 

iA  Ely  mov'd  for  confulting  the  Judges  about  the  Power 

of  the  Queen  to  vifit  the  Univerfities ;    complaining 

of  the  heat  and  paffion  of  the  Gentlemen  there,  which 

they  inculcated  upon  their  Pupils,   who  brought  the 

fame  Fury  with  them  to  the  Parilhes  when  they  came 

Abroad,  to  the  great  difturbance  of  Publick  Charity, 

He  complain'd  alfo,  of  the  undutifulnefs  of  the  Clergy 

to  their  Bifhops,    and  the  difficulty  they  had  to  govern 

them  regularly.     The  Bifliop  of  Coventry  2indi  Litchfield, 

alfo  complain'd  of  the  opprobrious  Names  the  Clergy 

gave  their  Bifhops,    and  the  calumnies  they  laid  on 

them,  as  if  they  were  in  a  Plot  to  deftroy  the  Church, 

and  had  compounded  to  be  the  laft  of  their  Order,  and 

when  the  Plot  was  ripe,    were  to  refign  their  Bifliop- 

licks,  and  accept  a  Penfion  for  Life,  ^c.    The  Bilhop 

of  Bnth  and  H^ells  complain'd  of  the  Terms  of  High 

Church  and  Low  Church,     The  D.  of  Leeds^   fajd  that 

the  Church  could  not  be  fafe  without  the  A(St  againft 

Cecafional  Conformity ;   and  added,  that  the  Q:—  had4n 

Difcourfe  with  him  declar'd  her  Self  of  that  Opinion. 

The  Lord  Sommers  faid,   that  for  Men  to  raife  ground- 

lefs  Jealoufies  at  this  Time  of  Day,   could  mean  no  lefs,' 

than  an  intention  to  embroil  us  at  Home,  and  to  defeat 

all  our  Glorious  Defigns  Abroad.    Upon  the  whole,  it 

was  carried  by  a  Majority  of  61  Lords  againft  30,  that 

the  C.  of  B,  was  not  in  Danger;    and  it  was  Refolv'd, 

That  the  C.  of  E,  a  by  Law  BJlahliflod,    which  was  refcud 

from  the  extreameU  Danger  by  i^.  WIL  LI  AM  IIL  «/ 

Glorious  Memory^  is  now  by  God's  Blejftng^  under  the  Happy 

I(eign  of  Her  Myejly,    in  a  moFt  fafe  and  fioiirifhing  Coti" 

dition:    And  that  whoever  goes  about  to  fuggeSl  and  injinu* 

ate,  that  the  Church  is  in  Danger  under  Her  Majefiys  Ad- 

minijiration^  ts  an  Enemy  to  the  Queen,    the  Church,  and 

the  Kjngdom,    And  18  Lords  entred  their  Proteft  again  t 

this  Refolution,  with  their  Reafons. 

On  Dec,  8,  the  Commons  debated  the  fame  Point  in 
a  full  Houfe.  Mr.  Bromley  began  ;  urging  the  fame  Ar- 
guments to  prove  the  Church  to  be  in  Danger,  as  had 
been  infifted  on  in  the  Houfe  of  Peers;  and  he  was 
backed  by  Sir  J,  P:  But  it  was  carried  that  the  Church 
was  fafe,  by  xi  2  Voices,  againft  i6i.  The  Two  Hoii- 
fes  agreed  to  lay  their  Refolution  before  Her  Majefty, 
and  made  an  Addrefs  to  Her  accordingly  j  and  begg'd 

that 


686  Sr^fke  Hffiorical  Addilions     Chap.  XIX. 


An.  1765.  thit  She  would  take  effectual  Meafures  for  the  making 
the  faid  i^<?/o/ttf /o«  Publick ;  and  alfo  for  punilliing  the 
Authors  and  fpreaders  of  thefe  feditious  and  fcandaiou^ 
Reports,  C?c.  And  purfuam  to  it  a  Proclamation  was 
KTu'd  out,  offering  a  Reward  of  loo/.  to  any  one  that 
ihould  difcovcr  the  Author  or  Authors  of  the  Mcmoriaf^ 
fo  as  that  he  might  be  brought  to  Juftice  fot  his  Offencb, 

Her  Majefty  in  Her  clofing  Speech  at  the  end  of  the 
Seflion,  exprefs'd  her  Self  thus.  Your  Vnanimit)  and 
^eal,  which  I  have  ohfervd  voith  great  SntufaBion^  through" 
&ut  this  whole  SeJJion^  againji  every  Thing  that  tends  to- 
wards  Seditiony  doth  Jo  much  difcourage  all  fuch  Attempts 
for  the  Future^  and  hath  fet  fuch  nn  Example  to  the  whole 
f\ingdom^  that  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  find  the  EffeHs  of 
it  every  where :  And  t  ajfure  my  Self  you  will  mal{e  it  yc.u¥ 
Bufinefi  and  Care  to  improve  and  perfeS  that  good  Wqy\ 
you  have  fo  far  advanced ;  and  by  continuing  to  /hew  d 
diflik?  of  aU  FaQions^  and  turbulent  Proceedings^  and  re- 
folving  to  difcountehance  the  encouragers  of  them^  you  ^ill 
foon  make  the  whole  Kingdom  fenfible  of  the  good  Effecls  of 
fo  Prudent  and  Happy  a  ConduB, 
The  Affair  Another  Thing  that  made  no  little  Noife  this  Seflioii 
d/Carolina.  was  the  Affair  of  Carolina.  A  Petition  was  prefented 
to  the  H6ufe  of  Lords,  Sign* d  by  Mr.  Jofeph  Boone,  and 
many  Metchstnts  of  London^  reprefenting  that  King 
C^<<r/ejIL  granted  a  Charter  bearing  date  March  z^.  i66j, 
•to  Edward  ^zt\  of  Clarendon^  8cc.  and  their  Heirs,  the 
Tra<9:  of  Land,  ^c.  caird  Carolina,  to  be  held  of  the 
Crown  of  England  as  a  County  Palatine,  with  Power 
to  them  and  their  Heirs  to  make  Laws  for  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  faid  Colony,  ^c.  That  exprefs  Provifion 
is  made  in  the  faid  Chartery  for  a  Toleration,  and  In- 
dulgence to  all  Chriftians  in  the  free  Excrcife  of  their 
Religion.  That  in  1669  thb  Lords  Proprietors  of  thti 
faid  Colony,  fetlcd  the  Method  of  its  Government  in 
fcvcral  Articles,  call'd,  The  Fundamental  Conftituticns  of 
the  faid  Colony.  That  in  them  it  was  provided  exprefly, 
That  no  Perfon  fhould  be  difturb'd^  for  any  Jpeculative  Opi- 
nion in  Religion,  and  that  no  Perfon  fhould  on  the  Account 
of  ^eligiony  be  excluded  from  being  a  Member  in  the  Ge» 
neral  Ajfembly,  or  from  any  other  Ojfice  of  the  Civil  Admi- 
nijlration:  And  that  thefe  Conftitutions  wereconfirm'd 
in  1689.    That  after  the  AO:  of  Uniformity  many  Sub- 

jeds 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  kevoUition  in  1688.         687 


|e^  of  £w^/4«£^  cranfplanted  themfdves  thither  j  2ixyd  Ah.  i-?g«. 
chat  the  greateft  Part  of  the  Inhabitants  were  Proteftanc 
Diflenters  from  the  C.  of  £,  and  liv'd  in  Pea<:e,  under 
the  Freedom  of  the  faid  Fundamental  Conftitutims.  But 
that  in  1703,  great  Partiality  and  Injuftice  was  us'd  in 
the  Choice  of  a  new  General  AiTembly,  which  on 
Ncv,  4.  1704,  had  pafs'd  an  Ad:,  by  which  lo  Lay  Per- 
fons  were  incorporated  for  the  Exercife  of  feveral  Ex- 
orbitant Powers,  and  all  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdidliona 
with  abfolute  Power  to  deprive  a  Minifter  of  the  C  of  £, 
of  his  Benefice,  not  only  for  Immorality,  but  Impru- 
dence, and  any  iixrurable  Animofities  between  him  and 
his  Parifli,  &c.  That  they  had  alfo  pafs'd  another  Ai^, 
May  6.  1704,  to  incapacitate  every  Perfon  from  being 
a  Member  of  any  General  AlTembly  for  Time  to  comcj, 
imlefs  he  had  taken  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Suppei 
according  to  the  Rites  of  the  C.  of  £,  by  which  alS 
Proieftant  Diflenters  are  made  incapable  of  being  of  the 
faid  Aflembly:  And  yet  that  by  the  faid  Ad,  all  Per- 
fons  who  will  take  an  Oath,  that  they  have  not  re- 
ceiv'd.the  Sacrament  in  any  DilTenting  Congregation  foe 
a  Year  paft,  tho'  they  had  not  receiv'd  in  the  C.  of  £, 
were  made  capable  of  being  of  it ;  And  that  in  the 
Preamble  to  the  faid  kOt  it  is  alferted,  that  by  the  Laws 
and  Ufage  of  England,  all  Members  of  Parliament  arc 
oblig'd  to  Conform  to  the  C.  of  jB,  by  receiving  the  Sa- 
crament of  the  Lord's  Supper,  according  to  the  Rites 
of  the  faid  Church.  That  this  A<^  was  paft  illegally: 
And  the  faid  Colony  hereupon  in  danger  of  being  ruin'd»' 
Hereupon  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  after  hearing  the  Lord 
Granville^  who  was  then  Palatine  of  the  Province  of 
Carolina^  by  his  Council,  and  debating  the  Matter  a- 
mong  themfelves,  made  an  Addrefs  ,to  Her  Majefty, 
fignifying  that  they  had  receivM  fuch  a  Petition  and 
weigh'd  it,  and  come  to  the  following  Refolutions. 
1.  That  it  was  the  Opinion  of  the  Houfe,  chat  the  late 
A<ft  of  the  AlTembly  in  Carolin.^^  entitul'd,  4n  AH  for 
the  Eftabli[hment  of  ^ligious  Pf^or/hip,  8cc.  as  far  as  ic 
relates  to  the  Eftablilhiog  a  Commiffioa  for  the  difpla- 
cing  Rcdfcors,  &c.  is  not  warranted  by  their  Charter,, 
or  Confonant  to  Reafon,  but  repugnant  to  the  Laws  of 
this  Realm,  and  deftrudlive  to  the  Conftitution  of  the 
C.  of  £.  2.  That  the  late  Adt  there,  for  the  more 
effedual  Prefervation  of  the  Government,  by  requiring 


688  Some  Hi/iorkal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An.  170$.  aH  Members  of  the  Commons  Houfe  of  Aflcmbly  to 
Conform  to  the  Religious  Worfhip  of  the  C  of  H,  is 
founded  upon  falfiry  in  Matter  of  Fad:,  is  repugnant 
to  the  Laws  of  Englnndj  contrary  to  the  Charter,  an 
encouragement  to  Atheifm  and  Irreligion,  deftrudive 
to  Trade,  and  tends  to  the  depopulating  and  ruining 
of  the  faid  Province,  ^c. 
The  Tro-      With  this  new  Parliament,   a  new  Convocation  alfo 

cecdin^s  of  for  the  Province  of  Canterbury  met  at  St.  Pauls,  O^.  25. 

the  Con-      fhc   Latin    Sermon    was  preach'd    by   Dr.  Stanhope,  ^ 

yocation,  Dp^  Binkj  carried  it  from  Dr.  Stanhope  for  Prolocutor,  ' 
and  was  prefented  by  the  Dean  of  Chrift  Church.  The  a 
Upper  Hoiife  foon  agreed  in  an  AddrefstoHerMajefty, 
which  they  fent  down  to  the  Lower.  It  contained  hum- 
ble Thanks  for  Her  affectionate  Care  and  tender  Con- 
cern for  the  C.  of  E,  as  Eftablifh'd  by  Law,  from  Her 
firft  AccefTion  to  the  Throne  to  this  Day.  And  then 
they  added  thus,  by  way  of  Harmony  with  the  Two 
Houfes  of  Parliament:  PVj  are  exceedingly  grievd  that 
any  of  your  Siihjcfts  fhould  he  Jo  ungrateful  and  unworthy y 
at  once  to  fugged  that  cur  Church  can  be  in  Danger,  for 
want  of  fuch  Support  and  Encouragement  in  your  Majejiys 
^eign,  di  may  make  it  Flour  ifh  in  your  ownTimej  and  teste  it 
fecure  after  you.  And  altho  it  k  no  new  Thing  for  defigri" 
ing  M-'n  to  proflitute  the  venerable  Name  of  the  Church  to 
the  Service  of  their  own  private  Ends,  yet  we  thinly  it  very 
Hrav'^e  that  any  ftoould  he  found  Jo  extreamly  weal{  and  un" 
.  dutiful  as  to  be  deluded  by  theje  groundle^  Clamours^  when 
they  have  been  Jo  often  and  Jo  publickjy  conjuted  by  your 
£{pyal  f^ord  and  Atlions ;  and  when  the  happy  State  of  the 
C.  of  E.  is  Jo  much  obfervd  and  ejieem'd  Abroad^  that  Je» 
vcral  of  the  Foreign  Churches  are  endeavouring  to  accommo^ 
Hate  themfelves  to  our  Liturgy  and  Conjiitution,  To  infi" 
nuate  that  the  Church  is  in  Danger,  under  thefe  Circum- 
JianceSf  aiid  againji  /ill  the  Tcflimo7iies  and  Ajjurances  of 
your  R^yal  Care  and  ProtcBion,  can  proceed  from  nothing 
but  Prejudice,  Intcre^,  and  Atnhition,  We  humbly  crave 
leave  to  exprej^  our  just  ^fentment  cf  the  indignity  of  all 
fuch  Suggcfticns ,  not  only  di  falfe  and  groundlefs  in 
themJelveSf  but  chiefly  as  they  are  difhonourable  [{efleBions 
upon  your  B^yal  Promijes  for  the  Support  of  the  Church,  and 
Upon  your  Princely  Wijdorn  in  choojing  the  most  proper  and 
effeBual  Meajures  to  that  ejid,  VVc  beg  leave  aljo  in  a  deep 
Senje  ojyour  Majejiys  GoodneJ^^    and  an  intire  dependance 

upon 


Chap.  XIX.   after  the  HcDolHtion  in  jt688,  689 

nponyour  ^al  iVord^    to  ekprefi  our  great  Joy  and  Satis.  An.  170^. 

faEHori^  in  the  flourifhing  Condition  of  the  Church  under  ydur 

molf  Aujpiciaus  Government,     We  are  fiire  it  xvill  altvays 

be  in  your  will  to  Support  and  ProteB  it  j   arid  that  the  Di- 

firaFtions  which  thcje  groundlefl  Jealoufies  are  intended  to 

raife^    may   never  put  it  out  of  your    Povper^    we  Promife 

to  ufe  our  utmost  Endeavours  to  difcounttnance  them,  and  in 

our  feve^al  Stations^   to  defend  and  preferve  inviolably,  fo 

far  as  in  us  lies^    the  Do^rine^   Di[cipHne\  and  IVorfhip  of 

cur  Church  oi  by  Lato  Ejiablijh'd ;   and  to  promote  Peace 

nyid  "Unity  amongst  your  Suhjeds  ;  p'aying  earnejily  for  your 

M.'ij''fty''s  long  and  Projperous  Hsign  over  w  ^  as  under  the 

'£>lvin?  Providence^  the  greatest  BUffing  and  Security  that 

either  Church  or  State  can  enjoy. 

Some  in  the  Lower  Houfe  were  for  agreeing  to  this 
jAddrefs  with  Alteraiions :  But  the  Majority  carried  it 
for  drawing  up  one  of  their  own.  A  Committee  was 
fix*d  on^  and  the  Dean  of  Chrifi  Church  at  their  next 
Meeting  reported  an  wholly  new  Form,  which  contained 
Thanks  to  Her  Majefty  for  Her  great  Zeal  for  the 
Church,  and  tender  Afiedkion.  to  it,  but  exprefs'd  not 
that  full  Satisfadtibn  as  to  the  fafety  of  the  Church, 
and  that  Indignation  againft  fuch  as  reprefehced  her  tt> 
be  in  Danger,  as  appear'd  in  rhat  which  came  dowh 
from  the  Opper  Houfe.  This  new  Addrefs  was  carry'cj 
up  by  the  Prolocutor,  Nov.  19.  The  Archbilliop  made 
Anfwer  in  Writing,  that  they  could  not  receive  their 
Addrels,,  but  required  them  to  go  back  to  their  Houfe^ 
and  to  confidcr  the  Addrefs  fent  dovvn  to  them,,  and 
either  agree  to  it,  or  bring  lip  theit  Exceptions  agaiilft 
it  in  Writing. 

Some  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  when  they  return  d  were 
for  doing  this :  But  the  Majority  in  Two  Meetings, 
agreed,  that  fuch  Notice  be  taken  of  thofe  Words  in  the 
Meffage  from  tHfe  Upper  Ho'jfe,  ttA\  canndt  receive  the  Adr- 
dfc\l  you  have  offer' d  to  wy,  as  to  affirm,  and  effe^lually 
aflert  their  Righty  of  having  what  they  offer'd  to  the 
Upper  Houfe  receiv'd  by  his  Grace  and  their  Lordfhips : 
That  it  was  proper  for  the  Houfe  in  their  Anfwer  to 
fay,  that  they  conceived  their  Lordfhips  refufal  was  ari 
infringement  of  that  Right:  That  it  is  not  a  neceffary 
Duty  of  the  Lower  Houfe  to  reconfider,  when  theic 
Lordfhips  require  it,  what  they  have  declar'd  to  their 
Lbrdlhips  they  hav«  maturely  coniider'dj   and  cai^noi 

Y  y  joiii 


6oo  Some  Hijlorkal  Additions     Chap,  XIX. 


«^-  1705.  join  in  it.     That  the  Lower  Houfe  notwitbftanding 
their  Lordftiips  expedlation  exprefs'd  in  their  Meflage, 
was  ftill  at  Liberty  to  difagree,   without  offering  their 
Exceptions:    However,   ihey  agreed  to  reconfider  the 
Addrefs  of  the  Lords,   and  to  lay  before  them  the  fub- 
ftance  of  the  Refohiticns  foregoing.     They  alfo  agreed, 
not  to  depart  from  their  former  Refolution  of  not  join- 
ing with  their  Lord(hips  in  their  Addrefs;  and  after- 
wards,   not  10  carry  up  any  Exceptions  to  their  Lord- 
fhips  Addrefs ;    but  to  fignifie  to  them  that  it  is  the  un- 
doubted Right  of  ihe  Lower  Houfe  to  have  the  Paper 
they  prefented  receiv'd  by  their  Lordlhips,    and  that 
ihey  hop'd  they  would  be  fatisfy'd  upon  perufing  it: 
And  that  the  Lower  Houfe  entirely  confided  in   Her 
Majefty's  Zeal  for  the  C.  of  £,    and  an  hearty  detefta- 
tion  of  all  Perfons  that  fhould  endeavour  to  raife  any 
Jealoufies  concerning  it.     And  purfuant  to  thefe  Refo- 
lutions,  a  Paper  was  carry 'd  from  the  Lower  to  the  Up- 
per Houfe,  on  Dec.  i . 

On  Dec  1 6,  the  Dean  of  Peterborough  Protefted  a- 
gainft  the  Irregularities  of  the  Lower  Houfe;  And  par- 
ticularly againft  the  Prolocutors  proroguing  the  Houfe 
by  the  Authority  of  the  Houfe  iifelf;  The  pretending 
to  a  Power  to  put  the  Prolocutor  into  the  Chair  be- 
fore he  is  confirm'd  by  the  Archbilhop  and  Biftiops : 
The  pretending  to  a  Power  ro  give  leave  to  their  Mem- 
bers to  abfent  themfelvcs,  and  fubftitute  Proxies :  The 
elcding  an  A£luary  in  prejudice  of  the  Right  of  the 
•  Archbilhop:  The  late  difrefpe(5tful  and  undutiful  Car- 
riage of  the  Houfe  to  the  Archbilhop  and  Bilhops,  in  re- 
fufmg  their  Addrefs  to  Her  Majefty,  without  making 
any  Exceptions,  &c,  his  Proteftation  was  (ign'd  by  50 
Perfons  and  Proxies  befides  himfeif.  The  Lower  Houlc 
would  not  fuffer  this  Proteftation  to  be  read,  and  there- 
fore it  was  carried  to  the  Upper,  and  entered  in  their  A(5l:s. 
Some  Time  after  the  Convocation  was  prorogu'd  to 
lAiirch  I  ;  by  which  Time  Her  Majefty  was  pleas'd  to 
fend  a  Letter  to  the  Archbilhop,  dated  Febr.  25.  (igni- 
fying  Her  concern  that  the  Differences  in  Convocation 
were  ftill  kept  up,  and  rather  encreas'd  than  abated : 
And  that  She  was  the  laiore  furpriz'd,  becaufe  it  had 
been  Her  conftant  Care  and  Endeavour  to  prclervc  the 
Conftitution  of  the  C.  of  E.  as  by  Law  Eftablifh'd,  and 
to  difcountenance  all  Divifions  and  Innovations  whatfo- 
•  ever 


Chap.  XIX.   after  the  Revolnthn  in  i62^.        6qi 


ever  ;  Declaring  She  was  Refolv'd  to  maintain  Her  Su-  An,  1705. 
■premacy^  and  the  due  Subordination  of  Presbyters  to 
Biihops,  as  Fundamental  Parts  thereof;  and  that  She 
expedted  that  he  and  his  Suffragans  (hould  adt  Confor- 
mably to  his  and  Her  Refolution ;  and  that  in  fo  doing 
they  might  be  affur'd  of  the  Continuance  of  Her  Fa- 
vour and  Protedtion  :  And  that  neither  of  them  Ihouid 
be  wanting  to  any  of  the  Clergy,  whilft  they  were  true 
to  the  Conftitution,  and  dutiful  to  Her,  and  their  Ec- 
clefiaftical  Superiours ;  and  preferv'd  fuch  a  Temper  as 
became  All,  but  efpeciaJly  thofe  who  were  in  Holy  Or- 
ders :  And  She  required  him  to  Communicate  this  to  the 
Bilhopsand  Clergy;  and  on  March  i,  to  prorogue  the 
Convocation  to  fuch  Time  as  appear'd  moft  convenient. 
The  Archbifhop  being  indifpos'd,  fent  the  Bifliop  of 
NoTfvichf  to  Communicate  the  Queens  Letter  to  the 
Convocation.  The  Members  of  the  Lower  Houfe 
who  came  up  wiih  the  Prolocutor  had  fcarce  Pacience 
to  ftay  and  hear  the  Letter;  and  when  they  came  to 
their  own  Houfe,  they  Adjourn'd  th^mTelves  to  the 
Wednefday  following. 

Mr.  Oliyjfe  this  Year  publifh'd  his  zd  Defence  of  Mini-    Booh  and 
Jlerial  Conformity;  and  Mr.  Hoadly  his  Defence  of  the  ^a-  ^amph/ets 
fonahlenejl  of  Conformity:   Both  which  I  confider'd  in  my  *^'**  ^^^^ 
Defence  of  Moderate  Nonconformity  ;  Part  the  3d:    Con- f^^^'fl'^' 
raining  a  Vindication  of  the  Silenc'd  Miniftersfor  con- 
tinuing their  Miniftry  ;   of  the  Reafons  of  the  People 
for  adhering  to  them,  and  their  Succeffors;  and  of  the 
Occafional  Conformity  of  them  and  their  adherents. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Hoadly,  alfo,  this  Year  preach'd  a  Ser- 
mon at  St.  Lawrence  Jevpry,  before  the  Eledion  of  the 
Lord  Mayor,  upon  i^ow.  13.  i.  as  he  had  fome  Time 
before  Printed  a  very  good  Sermon  on  the  Anniverfary 
Day  of  Thank fgiving  for  the  Qpeens  AcceiFion  to  the 
Crown.  He  fo  ftrenuoully  defended  Liberty  and  Pro- 
perty, that  he  fell  under  the  Indignation  and  Cenfures 
of  High  Church.  They  thundred  againft  him  in  a  va- 
riety of  Pamphlets,  according  to  their  ufual  Cuftom. 
One  publilh'd  a  Vindication  o/f^je  London  Clerq^y  from  the 
Afperfions  which  he  had  cart  upon  them.^  Another, 
St.  Paul  no  mover  of  Sedition;  Or  a  brief  Vindication  of 
that  Apoftle,  from  his  falfe  and  difingenuous  Expofition, 
CJir.  But  he  deionded  himfelf  nobly,  in  his  Mcafures  rf 
Submiffiony  &c.  for  which  all  true  hearted  EvgUfh  Men 

Yy  2  own 


692  Some  Hillortcal  AddHions     Chap.  XlX. 


Att.  1705.  own  themfelves  indebted]  to  him.  For  my  Part,  tho'  I 
have  often  wondred  that  his  Principles  did  not  carry 
hiaa  farther,  and  that  he  fliould  not  be  a$  much  againft 
an  Ecchfjnjiicii/  as  a  Civil  Slaven,  yet  it  troubled 
me  to  he  engaged  in  a  Controvcrfie  with  one,  who  was 
{o  feT\  iceableto  his  Cowntry. 

Mr.  Dodwel  upon  his  old  narrow  Bottom,  now  pub- 
lifti'd  a  Tra(ft,  Entituled,  Occnfional  Communion  Funda- 
mentally Dfftruciive  of  the  Diftifline  of  the  Primitive  Ca- 
tholicl^Chwch;  and  contrary  to  the  DoEirine  of  the  late  Si 
Scriptures^  concerning  Clnrrch  Communion^  0(St.  And 
aiKJther  Celebrated- Writer,  puHifh'd  An  Hiftorical  Ac- 
count of  Compreherifion  nnd  ~tolei-ation^  from  the  Old  Pu- 
titati,  to  the  New  Latittidinarian,  with  their  continu'd 
Proje(fts  and  Dcfigns,  in  Oppofition  to  the  Orthodox 
Eftablifhment.  My  Abridgement  comes  in  for  a  tafte  of 
his  genteel,  mild,  candid  Spirit  and  Treatment :  But  I 
doubt  not  much  to  the  Credit  of  the  Writer,  or  the  Sa- 
lisfad^ion  of  the  Reader,  that  has  any  regard  to  tht 
f'Vords  of  Truth  or  Sobernefi.  Now  alfo  came  out,  The 
l{ights  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  Anfwer  to  the  Rights 
of  the  Protcftant  Diffenters.  Dedicated  to  the  Houfc 
of  Commons.  He  very  handfomely  calls  the  Gentle- 
man he  writes  againft,  an  injolem  Author  -^  and  he  treats 
him  accordingly.  He  complains  in  his  Preface,  of  ha- 
ving to  do  with  provcl{iT!g^  cx-jperAnng^  incorrigible  Ad' 
verfaries;  but  1  dotibt  his  Way  of  dealing  with  them, 
did  not  make  many  Converts.  He  tells  the  World  he 
has  to  do  with  a  pert  fVt  iter,  a  wretched  Vpftart^  an  infolent 
Scribler,  and  tin  ignorant  and  impudent  Advocate :  'Twas 
therefore  a  wonder  he  ftiould  beftow  fo  much  Pains  up- 
on him.  Why  did  he  not  pat  his  Time  to  a  better  Ufe  ? 
But  when  he  talks  of  a  Shifmatical  Party  chat  burnt  Lon- 
don, and  the  Ships  at  Chattham^  were  plotting  Mifchief 
againft  the  Church  of  England  ac  Hanover^  and  were 
ready  at  the  watch  Word  and  Signal  given,  to  mob 
the  Houfe  of  Commons,  AflalTinate  Her  Majefty,  and 
join  with  a  F  treign  Enemy  to  invade  the  Kingdom, 
and  fubvert  the  Church  and  Government,  he  takes 
an  cffciSlual  Way  not  to  be  belicv'd,  as  long  as  any  Me^- 
morials  of  the  Times  prefent  are  remaining;  nor  to  be  re- 
garded in  his  malevolent  Charges  and  furious  Inve£lives. 

Now  alfo  came  out  a  Juftification  of  the  Diflenters 
from  Mr.  Bennet's  Charge  of  Scbifm  :  and  Mr.  Palfner'% 

Vin- 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  iniSQS,         693 


Vindication  of  the  Learning,  Loyalty,  Morals,  and-4».  170s- 
Chriftian  Behaviour  of  tfie  Diflenters  towards  the 
Church  of  England,  in  Anfwei  to  Mr.  TVejJe/s  Defence 
of  his  Lettei.  And  tho'  that  Author  has  fince  fallen  in 
with  the  Church  of  England^  yet  that  makes  no  altera- 
tion in  the  Truth  of  Matters  of  Fa(^  related,  nor  does 
it  abate  of  the  Strength  of  the  Argument  purfud. 
And  finally ;  now  alfo  came  out,  Mr.  TaOent'sfhort  Hi- 
ftoY)  of  Schi/rHy  for  the  promoting  of  Chriftian  Mode- 
ration, and  the  Communion  of  Saints.  The  Two  No-  , 
tions  which  this  Tradk  oppofes  are  thefej  that  all 
who  are  Guilty  of  Schifm,  live  in  a  Courfe  of  Sin, 
as  ruinous  as  Murder  or  Adultery,  and  are  in  a  State  of 
Damnation ;  and  that  we  may  not  at  any  Time  Wor- 
fhip  God  with  fuch.  The  firft  Notion,  that  Schifma- 
ticks  are  out  of  the  Church  and  capnot  b^  fav'd,  but 
are  in  a  damnable  State,  is  proved  to  be  taken  from  the 
I{omanifts-^  and  it  is  flxewn  that  it  has  no  ground  in 
Scripture  5  that  it  cuts  off  a  great  part  of  Chrift's 
Church,  and  damns  Multitudes  of  excellent  Perfons 
in  all  Ages  and  Places;  and  be  fhews  it  by  rec- 
koning up  the  moft  eminent  and  remarkable  Schifms; 
and  he  adds,  that  this  Notion  is  grounded  only  on 
fpme  Paflfages  ia  St.  Cyprian^  and  others  of  the  Fathers, 
which  are  conlider'd.  The  fecond  Notion,  that  we  are 
not  to  Worfhip  God  with  Schifmaticks,  comes  alfo,  he 
owns,  from  the  Fathers:  But  he  confiders  the  Scrip- 
ttires  they  alledge  ia  the  Cafe,  and  gives  InftancesoE 
forae  that  Communicated  with  Schifmaticks  in  the 
Primitive  Times.  And  he  fhews  that  its  good  to  Wor- 
fhip God  fometimes,  with  thofe  with  whom  we  do  not 
conftantly  ;  and  anfwers  Objections  againft  it ;  and 
(hews  that  he  underftood,  and  was  really  willing  to 
maintain  the  Communion  of  Saints,  as. well  as  keep  it 
as  an  Article  in  his  Creed. 

In  M.  DCC.  VI.  The  Diflenters  of  the  Three  Denor 
minations,  with  Mr.  Spademan  at  their  Head,  prefented 
the  following  Addrefs  to  the  Queen  zt  H^indfor^June  i^  ^ 
after  the  fignal  Victory  at  B^melUes, 

May  it  flenfe  Tour  Majefty^ 
*/Tr^HE  late  furprizing  Progrefs  of  Your  MajefVy's 

-*i    '  Forces,    and  thofe  of  Your  Allies  in  Flnnders^ 
*  under  the  Command  Qf  the  molt  Illufirious  Prince,' 


694  Some  HiflorJcal  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


Ah.  \-jo6.*  the  Duke  of  Xi^rlhorough,  and  of  thofe  in  Spain, 
'  commanded  by  the  Noble  Earls  of  Peterborough  and 
'  Galiv/tyy  happily  fupported  by  your /(oyi/ N47>/,  under 

*  ihc  condudt  of  your  Prudent  and  Valiant  Admirals, 
'  engages   us  humbly  to  Congratulate  your    Majefty 

*  on  to  Glorious  an  Occafion. 

'  The  Signal  Anfwer  iit   has  pleafed  God  to  return 
'  to  thofe  Devout  Prayers,    which  your   Majefty  and 

*  your  People,  by  your  Pious  Diredion,   addrefs'd   to 

*  Heaven,   infpires  us  with  a  Joy  equal  to  the  Mor- 

*  tiftcation   it  gives  yout  Enemies:    And  while  your 

*  Majefty  afcribes  your  many  Victories  to   the  Arm 

*  of   the   Almighty,   and    repeats    your  Royal  Com- 

*  mands  to  your  People  to  offer  him  folemn  Thankf- 

*  giving,    we  cannot   but  look    upon  ycur  Majefty's 

*  Piety,  as  a  hopeful  Pledge  of  the  like  future  Suc- 

*  ceiTes. 

As  the  important  Confequences  of  your  Majefty's 
Triumphs  make  a  daily  Acceflion  to  your  Glory,  fo 

*  they  give  us  an  agreeable  Profpeifi  of  the  Speedy  Re- 

*  duAionof  the  Power  of  France  to  its  juft  Limits,  the 
Reftitution  of  Liberty  and  Peace  to  Europe^   the  ef- 

*  fedtual  Relief  of    the    Reformed    Churches  Abroad, 

*  and  the  Security  of  that  Provifion  the  Law  has  made 
^  for    a    Proieftant  Succeftion  10  the  Crown   of   this 

*  Kin^donri. 

:  *  We  gratefully  acknowledge  the  Share  we  have  in 

*  the   Blellings  of  your    Majefty's   aufpicious    Reign, 

*  which  preferves  to  us  both  o^r  Civil  and  Religious 

*  Liberties,  and  take  this  Occafion  to  renew  to  your 

*  Majefiy,  the  Aflurance  of  our  inviolable  Fidelity,  to 
which  not  only  cur  Intereft  and  Inclination,  but  the 

'  facred  Tyes  of  Gratitude  and  Confcience  oblige  us  : 

*  And  we  ftiall  ufc  our  urmoft  Endeavours  in  our  feve- 

*  ral  Stations  to  promote  that  Union  and  Moderation 

*  among  your  Prr  teftant  Subjects,  fo  often  recommend- 

*  ed  by  your  Majefty,  as  highly  necelfary  to  the  Com- 
'  mon  Safety. 

*  May  the  Divine  Providence  that  has  made  ycur 
'  Majefty  not  only  Head  of  the  Proteftant  Inrereft,  but 

*  Chief  in  the  Confederacy,  for  the  Glorious  Caufc  of 

*  Common  Liberty,  give  your  Majefty  the  Satisfaction 
of  fteingboih  more  rirmly  eftablifti'd  than  e^erby  the 
Influence  of  your  CounfrJs  and  Succcfs  of  your  Arms. 

[  May 


Ghap.  XIX.  after  the  Revoifitwn  in  1 688,        6^^ 

'  May  your  Majefty's  Exemplary  Piety,    Zeal  for  the -4«.  1705. 

*  Reformation  of  Manners,  and  Parental  Care  of  all 

*  your  People,  even  ihofe  of  the  remoteft  Colonies,  be 

*  eminently  rewarded  by  the  great  God,  with  the  con- 
'  ftant  Profperity  of   your  Government.    May  your 

*  Reign  be  honoured  with  an  happy  Union  of  your 

*  two  Kingdoms  of  Great  Britain.     May  your  Royal 

*  Confort  the  Prince  enjoy  a  confirmed  Health.     May 
'  your  Majefty  continue  to  rule  in  the  Hearts  of  your 

*  People,  and  be  late  advanced  to  a  Throne  of  Glory 
'  in  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven. 

The  Union  between  England  and  Scothnd,  was  the  The  Union 
great  Affair  of  this  Year.     It  bad  been  oft  attempted,  between 
but  never  could  be  brought  to  bear  till  now.      The  Enghnd 
Commiflioners  of  the  two  Kingdoms  having  adjufted  '^"^  ^<^^^' 
the  moft  material  Points,  the  Articles  agreed  on  were  ^"^^^^ 
firft  paffed  by  the  Parliament  of  Scotlnnd,  and  then  by 
the  Englifh  Parliament.    Some  of  both  Nations  were 
zealous  for  it,  hoping  that  fuch  an  Union  would  much 
add  to  our  common  Strength  and  Safety,  and  difap- 
point  feme  obvious  Defigns  of  our  Enemies.    Others 
were  as  much  againft  it;  on  one  Hand  through  a  Jea- 
loufy  of  Trade,and  thro' a  Fondnefs  of  Independency  on 
the  other.     And  it  was  obferved,  that  as  many  were 
againft  it  in  'North-Britain^    out  of  fear  it  would  ruin 
the  Church  of  Scotland^  fo  were  others  in  South-Britnin, 
apprehenfive  it  would  ruin  the  Church  of  England.     In 
order  to  the  giving  Satisfadion  on  both  Sides,  An  kdt 
paffed  in  Scotland  previous  to  the  Union,  confirming 
theWorlhip,  Difcipline,  and  Government  of  the  Church 
there,   and  providing  for  the  continuance  of  it,  with- 
out any  Alteration   to    the   People    of   North-Britain 
in  all  fucceeding  Generations :  An  A6t  alfo  paffed  here, 
for  fecuring   the   Church  of  England  as  by  Law  Efta- 
blifh'd,  effectually  and  unalterably  ;    by  which  it  was 
enacted,  that  the  Ad  of  the  13  £//^.  for  the  Minifters 
of  the  Church  to  be  of  a  found  Religion,  and  the  Adt 
of  Uniformity  paft  in  the  13  Car.  II.  and  all,  and  fin- 
gular  other  A£ls  of  Parliament  now  in  Force  for  the 
Eftabli(hmenc  and  Prefervation  of  the    C.  of  £.  the 
Dcdrine,  Worfhipj  Difcipline,  and  Government  there- 
of, ihould  remain,    and  be    in    full    Force  for  ever. 
And  it  was    enaded,    that  both   thefe  Ads  ihould 
for  ever  be  holden  and  adjudged  to  be  Fundamental 

Y  y  4  and 


6(^6  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX^ 


t. 


Am-  \  7p6.  and  Eflential  Pans  of  the  Treaty  of  Union  between 
the  two  K'ogdoms  ;  and  both  were  accordingly  infert- 
ed  in  expr.  Is  Terms  in  the  A(5t  fcr  ratifying  the  U- 
nion,  and  declared  to  be  ElTential  and  fundamental 
Fa,ns  I  hereof. 

The  thus  Confirming  the  A<5t  of  Uniformity,,  and 
[he   Hccleliaitical  Conftituiion  here  in  Eu^Und^  to  alt 
Particulars,  upon  the  prefer t  Foot,  for  perpetuity,  was 
reckon  d    by   ihc   Oilfenters   to  make   tbeir   Way   the 
clearer,  fince  all  H<  pes  of  a  farther  Keforcnauon  of  the 
Conftitution  (of  Which   tbere  is fo  much  need  )  were 
Hereby  taken  away.     The  old  ]?tiruans  many  of  them 
fell  in  widi  the  Eftablilhd  Church,   in  hope  of  that 
Way  contribaring  to  a  farther  Reformation  :  And  they 
that  adhere  to  their  Principles^have  fincetheReftoration 
been  often  prcfTed  to  imitate  their  Example,  and  fall  in 
withrhc  fefi^bbtTi'd  Church,  with  that  View  ;  and  fome 
woithy  Perfons  actually  have  done  it  ;  But  the  Go- 
vernment  by   this  Settleoienc   of  all  Things    in   the 
Chuich  as    I  hey   were  to  Perpetuity,  and  embodying 
this  Setr'ement  with  the  Union,  and  making  it  a  Fun- 
damental Part  of  it,  has  quite  filcncd  that  Plea,  and 
made  it  as  fenf-lcfs  to  urge  it,  as  it  would  be  weak  to 
regard    it.     So  chat  h^nce  forward,  all  that  are  con- 
virK'd  that  a  farther  Reformation  is  needful,  and  that 
it  is  their  Duty  in   their  Places  to  purfuc  it,  are  bound 
in  Confcience  to  keep  at  a  Diftance  from  that  Church, 
.which  has  (as  much  as  in  it  lies)   barr'd  all  Avenues 
of  farther  Li^hr,  and  dctcrmin'd  by  a  Law  that  it  wilj 
be,  as  it  is,  for  ever.     This  the  Diflenrers  could  not 
hut  be  concerned  at,  ani  fo;ryfor,  and  yet  as  for  the 
Vnion  they  reioLc'd  la  ir,  in  hope  it;  might  ftrengthen 
the  Security  of  the  Proteltant  Succefiion,  and  anfwer  o- 
ther  good  and  valuable  Ends. 
7l}e  Conyo-      ^^^  Convoration  met  at  the  fame  Time  with  the 
caticn.         Parliament  as  vifually.     Tho*  they  had  in  their  former 
Seifionj  diifer'd  much  about  :he  Form  of  an  Addrefsto 
hcrMajeily,  yet  now  they  agreed  pretty  unanimoufly; 
and  lK>th  Houfes  prefent  aa  Addrefs  on  Dec.  6.  by  Way 
of  C^  ngrarnlat'On  upon  the  wonderful  Succels  of  her 
Majeflies     Arms,   &c.   and    they    ackuowlcdg'd    the 
Church  to  be  fafe  under  her  Majefty's  Adminiftration, 
^c.     Afterv/ards  they  were  prorogu'd,   and  the  Lower 
tfouf^  yvas  uneafy,  bccaufe  there  was  act  Profpeci  oi 
'■  Bnf.nefs- 


Chap.  XIX,  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         697 


Bufinefs.  On  Peb.  12.  i7of.  the  Queen  fcnc  a  Koysd  An,  1705, 
Writ  to  the  Arcbbifliop,  requiring  him  to  prorogue 
them  to  March  5.  and  he  accordingly  did  it.  The 
Lower  Houfe  tho'c  this  a  new  Breach  of  their  Parlia- 
mentary Rights,  and  prepared  a.  Paper  agaiofttheDay 
to  which  they  were  prorogued,  to  acquaint  the  Upper 
Houfe,  that  upon  Examination  they  had  found,  that 
fuch  ilTuing  of  a  Royal  Writ  to  order  the  Convocation 
to  be  prorogued,  in  Time  of  Parliament,  an  unprece- 
dented k&f  and  inconfiftent  with  the  Priviledges  of 
Convocation.  And  this  Paper  they  carried  up  on 
Mtrch  i^  Butfeveral  Members  difTented  from  it,  as 
an  unjuft  Impeachment  of  herMajefly's  Supremacy. 

The  Bifliop  of  Lincoln  on  Mny  20th  this  Year,  be-  Booh  and 
gan  his  Primary  Vifitation  at  Lincoln,  and  his  Charge  ^amfhUts. 
to  the  Clergy  of  his  Diocefe  was  publilh'd.    He  there 
complains  of  fome,  that  frofeffed  them/elves  to  hs  not 
only  the  true^  but  almoft  the  only  true  Sons  of  the  C,  of  E. 
who  deferted  the  Publicl(^  Communion,  and  went  into  fepa- 
rate  Ajfemblies,    and  fet   tip    Bi/hops   agasttft    Bifhops, 
Presbyters  againft   Presbyters^   and  Altar  againjl   Altar  ; 
And  fays.  That  there  are  deplorable  H^ats  and  Ammofi- 
ties  among  many  that  [lill  continued  to  live  under  the  fame 
Government,   to  go  to  the  fame  Churches^   and  join  in  the 
fame  Sacrament  with  one  another.  That  they  had  been  di' 
vided  by   new  Names^  into  new  Parties^  and  new  Interefts 
and  had  fpokfn^   written,   and  aHed  with  great  Biiternefs 
and  I{ancour  againfi  one  another^  &c. 

Now  aJfo  came  out  Mr,  Ollyffe*/  Third  Defence  of 
Minifierial  Conformity :  which  contains  a  Repetition  of 
many  Things  faid  before,  but  little  that  vvas  new.    He 
fkys,  that  in  the  13  Elis^,  cap,  12.  Ordination  by  Pres* 
byters  was  own'd,  upon  Perfons  fubfcribing  to  all  the 
3P  Articles*.    But  certainly,  That  muft  be  his  Miftake.  •»«  p.  5. 
in  my  Statute  Book,  the  Words  are  thefe,  and  fubfcribe 
to  all  the  .Articles  of  Religion  which    only  Concern  the 
Confejjion  of  the  true  Chriftian  Faith^    and  the  DoHrine 
of  the  Sacraments.      He's  however    for  the  Power   of 
the  Church  to  decree  Rites  and  Ceremonies  ;   aflenr- 
ing  and  contenting  to  the  Ufe  of  Things,  not  extream- 
ly  approved  of;  and  reckons  Submiflion  a  Duty  in 
compliance  with  Authority,   even  where  the  Bounds 
which  God  has  fixed  for  that  Authority  may  be  exceed- 
ed : 


698  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

jln.  1706.  cd:  I  envy  him  not  his  Sacisfa(ftion.    When  he  di- 
ftinguifties  between  an  explicitc  owning  the  Power  of 
the  Church  to  impofe,  and  fubmitting   to   what  the 
■  State  requires  in  order  to  Liberty,  he'Jl  fee  how  I  am 
free  of  a  Difficulty  he  reckons  me  expofed  to.     And 
when  he  ftaces  his  Cafe  ^ight,  and  does  not  omit  the 
raoft  eCfential  Circumftances,   1  can  foon  tell  him  what 
is  to  be  faid  between  Father  and  Son  :  But  as  he  has 
ftared  it,  he  and  I  are  far  from  differing.     For  me,  he's 
free  to  give  what  Degree  of  Approbation  to  the  Cere- 
monies he  plcafes,    provided  I  have  but  my  Liberty. 
He  may  call  Mr.  Agas's  Rhetorick  mine,  tho'  I  pro- 
duce his  very  Words,  about  every  Point  and  Syllable^  &c. 
if  he  thinks  good  ;  He  may  argue  as  freely  as  he  pleafes 
about  plain  ftubborn  Matter  of  Fadl,  produced  out  of 
the  Lord^j  Journal',  that  will  neither  bow  nor  bend.     I 
don't  fee  but  we  are,    and  are  like  to  be,  where   we 
were.    I  doubt  not,  but  (as  he  freely  owns,)  he  and  his 
Brethren  deiire  and  long  for  a  Reformation  as  well  as 
wc :  Let  us  then  Pray  heartily  for  it,  and  ftudy  what 
in  us  hes  to  promote  it,  in  our  feveral  Ways,  and  ac- 
cording to  our  Light,  and  endeavour  to  ftrengthen  in- 
ftead  of  weakening  each  others  Hands,  and  manifeft  by 
our  Carriage,   that  wc  heartily  wi(h  each  other  good 
Succefs ;  and  this  is  mere  likely  to  yield  Comfort  upon 
Reflection,  than  drawing  the  Saw  of  Contention,  and 
printing  of    Indexes,    and    heavy   Perfbnal    Charge*?, 
.     where  God  that  knows  the  Secrets  of  all  Hearts  will 
at  laft  be  the  Judge.     I  only  wifh  that  now  he  is  in  the 
Conftitution,  he  may  not  either  from  thofe  that  have 
the  Management  of  it,  or  from  his  own  Tho'rs.  upon 
putting  Things  together,  come  under  any  fuch  Uneafi- 
nefs,  as  might  abate  his  Ufefulnefs. 

This  Year  alfo  came  out  The  Compleat  Hiftory  cf 
England,  in  Three  Volumes.  The  Third  Volume  of 
which,  contains  leveral  Reflections  upon  the  Diffenters 
all  along,  that  are  unkind  ;  and  fome  that  are  not  re- 
concilable to  Truch  ;  juflit'ying  moft  of  the  Severities 
chat  had  been  ufed  towards  them  :  And  for  that  Rea- 
fon  I  have  taken  Notice  of  its  Suggeflions,  from 
one  Period  to  another,  in  the  feregoing  Hiftorical 
Remarks. 

Now 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        699 


Now  alfo  came  out  Mr.  Loc/^'s  Fourth  Letter  for  Tole-  -^^^  1 706. 
rntion  *.    He  obferves.  That  his  Antagonift  reviv'd  the  y/^^  Fourth 
Controverfy,  after  twelve  Years  Silence.    That  Writer,  2,^^^^^  a^ 
he  obferves,  owns  that  a  Magidrate  who  upon  juji  and  Tolera- 
faffcient  Grounds  believes  h\s  I{eligion  true,  is  ohlig'd  to  tion. 
tfje  Moderate  Penalties  to  bring  Men  to  his  Religion  ;  But         .  .    . . 
that  any  Magiftrate,    who  upon  weak  and  deceitful  p  Jy^''*  ** 
Grounds  believes  a  falfe  Religion  to  be  true,  is  oblig'd  u^^^if  "*"** 
to  ufe  the  fame  Means,  he  denies.    But  'tis  queried,  who  p  ^^V  j 
muft  be  judge  whether  the  Grounds  upon  which  fuch  a 
Magiftrate  believes  his  Religion  to  be  true^  are  jufi  and 
fufficient  ?  If  every  Magiftrate  muft  judge  for  himfelf, 
whether  the  Grounds  upon  which  he  believes  his  Reli- 
gion to  be  true,  are  juft  and  fufficient,  the  Limitation 
to  his  believing  it  upon  juft  and  fufficient  Grounds, 
might  have  been  fpared  :    For  no  Magiftrate  will  be 
thereby  excluded  from  an  Obligation  to  ufe  Force  to  bring 
Men  to  his  own  Religion  ;  For  any  one  who  believes 
any  Religion  to  be  true,  cannot  but  believe  the  Grounds 
upon  which  he  believes  it  to  be  true,  are  juft  and  fufficient ; 
and  if  be  judged  other  wife,he  could  not  believe  it  to  be 
true.  If  another  muft  judge  for  the  Magiftrate,  then  every 
Magiftrate  who  upon  Grounds  that  that  other  Perfon 
judges  to  be  juft  and  fufficient,  believes  his  Religion  to 
be  true,  is  obliged  to  ufe  Force  to  bring  Men  to  his 
Religion.    But  fuch  a  Perfon  needs  Infallibility.    *Tis 
fa  id.  The  Magi/irate  being   obliged  to  ufe  Force,  only  fo 
as  to  bring  Men  to  the  true  B^Ugion^  muft  be  able  certain- 
ly  to  know  which  is  the  true  Religion,     And  that  there  is  n 
fuH  Affurance  which  Men  may  and  ought  to  have  of  the  true 
Religion,  which  they  can  never  have  of  a  falfe  one^   8cc, 
Well  then,  *tis  queried.  Whether  the  Magiftrate  muft 
be  determined  by  his  full  AfTurance  to  promote  by* 
Force,  that  Religion  of  which  he  is  fully  affur'd  ?    'Tis 
faid,  thK  Ajfurance  muft  be  grounded  upon  fuch  clear  and 
folid  Proofs  as  leaves  no  reafonable  Doubt  in  an  attentive 
and  unbiajfed  Mind.     Well,  the  Magiftrate  can  fee  no 
reafonable  Doubt  but  this  is  his  Cafe  :  is  he  not  then 
to  ufe  Force  ?  It  feems  not,  if  his  be  not  the  true  /(?- 
ligion :  For  'tis  faid,  that  this  Ajfurance  can  never  be  had 
but  of  the  true  Religion,    Whereupon  fays  Mr.  Lock,  to 
his  Antagonift,  this  is  to  fay,  that  the  Magiftrate  k  to 
ufe  Force  in  favour  of  that  Religion  which  you  judge  to  be 
trtfCj  and  not  which  he  himfelf  judges  to  be  true.    But 

whQ 


700  Same  tiiftorhal  Additious     Cbap.  XIX, 

Jin  1706.  vf  ho  (fays  he)  made  you  a  Judge  for  him?  Without  this, 
fays  he,  All  talk,  of  full  /iffuratme  pot  filing  out  to  theM^gi* 
(irate  the  true  ^cllgiot]^  that  he  k  obligd  by  Force  topromote, 
4mounts  to  no  more  tut  his  own  f{eligion^  and  can  point  out 
no  other  to  him.  For  cho*  *tis  not  to  be  imaginU  there  are 
as  clear  and  folid  Grounds  for  the  belief  of  fajfe  Religions, 
as  there  are  for  the  belief  of  true,  fto  put  a  Queftion,  a- 
boac  which,  is  in  efledb  co  query,  whether  Falfhood  has 
as  much  Truth  in  it,  as  Truth  itfelf  ?)  Yet  as  Matters  ftand, 
the  Religion,  which  the  Magiftrates  of  the  World  are  o- 
blig'd  to  promote  by  Force,  mnft  be  either  their  own,  or 
noi>eatall.  And  in  reality,  the  MagiftratesPerfwafionof 
his  own  Religion,  which  hejudges  fo  well  grounded  as  to 
venture  his  Future  State  upon  it,  cannot  but  be  fufhcienc 
ro  fet  him  upon  doing,  what  he  takes  to  be  his  Duty  in. 
bringing  others  to  the  fame  Religion.  And  what  Ad- 
vantage can  that  bring  to  tru€  Religion,  which  Arms^ 
500  Magiftrares  againft  it,  (who  muft  unavoidably  in 
the  State  of  Things  in  the  World,  aft  againft  it)  for, 
one  that  ufcs  Force  for  it  ?  Magiftrates  have  nothing  to 
determine  them  in  ufing  Force  in  favour  of  Religion, 
but  their  own  Perfwafion  of  the  Truth  of  any  Reli- 
gion :  And  this  In  the  variety  of  Religions  which  the 
Magiftrates  of  the  World  have  embrac'd,  cannot  dirc(5l: 
them  to  the  true.  So  that  tbe  Plea  for  the  Magiftrates 
ufing  Force  for  promoting  the  true  Religion,  upon  this 
Foot,  gives  as  much  Power  and  Authority  to  the  King 
.  of  Frnvcc  ro  ufe  it  againft  his  Dilfeniing  Subjedts,  as  to 
any  other  Prince  in  Chrijlondom  to  ufe  it  againft  theirs. 
For  'tis  the  PeiTwafion  of  the  Mind,  produced  by  fuch 
Rcafons  and  Grounds  as  do  aflfedl:  it,  that  alone  does, 
or  is  capable  to  determine  the  Magiftrate  in  the  ule  of 
Force,  for  performing  of  his  Duty  :  From  whence  iD 
necelTarily  follows,  that  if  Two  Magiftrates  have  equal- 
ly ftroiig  Perfwafions  concerning  the  Truth  of.  their  Re- 
ligions refpedtively,  they  muft  both  be  fet  on  Work 
thereby,  or  neither.  For  tho'  one  be  of  a  falfe,  and 
the  other  of  the  true  Religion,  yet  the  Principle  of 
Operation,  that  alone  which  they  have  to  determine 
them,  being  equal  in  Ix^th,  they  muft  both  be  deter- 
minM  by  it ;  unlefs  it  canbc  laid  that  one  of  them  rauft. 
Ad:  according  to  that  Principle,  which  alone  can  deter- 
mine, and  the  other  muft  Adi:  againft  it.  From  which 
^io;apacity  in  Magiftrates  to  perfcrui.tliei;:  Duty,  if  it 
*  i   :.    '  •   •      '•'  l^e 

a* 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  \ 628.        701 

be  their  Duty  by  Force  to  promote  the  trne  Religion,  -4».  ijo6, 
it  m^y  jultly  be  concluded,   that  ro  ufe  Force  for  the 
promoting  any  Religion,  cannot  be  their  Duty. 

Now  alfo  came  out,  The  Rights  of  the  Chriftt^tn  xhe  R'lThti 
Cknrch  aflfertcd,  againft  the  f(omi(h  and  all  other  Priefls^  of  the^ 
who  claim  an  Independent  Power  over  it;  With  a  Pre-  cImiHan 
face  concerning  the  Government  of  the  C.  of  E,  as  by  church. 
Law  Eftablilh'd.  There  has  noc  been  a  Book  publilh'd 
in  many  Years  that  made  more  Noife.  Some  were 
much  taken  with  the  Manner  of  this  Book,  and  by  that 
tempted  to  think  the  better  of  the  Matter  o(  it ;  while 
others  were  fo  difgufted  with  the  Manner  of  it,  that  that 
prejudic'd  them  againft  the  Matter  and  Argument.  I 
prerend  not  here  to  Ad  the  Pirt  of  a  Cenfor,  01  an  Ad- 
vocate ;  and  could  not  be  either,  without  feveral  Di- 
ftindlions.  Far  be  it  from  me  to  pretend  to  juftifie  the 
Matter  in  all  Points,  and  much  icfs  the  Manner  of  treat- 
ing fome  Divine  Inftitutions'y  and  yec  1*11  give  a  brief 
Abftradt  of  the  main  Argument  of  the  Book,  as  I  have 
done  of  fome  others  relating  to  the  Convocational 
Conteft,  which  I  believe  prov'd  no  fmall  Temptation 
to  fome  of  the  warmcft  Invedtives  of  this  Book,  which 
have  kindled  fuch  Indignation  in  fome,  againft  the  Au- 
thor or  Authors. 

The  Preface  undertakes  to  ftiew,  That  they  who 
make  the  greateft  Noife  about  the  Danger  of  the 
Church,  are  the  greateft  Enemies  to  it,  by  afferting  fuch 
Notions  as  undermine  both  Church  and  State,  and  arc 
in  diredl  Oppofition  to  the  Principles  of  the  Reforma- 
tion :  And  that  they  mean  fome  other  Church,  befides 
the  C.  of  E,  which  being  Eftablilh'd  by  Ads  of  Parlia- 
ment is  a  meet  Creature  of  the  Civil  Power,  as  to  its 
Polity  and  DifcipHne,  which  makes  all  the  Contention. 
The  Convocation  of  iheC.  of  E,  he  fays,  has  no  Pow- 
er which  is  not  deriv'd  from,  and  dependent  upon  the 
1?arliament;  none  but  what  they  can  abridge,  curtail, 
and  annul  as  they  think,  fit.  And  he  afferts,  that  'twas 
not  till  ^ome  got  the  afcendant  here,  that  the  Clergy 
attempted  to  bind  the  Laity,  by  Laws  they  never  con- 
fented  to :  But  their  Defign  was  never  brought  to  Per- 
fe<5lion.  He  fays  it  does  not  depend  upon  the  Clergy^ 
but  upon  the  Sovereign  National  Powers  whether  there 
Ihall  be  a  National  Church ;  And  confequently  the 
Legal  Eftabliftiment  of  the  Faith,  the  Worfhip,   the 

Dodtrtnal 


702  So  we  Hijlorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX 

jin.  1706.  Dodlrinal  Articles,  Difcipline,  Rices  and  Ceremonies 
of  the  National  Church,  muft  be  wholly  owing  to 
tbem:  And  as  far  as  the  Magiftrate  eftablifhes  any 
Thing,  they  are  Part  of  the  Civil  Conftitution.  And 
as  our  Kings  and  Parliament  have  the  fole  Lcgiflative 
Power,  fo  they  have  trufted  the  Supream  Executive 
Power,  in  EccltfiafticaJs  as  well  as  Civils,  with  the 
King  or  Queen ;  in  Proof  of  which  he  ci'^es  fevcral 
A6ls  in  the  Reigns  of  H.  8.  Edvo.  6,  and  Q.  Eli:{.  And 
in  Proof  thai  even  in  Popifli  Times  onr  Governours 
did  not  think  that  Bilhops  had  a  Divine  Right  to  Eccle- 
fiaftical  ]urifdi£lion  ;  he  argues,  from  their  exempting 
Places  from  their  Power,  and  from  the  exercife  of  the 
higheft  A6ls  of  Epifcopal  furifdidion,  by  fome  Deans 
and  Archdeacons.  He  fays,  the  Law  all  along  has  fee 
the  fame  bounds  to  the  Ecclefiaftical  as  to  the  Civil 
Courts,  both  as  to  Perfons  and  Things.  He  obferves, 
that  our  Parliaments  have  from  Time  to  Time,  de- 
prived Bilhops  as  well  as  our  other  Ecclefiafticks ;  which 
is  a  fufficient  Proof  they  tho't  they  had  not  their  Bi- 
fhopricks  by  a  Divine  Commiflion,  becaufe  they  could 
no  more  take  away  or  even  fufpend  fuch  a  Commiflion 
than  give  it:  Nay,  that  the  Legiflative  Powers  can 
diffolve  a  Bilhoprick,  as  they  did  that  of  Durham  in  the 
Reign  of  Edw.  6,  and  make  Two  Bilhopricks  into  one, 
C^c.  And  all  the  Power  which  the  Clergy  have  in  the 
National  Church  being  deriv'd  folcly  from  the  Parlia- 
ment, he  infers  none  can  be  for  the  Church  as  it  is  fet- 
'  led  by  Law,  who  don't  abhor  all  Independent  Powei 
in  the  Clergy. 

He  farther  obferves,  that  the  Clergy  having  all 
^worn  to  the  ^g'il  Supremacy ^  we  ought  not  to  prefumc 
that  they  fuppofe  that  Supremacy  inconfiftent  with  any 
Powers  which  they  claim  by  Divine  Right ;  and  the 
Bifiiops  and  leading  Divines  at  the  Reformation  have 
freely  given  their  Opinions  againft  an  Independent  Pow- 
er. All  the  Bilhops,  upon  the  Clergies  owning  Hen.  8. 
to  be  the  fupream  Head  of  the  Church,  took  out  Com- 
mifTions  for  the  exercifing  of  their  Spiritual  Jurifdidli- 
on.  And  the  Kings  Spiritual  Supremacy  as  fetled  by 
Acfis  of  Parliament,  has  been  by  our  Divines  made 
the  Chara(ficriftick  of  the  C.  of  £,  againft  Popery  and 
Fanaticifm  :  And  was  not  only  the  Means  by  which  the 
Reformation  was  carried  on,  but  the  Ground  on  which 

the 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  nt  i6Q8.         705 

the  whole  was  juftified.    And  tho*  oui' Princes  do  not  -dn.  iyc6. 
Preach  or  Adminifter  the  Sacraments,   but  the  Laws 
leave  this  to  the  Clergy,   yet  this  does  not  prove  they 
are  more  independent  than  Lawyers,   Phyficians,  and 
Men  of  other  Profeffions  and  Employs.     He  obferves, 
that  while  what  the  People  had  fuflFer'd  by  the  Indepen- 
dent Power  of  the  Popiili  Clergy  was  frefh  in  their 
Minds,   they  did  all  that  was  poflible  to  guard  againft 
any  fucTi  Power  for  the  Future  ;   and  the  Clergy  mind- 
ing Religion  more  than  their  private  Intereft,   difown'd 
all  Pretences  to  that  Power ;   But  when  they  imagined 
the  Court  had  a  defign  upon  the  Liberty  of  the  People, 
they  tho't  their  coming  into  that  Prpje&  with  all  their 
Force,  might  deferve  to  have  their  fetting  up  for  an  In- 
dependent Power  conniv'd  at,  if  not  encouraged ;  which 
came  to  that  height  in  King  Charles  Vs  Time,    that  the 
Bilhops  openly  deny'd  their  receiving  their  Jurifdi^tion 
from  the  Crown,  and  that  even  when  they  late  in  xhc 
Kings   High  Commiflion    Court.    Thac  Archbilliop 
Laud  was  for  fetcing  up  an  Independent  Power,  in  de- 
fiance of  the  Laws  of  the  Land,   the  Oath  of  Supre- 
macy,   the   Principles  of    Reformation,     and  of  the 
Church  he  pretended  fo  much  Zeal  for ,   and  that  he 
was  for  an  EngUfh^    tho'  not  a  B^man  Popery.     Than 
upon   the  Reftoration   of   King    Charles  If,    it  foon 
became  an  Eftablilh'd  Principle   with  High   Church, 
that  there  were  Two  Independent  Governments  in  the 
fame  Nation,  and  that  the  Government  of  the  Church 
was  by  Divine  Right  in  the  Bilhops:    And  that  the 
Lower  Houfe  of  Convocation  was  lately  for  having  the 
Bi/hops  acknowledg'd,   to  be  not  only  of  Divine,   but 
Dimno  Apcftolicd  ^ight ;  which  muft  mean  either  a  D'-vine 
Divine  Right,  or  a  Divine  Humane  t{ight.  That  Bilhop  S^a  - 
row  ^  aflerted,  ^  That  in  Controverlies  abput  Dodrine?,  ^  Preface  to 
'  where  the  Church  has  received  no  clear  Determination  ^'^^^^'^"  °f 
'  from  Chrift  and  hisApoftles,  Ihe  has  Power  to  declare  her  ^^^^^^^* 
'  own  Senfe  in   the   Controverlie,    and   to  determine    ^' 

*  which  Part   (hall  be  receiv'd  and  profefs'd  for  Trurh 

*  by  Her  Members,   and  that  under  Ecclefiaftical  Cen- 
/'fure^and  Penalties.     The  Sentence  (hall  bind  to  Sub- 

miffion,  tho'  the  Superiours  may  err  in  the  Sentence  : 

*  Better  that  Inferiours  be  bound  to  (land  to  fuch  fallible 

*  Judgment,  than  that  every  Man  be  fuffei'd  to  inter- 
pret Laws,  and  determine  Coniroverfies.*    And  ihere 

was  none  that  oppos'd  him.  He 


■. ~       r-— — . 

704  Sdwe  Hiflorkal  Adaitions     Ch  a  p.  XIX. 


An.  i7c6.  He  farther  obferves,  That  the  Ptrliament  having  ex" 
ercis'd  their  Power  in  Spirituals,  by  depriving  the  Non' 
juring  BiOiops,  and  the  Sees  being  by  the  Kings  Autho' 
rity  fiird  again,  it  has caus'd  a  Schifm  in  High  Church' 
And  they  who  adhere  to  the  Bifhops  depriv'd  by  Par- 
liament, condemn  thofe  who  do  nor,  as  idling  contrary 
to  their  common  Principle,  of  Church  and  State  being 
under  a  diftindt  Government  Which  Principle  the 
others  on  the  contrary  are  To  far  from  difowning,  that 
they  endeavour  to  reconcile  it  with  their  defercmg  the 
Bifhops  depriv'd  by  the  Lay  Powers ;  and  thereby  be- 
tray their  Caufe  inftead  of  defending  it,  and  eipofe 
ihemfclves  to  the  fcom  and  contempt  of  their  Adverfa- 
lies.  That  tho'  nothing  is  now  fo  common  as  to  call 
the  oppofing  the  Docflrine  of  Two  Independent  Powers 
the  Eraftian  Herefie,  yet  'tis  plain  from  the  Letters  an- 
nex*d  to  Emjiw^s  Treatife  of  Excommunication,  that 
the  ablcft  of  the  Reformers  Abroad  were  in  his  Senti- 
ments; and  Archbifliop  ^^itgift  Licens'd  it,  and  as 
Mr.  Seldens  fays,  writ  with  his  own  Hand  in  one  of  the 
Books  finely  Gilt,  thcfe  Words,  intm  quam  extra  for» 
mofior.  After  this,  he  quotes  fome  Paflagcs  of  Mr.  Ltf- 
ley,  Mr.  DoHwef,  Mr.  Hz7/,  &c.  in  fupport  of  the  inhe- 
rent Power  and  Authority  of  the  Clergy,  and  by  Way 
of  Invedlive  againft  the  Regal  Supremacy.  He  fays  its 
ftrange,  that  they  whofe  Principles  are  nearer  to  the 
Church  of  [{omi  than  that  of  EngUndy  fhould  be  repre- 
fented  as  the  only  Churchmen.  He  appears  furpriz'd  at 
the  Convocations  mentioning  thereftoring  of  the  Church 
to  its  due  ^ghts  nnd  Priviledges ;  and  Teems  to  wonder 
they  did  not  declare  what  they  were:  Efpecially  when 
they  conftantly  reprefent  it,  as  the  moft  perfect  moft 
compleat,  and  bcft  conditurcd  Church  that  is  :  Whereas, 
as  (he  fays)  if  the  Government  of  it  did  belong  to  the 
Clergy  by  a  Divine  Right,  it  muft  be  as  to  its  Govern- 
ment and  Difcipline,  the  worft  conftitutcd  Church  in 
the  World. 

In  his  JntroduBion^ht  obferves,  that  the  Do(ftrine  of  Two 
IndependentPowers  has  occafion*d  a  prodigious  Number 
of  Qiiarrcls,  bctwecti  Prince  and  Prieft,  and  among  the 
Clergy  themfelves.  He  allerts,  that  naturally  Men  are  in  a 
State  of  equality. Even  Parents  have  not  an  abfolutePower. 
Men  lo(e  their  equality  by  confent,  informing  themfelves 
into  Bodies  Policiclc.    Government  was  firit  founded  oti 

tfte 


Chap.  XIX.  afler  the  Revolution  in  x6'^2,         70 J 


the  confent  of  the  Parties  concern  d,  and  ftill  continues  -^»»  1705, 
on  the  fame  Foot.     Men  engage  in  a  Political  Union 
ifor   the  Defence  of  themfelves  and  their   Properties, 
and  oblige  themfelves  to  aflift  the  Magiftrate  in  punifli^ 
ing  all  fuch  injuries  as  the  Good  of  the  whole  will  not 
permit  to  go  unpunilh'd.     The  Magiftrate  is  fully  au- 
thoriz'd  to  punilh  the  Evil,  and  reward  the  Good :  And 
not  only  to  punilh  one  that  does  an  injury  to  a  (ingle 
Perfon,    but  any  one  that  injures  the  whole  Society.- 
When  Men  aflbciated  on  a  Givil,    they  were  oblig'd  al- 
fo  to  do  the  fame  on  a  Religious  Account ;   one  being 
neceffary  for  the  fupport  of  the  other.     But  in  Religious 
Matters  Men  are  to  follow  the  Didlates  of  their  Con- 
fciences ;  and  cannot  have  a  Sovereign  Reprefentative, 
to  determine  for  them  what  they  fhall  Believe  or  Pro^    > 
fels.    'Tis  impoflible  that  Men  (hould  ever  fubmit  to 
Government,  but  with  an  intent  of  being  proteded  in 
fo  necelfary  a  Duty  as  Worftiipping  God  according  to 
Confcience,    as  well  as  in  any  other  Matter  whatever* 
The  Magiftrate  has  no  Pretence  to  ufe  Force,    when  no 
Perfon  is  injar'd,   tho'  Confcience  were  not  concern'd  • 
much  lefs  ought  he  to  do  it  when  Confcience  u  con- 
cern d  :    And  confequently  his  Power  is  confin'd  to  fuch 
Religious  Matters  as  are  likewife  Civil ;    that  is  where 
the  Publick  has  an  Intereft.     The  good  of  the  Society 
is  the  Supreara  Law.    All  Church  conliderations  muft 
give  Place  to  it :  And  no  Man  on  any  Church  Pretence 
whatever,   can  be  exempt  from  the  Magiftrates  Jurif- 
diction.     He  has  the  fame  Power  over  Men  when  met 
together  for  the  Worlhip  of  God,    as  when  met  toge- 
ther upOn  other  Accounts;    Whom  he  is  then  fo  far 
from  having  a  Right  to  difturb,  that  he  is  oblig'd  to  fe- 
cure  them  from  all  manner  of  Harm,    as  long  as  they 
do  nothing  prejudicial  to  the  Publick ;    but  much  more 
fo,  if  their  Meetings  tend  to  promote  the  general  Good, 
as  Mens  alTembHng  to  Worfhip  God  according  to  their 
Confciences  does 

In  CW.  I.  He  (hews  that  there  cannot  be  Two  Inde- 
pendent Powersthe  in  fameSociety.  Independent  Power 
is  Supream.  There  can't  be  Two  fuch  at  the  fame 
Time,  either  about  the  fnme  or  dijfrrent  Things. 
Not  about  the  fnme  ;  becaufe  by  one  Power  a  Man 
may  be  oblig'd  to  do  a  Thing,  and  by  t'other  forbid  xo 
do  it  I  and  fo  the  fame  Action  would  be  a  Duty  and  i 

Z  z  $in ;       ~    - 


7o6  Some  Hijiarhal  Additions     Chap,  XIX. 


An.  nod- Sin:    Nor  about  different  Things;   for  then  he  might 
be  oblig'd  to  be  at  the  fame  Time  at  different  Places, 
and  to  do  Things  oppofite  and  contrary.  Who  can  fup- 
pofe  that  the  God  of  Order  would  ever  involve  us  in 
fuch  inextricable  Difficulties,   as  to  fubje£l  m  to  Two 
Powers  which  are  either  apt  to  clafti  and  interfere  con- 
tinually about  the  fame  Things,  or  elfe  to  command, 
if  not  contrary,  yet  different  1  hings  at  the  fame  Time? 
Ecclejiaftical  Power  will  be  continually  interfering  with 
Civil.     If  the  Civil  Magiftrate  cannot  deprive  an  Eccle- 
fiaftick,  he  cannot  put  him  to  Death ;   becaufe  in  de- 
privation of  Life  is  included  deprivation  of  all  Offices 
and  Employs.     If  the  Power  of  Excommunication  be- 
longs independently    to  the   Clergy,   the  Magiftrate 
could  no  more  (by  Banifiiment  or  Imprifonment,  (!^o.) 
deprive  a  Man  of  the  Communion  of  the  Church,  than 
a  Prieft  could  do  that,    by  which  a  Mans  Death  would 
follow  unavoidably.     The  Druids,    who  got  the  folc 
Power  of  Excommunication  to  themfelves,  by  Vertue 
of  it  govern'd  all  Things ;   and  Kings  were  only  their 
Minifters,  to  execute  their  Sentences.     'Tis  unjuft  for 
Two  Independent  Powers  to  judge    about   the  fame 
Things;  for  this  would  fubjed  the  fame  Perfonsto  un- 
dergo Two  Trials,   and  be  punifh'd  Twice  for  the  fame 
Crime.     If  there  be  Two  different  Independent  Go- 
vernours,   the  Civil  Goveruour  could  have  no  more 
Power  on  a  Civil  Account  over  the  common  Subje(ft, 
•than  t'other  on  an  Ecclefiaftical :  Nor  couid  they  hinder 
one  another  of  the  Obedience  due  to  each ;    and  confe- 
quenily  the  Magiftrate  could  not  deprive  one  of  his 
Life  and  Liberty,    or  ufe  any  other  reflraining  Method, 
becaufe  this  muft  either  for  ever,    or  for  a  Time,  rob 
the  Ecclefiaftical  Governour  of  a  Subject,   to  whom  he 
has  at  all  Times  an  Independent  Right.     They  muft 
needs  deftroy  each  others  Power,    and  free  Men  from 
all  Subjection  to  either. 

In  Chap.  11.  He  afferts,  That  the  Clergy's  affuming  to 
ihemfelves  a  JwifdiHion,  and  terming  it  Internal^  in 
contradif^indtion  to  the  Magiftrates  which  they  call  E;c- 
ternal,  is  only  amufing  People  with  Words,  and  a  blind 
to  make  Men  believe  a  Difference  where  there's  none, 
in  order  to  ufurp  a  Power  which  belongs  not  to  them. 
When  Men  endeavour  to  affumc  a  Power  over  Con- 
fcience,  the  moft  they  can  do  is  to  n^akc  Hypocrites. 

The 


^ 


Chap.  XIX.    after  the  Revalttthn  in  \6^^,         707 


The  Clergy  who  contend  not  only  for  the  neceflity  hxii  An.  lyod. 
the  Jawfulnefs  of  National  Churches,  give  up  all  their 
Pretences  to  ah  Independent  Power  in  eVery  Thing  re- 
lating to  'eiri,  even  in  the  rabft  fpeculative  and  myfte- 
rious  Poinrs.  For  if  thev  allow  that  the  Magiftrate 
can  enacft,  that  no  Perfon  (hall  enjoy  any  Prefernnent  iti 
the  National  Church,  who  does  not  profefs  fuch  or 
iuch  ATiicles,  they  cannot  deny  him  a  Power  to  deprive 
any  who  (hall  difown  them  ;  becaufe  'tis  only  putting 
thofe  Laws,  they  acknowledge  he  has  Power  to  make^ 
in  Execution. 

In  Chap.  IV.  He  Ihews  there's  no  immutable  Form  of 
Church  Difcipline.  The  only  Way  (he  fays)  to  prove 
this  or  that  Form  of  Ecclefiaftical  Difcipline,  in  this  ot* 
that  Place  to  be  Divine,  iis  to  fhew  that  it  is  there  the 
fitteft  for  the  End  it  was  defign'd  to  promote.  The 
fame  Garment  may  as  well  ferve  Children  and  Men,  as 
the  fame  Regimen  can  fit  People  for  all  Times  and  Cir- 
cumftances.  Means  to  an  End  ire  of  a  mutable  Na- 
ture. Were  but  this  granted,  we  fhould  have  no  more 
Quarrels  about  Modes,  and  Fotms,  and  Ceremonies  2 
There  would  be  no  Uncharitablenefs,  Hatred  or  Perfe- 
Ctieioti ;  but  the  Chriftian  Religion  would  as  it  was  de- 
fign'd,  render  all  its  votaries  wonderfully  Happy. 
Chriftianity  is  a  Religicti  not  only  to  laft  to  the  end  of 
the  World,  but  in  Time  to  extend  to  all  the  Nations  of 
it.  And  confiderihg  how  widely  different  Nations  are 
in  all  Circumftances  and  P^efpedis,  there  can  be  no  par- 
ticular Form  of  Charch  Polity  which  miift  not  fonie- 
where  or  other  be  prejtidicial  to  the  End  it  Was  inftitu- 
ted  for. 

Chnf,  V.  Shews,  That  the  Clergies  endeavouring  at 
an  Independent  Power,  not  only  prevents  the  further 
fpreading  of  the  Gofpel,  but  is  the  Caufe  of  its  having 
already  loft  fo  much  Ground.  This  Dodrine  of  Im- 
ferium  in  Irr^perio;  he  ffiys,  would  have  been  us*d  by 
the  Emperors  as  an  Argument  to  juftifie  their  ufage  of 
the  Chriftians.  Heathen  Authors  would  have  eternally 
infulted  the  Chriftians  upon  this  Head  :  Nor  would 
they  have  been  fo  wanting  to  themfelves,  as  td  negledt 
Offering  at  fomeching  in  their  frequent  Apologies  for 
their  Juftification.  They  could  not  upon  this  fuppofi- 
tion  have  affertcdthe  difintereftednefs  of  thofe  who  firft 
preach'd  the  Gofpel,  as  a  grand  Argument  for  the  Truth 

Z  t  %  of 


7o8  Some  Hiflorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX, 


An,  1 705.  of  ic.  This  Dodlrine  prejudices  Infidels  againft  Chri- 
ftianity.  'Twas  this  Independent  Power  was  the  chief 
occafion  that  Chriftianity  loft  fo  manv  fair  Provinces  ic 
once  poflefs'd,  which  became  an  eafie  Prey  to  the  bar- 
barous Nations,  and  made  the  conquer'd  fubmit  to  the 
Religion  of  the  Conquerors.  Had  it  not  been  for  the 
Ambition  of  the  Bilhops  in  continually  fighting  againft 
one  another  for  Dotninion,  with  their  Anathema's  and 
^  Excommunications,  fo  fenflefs  a  Religion  as  that  of  the 

Alcoran,  could  never  have  taken  fuch  deep  Root,  or 
fpread  itfelf  fo  far  and  wide  in  fo  fhort  a  Time.  And 
as  this  Independent  Power  occafion'd  Mahometifm  in  the 
Eaft,  fo  it  produc'd  Popery  in  the  PVeft. 

Chap.  VI.  Shews  that  this  is  moft  deftrudtivc  to  the 
Intereft  of  Religion,  and  the  Caufe  of  the  Corruptions 
under  which  Chriftianity  Labours.  Chap.  VII.  Shews 
that  an  Independent  Power  in  any  fet  of  Clergymen, 
makes  all  Reformation  unlawful,  except  where  thofc 
who  are  fuppos*d  to  have  this  Power  do  confent.  And 
Chap.  VIII.  That  this  Independent  Power  has  been  the 
occafion  of  infinite  Mifchief  to  the  Gbriftian  World, 
and  is  utterly  inconfiftent  with  the  happinefs  of  Hu- 
tnane  Society.  He  fays,  that,  it  is  plain  from  all  Hifto- 
ries,  that  according  to  the  meafure  of  this  Independent 
Power,  the  Clergy  have  reached  in-  any  Place,  the  People 
have  been  proportionably  impoverilh'd  and  ruin'd.  He 
mentions  the  fad  EfFedts  in  Popifli  Countries,  and  alfo 
•  among  Proteftants.  He  obferves,  that  the  Clergy  here 
in  England  after  the  Reftoration,  became  Tools  of  the 
Papijis ;  of  which  they  were  fo  fenfihle  in  the  Day  of  di' 
firef^f  that  the  moft  eminent  among  them,  with  the  general 
Approbation  of  the  reify  made  folemn  Declarations  of  eafing 
their  Protejiant  Brethren,  when  Providence  fhould  put  it  in 
their  Power.  Tet  when  the  Convocation  in  8p  had  by  the 
favour  of  Heaven  an  Opportunity  of  performing  thofe  Prcmi- 
fes  ;  woi  there  not  a  Party  among  'em  who  refolvd  to  keep 
Faith  ai  little  with  Schifmatickj,  as  fome  former  Councils 
with  Hereticks  ?  And  therefore  with  fcorn  they  rejeHed  all 
Terms  of  Accommodation^  and  tho't  the'  very  recommending 
to  *cm  fuch  Alterations  in  TJjir.gs  indifferent ^  ai  would  mal{e 
Conforming  to  the  Church  fo  cnfie ,  ai  few  Protcflants  either 
at  Home  or  Abroad  fhould  fcruplc,  an  Affront  never  to  be 
forgiven  ;  which  was  the  Foundation  of  the  inveterate  Ma- 
liee  with  which  that  glorioifs  Prince^    to  whom  we  owe  out 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  m  1 68S.         709 


Religion  and  Church  rvas  to  the  la!i  ferfecuted :  Nor  could  An.  l  -joi 
the  Bi/hopj,  even  thofe  who  hadfignali:(d  themfehes  in  De- 
fence  of  the  Churchy  receive  better  Qiiarter.  He  quotes 
feveral  Authors  againft  the  Independent  Power  of  the 
Clergy;  as  the  Lord  CUrendony  Dr.  Barrow,  Gomarus, 
Gualterui^  and  Father  Pauli  And  fays  that  none  is  qua- 
lified to  believe  Two  Independent  Powers,  who  has  not 
Faith  enough  for  Tranfubftantiation. 

Chnj).  IX.  Shews  that  the  hypothefis,  of  none  being 
capable  of  governing  the  Church  except  Bifliops,  and 
that  none  can  be  Biibops  except  thofe  who  derive  their 
Power  by  a  continued  and  uninterrupted  Succeflion  in 
the  Catholick  Church  from  the  Apoftles,  deftroys  the 
very  Being  of  the  Church.  Here  the  Author  advifes 
fome  People,  no  more  to  attack  the  DilTenters  on  fuch 
Principles,  as  unchurch  all  who  departed  from  F{pme^ 
&c.  And  Chap,  X.  Sheweth,  That  the  Catholick 
Church  conlifts  of  feveral  Bodies  Independent  on  each 
other,  ^c:  Where  the  Author  aflerts,  That  when 
Men  do  not  think  it  fufficient  for  Salvation  to  be  united 
to  Chrift  by  true  Faith,  and  to  one  another  by  Chrifti- 
an  Love,  leaving  every  Community  to  form  what  Ec- 
clefiaftical  Government  they  think  fit,  but  make  it  jie- 
ceflary  to  the  very  Being  of  Chriftianity,  to  be  u- 
nited  by  fome  one  external  Head  or  Government, 
which  is  to  be  the  Center  of  Catholick  Union  and 
Communion  ;  he  cannot  fee  how  a  Popedom  can  be  a- 
voided ;  And  he  Ihews,  That  the  Clergy  have  main- 
tain'd  fuch  Maxims,  in  Order  to  oblige  People  to  yield 
an  implicite  Faith,  and  blind  Obedience  to  their  Di- 
lates as  muft  condemn  all  Separation  from  the  Church 
of  i^<5wr,  on  the  Account  of  her  peculiar  Doctrines ; 
of  which  he  gives  Inftances,  (3c.  And  upon  the  whole, 
I  fliould  be  glad  to  fee  a  good  Anfwer  to  the  Book, 
upon  the  Jure  Divine  bottom,  of  any  one  particular 
Form  of  Church  Government, 

M.  DCC.  Vn.  This  Year  Mr.  Higginj  the  Clergy- 
man  made  a  great  Noife,  in  defiance  of  the  Govern- 
ment, about  the  Danger  of  the  Church,  in  many  Pul- 
pits, from  one  end  of  the  Town  to  the  other  :  But  he 
could  not  have  Influence  enough  to  do  the  Mifchief  he 
feem'd  tp  intend  and  aim  at.  There  was  a  general 
Addrefling  to  her  Majcfty  after  the  Union :  The  Dif- 

Z  z  3  fenters 


7 1  o  Some  Hijiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


Jfl,  1707-  fenters  of  the  Three  Penominitions,  picfenced  the  folr 
lowii;\g  Addrefs  upon  that  Occaiion. 

May  it  fleafe  your  Majefly^ 

*  A  Mongft  the  r^ii  of  your  Dutiful  and  Loyal  Subjc<5^s, 
-^  '  webegLeave  with  all  Humility,  to  congratulate 

*  yonrMajelty,  upon  the  Acceliion  every  Year  makes  to 

*  the  Glories  of  your  Aulpicious  Reign  ;  and  more  cfpc- 

*  ciaily  upon  the  happy  Union  of  ypur  two  Kingdoms  of 

*  England  and  Sconnt/.I. 

*  We  ad'»re  i^hat  Divine  Providence  which  hath  rc- 

*  mov'd  the  Difficulties,  that  were  infuperable  to  your 
'  greateft  Prcdecelfors,  even  under  the  Advantages  of 

*  Peace,  and  referved  to  your  Majefty  the  Honour  of 

*  making  us  one  flourilhing  People,  through  your  wife 

*  and  fteady  Councils,  together  with  the  unparallel'd 
^  Judgment,  Application,  and  Fidelity,  of  your  Mt- 
^  jefty's  Co.mmiilioners,  and  your  two  Parliaments 

*  Ry  this  entire  VKton  of  the  two  Nations,  we  with 

*  J^y  behold  the  Peace  and  Quiet  of  your  Majefty 's 

*  Government  firmly  fettled ;  the  Proteftant  Succeffion 
'  to  the  Imperial  Crown  of  Great-Britainy  and  the 
'  Jlefoirmed  Intcieft  in  general  fee ured  ^  the  Strength 
'  and  Honour  of  the  whole  Ifland  much  advanced  ; 
'  and  our  common  Safety,  both  againft  Atten^ptsfroni 

*  Abroad,  and   Breaches  upon  our  happy  Civil  Con- 

*  ftitution  at  Home,  effed^ually  provided  for. 

''  Herein  we  have  a  repeated  Inftance  of  your  Ma- 

*  jefty's  Parental  Care  of  your  People  5  andc^notbut 

*  h'^pe  that  fo  iliuftrous  an  Example,  will  infpire  all 
^  your  Pro'eltant  SubjeOs  wirh  that  gcn«^rous  Love  and 
^  Charily,  that  it  may  ni:ver  wore  be  in  the  Inclina- 
^  tion  of  any  of  rhem,  to  molett  one  another,  upon. 
^  Religior.s  Accounts. 

^  May  the  Great  God  lb  profper  your  Arms,    and 

*  thofe  of  your  AlLes,  that  your  Majefty  may  be  the 
'  glorious  Inftrum.nc  of  re  eftablilhing  the  Peace,  and 

*  fccuring  the  I  ibcrty  of  Rumpc  -y  and  att;hc  lame  Time 

*  of  rci^oring  our  Proteftant  Brethren  Abroad,  to  their 

*  ancient  Pviglifs. 

May  your  Majefty  and  your  Illuftijlpus  Confort  the 
^  Prince  be  continued  in  Hti^Uh. 

*  May  your  facred  Majefty  be  blcflcd  with  a  long 
*^  ^d.profperous  Reign,  oyer  a  People  more  reformed 

*  in 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  /«  1 688.        711 

'  in  their  Manners,  and  united  in  Affection,  (according  -dn.  1707 

*  to  your    Majefty's   carneft  Recommendations, )  and 

*  ftill  reap  the  Benefits  of  a  Government,  which  by 
'  the  Divine  Bleiring,  you  have  made  fo  coniiderable 

*  for  Safety  and  Greatnefs. 

'  May  all  thefe  our  Requefts  be  as  fully  anfwer'd, 
■*  as  thofe  we  have  offered  to  the  Almighty  for  this 
'  Union. 

^  Then  will  our  Thankfgivings  be  lafting,  and  your 
'  Majefty  will  have  the  Satisfaction  of  tranfmicting  Li- 

*  berty  and  Union  to  all  fucceeding  Ages. 

But  the  Union  was  no  fooner  over,  and  far  from 
being  fettled,  before  thePretender,  with  a  French  Force, 
went  for  Scotland^  with  a  Defign  to  diiTolve  it.  There 
wanted  not  fome  both  in  North  and  South  that  encou- 
raged this  Attempt.  And  tba  he  went  North^  yet  we 
had  thofe  among  us,  that  reprefented  his  coming  to  be 
with  this  Defign,  to  refcue  the  C.  of  £.  from  Danger : 
But  a  Church  of  his  faving,  muft  have  afcerw^ds  been 
at  his  Mercy. 

The  Diffcnters  were  under  feveral  Hardihips,  atid 
bad  Caufe  enough  to  complain  of  their  Treatment, 
notwithftanding  their  Tolemtion^  and  the  Countenance 
given  them  by  her  Majefty,  and  thofe  that  were  about 
her.  One  B^ger  B^fen  a  Lanca/hire  Man,  a  Perform 
aged  above  69,  was  this  Year  carried  to  Lnncafter  Gaol, 
by  Vertuc  of  a  Writ  de  Excommunicato  capiendo^  whofe 
original  Grime  was  only  the  teaching  a  few  little  Chil- 
dren to  read  EngUfh.  He  was  cited  to  Chefter,  at  the 
Inftance  of  one  Spal^eman  School mafter  of  Eccla.  For 
neglecting  to  appear,  he  was  excommunicated,  and  his 
Profecutor  took  out  the  Queen's  Writ ;  and  the  poor 
Man  was  in  Danger  of  ftarving.  And  upon  Occafion 
of  his  Cafe  and  fome  others,  a  Reprefenration  was 
drawn  up,  of  which  I  fhall.here  annex  a  Copy,  as  an 
Evidence,  that  the  Diffenters  had  Reafon  for  ibme  Un- 
eafinefs  at  this  Time,  even  tho*  Things  were  kept  from 
coming  to  Extremity. 

*  Mr  Peflch  a    Proteftant  Diffencing  Minifter,  has 

*  been  twice  Convidled  and  Fined  by  Simon  Biddulpb 

*  of  Burdingbury^  and  IViUinm  Calmer  of  Lad-brool^^  Efq; 
'  Juftices  of  the  Peace  for  ihe  County  of  I4^armc\y 

*  for  Preaching  at  Southam,  in  a  Place  certified,  as  the 
'  A6t;^  of  Toleration  primo  Gulielmi  ^  Maritc  requires, 

Zz  4  I  on> 


712  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 


Alt.  1707 


on  Pretence  that  the  Qaalification  taken  by  him  in 
the  Coiinty  of  Northampton,  when  he  lived  there  was 
not  fufticienr,  tho'  ic  was  in  all  Points  according  to 
the  Adt  of  Toleration  ;  nor  yet  would  the  above 
mentioned  Juftices  and  others  at  the  Quarter-Seflions 
at  l^'^arrvick,  admit  him  to  repeat  his  Qualification  ; 
pretending  that  he  had  no  Settlement  at  Southam ; 
neither  would  they  accept  of  fufficient  Security  offer'd 
for  his  not  being  Chargeable  to  the  Parilh  there ; 
his  Books  with  other  Goods  have  been  feized  for 
Preaching,  as  above;  and  part  of  them  fold,  he 
liimfelf  and  his  Family  have  been  forced  from  their 
Abode  at  Southarn,  The  Convi(fiions  againft  him, 
(  removed  by  Certiorari^  and  yet  depending  before  the 
Court  oi  Queen' s-Bench,  after  more  than  Twelve  Times 
Attendance,  and  great  Charges  in  Law, )  do  not  fo 
much  as  aver  that  he  was  once  called  by  the  faid  Ju- 
ftices to  anfwer  for  himfelf  ( the  Truth  being  unde- 
niably otherwife  ;)  Or  that  he  was  not  fufficiemly 
Qualified  according  to  the  A<St  of  Toleration,  but 
without  the  leaft  Notice  taken  of  this  A(St,  do  pro- 
ceed upon  that  againft  Seditious  Conventicles,  iid 

Chtirlef  II. 

H^illiam  Story  of  Middletcn  in  Torkjhire^  and  fevc- 
ral  other  Proteftant  Dilfenting  Hearers,  both  Men 
and  Women,  have  been  cued  to  the  Bcdefinfiical  Court 
at  Tork^  for  abfenting  from  their  Parilh  Church,  and 
divers  of  them  prolecuted  on  to  Excommunication, 
after  they  had  qualified  themfejves  as  Hearers  ac- 
cording to  the  Adt  of  Toleration  ;  a  Capias  Excom- 
municnttmi  has  been  taken  out  againft  rhem,  and  they 
forced  to  abfcond  ;  and  whereas  fomeStay  was  given 
to  thofe  Proceedings,  by  (hewing  that  the  ^igrtifi- 
cavit^  on  which  the  Capiat  had  been  obtain'd,  was 
Vitious  and  Defe6tive ;  the  Ecclefiaflit^al-Court  has 
fince  made  out  a  new  Si^nificavit^  with  Amendments, 
for  procuring  another  Capias  upon  the  fame  Matter. 

There  have  been,  and  are  divers  other  Profecutions 
againft  Proteftant  Oiflenters,  for,  or  by  Reafou  of 
tlieir  Nonconforming  to  the  Church  of  Eyigland,  to 
their  great  Charge  and  Trouble,  and  to  the  raifing 
juft  Apprehcnfions  in  all  other  DifTenting  Proteftanrs 
both  Teachers  and  Hearers,  of  whatfoever  Denomi- 
nation 3   who  according  to  the  forementioned  Proce- 

'  dure 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         715 


*  dure  (which  appears  to  be  without  Precedent  in  any  An.  1707- 
'  Parallel  Cafe  or  State  of  Things  j  are  everyone  plainly 

*  liable  to  be   ConvicSted,  and  Fined,  to  have  their 

*  Goods  feized,  and  Perfons  imprifoned,  nor  may  hope        ^ 

*  to  deliver  themfelves  without  a  very  tedious  and  ex- 
•  *  penfive  Courfe  of  Law,  if  at  all,  tho'  they  obfetve 

*  the  A(ft  of  Toleration,  and  are  ready  at  all  Times  to 

*  give  thofe  Legal  Affurances  mentioned  in  that  A£t, 

*  which   any    one   Juftice  of   the   Peace  is   thereby 

*  impower'd  to  require  at   any  Time  from  any  Per- 

*  fon,  who  goes  to  any  Meeting  for  Exercife  of  Re- 

*  Jigion;  and  in  the  mean  while  all  their  Meeting 

*  Places  are  certified,  and  the  Doors  of 'em  open  to  all 
^  who  Ihall  think  fit  to  obferve  what  they  acft  or  fpeak 

*  in  their  Affemblies  :  befides  that,  they  dare  appeal  to 

*  all  impartial  Obfervers,  whither  their  whole  Condudk 
'  and  Carriage  do  not  abundantly  teftify,  that  they  are 

*  Perfons  no  Ways  ill  affeded  or  dangerous  to  the^  Pub- 

*  lick  •  but  loyal  Subjects  and  hearty  Proteftants, 

It  would  be  a  vain  Thing  to  argue,  with  a  Man  that 
won't  own  thefe  to  be  Hardftiips. 

The  Convocation  could  not  even  yet  agree  ;  but  the 
Lower  Houfe  continu  d  to  thwart  the  Upper.  They 
were  uneafy  at  being  prorogu  d  by  a  Royal  Writ  to 
March  5.  They  by  a  Paper  reprefented  this  as  unpre- 
cedented, March  19.  The  Archbifhop  and  Bilhops 
anfwered  April  2.  that  their  AppHcntion^  and  the  Proofs 
that  fupported  it  were  in  many  Particulars  far  from 
being  true  .-  But  the  B^yal  Supremncy  being  concerned  in 
the  Matter,  they  would  lay  it  before  her  Majefty. 
They  did  fo ;  while  the  Convocation  was  in  the  mean 
Time  prorogued  by  the  Archbilhop  to  April  1  oth  :  And 
this  was  the  Occafion  of  a  Letter  from  her  Maje/ly  to 
the  Archbifhop,  dated  April  8.  in  which  (he  fignified 
her  Refentment  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Lower 
Houfe :  Intimating  that  fhe  looked  upon  them  as  guilty 
of  an  Invnfion  of  her  I\oyal  Supremacy  repofed  in  her  by 
the  Law  and  the  Confiitution  of  the  C,  of  ^;  and  de- 
claring, that  if  any  Thing  of  the  like  Nature  was  attempt- 
ed  for  the  future^  it  would  make  it  neceffary  for  her  to  ufe 
fuch  Means  for  the  punifhingOjfences  of  this  "Nature,  as  are 
warranted  by  Law,  The  Lower  Houfe  continued  fitting 
after  the  Prorogation.  But  on  April  10.  when  the 
Archbifhop  fcnc  for  the  Lower  Houfe  to  communicate 
''  her 


714  Some  Hifiorical  Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An.  1707.  her  MajeRy's  Letter,    and  fome  Members    appear'd 
without  the  Prolocutor,   he  asked  for  him,  and  was 
told  he  was  goae  into  the  Country.    This  appeared  to 
be  a  Contempt  or  Negle£l  of  fuch  a  Nature,  that  it 
was  not  to  be   fuffered  ;    whereupon  he  proceeded  to 
pafs  a  Sentence  of  Contumacy  agaiiift  him  for  his  Ab-* 
fence,  refcrving  the  Puniihment  of  his  Crime  to  the 
30th  of  the  fame  Month,  to  which  Day  the  Convoca- 
tion was  prorogue,  by  a  Schedule,  back'd  with  a  Royal 
Writ-     The  Archbilhop  deferred  the  Puniihment,   on 
Purpofejthat the  Prolocutor  might  have  Opportunity  by 
his  Submifllon,  on  that  Day  that  was  fixed  on  to  have 
prevented   it.    But  in  this  Interval,  a  Proteftation  a- 
gainft  the  ArchbiHiop  was  prepared,    by  the  diffatisfied 
Members  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  which  was  offered  to 
the  Houfe  on  Apr,  30.  with  an  Intimation,  that  it  was 
the  Opinion  of  an  eminent  Counfellor  who  had  been 
advifed  with,that  no  Procefs  begun  before  a  Prorogation 
upon  the  Royal  Writ,  could  be  continued  after  fuch  Pro- 
rogation; and  aConcern  feemed  to  be  difcovered,that  the 
Royal  Supremacy  Ihould  be  this  Way  broken  in  upon : 
Andfo  they  who  by  the  Archbilhop,  and  the  Queen  hcr- 
felf,  were  charged  with  invading  the  Royal  Supremacy, 
were  willing  it  Ihould  be  believed,  that  none  had  a  great- 
er Concern  for  the  Supremacy   than  they,    and  there- 
fore by  a  Proteftation  which  was  carried  up  >4;?r»7  30. 
by  the  Prolocutor,  the  Majority  of  the   Lower  Houfe 
•    declared  the  Sentence  of  Contumacy,  and  the  Procefs 
continued  after  the  Prorogation,  to  bean  Invafion  of  the 
Royal  Supremacy,  unlawful,  and  altogether  null :  And 
yet  tho'  the  Prolocutor  carried  up  this  at  the  Command 
of  the  Houfe,  yet  he  himfelf  fubmitted,  and  begged  Par- 
don of  the  Archbilhop,  and  fo  the  Sentence  was  taken  off. 
This  Year  Dr  Nichols  publilh'd  bis  L<itin  Defence  of 
the  Church  of  England^  with  an  Hiftorical  Introduction  : 
"Wherein  after  ftating  the  Cafe  in  the  Way  that  he  tho't 
woold   do   his  Caufe   moft  Service,   and   venting  his 
Complaints  as  to  the  unfuccefsfulncfs  of  all  the    Me- 
thods of  Peace  that  had  been  hitherto  tried,  (intermix- 
ing with  fome  moderate  Hints  fome  feverc  Rcflediions, 
which  might  very  well  have  been  fpared)  he  andertakes 
to  lay  open  all  the  Controverfies  brtween  the  Noncon- 
formifts, .  and  the  Eftabltlh'dChurch,  and  then  appeals  to 
the  Foreign  Fiote^ant  Churches,    Mr  f^ejlc)  ^houi  the 


Chap  >  IX.  after  the  Revolution  jn  1688,        715 

fame  Time publilhed  his  Reply  to  Mr.Palmns  Vindict-  An  ijof. 
rion  of  theDiflfeiiters.  And  Mr.  L.  the  Second  Part  ofihc 
PVo/f  ftrtppd  in  Anfwcr  to  the  Rights  of  the  Church  ; 
laying  open  the  Defignsof  Atheifts,  Deifts,  Whiggs,  ^c, 
againft  the  Church.  Mr.  Hoadly  alfo  now  publifh'd  his 
Defence  of  Bpi/copal  Origination.  I  foon  drew  up  a  Reply 
to  it,  both  as  to  the  Hiftorical  and  Argumentative  Pare, 
in  a  Letter  to  the  Author,  but  forbore  Printing  it,  that 
I  might  not  give  him  Difturbance  in  the  purluit  of  his 
Political  Conteft  in  which  he  was  fo  happily  engag'd, 
and  fo  much  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  true  Lovers  of 
his  Cv)untry ;  However,  fome  having  wonder'd  I  have 
made  no  return  to  this  laft  Book  of  Mr.  Hoadly\  I  fhaU 
here  bertow  a  few  Refie6tions  upon  it,  being  ready  to 
follow  ir  with  a  particular  Reply,  if  it  be  tho't  needful. 

Its  fkii^d   a  Defence  of  Eptfcopal  Ordination ;    which 
needed  no  Defence,  becaufe  it  was  not  aifaulted,  by 
thofe  that  pleaded  for  the  warrantablcncfs    of  Or- 
dioation  by  Presbyters.    I  have    given  my  Senfe  of 
the  main  Pofitipns  he  here  lays  down  about  Ordina- 
tion, in  p,  199.  and  aoo.  of  this  Volume,  to  which, 
my  Reader  is  referr'd.     He  fetches  his  main  Proof  from 
the  Fathers,  not  with ftanding  my  Intimation  from  the 
Firft.  that  that  was  unavoidable,  was  fo  difpleafing. 
However  a  little  Evidence  from  Scripture  would  to  us 
be  more  convincing,  than  a  great  deal  from  the  Fathers. 
He  reprefents  the  Fathers  as  giving  their  Teftimony  to 
Epifcopacy,  as  a  plain  Matter  of  Fadk  ;  whereas  they 
give  their  Teftimony  as  to  Fa(3:,  with  their  Judg- 
ment ;    which  Judgment  of  theirs  we  are  no  farther 
bound  to  regard,  than  as  it  is  fupported  with  fuiiable 
Proof.    We  have  no  Proof  from  Scripture  of  any  o- 
ther  Epifcopacy  defign'd  for  continuance,  than  what 
was  Paftoral.    We  have  no  Apoftolick  Writings  left, 
befides   the    facred   Scriptures;     The  Fathers   differ 
in  their  Judgment,   Sentiment  and    Report.    It  was 
Mr,  Dodwel  in  his  Diflertations  on  Irenms  who  firft 
Aarted  the  Tho't,  that  we  have  as  good  Proof  for  th& 
Divine  Authority  of  Bifhops  as  we  have  for  that  of 
Scripture ;  This  put  the  Author  of  Amyracer  upon  plead- 
ing, that  we  have  no  better  Proof  for  Scripture  than 
we  have  for  Bifliops ;  and  between  them,  the  Authori- 
ty of  the  Writings  of  the  New  Teftament  has  been 
weaken d.    Their  Authomy  is  not  properly  weakened, 

^  .  7^     ^       .  by 


7 1 6  Some  Hifiorical  Addittoas     Chap.  XIX- 

wi*.  1 707- by  fuch  as  receive  their  Report  of  the  facred  MiniftryJ 
and  whatfoever  the  Fathers  aflert  concerning  it,  that  they 
can  prove  from  thence,  at  the  fame  Time  as  they  re- 
ceive iheir  Report  concerning  thofe  facred  Writings,  in 
which  they  in  the  Main  agree  ;  but  by  thofe  that 
would  infinuace  we  have  not  better  Proof  of  their  Di- 
vinity, than  we  have  of  the  Divine  Inftitution  of  any 
other  than  Paftoral  Epifcopacy  for  a  Continuance,  tho' 
ihofe  facred  Writings  are  filent  in  it.  While  the  Fa- 
thers much  differ  in  their  Account  about  Epifcopacy, 
we  find  that  all  their  Quotations  of  Parages  out  of  the 
New  Teftament  in  their  Writings,  do  agree  with  our 
Bibles  to  this  Day  in  all  Capital  Matters;  and  all  thofe 
Things  that  have  been  charg* d  as  Alterations,  Additions 
or  Corruptions,  in  our  New  Teftament  Writers,  toge- 
ther with  the  various  Ledtions  that  have  been  Colledted, 
are  either  in  Matters  fufiiciently  plain  in  other  Parts  of 
the  fame  facred  Writings,  or  in  Things  of  fmall  Mo- 
ment. No  encouragement  can  be  juftly  faid  to  be  gi- 
ven to  Scepticifm,  by  demanding  good  Proof,  where 
an  Apoftolical  Foundation  is  pretended.  The  Fathers 
refolv'd  their  Faith  into  the  divinely  infpirited  Wri- 
tings; But  many  of  them  that  reprefentcd  the  Epifco- 
pacy they  had  in  their  Days  as  ApcftoHcal,  might  mean 
no  more  than  that  it  was  Ancient ;  ffor  parallel  Inftan- 
ces  may  be  produc'd :)  And  when  they  gave  Catalogues 
of  Bilbops  up  to  the  Apoftles  Days,  we  have  no  Evi- 
.dence  that  they  that  are  mentioned  firft  in  their  Lift.', 
were  fo  much  as  reckon'd  to  be  fach  Bifhops  as  were  in 
the  Church  after  the  Days  of  Conftantine.  Paftoral 
Epifcopacy  %vas  rifen  to  too  great  a  height  (in 
my  Apprehcnfion )  in  the  Days  of  Ignatius ,  but 
I  can't  find  Diocefan  Epifcopacy  in  his  Epiftles, 
and  yet  much  lefs.can  I  do  it,  in  the  Celebrated 
Hpiftle  of  Clement.  Tho*  Ignatius  died  a  Martyr 
for  Chriftianity,  and  his  Name  is  therefore  to  be 
honour'd,  yet  i  am  nor  therefore  able  to  fay  as  he.  That 
rohat  God  is  in  the  H^jrld^  that  w  the  Bifloop  in  the  Churchy 
Or  that  he  that  docs  any  Thing  xoithout  the  privity  of  the 
Bifhop,  ts  to  be  thot  to  fcrve  the  Devil :  Nor  durft  I  fay 
with  Bilhop  Pjarfon,  That  there*s  no  Obedience  here  c  w- 
mandedy  but  whtt  is  ntc:j]'ary  to  avoid  Schifrns,  and  prefer ve 
tU  Vnity  of  the  Church.  The  Fathers  were  often  warm 
apj  eager.     He  that  O-^ferves  Jgnatiut's  faying,  That 

vpho" 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.        717 

whofoever  fajieth  upon  the  Lord's  Day,  or  upon  any  Satur^An.  1707. 
day  except  that  one  Saturday  Cmeaning  Eafter-Eve)  is  a 
Murtherer  of  Chriff,  will  make  great  abatements,  for 
what  he  fays  about  Epifcopacy,  and  what  other  Fathers 
(of  a  like  difpofition)  fay  in  other  Cafes.  Befides ; 
How  can  the  Teftimony  for  Epifcopacy  be  faid  to  be 
Univerfal?  For  what  Creed  ever  declarM,  what  gene- 
ral Council  ever  derermin'd  that  Epifcopacy  was  of 
Apoftolical  Inftitution  ?  The  pack'd  Council  of  Trenf^ 
was  the  firft  that  attempted  it ;  and  a  Jate  angry  Lower 
Houfe  of  an  fw^Z/yZ?  Convocation  (upon  whom  Mr.  Hoadly 
himfelf  has  upon  Occafion  been  pretty  fevere)  were  for 
treading  in  their  Steps.  But  this  wont  prove  an  Uni- 
verfality.  The  moft  that  the  Quotations  alledg'd  a- 
mount  to,  is,  that  feme  held  Epifcopacy  of  Apoftolical 
Inftitution :  But  ftill  as  zealous  as  the  Convocation  was 
for  that  determination,  there  yet  are  many  even  in  the 
C.  of  E.  of  a  different  Judgment;  and  'tis  not  unlikely 
but  it  was  the  fame  in  the  Chriftian  Church  hereto- 
fore ;  and  Si:Jeronis  franknefs  is  an  evidence  of  it. 

A  Multitude  of  Fathers  agreed  in  deriving  the  Mille- 
narian  Notion  from  the  Apoftles ;   which  may  keep  us 
from  being  frightened  with  the  big  Names  of  Fathers  about 
Epifcopacy.     That  Notion  was  indeed  afterwards  con- 
demned :    And  that  is  a  Proof,  that  the  Church  was  fen- 
(ible,    that  the  joint  confent  of  many  Fathers  together, 
in  deriving  a  Thijng  from  the  ApoAles,    was  no  folid 
Proof  that  it  truly  came  from  them.   Of  the  celebrated 
Tables  of  Succeffion^  as  urg'd  in  Proof  of  Diocefan  Epif- 
copacy, I  fay  the  fame,    as  Mr.  Hoadly  does  of  the  Ge- 
nealogy in  GenefUf   as  urg'd  in  Proof  of  the  Patriarchal 
Power  *,  If  thofe  Tables  might  have  been  given  us,  tbo  the  ^ 
Perfons  mention  d  had  not  been  Diocefan  Bifhopf,  then  their  r  ^.l    p  " 
heing  thus  deliver  d  is  no  Argument  that  the  Perfons  navrid  ^yiarchal 
in  it  were  fo.     The  Argument  is  as  ftrong  in  this  Cafe  as  scheme 
in  that.     The  Change  in  the  Church  from  a  Parity  to  p.  29.* 
an  Inequality  among  their  Paftors  (which  was  more 
early  in  fome  Churches  than  others)  may  I  think  be  ac- 
counted for  upon  a  Principle  fwhich  obtain'd  betimes) 
that  provided  Divine  Institutions  were  but  kept  up, 
and  adminiftred  by  Perfons  fet  apart  to  Office,  the  feve- 
ral  Chnrches  might  manage  thetnfelyes  in  what  Way 
and  Manner  was  to  them  the  moft  agreeabh%   without 
any   danger  of  finning,   or  flying  in  the  Face  of  the 

Apoftles; 


7 1 8  Some  H'fjlorkal  AddUions     Chap.  X f X, 


An  I'oj.  Apoftles;  which  Principle  there  aire  many  that  ftill ad- 
here to.  And  as  for  Proof  chat  there  was  no  fuch  dif- 
parity  among  the  Guides  of  the  Charch,  in  the  Three 
firft  Cencupies,  as  in  after  Ages,  that  well  known  Book, 
caii'd,  'in  Enquiry  into  the  Confti  tut  ion,  t4^orfh'p  and  Dif" 
cipline  cf  the  Primitive  Churchy  hath  faid  enough  tO  fa* 
tisfie  a  rcafonable  Man. 

I  cane  find  any  Proof  that  Presbyters  and  Bilhops 
have  a  diftindt  Commiflion:    and  if  they   Acft  by  the 
fame  Commiflion,  the  Ordinations  of  Presbyter^;  are  as 
vahd,    as  thole  of  fuperiour   Bifliops.    I  can   find  no 
diflference  made  in  Mat.  ^%.  1 9,  where  the  Commiiiiort 
is  given,    betwcn  one  fort  of  Miniftcrs  that  might  Or- 
dain, and  another  that  might  not.    I  here  fay,  as  Mr.  Hi 
t  Exam,  o/i"  another  Cafe;  "j"  That  a  Thing  of  fuch  importance  which 
the  Patri'    vcould  for  ever  have  prevented  all  Dijputes  about  fi  great  a 
archal         Pointy  (hould  not  once  be  plainly  laid  doxpn,  where  there  was 
Scheme,       mo^  occafion  for  mentioning  it ;  nay,  that  there  fhould  not 
p.  57.         he  the  leaji  intimation  about  it,  k  incredible.,     Tho*  many 
Words  are  beftow'd,   I  cannot  find  any  fuitable  Proof, 
( I J  That  the  confinement  of   the  Power  of  Ordina- 
tion CO  Bilhops  exclufive  of  Presbyters  is  Divine;  And 
(i.)  That  this  Divine  Order  is  Univerfal,   and  defign'd 
for  all  Times  and  Places  without  exception. 

Thefe  Tho*ts  I  have  pretty  largely  purfu'd  in  my  Re- 
ply, the  publication  of  which  may  be  now  the  lefs 
needful,  fince  we  have  fo  juff  and  full  a  Difcourfe  of 
.  Mr.  B'^yfes  upon  this  Subjedt,  which  came  out  this  Year, 
entituled,  A  clear  Account  of  the  Ancient  Epifcopacy, 
proving  it  to  have  been  Parochial,  and  therefore  inCon- 
fiftent  with  the  prefent  Model  of  Diocefan  Epijcopicy, 
As  for  Mr.  Hoadlys  Remarks  upon  my  bttrodu&ion^  I 
referve  them  to  a  Second  Edition  of  chat  Introduciion, 
with  Notes,  in  which  his  Suggeftions,  and  thofe  of  fome 
other  Writers  will  be  conlider'd.  And  as  for  Perfonal 
Ref^edkions,  tho*  fome  of  them  arc  peevilh  enough,  and 
difcovcr  fufficiently  that  its  hard  even  for  Reafon  and 
Grace  in  Conjundion,  to  check  the  influence  of  a  -^if- 
ordered  Body,  they  are  all  forgiven,  for  the  fake  of  the 
Service  he  did  his  Country,  in  fo  nobly  defending  Re- 
volution Principles,  for  which  he  fo  defervedly  had  the 
Thanks  of  the  Rcprefentatives  of  the  Commons  of  Brit" 
t  tain,  in  which  no  Man  more  heartily  concuriM  than  I. 

In 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  KevolHtion  in  i6%%,         719 


In  the  beginning  of  this  Year,   an  Addrefs  was  pre--^«.  1708. 
fented  to  Her  Majefty,    by  the  Proteftanc  Difienting 
Miniftcrs  of  the  Three  Denominations,  upon  Occalion 
of  the  difappointment  6f  the  Defign  upon  North  Bri- 
aifiy  in  the  Words  following. 

May  it  plehfe  Tour  Mfjefly^ 

ON  the  firft  Advice  of  the  defign*d  Invafion  of 
'  this  Your  Kingdom,  we  tho'tour  Selves  oblig'd 
after  earneft  Prayers  to  God,  humbly  to  Addrefs 
Your  Majefty,  to  fignifie  our  deep  Refencment  of  the 
Attempt  of  the  Pretender;  whofe  ufurped  Title  can 
no  more  recommend  him  to  the  Britifh  Nation, 
than  his  Religion,  and  the  Power  that  Supports 
him. 

*  Nor  can  we  forbear  to  exprefs  the  utmoft  Abhor- 
rence of  the  Prcfumption  of  rhe  French  King,  who 
takes  upon  him  to  impofe  Princes  of  his  own  forming 
upon  other  Nations,  after  having  opprefs'd  and  en- 
flav'd  his  own. 

*  We  are  fo  entirely  in  the  Principles  of  the  late  hap* 
py  Revolution,  that  we  account  the  Britifh  Monar- 
chy, and  the  Bleflings  of  Your  Majefty's  Rcign^  too 
valuable  to  omit  any  Thing  that  lies  in  our  Power  for 
the  Support  and  Defence  of  Your  Royal  Pcrfon  and 
Government. 

'  While  the  faithful  Adherence  of  our  Brethren  of 
North  Britain  to  Your  Maje/^y  in  this  JunAure,  gives 
us  a  very  particular  Satisfadiion,  we  take  leave  to 
renew  to  Your  Majefty,  the  Affnrance  of  our  invi- 
olable Fidelity  :  And  what  we  fay  on  this  Occafion, 
is  not  only  our  own,  bur  the  Unanimous  Senfeof  the 
People  under  our  Care,  who  all  own  Your  Majefty 's 
Rightful  and  Lawful  Title  to  the  Imp^ial  Crown  of 
thefc  Realms  ;  and  would  be  thankful  for  a  greater 
Capacity,  to  ftiew  that  their  Zeal  for  Your  Service 
is  not  inferiour  to  that  of  the  moft  approved  and 
Loyal  of  their  Fellow  Subjects. 

*  The  late  Union  of  ^England  and  Scotland^  the 
wife  and  early  Precautions  taken  by  Your  Ma* 
jefty  and  Your  Council,  to  prevent  the  Defigns  of 
Your  Enemy ;  the  Prudent  and  Vigorous  Refolution 
of  Your  Parliament,  and  above  all,  Your  Majefty *s 
dependence   on   the  Divine   Aid    and    Protedion, 


7  lo  Somt  Hijiorical  Additiont     Chap.  XIX. 


:A».  1708. 


feem  very  happy  Prefages  of  Succefs  and  Victory ;  And 
make  us  Hope,  that  God  hasreferv'd  for  your  Ma- 
jefty,  the  Honour  of  effedually  fecuring  the  Prote- 
ftant  Succeflion  at  Home,  of  advancing  the  Intereft 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  Abroad,  and  of  com- 
pleating  the  Recovery  of  the  Liberties  of  Europe, 
'  That  the  Great  God  would  continue  to  guard 
your  facred  Perfon,  to  prefcrve  the  Life  of  yout 
Royal  Confort,  to  blefs  your  Majefty's  Councils  and 
Arms,  and  thofe  of  your  Confederates  ;  and  that 
after  a  very  long  and  glorious  Reign,  your  Majefty 
may  Exchange  your  Temporal  for  an  Eternal  Crown, 
is  the  Prayer  of  your  moft  Obedient  and  Faithful  Sub- 
jefts. 

This  Year  a  New  Parliament  was  chofcn,  and  fate,' 
but  meddled  not  with  any  Ecclefiaftical  Matters  in 
their  firlt  SefTion.  The  Convocation  alfo  met,  and 
were  prorogu'd  by  the  Archbifliop,  purfuant  to  th6 
Queen's  Writ,  before  the  Sermon  was  preach'd,  that 
ufed  to  precede  the  Choice  of  a  Prolocutor ;  with  re- 
fpedt  to  which  Choice  the  Lower  Clergy  were  divided, 
between  Dr.  Atterbury  and  Dr.  PViUis.  They  werfe 
prorogu'd  from  November^  to  Febr.  25.  following. 

At  this  Time  was  publifli'd  a  Letter  from  a  Gentle- 
man in  Scotland  to  his  Friend  in  England,  againft  iht 
Sacramental  Tefi  ;  as  inconfiftent  with  the  Union,  dan- 
gerous to  the  Ecclefiaftical  Conftitution  of  Norths 
Britain^  and  to  fuch  Parts  of  their  Civil  Conftitution  as 
are  referv'd  to  them  :  inconfiftent  with  the  Civil  Jnte- 
reft  of  Great  Britain  in  general ;  contrary  to  the  De- 
(ign  of  our  Saviour's  Inftitution  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  to  the  Dodlrine  of  the  C.  of  £.  And  an  Apology 
for  this  Letter.  a 

The  'left  AH  is  here  reprefentcd  as  contrary  t6  1 
the  Rules  of  Religion,  becaufe  it  requires  an  End 
in  receiving  the  Sacrament,  that  muft  prophane  it, 
and  fuch  as  bears  no  Proportion  to  the  Original  De- 
fign  of  it ;  and  nfurps  an  Authority  which  no  Power 
on  Earth  can  Jay  any  juft  claim  to,  to  apply  Divine 
Inftitutions  to  fuch  Ends  as  only  ferve  the  Intereft  of 
Politick  Societies  ;  and  obliges  fuch  as  have  any  Civil 
Poft  to  take  the  Sacrament,  without  any  regard  to  the 
iitnefs  which  the  Law  of  Chrift  requires,  fcr  that  So 

lemnicy 


/ 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.  711 


lemnicy.  It  looks  as  if  it  was  no  Matter,  how  ill  a 
Character  a  Perfon  bore,  if  it  can  be  cover'd  with  the 
Name  of  Churchman  ;  which  Ihews  that  it  is  noc  the 
Honour  of  ReJigion,  but  the  fecular  Intereft  of  a  Party 
that  is  principally  regarded,  ^c 

About  this  Time  alfo  came  out,  Dr.  Cotters  Difcourfe 
of  Church  Government :  wherein  the  Rights  of  the  Church, 
and  the  Supremacy  of  Chriftian  Princes,  are  vindicated 
and  adjufted. 

This  Year  was  here  at  Home  more  remarkable  for  Atu  1709* 
nothing,   than  Dr.  Sachevereh  Sermon  at  St.  Pauls  on 
IS/iw.  5,    which  was  entitled,  The  Perils  of  Falfe  Brethren 
both  in  Church  and  State,   which  gave  great  Offence  to 
all  the  Alfertors  of  the  late  Revolution.    His  Impeach- 
ment is  yet  frefti  in  Memory.    In  the  Time  of  his 
Trial  there  was  an  open  Rebellion  againft  the  Govern- 
ment, tho*  the  Parliament  was  fitting ;    the  Members  of 
both  Houfes  were  infulted ;  and  feveral  Meeting  Houfes 
were  broke  open,  in  and  about  the  City,  and  the  Pul- 
pits and  Pews  Burnt  by  a  Riotous  Multitude ;  and  other 
Places,   nay  even  the  Barik^  itfelf,    as  well  as  Private 
Houfes    of   Perfons    of  Note  were  threatened;    the 
Queens  Guards  were  openly  refifted ;    and  fuch  a  Spi- 
rit difcover'd  itfelf,  as  not  a  little  terrify 'd  all  the  hearty 
Friends  of  the  Government.    Perhaps  the  Time  may 
come  when  it  may  be  generally  better  known  by  whofe 
influence  and  encouragement  this  open  Rebellion  was 
raised  in  defiance  of  the  Queen  and  Parliament.     How- 
ever the  Trial  went  on,    and  the  Sermons  of  the  Dr.  at 
St.  Pauls  and  at  Derhy  Aifizes  were  ordered  to  be  burnt  ; 
and  the  celebrated  Oxford  Decree,  together  wifh  them. 
This  deferves  a  Remark. 

'  The  Houfe  (of  Lords j  taking  into  Confideration 
the  Judgment  and  Decree^  of  the  Univerfity  of  Ox-  ^SeeofthU 

*  ford^  pafs'd  in  their  Convocation  y«/y  21. 16S3,  given  ^^<^*"^<?» 

*  in  Evidence  by  Dr.  Henry  Sncheverel  ^t  his  Trial,  up- P'S^^ji*^'' 
on  the  Impeachment  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  and 
thereupon  lately  Reprinted ;    it  was  refolv'd  by  tha 

Lords  Spiritual  and  Temporal  in  Parliament  Aflem- 

*  bled,    that  the  faid  Judgment  and  Decree  contains  in 
it  feveral  Pofitions  contrary  to  the  Conflitution  of 

*  this  Kingdom,   and  deftru£):iv8  to  the  Protefiant  Si^c^ 
ceilion  as  by  Law  EftablilVd.     And  it  was  thereupoa 

I  Ordred,  by  the  Lords  Spiritual  and  Temporal  in  Far- 

A  a  a  '  liament 


722  Some  Hijiomcal  AddUions     Chap,  XIX. 


jln,  1709*  liament  Affcrobled,   that  tbe  faid  Judgment  and  Dc- 

*  cree.  lately  Printed  and  Pcblifti'd  in  a  Book  eniiiulcd, 

*  An  intirc  Confutation  of  Mr.  Hoadl/s  Book  of  the 

*  Original  of  Government,    takeh  from  the  London  Ga- 

*  :ietfe,  publifti'd  by  Authority  at  London  ^  (hall  be  burnt 

*  by  the  Hands  of  the  common  Hangman,    in  thePre- 

*  fence  of  the  Sheriffs  of  London  and  Middlefex,   at  the 

*  fame  Time  and  Place,    when  and  where  the  Ser- 
'  nioDS  of  Dr.  Henry   Sacbevercl  aie    ordered  to  be 

*  Burnt. 

At  the  fifing  of  die  Parliament,  the  Queen  had  thefe 
Words  in  Her  Speech .-  For  My  own  Part,  m  it  hoi  flea' 
fed  God  to  give  Succefi  to  my  Endeavours  for  the  Vnion  of 
My  t^ngdvnUy  vfhkh  I  muH  ever  efteem  m  one  cf  the 
greatefi  Bleffings  of  My  i^«'^«,  fo  I  hope  his  Divine  Good* 
nefi  wiS  Hii  continue  favour ^le^  and  mal^e  Me  the  happy 
Jnfirument  of  that  yet  more  durable  XJnion  of  the  Hearts 
of  ai  my  People^  in  the  Bondj  of  mutual  AffeBion^  that  fo 
there  may  remain  no  ether  Contention  among  you^  but  who 
fhaU  exceed  the  other  in  contributing  to  advance  our  frefent 
Happinef^  andfecure  the  ProteHant  Succeffion. 

The  Convocation  in  Ireland  fate  this  Year,  and  pie- 
fented  an  AddreCs  to  the  Queen,  and  another  to  the 
Lord  Lieutenant,  and  then  were  fuddenly  prorogu'd  : 
But  we  hear  nothing  of  the  Convocation  in  England^ 
who  were  of  fuch  a  Temper  that  their  greate(l  Enemy 
could  not  well  wi(h  them  a  greater  Mifchief  than  that 
they  might  have  fcope  to  fit  and  a(^  according  to  their 
Inclination. 

At  thit  Tittle  came  out,  netv  High  Churchy  turnd  old  PreS' 
hyterian  ;  (hewing  that  among  tfaofe  call'd  Presbyterians^ 
that  had  carried  Things  to  the  greate£b  Extremity, 
none  of  them  had  run  higher,  for  the  independency  of 
the  Church  on  tbe  State,  than  High  Church  bad  done 
(incc  the  Revolution  :  That  they  fcarcc  publilhed  a 
Book,  but  it  was  full  of  Complaints  of  our  unchri- 
ftian  Laws  relating  to  the  Church  :  That  they  are 
condoually  exalting  themfelves,  and  their  Authority 
and  Dignity  :  And  that  they  exceed  the  rankefl  Pres- 
byterians in  their  Claims,  and  their  fcandalous  Re- 
flc(5tions,  ^c.  and  are  as  much  as  any  ever  were,  fot 
the  founding  Dominion  in  Grace,  ^c* 

Now 


Chap.  XIX.    after  the  Revolntion  in  1688.         723 

Now  alfo  came  out  Seditious  Preachers,  Vngodly 
"Teachers,  exemplify 'd  in  the  Cafe  of  the  Minifters  eje- 
t^ed  by  the  Adk  of  Uniformity  in  i66z.  Oppofed 
chiefly  to  my  abridgment ;  which  1  (hall  touch  upon  in 
Vny  Preface  to  my  Second  Volume. 

AddrefTes  came  in  this  Year  frotp  all  Parts,  full  of  ^».  1710* 
great  Profellions  of  Loyalty  to  the  , Queen,  and  Indig- 
nation againft  the  late  Miniflry,  and  fonrie  of  then;i 
reflecting  on  the  Parliament,  and  on  all  that  pretended 
to  Moderation.  In  j^pril,  the  Perfons  that  were 
active  in  the  late  Rebellious  Tumults,  were  brought  to 
their  Trial  in  the  Qld^Bailjf,  and  Damaree  and  Pwr- 
chafe  were  found  Guilty,  and  condemn'd :  But  Juftice 
was  npt  executed  upon  them ;  and  they  have  fince 
been  pardon'd.  The  Diffenters  were  not  a  little  foli- 
cited  to  make  Application  to  the  Court  for  Pardon  for 
them  ;  and  it  was  fignify'd,  that  it  would  difcover  a 
very  forgiving  Temper,  which  was  a  Chriftian  Spirit, 
if  they  would  interpofc.  But  they  ( who  had  been 
fooliflily  charg'd  by  fome  with  pulling  down  their  own 
Meeting  Houfes,)  tho't  it  more  proper  for  them  to  fit 
ftiJi,  concluding  the  Concern  of  the  Government  to 
be  greater,  than  their  own  Perfonal  Concern,  iho* 
their  Lofs  was  confiderable.  Overtures  were  alfo 
made  them  about  the  repairing  the  Damage  they  had 
luftained  ;  but  nothing  was  receiv'd. 

There  was  a  great  Ferment  in  the  Nation  when  the 
Parliament  was  diflblv'd,  and  a  new  one  chofen  :  But 
the  Queen  in  her  Speech  to  her  New  Parliament  oq 
Nov,  27.  told  them,  That  as  floe  xvas  refolvd  to  encou-- 
rage  and  fupport  the  C.  of  E,  as  by  Law  Eftablifked^  and 
preferve  the  Britifli  Conftitmion^  according  to  the  IJnim^ 
fo  nlfo  would  (he  maintain  the  Indulgence  by  Law  allowed  to 
firupulous  Confciences,  The  Coriimons  in  their  Addrefs 
had  this  Paflfage  ;  As  we  are  Fellow  Chrifiians  and  FeUowr 
SubjeHs  with  thofe  Proteftant  Diffenters,  who  are  fo  un-« 
happy  as  to  entertain  Scruples  againji  Conformity  with  our 
Church,  we  are  defirous  and  determind  to  let  them  ijuietly 
^njoy  that  Indulgence  which  the.  Law  hath  allpp'd  th^mi. 
And  they  voted  Fifty  new  Churches  to  be  built  in  and 
about  the  City. 


724  Sofne  Hlflorical Additions     Chap.  XIX. 

An,  171C.  The  Convocation  alfo  met,  and  Dr.  K.^»«ff  preached 
before  them,  and  Dr.  Atterbury  was  chofcn  Prolocutor. 
Her  Majefty  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Archbiihop,  dated 
Dec.  I X.  in  which  flie  fignified  her  Hopes,  that  the  Con- 
fultations  of  the  Clergy  might  be  of  ufe  to  reprefs  the 
Attempts  of  Perfons  of  looie  and  prophane  Principles, 
and  prevent  the  like  for  the  Future  :  And  promifed  Ihc 
would  give  thera  all  fitting  Encouragement  to  proceed 
in  the  difpatch  of  fuch  Bufinefs  as  properly  belonged 
to  them,  and  grant  them  fuch  Powers  as  (hould  be  tho*c 
requifite  for  carrying  on  fo  good  a  Work  ;  confiding  in 
them  that  her  Royal  Intentions  would  not  be  fruftrated, 
by  unreafonable  Difputes  about  unneceflary  Forms  and 
Methods  of  Proceeding,  ^c.  The  Convocation  met 
Dec.  13.  The  Archbilliop  propofed  to  the  Inferior 
Clergy  an  Addrefs  to  her  Majefty  by  Way  of  Thanks, 
t3c.  They  were  for  enlarging  fome  Parts  of  it,  which 
the  Bilhops  were  not  free  to  ;  and  this  had  like  to  have 
created  a  new  Difference.  The  Archbifliop  hereupon 
prorogued  them  to  January  the  17th,  at  which  fome 
were  difgufted.  He  then  prorogued  them  to  January 
the  14th,  171°.  at  which  Time  my  Lord  Dartmouth 
Secretary  of  State,  brought  them  a  Licence  under  the 
Broad-Seal  to  fit  and  do  Bufinefs,  in  as  ample  a  Man- 
ner as  was  ever  granted  fince  the  B^ format  ion  ;  the 
Fruits  of  which  are  yet  expeded. 

•  This  Year  alfo  Mr.  James  Pierce^  of  whom  the 
World  had  had  a  Taft  before,  in  his  Controverfy  with 
Dr.  IVelb^  wrote  a  Vindication  of  the  EvgHfh  Diffen- 
ters,  in  Anfwer  to  Dr.  hJicholj's  Defence  of  the  Church 
of  England :  And  he  wrote  it  in  good  clean  Latin,  as 
Mr.  Spademan  had  his  StriBurce  Genevenfes^  (which  I 
forgot  to  make  mention  of  in  its  proper  Place)  fome  Time 
before  :  And  I  don  t  hear  that  any  one  has  undertaken 
a  Reply.  Mr.  Benjamin  B^hinfon  alfo  this  Year  wrote 
his  ^view  of  the  Cafe  of  Liturgies  and  their  Impojition  ; 
in  anfwer  to  Mr.Bfwwef's  Brief  Hifiory  of  pre-compofed 
Jet  Forms  of  Prayer,  and  his  Difccurfc  of  Joint- Frayer. 

Tho'  the  Firft  Seflion  of  this  Parliament  pafiTed  over, 
without  any  Motion  for  the  Occafional  BiU,  yet  they 
that  watched  Opportunities  for  it,  having  that  AtTair 
much  at  Hearr,  were  not  willing  to  mifs  a  Second,  and 

defer 


Chap.  XIX.  after  the  Revolution  in  1688.         725 

defer  it  to  a  Third.    At  length  when  both  Sides  had  -dn,  171 1. 

written  themfelves  out  of  Breatli  upon  the  Subjecfl, 

this  Bill  which  was  fo  much  long'd  for  by  fome,  and 

fo  much  dreaded  by  others,  was  on  Dec,  i  5 .  1 7 1 1 . 

brought  into   the  Houfe   of   Peers.    The  Title   was 

plaufible  ',  *twas  to  preferve  the  Proteftant   Religion, 

and  to  confirm  the  Toleration,  and  farther  to  fecure 

the  Proteftant  Succeflion,  ^c.    But  the  Body  of  the 

Bill  was  the  fame  as  had  been  fo  oft  rejeded   before, 

and  that  upon  fuch  folid  Reafons.    It  muft  be  own'd, 

fome  Conceflions  are  therein  granted  to  the  Dilfenters, 

but  not  to  be  compared  with  the  Contempt  to  which 

it  expofes  them. 

Thus  after  Fifty  Years  Exclufion  from  the  Publick 
Churches,  by  the  Ac^  of  Uniforiuity,  during  the  one 
Half  of  which  they  were  expos'd  to  great  Rigours 
and  Severities,  tho*  during  the  other  Half  they  have 
had  more  Liberty,  are  the  poor  Diflenters  excluded 
the  Service  of  the  State.  So  far  are  we  from  any 
Hopes  of  a  Coalition,  which  has  been  fo  often  talked 
of,  that  nothing  will  do  but  an  entire  Submiffion. 
Confciences  truly  Scrupulous  may  indeed  ftill  have  their 
Liberty  :  But  they  that  would  be  capable  of  any 
Places  of  Profit  or  Truil,  muft  quit  the  Meetings 
after  March  25.  1712.  and  they  that  in  all  Times  and 
Changes  adher'd  to  the  true  Intereft  of  their  Country, 
muft  be  publickly  branded.  Perhaps  the  Time  may 
come  when  Perfons  may  have  other  Tho'ts  of  this  Mat- 
ter than  while  in  the  Heat  of  A£tion. 

And  by  what  Ways  and  Means  this  Defign,  that 
had  been  fo  long  contriving  and  fo  often  difappointed, 
was  at  laft  brought  to  bear ;  and  under  whofe  Agency 
and  Management  the  Bill  paffed  fo  currently,  and 
without  Oppofition,  even  with  with  tbofe  who  had 
all  along  had  an  Opinion  of  its  pernicious  Tendency.- 
And  whether  it  in  the  Event  anfwered  the  De/igns  and 
Intentions  of  thofe  who  were  the  great  Agents  in  it,  what 
were  the  Confequences  of  this  Step  to  the  Diflenters,  and 
alfo  to  theChurch,  and  to  the  State  ;  and  to  Religion, 
and  to  that  Chriftian  Charity,  that  all  who  have  any 
value  for^^Religion,   ought  to  have  a  Concern  for : 

Aaa  5  How 


726    Some  Hijlorical  Additions,  &c.  Chap.  XIX. 

Ah.  171 1. How  many  Pcrfons  and  Families  were  Suflfercrsby  it; 
how  much  the  Papifts  rejoiced  at  it,  and  what  an  Ad- 
vantage it  gave  them  (who  are  never  backward  to  im- 
prove Opportunities)  to  compafs  their  Defigns,  I  leave 
to  be  confider'd  and  related  by  fuch  as  come  after 
me. 


THE 


THE 


"Reformed  liturgy. 


The  Ordinary  ^ublick-JVorJhip  on  the 

LORDVDAY. 

The  Congregation  being  reverently  conppofed,  let 
the  Minifter  firft  crave  God's  affiftance  and  accep- 
tance of  the  Woiljiip,  tp  be  performed  in  thefe  Qt 
the  like  Words, 


J / 


bifible  <BSS>J>,  mftnite  in  ipotoer,  CHifuom,  Hal  ^'J'  t 
ann  <0(DtJneftf, nto'eliing  in  tf|e  Jligtjt  tofjicfj  Mat.  ij.  17! 

noi39an  can  app^oaclj,  iDfjere  t^oufann  tljou^  i  Tim.  6. 16'. 

fanD0  tniiiite  untoSTIja?,  anD  ten  tI}OUfantJ  timeai  i^a^- 7. 10.  ifst. 
ten  tl)Dufanu  IfanD  before  arijec,  pet  utoellmg  toittj  J^*^^- J^^- 
tl^el)umble  anD  contrite,  ant)  taking  pleafure  in  tljp^J^:^  j^a  °' 
ipeople  :  %\]m  Ijaff  confecrateD  fog  110  a  nejDo  ans  d.'papy.tf.'izl 
libing  toap,  t!)at  iwith  boltJnef^  toe  map  enter  into  i.  &.  99.  ^  8c 
tlie  ^olitli,  hf  tf)e.  bjfooo  of  3|efu0,  anD  l)all  bio  U0  ^^-^i  17.  &89. 
feek  2^1)0?,  tofjile  tl)ou  mapett  be  fomiD  :  (Kae  come  7;  ,J^^-  ^^^  l®*- 
to  %\)ic  at  tt>p  Can,  ano  ipogftip  at  ti)p  jFojtfiooU  Tji^lt,  ^ll 
3i$el)0lD  U0  in  t!)p  tenDer  s^erciej^*   ©efpife  m  not,  Levit.  Vo  2 
tt)ougl)  unlno^tlip^   %^m  art  greatlp  to  be.  fearea  Zech.  iz.  10. 
in  t^e  2icrembl)?  of  tfje  S^aintjer,  anD  to  be  tjaD  in  {^Q"^-  8.  ^6. 
laetjerence.of  all  tt^at  are  about  S^ljee*   D^nt  tl}p  fear  ^^"l*  J;  ^^-  ^ 
into  our  l)eart0,  tl)at  Uiitl)  le^erence  toe  map  ferbe  ^at  J^  jg 
2C:t)0e ;  fauctifp  U0,  tijat  t^ou  maprfi  be  fanctiCeD  of  joh.V  2J,Z4. 
Uj0f,  tol)eji  toe  Dgato  .nifiil  2r{)^.    (25i^e  m  t\:}Z  ^pi^  i  Thef.  z.  ij, 
rit  of  <5^^*ace  ano  §feuppUcation,  to  Ijtip  our  infirmi;?  Aa  15. 14. 
ties,  tljat.qur  pw^r^  map  be  faittjful,  ferbent,  anD  Si^[^  '»•  '^• 
^ffectiiaU   51et  tl)e  Defire  of  our  ^out^  be  to  STfje^ ;  p.^J;  ]'^^\, 
ilet  u0  D?ato  near  Wi^ez  toitt)  our  tjeart^^  anD  not  Eccik's  i 
onip  toitti  our  lip^,  anD  too^n)ip  t^ae,  tofjo  art  a  Joh.  6.  45/ 
l^pirit,  in  Spirit  anD  ^rutlK   ^et  tljp  (WrofD  be.Heb.4.  zz.  i?. 
i^poten  anD  Ijearo  bp  U0  am  tf)e  wuo^d  of  <E>oD :  c^ibe;^  ^^r,  10. 43^ , 

■    4la  a  4  ili8f'-  '   ^' 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Pfai.  59. 30-    U0  attentibe,  l)earmg  €ar0,  antJ  openeu,  beliebing 
pfai.  io5.  4^.   unDcrlJanDing  tjearW,  tijat  toe  map  no  tno^e  re::: 

m  io<  ^?*  ^"^^  ^^?^  *^^^^^»  "°^.  ^ift'^sar^  fl)P  ttierdful,  out;^ 
pr.f  SI  1?*  (h-etdjcD^ljanD,  no? flisl)t tt)p citounfele!  ano  Kep^fja ; 
Pfdi.  19.  14.  but  be  mo^e  reanp  to  Ijear,  tl)an  to  gibe  tlje  facrifice 
Hcb.  13.  II.  of  fm\!S.  jput  fl})>  31aUj0  into  our  l)eart0,  anD 
torite  ti^em  in  our  min50,  ann  let  ujsf  be  all  taugfjt 
of  (25oit>  3Let  tl)p  (Kao^ti  be  unto  m  quick  anD  poto^: 
erful ;  a  Difcerner  of  t^e  ti)ougt)tB  ano  intents  of  tlje 
Iieart0 ;  migljtp  to  puK  tiob3n  2rong^l)olD0,  casing 
Zioton  imaginations  ano  reafonings,  ano  eberp  f)ig5 
tfjfng  tl)at  aDbancrtlj  it  felf  againU  tl)e  feuotoleoge 
of  (Bon  \  ano  bringing  into  tdii^t\\>it^  eberp  tijoug^t 
to  the  obeoienre  of  Cti^il!  ^  let  nn  magnifie  %[)2Z 
\x>iti)  tliankfgibing,  anD  triumpl)  in  t()p  Ip^aife.  ilet 
tt0  rejopce  In  t^p  jSjalbation,  anD  gto^p  m  tl}p  i)olp 
f^ame*  SDi^tn  tl}Ou  our  lip0,  SD  legD,  anD  let  our 
moutl)0  fi;eto  fo^tl)  <tl)p  p^aife.  3lnD  let  ffje  too^Djfif 
of  our  moutl)0,  anD  tlje  meDitation  of  our  Ijeart^  be 
acceptable  in  tlip  figtjt,  ttj^ougl)  lefujff  <t\)ixU  our 
33rO^D  anD  onip  »abiour*   Amen. 

Or  thus,  when  Brevity  is  neceflary. 

ira.  (55. 1.  Pfai. /^  external,  2tlmigl)tp,  anD  moU  graciou0  <25oD, 
II  1.9  Luke  z.  y^  ij^eaben  i&  tl)p  2ri)?one  anD  dfart!)  i0  tl)p;f  cot^ 
uM'^''^Jd°i!iDl,  I)olP  anD  reberenD  i0  tl)Vi|ianie;  €l)0u  art 

1  J)'  I  Levio  P^*!^'^^  bp  tl}e  !)eabenlp  !^off0,  anD  in  tl)e  (s:ongrega>- 
5.  Gen.  i8;i7.'  tion  Of  ti^p  ^&intsi  on  OEartl},  anD  toilt  be  imctitzxs 

2  Tim.  z.  5-.  in  an  tl}at  come  nigl)  unto  %\)ZZ.  Igit  are  finfiil 
Dan.  9.18  Hof.  anD  unU)o?tl)p  Dulf,  but  being  inbiteD  b^  2riiee,  are 
Vs  vkh'  h  ^^^^'  tt^^ougl)  our  blefleD  a^eDiato?  to  p^efent  our 
zThef.  Tjo  ' fPlbe^anDour fupplicationfi!  before 2ri)ee^  Kcceibeu^ 
Luke  19.' 48!  srmouap,l)elpu0bptl)p^fiirit^  lettbpjfearbeupon 
ifa.i.ip.iCor.  MS  X  Jiet  t[)y>  QJiio^D  come  unto  U0  in  potoer,  anD  be 
2--i^- James  y.  receibfD  in  tobe,  toitl)  attentibe,  reberent,  ano  obe^ 
i<^praj.6  5.  ;r.  jjit^jit  minDB..   ^afee  it  to  ub  tl)e  faboiir  of  life  unto 

Pfa/s/io  &  ^^^^*    ^^"^^  "^  ^°  ^^  ferbent  iu  IP^aper,  ano  jop^; 

;j.  18.  ful  in  ti)p  p?aife0,  anD  to  ferbe  Ct)^  tl)i0  Dap 

toitliout  Diflraction,  tl)at  toe  map  finD  tl)at  a  Dap 
in  tl)p  (Courts,  i0  better  tl)an  a  tljoufauD,  anD  tljat 
it  in  gooD  fo?  U0  to  D^jito  near  to  C5oD  ■,  tljgougij 
S'.efu^  Cl)ii(l  our  llo,2D  anD  ^abiour*    Amen. 


'NC9(f 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Next^   let  one  of  the  Creeds  he  read  by  the  Miniflerl 

In  the  Profeflion  of  this  holy  Chriftian  Faith  wc 
are  here  aflembled. 

31  beliebe  in  (25oD  the  JFatijer,  ffct 
31  beliebe  in  one  (PoD,  9Ct 

And  fometimes  Athanafius  Creed.' 

The  Ten  Commandmentg^ 
(Bat)  fpalie  tljefe  (KUogD^  anu  taii^  ^Ct 

For  the  right  informing  and  affeding  the  People,^ 
and  moving  them  to  a  penitent  believing  confeffion, 
forae  of  thefe  Sentences  may  be  read. 

God  created  man  in  his  Image^,  q^j,  ^^  j. 

By  one  man,  fin  entred  into  the  World,    ^w^Roni.  j.  u. 
death  by  fin  and  fio  death  faffed  ufon  all  men^  for  that 
all  have  finned. 

For  all  have  finned,  and  come  (hort  of  the  glory  cfKom.  j.  23. 
Cod. 

God  fo  loved  the  worlds  that  he  gave  his  only  ^^got^jQi^^.  3.  i5. 
ten  Sony  that  vohofoever  believeth  in  him^   [hould  not 
ferifhy  but  have  everlafting  life. 

He  that  believeth  on  him  (hall  not  be  condemned,  but         ig. 
he  that  believeth  noty  is  condemned  already^  becaufe  he 
hath  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of 
God. 

And  this  is  the  condemnation ^  that  light  is  come  into         19. 
the  world,  and  men  loved  dark/iefs  rather  than  light,  be^ 
caufe  their  deeds  were  evil. 

For  every  one  that  doth  evil  hateth  the  light,  neither  ^^^ 

Cometh  to  the  light,  leji  his  deeds  (hould  he  reproved, 

Chrift  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curfe  of  the  Law^Qtl  3,   15: 
being  made  a  curfe  for  us, 

Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  fpirit^  i»f  John  3.    $• 
cannot  enter  into  the  kjngdom  of  God, 

That  which  is  born  of  the  Fle/h  is  Fle/h^  and  that  6. 

phicb  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  Spirit. 

Verit; 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Mat.  1 8'  3-  Verily  J  fny  unto  yoUy  except  ye  he  converted^  anJbe» 
come  as  little  Children,  ye  fh all  not  enter  into^  the  King- 
dom of  Henven, 

Ezek.  \T,.  II.  Say  unto  them  :  As  I  live  faith  the  Lord  God^  I. 
havt  nd  fUeafure  in  the  death  of-  the  vpicl(ed^  hut  that 
the  wicked  turn  from  his  way  find  Hvej  Turn  ye,  turn 
ye  from  your  evil  "K^ys  •  for  wljy  will  ye  die  oh  houfe  of 
Ifrael. 

Luke  15.  I o.         I  fay  unto  yoUy    there  k  joy  in  the  prefence  of  the 
Angels  of  God^  over  a  finner  that  repenteth, 
18,  19.  '  ^^^  ^^i/^  ^"^  go  to  my  Fatdjer,  and  jay  unto  him^ 

Father^  I  have  finned  ^^^ainji  i^eaven  and  before  thee^ 
and  am  no  more  tvorthyto  he  called  thy  Son^  ' 

The  Cojifeflion  of  Sin,  and  Prayer  for  Pardon  and 
Sandification. 

Pfii .^^.Rorr.  ^^(j^ol!  f^o\^,  sigWeoujeT,  am  <B^acioug  l<Bo% 
e:  z^y  Ephfif,  \^J  uiljo  l)ate5  all .  tl)e  toogkerief  of  inu\mt^,  anD 
i.^vii.  jt.h.  4  Dafi  a^j^somteD  matt}  to  be  the  toage^ei  of  fin,  but  pet 
Kh  T' V^*  fo^  the  glo^p  of  tlw  mercp  hall  fmt  thp  fon  to  htti)e 
Luke  14. 47.  ^abiour  of  the  crcio^ID,  anD  hatt  ;i^omifeD  fo^gibe:^ 
hi\.  5.  37.  neCs  Of  fin  tl)^ough  ^^  ^^(^^1  ^0  aH  that  beJietJfc  in 
Pfov.  28.  n.  him,  ant)  hv  true  Hepentance  turn  itnto  €te,  anu 
Rev.;.v.Pfai.(t^at  U^Wobet  coufefleth  auD  fo^fabetl^  h^JB^  fin,  fhaO 
rira^'48  8^'  h^tjemercpi  toe  confef0  that  &e  are  tile  and  mife^ 
ifa.  n. '  6.  rabfe  finner0,  being  conceibrn  in  ^in  -■,  bp  0^time 
Pfaimico.'^.  cfthilD^en  of  to^atl],  anD  tranfgreCTo^jff  from  tt^t 
I  corinrh.6.:o.  toomb*  OT  toe  like  (heep  habe  gone  aflrar,  anD 
aCor.  8.  s-  furneD  eberp  one  te  hi^  ^^n  toap*  ^Ttiou  maDeH  ug^ 
iu)r.  1^0.  ii.  ^^^^  ,iot  hie  our  felbes.  Chou  boughteff  U0  tottli  a 
iThcf.  4.  I.  V^^^i  anD  toe  are  not  our  oixiUt  aiui  therefore  tre 
1  jjhn  3.  1...  lIjoulD  habe  toliollp  giben  up  dut*  felbejef  unto  SThee, 
Rom.  X.  15.  anahabe  glo^ifteD  iHliac  >ith  our  foulB  anD  boDie^, 
1  Chion  zi.  7.  35  jjeing  ;r(jiji^^    ^raiji^t  P^jfj.  ^e  jjij,  thoulD  habe  been 

Luke  1^8  V4  ^o»^  ^Q-  tl)ji(IBi!0y%  anD  to  pleafe  €hee,  in  tlje  obtv^ 
Rom.  15.  I  fngofi:hP™u»  But  toe  habe  DirpleaftD  anD  Dir:i 
rul.  47  7.  honour  ED  SThee,  anD  turu^D  from  STljee,  eralting, 
Rom.  7.  1 1,  feefeing  ann  pleafing  our  fcl&0*  Chou  art  tlje  ^in% 
Dan.  9.  9i  'o-  of  an  tl)C  toozlD,  anD  2ri)Plato0  are  hoh>,  juff,  anD 
Rom 's  i'  &°  fi^'^*  ^"^  ^^  ^1^^^  DenieD  SThee  our  Due  ^ub)ectioi| 
M.  14.&4.  zo.anD  £DbeDicnce,  being  unrulp  anD  felf^toilleD,  minD^ 
Pfai.  78  7.22.  ing ttif  tilings  of  the  ;f  led;,  anD  m.iking  p^^obifion  fo^ ' 
ifa.  <  I.  7. 8.  itfi  luft0 :  (lar  Ijc^be  (lagarrrD  at  (JThv  mio^d  td^ough 
Luke  11. 4,^-  (Hnbflief,  anD  habe  nor  fullp  plaecD  oiir  trull  anb  l)opc  ? 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


in  W)tu   WXt  ^abe  ratljer  fearen  s^an  tijat  isi  Duff,  P^ai.  loo.  y. 
aiiD  can  but  IriH  tfje  boDp,  ttian  STIiec,  tf)at  canS  Der^  ^  Joh.  4.  id. 
JieiJrop  botl)  Soul  ano  boDp  in  igell*    a:t)OU  artinfc:^  J^^J.-  ^f  [; 
nitelp  gfflD,  ann  lobe  it  felf,  ^tt  i)abe  toe  not  ftiUp  prai.*37*4  ijoh. 
taken  STiiee  fo?  our  portion,  no^  lobeo  K\w  bjitl]  aft  r.  i  y.  z  xim.  5! 
our  ijeart,  anD  fom,  anii  miglit,  no^  matJe  2ri)ee  rJoh.d.z;. 
our  fun  5efire  anO  Mi%\)U    %\xt  toe  Ijabe  ino^Dir^jr^^'^e  10. 11,2.2. 
natelp  lobeci  our  felbe;6',  anD  ti)t  <ittio^lD,  «nD  t^t^f;}\^^' 
ttjingflf  of  tl)e  iMp^lD,  anD  libeD  bp  fenfe  toljen  fpM.  li;  iV 
toe    ^oulD  f^abe  libeD  bp  jFaitl).  anD  careD  anD  u.  Mar.,  8. 38. 
laboureD  fo^   t\)t  fooD  tljat   peridjetl?^    totjrn  toe^Tim.i.g.Eph, 
(JoufD  I)abe  laboureD  fo?  tlje   one  ti)ing  neeDfuI,  ^•^^•^o^^-'^- 
anD  tljat  to{)icl)  enDuretfj  to  eberlaffinff  life^  ^^  I'Kt ,  lo*^^" 
ijabe  hztn  flotI)fuf  ferbant$,  |)ielDing  to  2rempta;:Luk.i.7i.Heb. 
tione^,  albameD  of  our  JDutp,   lofing  out  p^ecioun  12.2*8. Pfaim. 
^ime^  to^en  toefljoulD  fjabe  been  ferbent  in^mxity  9^. Tim.  r.19. 
ferbing  tlje  ^o^D,  deabing  to  W^zz  toitf)  funre^Phii.3. 3.  Pfai. 
folution,  reDeeming  tbe  time,  anD  toitlj  l»iligence^^*^'^^^v'-'°* 
makinje;  fure  our  caning  ano  (flection*    ewie  Ijabexir.  3.  i 
not  ix^itl)  Due  Ijolmrftf  anD  reberence  D^aton  nearEph.6.M.t.2p. 
€f)ee,   anD  ufeD  t\)^  fplp  iRame,  tijp  ffliio^lljip  ahD  39-  &  i- 12- 
t(}pJDap:  JKUe  fjabe  Difl;onoureD  anD  DifobepeD  our^^°^- ^°-^4. 
^upenourjB^,  anD  neglecteD  our  Inferiouf^.    ^^Mat  s-'ll  Heb° 
I)abe  htm  guiltp  of  not  tobing  our  iReigl)bour0  u.ii.Gai.6.»o! 
a0  our  felbe^j  anD  not  Doing  to  otl}er0,  a0  toePfai.  19.  iz.i3. 
tooulD  tljep  l^oulDDo  to  U0,  bat  Ijabe  fougljt  ourRom-2.4-Pfai. 
oton  agamff  tl)eir  toelfare,  not  forbearing,  anD  fo^:^  ^^'Iv  i  ?'  ^* 
gibing,    not  lobing  our  (Enemies,   a0  toe  ouglit,  ^f  j^^.  ^^^j^' 
mi  foHotoing  peace,  no^  HuDping  to  DogtoD  toaH^^;  j^j',^©. 
acco^Ding  to  our  ^otoen   (Hue  l)abe  finneD  fecret:^  Rom.  5.6,8,10. 
IpanD  openip,  in  ttjougljt  too^D  anD  oeeD,  igno;iLukei4.i7-Sc 
rantlp  anD  p^efumptuoufl]?,  in  paffion,  anD  upon^-^-^'^-^^-^*^- 
Deliberation,  againll  tijp  ^d^ecept^,  P^miCe^  anof  joh^!:*ii*ii 
^f);eat0;  again!!  tljp  mercies  anD  tVj^  |UDj3ment0,  Mattii  12.5.  ' 
unoer  tl)p  patience,  mii  in  tl)p  figtjt,  agamff  ourHcb.2.3.PfaU 
cconfcienceja,  our   purpofe^,    anD   our  cobenant^;  119.  <5o.  John 
toijen  toe  toere  Ijallning  to  Deatfj  anD  juDgment,'^-'^!-^^''-^^- 
fo?  tol}icl},  tf)^ugl)  an  our  libe^  toe  ftoutD  l)abe  J^Xim  ^  ^8  ^^° 
p^epareD;   artjou   I)aS  commenDeD  tf)p  toonoerful  Luke  15.18! 
lobe  totoarD^  usi  in  gibing  tt)p  ^on  to  Dpe  for  Numb.  16. 38. 
fmner;8r,  to  reconcile  U0  to  STfjee  to^iie  toe  toere Rorn.i.  18. 
\enemiei8fi  antr  an  2ri)ing0  being  maoe  reaop,  tl)ou^P^-^p,^;°^"' 
■  l)att  rent  tf)p  cgenengerje^  to  in'oite  m  to  come,  in,  Sr^i^  .f  Z^^' 
i^imd)m^  toujs:  tl)e  glaD  ^EiDingjef  of  ralbationj;anDi43.2.pfaLsi, 
freelp  offering  u0  parDon  anD  life  in  3|efu0cs;t)rilf,9,ii.Lev.26.25. 
but  toe  fjabe  maDe  ligl)t  of  it^  anD  neglecteD  tl)i0Rev.  i.5,]oh.io 
great  S>albation,   anD  mgDe  ejt:cMfe0  og  too  long  ^^^'^p^^^'^-^- 


The  Reformed  Liinrgy, 


Mat.  IS.  i8.  Delap^-,  unnertjatiring  our  3ReDeemer,  Ua  fcltoti 
Gal.  J- n.  ifa-anD  mcnt0,  t}i0  offered  grace  ano  mWi»  glo^f, 
|^^/-™v?^ I  rejecting  tjief  fpip  JDoctrme  and  c;:ampte,  re^;:: 
18  E^ck^o+^  ^"g  *)i^  Spirit,  S9""^^^  anD  itffio^D^  coie  !)abe 
Pfai.  n.i7.  finn^^-^  ^  ^0^  againfi  3nice,  aiiD  againft  our 
E7£k.  56.  r6.  oton  ^ouljBf,  ant)  are  not  too^tljp  to  be  caBfeD  tfjp 
Gal. 4.6. 1.  orfjilorm:  oae  liabe  Deferbeu  eberlalling  toratl^i 
Cor.6. 16.  jer.jQ  118^  belongctl)  confufion,  but  mercp  ano  fo^gibe:^ 
-o  pfain9i«'"^^  to  CI)ee*  igabe  mercp  upon  U0,  .^  CBloo, 
Ephef.  3.  is*-  acco^tiing  to  t()e  multituoe  of  tl)p  fl^ercie^^  igeal 
M.t  n.ii.  our  fouls  tljat  l)al)e  fmneo  againU  €hee,  anO  en^ 
Eph,  1. 1«.   .   ter  not  into  luogment  toitt)  t\]v  feruant^*    igioe 

R^.z.  18.       ^j,   fg^g  j^.Q^  Qjlj.  fjjig^^    ^j^^    jjjQf  py^  ^jj  ^y^  jj^^^ 

l?/"^,^'^,^;,  nuitie^*  ttatt  ufi^  not  atoap  from  t^p  pref ence, 
Rom  s.f.*&8.  anD  abengc  not  upon  m  t\)z  quarrel  of  t\y^  cobe:^ 
3f,;<9.  jer.  31.  naut*  iMaC)  ujsr  in  i^t  hXtm  of  t()e  3Lamb  of  (0oD, 
.10.  Mat.  6. 3.  tol)o  tafietf)  atoav  tl)e  fin0  of  tl)e  Cllo^lD^  4lccept 
Col.  ?.i  March,  y^  iu  tt)V  3i5elobeD  *on,  tol)0  ioa^  maDe  a  curfe 
f'^oVoiofTj  ^  "'^  "^'  ^"^  ^^^  toounoe^  fo^  our  tranfgreflionjef, 
Gal.  5  14  t^3^  ^^  "^iS*)^  ^^  ^J^'^teo  h^  l)i;e:  arfpc^.  €um 
Rom.  1.  J  7.  Uisr,  ^  C^eti  of  our  falbation,  ano  caufe  tljp 
Heb.  II.  I.  face  to  \!bint  upon  m*  CDfibe  U0  3^epentance  unto 
1  Cor.  4.  life .  ^mit  U0  to  loatl)  ourfelbe^  fo,2  all  t\)Z  ebil0 
Lukp  Vr  ^^^^  ^^  *^^^^  committer,  dl^ibe  iier  tliat  broken 
1  Cor  9  it  i^ontrite  spirit  tobirl}  tbou  b^ilt  not  oefpiie*  create 
1  Pet.  4-2.  '  in  U0  a  clean  fieart,  SD  <23k30,  anD  reneto  a  rigfjt 
Col.  1.10.  fpirit  tLiitl)in  U0*  STafte  out  of  m  t\)t  olo  ano 
^  ^^<^'  ^«  ^^^^  \)uxt,  mw  gibe  u0  a  neb)  ano  tenoer  I}eart«. 
i5f  1  o  8  ^^^^  ^-^  ^^^^  Spirit  of  tdp  fi^on,  anD  be  our  (25oo, 
Pfai  I  2.'  sno  let  U0  be  tl)p  ipeopie*  ornfigbten  our  unoer^: 
Tic  i.'iz.  ffanDing0  to  knoix)  tl}e  toonterfu!  %\)\n^$  of  tl)p 
iPcr.  1.14,15  5Q.ato,  tl]e  oimention^  of  t\yp  lobe  in  Cbril!,  tlje 
1  Per.  I. a?,  mpfferie^  of  tl)p  laingoom,  anb  tt)e  riclje^  of  tfje  gto^: 
i  msAiV^*^^  of  t()p  3inl)eritance  in  t\)t  ^ainfjer,  anD  tl^attoe 
Pfti  15  4  ^^P  app^obe  tl)e  2ri)ing0  tijat  are  ejcceHent,  anj 
Ephef  s.  ly.  map  efcape  tl)e  fnare0  of  t()e  JDebif,  ano  map  iiate 
Phi),  f.  10.  eberp  fatfe  bjap*  S)l)eD  ab^oao  tl]p  lobe  in  our  i)tm» 
Tires  2. 14.  5p  tl}pt)oiT>  S>pirit,  auo  caufe  u0  fo  to  lobe  2ri)ee, 
Mat.  5- ^^4  tl)at  nottjiiig  map  feparate  U0from  tl}p  lobe*  Jdut 
Luki-'r«9  t^lPf^ar  into  ourlieart0,  tbat  bje  map  neber  Depart 
Mark  8. 34.  ^om  €f)ee>  Caufe  u0  to  fctk  firff  tl)p  BingDom, 
Heb.  1 1. 1^.  anD  it0  Kigl)teoufnef0,  anD  ra0  tljofe  tl^at  are  rifen 
Rom.  8. 17.  toitf)  cl)ria;  to  fcrk  tl)e  tl]ing0  tl)at  are  abobe,  ano 
Rev.  z.  10,11.  to  lap  up  a  treafure  in  igeaben,  anD  let  our  l)earf0. 
anD  conberfation0  be  tljere^  mo^tifie  our  eartl)lp  in::- 
clination0  anD  Defire0*  Crucifie  t\)Z  dfflfo^lD  to  U0, 
ano  U0  uno  tlje  iCio^D   bp  tije  aifrof0  of  cl^^il!^ 

Caufe 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Caufe  u0  to  libe  hv  faitlj,  ann  Icok  at  tl)e  Ctjingfli 
tfjat  are  unfeenj  anD  ufe  tljecriorlD,  ajsf  not  ober^ 
wfiixg  it,  faeins;  t\)e  fafljion  of  it  paCTetl)  atoap^  Uri:^ 
bing  to  enter  in  at  ti^e  0rait  gate,  anD  running  fo 
aj8f  to  obtain;  let  U0  no  longer  libe  tl)e  reH  of  our 
time  to  tlje  luH  of  sipen,  \i\xt  to  tl^e  toiH  of  (I5oD,  Cu^; 
Uping  in  an  t\]in%si  to  pleafe  iri)ce,  anD  to  be  accept;^ 
CD  of  2^)05  ^  let  U0  not  feek  our  oton  toito,  but  tfje 
toill  of  Ijim  tl)at  calleD  U0  \  pea,  let  uei  Deligljt  to  Oo 
tl)p  txjiH,  ^  (000,  let  our  oeligljt  be  in  tljp  3flab), 
anD  let  u0  meDitate  ttierein  Dap  anD  niglit  \  caufe  vus 
to  Denp  UngoDlinef^,  ano  too^lDlp  CuS^,  anD  to 
libe  foberlp,  ano  rigliteouSp,  anD  goDlp  in  ti)\si  pre^ 
fent  iDo^lD,  a0  obeDient  cljitDren,  not  fa(bioning  our 
felbe^,  to  t\)Z  former  Iufi0  of  our  ignorance  -,  but  a0 
ije  tt)at  Ijatlj  calleo  u0  i0  i)Olp,  let  U0  be  Ijolp  in  an 
manner  of  Conberfation..  cQ;aufe  U0  to  lobe  one  ano^ 
tljer  b3itl)  a  pure  I^eart,  ferbentlp,  forbearing  anD  fo^^ 
gibing  one  anotljer,  if  anp  i}abe  a  quarrel  againff 
anotljer,  eben  a^  (itljrill  fo^gabe  u^*  (15ibe  u^  tl)e 
toifDom  b3l)icl)  i$  firlJ  pure,  anD  tl]en  peaceable^  3f|n 
our  Of  pellet  a  bile  perfon  be  conDemneD,  but  let  m 
Ijonour  tl}em  tl)at  fear  i\)t  ^lo^D*  Caufe  U0to  toalli 
circumlpectip  toitl)out  offence,  anD  to  be  ^ealou^  of 
gooD  (Kuo^k^,  to  lobe  our  enemie0,  anD  not  to  gibe 
place  to  bjratl)  -,  anD  in  patience  to  poflTef^^  our  fouljff* 
igelp  u0  to  Denp  our  felbe^,  anD  take  up  our  cc^ofjer, 
anD  foUoixi  ^^xiSt  -,  eCeeming  l)i0  rep^acl)  to  be  greats: 
er  riclje0  tljan  tl)e  treafure0  of  ti}t  too^lD,  tl;at 
ijabing  fuffereD  toitl)  f)im,  toe  map  alfo  be  glorifieD 
ixiiti)  l)ittu  ^Ijougl)  toe  muff  be  tempteD,  I}elp  njff  to 
obercome,  anD  be  faitljful  unto  tl)e  Deati],  anD  t^en 
let  UJ0  receibe  tljat  c^oton  of  ^G^ife,  tijzougl)  tlje  me^ 
rit0  anD  interceCiion  of  ^ipQ.  31efu0  our  ^tlo^D,  anD 
onlp  ^abiour,  in  toljofe  comp^eljenfibe  toorD0,  toe 
fum  up  our  Eeciueil0,  Taping  a0  Ije  Ijatl)  taugtjt  U0, 
Our  Father  which  arc  in  Heaven,  hallowed  be  thy 
Name.    Tby  Kingdom  come,  (^c 

Or  thus  when  Brevity  is  neceffary. 

O'^oH  great,  mod  juH  anD  graciou0  (I^oD,tI)OU  art  Hab.  1. 1  ?. 
of  purer  epe0  rl}an  to  belplD iniquitp,  tliou  con^  -"^- '  ^'  ^^^^ 
DeraneH  tiie  ungoDip,  impenitent,  ano  unbeiieber0  ^  \l-  k-vf  *J; '^• 
but  l)aff  p^omifeD  mercp  tlj^ougl)  ileCu^  (El^riff  to  all  Eph  z.^'  Rom 
tijal  repent  anD  beliebe  in  Ijim,   Sle  confef^  tl)at  toe  j.ii.ez  .ay. 

toere 


8  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 

Mar.  i8.  t?.    ttifTP  fonffibm  in  fin,  anD  are  bp  nahirf  ffiifnfrn  of 
,  T^  Col  I  i'o  ^''^^^^    JlnD  !)alic  an  fimuD  aim  come  Ojoit  of  tfie 
1  Cor.  lo.  51.  tfc"*^  of  c5oD.    3|ii  our  BapHftn  thou  toofeclj  wg  in^ 
Gen  5.  II.      fo  ftif  bono  Of  tbc  \)o\v  Cobcniint,  but  tor  rcmcmbreD 
z  Cor.  ^. '.     nof  our  creator  in  ti]t  x\av0  of  otir  goutlj.  knfl)  r^e 
Phi.?.  io.Rom.  ff ar  antT  lobc    anD  obrmtnce  totia-fi  ire  otocDttjce: 
'^Eoh  2 -"^    "°^  picafing-   anD  glo^ifmng  tliecin  alltljinp    no^ 
Rom  "s  V     ^^ffeing  toifl)  thcc  bp  f  aitb  in  an  ipcabmlp  ronbrr^ 
Exod.  ID.  -^  -,fatron  no:  frrbing  ttice  frrbentlp  tritt]  aH  our  miglif : 
8, 11,  II.  &c.  butmiftUcD  tlic  Df&re0  of  tlje  fle(!j,  anD  of  the  carnal 
a  Pet.  1. .».      minb.MTc  babe  nc gle cteD  anD  abufeo  t\)v  5>oIpaio^i])ip, 
mT^V'"  Mir  ^PiCoI^MS'^me,  anD  tbvil?olp  JDap.  icie  babe  Diflio^ 
Tn^  iT~m.6  g!"^^^^  oiir  rupfriour0  auD  nrglectcD  ourinfrrrour^: 
Luk.  10.41,4:.  cue  babe  Dealt  uniulllp  anD  inicljaritablv,  toitb  our 
Rom.^  s.Luk.  ifteigbbour0  itotlobmg  tljem  ajsf  our  fel6e0  nor  Do*: 
^4- j-'Roni. ;.  ing  fo  otber0a«  toe  tooulD  tbcr  OjoulD  Do  to  U0  toe 
Hd>T^''*Ads^^^  notfbugbt  firH  STbP  JfiingDom  anD  Kigiiteouf;^ 
y.siProv.irJ.^^^  ^^  b^^"  contenteD  b3itf)  our  Dailp  b^eaD,  but 
jam.  +.7. 1  Pet.  f)abe  been  careful  anD  troubleD  about  manp  STbingH, 
f.9.  Pfai.n.4-neglectmg  tbeone  artiing  necefl^arv*    j^bou  fjai!  re? 
PfaL  19. 11.  >  3.  bealeD  tbp  toonoerful  lobe  to  U0  in  Cb^iiJ-  iinD  offeree 
Vo/^10' &  f-  "^  parDon  anD  falbation  in  I)im :  »ut  toe  maDe  ligfjt 
XI  Mar.  9. 4.1.  ^^  ^^'  anD  neglecteDfo  great  falbation,  ano  refiI!eD  ttjrp 
Pfai.  51.S.  Eph.  4>pirit-  icio:d  anD  £9iniller0,  anD  tumeD  not  at  tbp 
1.  iz,  n.  Pi'ai.  repzoof :  toe  babe  run  into  tetnptation0 ;  anD  tbe  (in 
7x-  5'  &  78. 7.  tobiib  toe  fljoiilD  babe  bateD,  toe  babe  committeD  in 
fi'coV^  is"^^^Sbf    botb  fecretlt?  anD  openlp    igno^antlp  anD 
,'9.  I  joh. ,'.  7'care(enr    ra(T)U'    anb  prefumptuouflv.   againU  tbi> 
Gal.  4. 6.  •  '    p:eceprij  t[)v  p^iomife0 .  anD  tb:eat0  tfjp  Q^ercie0  anb 
I  Thef.  ?.  ij,  tfjp  juDgment0 ;  our  rranfgreflion0  are  multiplieD  be^; 
R^ra.  5-  y.      fo^e  2rb0^    anD  onr  dns  tel!ifi>  againU  ue  ^   if  STljou 
m  ;  I °i5      ^^^^  ^^^^  ^  ^^  ^^  Deferbe,  ilbou  toilt  caii u0 atoap 
Mat.  I.  zi.*     ^om  tbp  p:erence  into  ^eH,  tobfre  tbe  too^m  neber 
I  Th.f.  1. 10.    Diert],  anD  tije  fire  i0  not  queue beD.    Hdut  in  tt)^  met::: 
Vn.z.  J  4.       rp,  tbr^on,  anDtbv  p^2otnire0  10  our  bope,    igabe 
mercp  upon  U0  mol!' merciful  fatfjer*    36e  reconcileb 
to  u0,  anD  let  tbe  blojD  of  31efu0  Cbrid  cleanfe  U£f 
from  aH  oin:  fin0»    3'ake  u0  fd^  tbp  cbilDgen,  anD 
gibe  U0  tbe  spirit  of  ttjp  S)om    4>anctifp  us  tobot:^ 
fp,  (TjeD  ab^oaD  tb)>  lobe  in  our  t)eart0>  anD  caufe  u0 
ro  lobe  2rbee  toitb'all  oiu:  t)eart0*  ^mafce  tljp  face  to 
Q)ine  upon  ttjp  ftrbant0 ;  fabe  u0  from  our  fiosr, 
1,  anD  from  tbe  to^atb  to  come;  make  u0  a  peciiliac 

Coj  _i.  10.  people  to  STbee,  5ealou0  of  gaiD  toork0,  tbat  tocmaj> 
Ephrf  V.  16  ^^^''^^^  2:ba^>  anD  llieto  fo^tb  tbp  p^aife*  igelp  U0  tb 
'/Prt.  1. 10.'  reoarm  the  time,  anD  gibe  all  Diligence  to  make  ouiP 
M^t.  c.  1 1.      Cdllin^  anD  Of  lection  Cure*    Oibe  us  tbing0  neeeffai? 


The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


rp  fo^  thp  Certice,  ano  feeep  us  from  finOil  DiCcontent  i  Tim.  5. 4. 
anD  carej8f»    41n0  feeing  aU  tt)efe  tt)in^0  mug  be  Dif;^  ^;^-  ^  ?•  5-  • 
folbeii,  let  U0  confiDer  U)t)at  manner  of  perfone  toe  ^f,^-  ^•^^'  ^'^• 
cugf)t  fD  Ue,  in  an  ^olp  conberfarion  anD  goDImefn.  Mar'2.6  ^ 'i 
tgelp  U0  to  toatcl)  againtt  temptations.  anD  refiU  james  4*.  6  * 
ami  obercome  tt^e  jfleC?,  tfje  JDebil  anD  tlie  ^o^lD  i  Oai.  ?.  17.    .# 
anD  being  DelibercD  out  of  tl)e  IjanD  of  all  our  mt^  '  J^h-  5. 4  ?•' 
mie^^  let  110  ferbe  STtiee  toitfjout  fear  in  I}olmef0t^^'^'-  ^-'7. 
anD  righteouTnefs  before  2:t}oe  an  ttje  Pap0  of  our  f  p^t  -  10 
te*    <5uiDe  u0  hv  i^  ^ounftl,  anD  after  receive  U0  Luke  'i7 1 7. 
into  tf^  j5Jo^p5tt)^U3t)  3efu0  S^^ziHour  onlp  ^Mwx^  Pfai.  73.  z^. 
Amen. 

[Here  ufe  the  Lord's  Prayer  as  beforej 

For  the  flrengthning  of  Faith,  and  raifing  the  Penitent, 
'       feme  of  ihefe  Sentences  of  the  Gofpel  may  be  here 
read. 

Hear  what  the  Lord  faith  to  the  Abfolution  and 
Comfort  of  Penitent  Believers. 

CT*HE  Lord  your  God  is  graciom  and  merciful^   and  z  Chron.  30.  9. 
•^    wis  not  turn  away  his  face  from  you,    if  ye  return 
unto  him. 

If  any  Man  fin,  vpe  have  an  Advocate  with  the  Fa-  i  Johni.  1. 
ther,  Jefis  (^hritt  the  righteous,  and  he  is  the  Prcfitiati- 
on  for  our  Sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  alfo  for  the  fins 
cf  the  whole  iVorld, 

Be  it  l^nown  unto  you  Men  and  Brethren,  that  through  Ads  13 .??,  39. 
,  thg   Man  n  preached  to  you  the  Forgivenefl  of   Sins, 
and  by   him,    aU  that  believe  are    jujlified,  from  aU 
Things,  from  which  they  could  not  be  jujiified  by  the  Law 
of  Moles. 

Where  Sin  ahoundtd,    Grace  did  much  more  abound,  Rom.  S-'^o.  it. 
That  as  Sin  reigned  unto  dsath,  even  fo  might  Grace  reign 
through  ^ighteoufnefsj    unto  Eternal  Life  through  Jefm 
Chriii  our  Lord. 

Jf  we  walk^in  the  light  ai  he  n  in  the  Light,  we  have  i  Joh.  i. 7,8,  9, 
;  feUawfhip  one  with  another.  And  the  Blood  of  Jefui  Chriti 
his  Son,  eleanfeth  us  from  aU  Sin,  If  we  fay,  that  we 
have  HO  Sin ;  we  deceive  ourfelves,  and  the  Truth  «  not 
in  us.  If  we  confep  our  Sin,  he  rs  faithful  and  juB  to 
forgive  m  our  Sin^  and  to  cleanfe  ffs  from  aU  Vmighte- 
eufnefs,  Cofne 


lO  The  Re  for  Med  hiturgj. 

Mat.  ii.xS,  2^,     Cofne  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour ,  and  are  heavy  ladeni 
^^  and  ImU  give  you  B^!i,     Tal^e  my  Take  upon  you,   and 

iearn  of  me,   for  I  am  meel^  and  lovply  in  heart,    and  ye 

/hall  find  Hs^  tinto  your  Souls.     For  my  yoke  it  eafie,  and 

my  burden  is  light, 
iRcv.  21. 17.         Whofoever  mll^    let  him  take  of  the  Water  of  Life 

freely. 
Job.  6. 27;  AU  that  the  Father  hath  given  me,  /hall  come  to 

mey   and  him  that  cometh  to  me,   I  will  in  no  wife  cafi 

out, 
Heb.8.  12.  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteoufnejl,    andtheif 

fins  and  Iniquities  I  mill  remember  no  more. 

Hear  alfo  what  you  muft  Be,   and  Do  for  the 
time  to  come,  if  you  would  be  Saved. 

Rom.  8. 9.         A7^  ^  '/  ^^y  ^^"  ^^^^  "^'^  *^'  Spirit  of  ChriB,  he 

^^  is  none  of  his, 
2  Cor.  J.  17.        Jf  any  Man  he  in  ChriBy   he  is  a  new  Creature ;   old 

Things  are  pajjed  away^  heboid  all  Things  are  become 

new  ? 
Rom.  8.  ir  There  is  no  Condemnation  to  them  that  are  in  ChriH 

Jefus,  who  wall^  not  after  the  Flefh,   hut  after  the  Spirit^ 

For  they  that  are  after  the  Flefh,    do  mind  the  things  of 
y.  the  Flejfhy    but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit^    the  things 

of  the  Spirit, 

6,  For  to  be  carnally  minded  is  deathy  hut  to  be  fpiritually 
minded  »  life  and  peace, 

7.  For  the  Carnal  mind  is  enmity  againU  God,   for  it  it 
not  fubjeH  to  the  Law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  he, 

«.  So  then  they  that  are  in  the  Fle/h  cannot  pleafe  God, 

13.  For  if  ye  live  after  the  Flefh  ye  /hall  die^  but  if  through 

the  Spirit  ye  mortifie  the  deeds  of  the  Body^  ye  /hall 
live. 
Gal.  J.  19.  Now  the  worlds  of  the  Fle/h  are  manifefi,   which  are 

the/cy  Adulteryy    Fornicationy    VncleannejJ,    Lofciviouf" 
nefiy  Idolatry,  Witchcrafty  Hatred,  Variance^  Emulati^ 
ons,  IVrathy  Strife,  Seditions,  Herefies,  Envyings,  Mur* 
20.  dersy    Drunl^enneji,    [{evellings,    and  fuch  lif{e,    of  the 

2-1.  which  I  tell  you  before,   as  I  have  told  you  in  time  paft^ 

that  they  which  do  fuch  Thing.',  /kail  mt  inherit  the 
Kingdom  of  God. 
a*.  But  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  it  lovey  joy,    peace,  long* 

^3*       fuffering,  gentlenefsy  goodnejs^  faith,  meekpefs,  tempe* 

rance^ 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  ii 


rance^  againft  fuch  there  is  no  Law,     j^nd  they  that  are  24. 

Chrifts,  have  crucified  the  ftefio  with  the  affeBiom  and 
lufts. 

Let  us  walk  ho^flly  as  in  the  Day^   not  in  rioting  and  Rom.  13,  i  j: 
drunkennejl :   not  in  chambering  and  wantonnefi,  not  in 
ftrife  and  envying.     But  fut  ye  on  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifty  14, 

and  mak^e  no  frovijion  for  the  Flejh  to  fulfill  the  Lufts 
thereof. 

Love  not  theTVorld,  neither  the  Things  that  are  in  the  \  Joh.  3,  15", 
iVorldy    if  any  Man  love  the  TVordy   the  love  of  the  Far- 
ther is  not  in  him.     For  all  that  is  in  the  Worlds  the  lu!t  i5. 
of  the  Flefh,   the  luft  of  the  Eye^  and  the  pride  of  Life^ 
is  not  of  the  Father,  but  »  of  the  ff^orld. 

Enter  ye  in  at  the  Urait  gate^  for  wide  is  the  gate  and  Mar.  1, 15," 
broad  k  the  way  that  leadeth  to  deJlruHion^    and  many 
there  he  that  go  in  thereat.     Becaufe  §lrait  is  the  gate, 
and  narrow  is  the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life^    and  few 
there  be  that  find  it. 

For  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  Salvation,  hath  ap^  Tit.  2.  11. 
feared  unto  all  Men,   teaching  us,   that  denying  ungodli"-  lU 

nefi  and  wordly  lujisy  we  fhould  live  foberly,  and  righte- 
oufly,  and  godly  in  this  frefent  PVorld^    looking  for  the  ij. 

hlejfed  hope,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God^ 
and  our  Saviour  Jefus  Chrilf^     ffljo  gave  himfelf  for  us,  j 

that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  Iniquity,   and  purifie 
to  Inmfelf  a  peculiar  People  s^ealous  of  good  t4^orkj* 

Blejfed  is  the  Man  that  wall^eth  not  in  the  CounfelofVM.  i,  i2 
the  ungodly^    nor  Handeth  in  the  way  of  Sinners,   nor  Jlt^ 
tcth  in  the  Seat  of  the  Scornful.     But  his  delight  is  in  2. 

the  Law  of  the  Lordy   and  in  his  Law  he  doth  meditate 
day  and  night. 

The  ungodly  Jhall  not  Hand  in  the  Judgment^  nor  5iw*  y. 

ners  in  the  Congregation  of  the  Righteous, 

Wherefore  we  receiving  a  Kjngdom  which  cannot  be  Heb.  12. 2?» 
moved,  let  us  have  grace,   whereby  we  may  ferve  God  ac^ 
ceptably,  with  reverence  and  godly  fear,  for  our  God  is  a  ap. 

confuming  Fire. 

Seeing  then  that  thefe  Things  (hall  be  dijjolvd,    n>hat  ^  pgj^  ^^  j^ 
manner  of  Perfons  ought  ye  to  be,    in  all  holy  converfation  j^, 

and  godlinefl,  looking  for  and  having  to  the  Coming  of 
the  day  of  God, 

Therefore  my  beloved  Brethren^    be  ye  SiedfaHr,    un*-  ^  q^^  ^ .  -g 
movable,  always  abounding  in  the  iVork,  of  the  Lordy  for 
Mi  much  as  ye  krioWy  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord,  B  b  b  Thea 


12  The  Reformed  Liturgy » 


Then  may  be  faid  the  95  or  the  100  Pfalm,  or  the  84. 

Luke  4.  !(;,  And  next  the  Pfalnns  in  Order  for  the  day ;    And 

i7f  *8-  next  (hall  be  read  a  Chapter  of  the  Old  Teltamenr, 

fuch  as  the  Minifter  findeth  moft  feafonable  ;  or  with 
the  liberty  exprefled  in  the  Admonition  before  the  fe- 
coiid  Book  of  Homilies. 
Aft.  15.  27,  After  which  may  be  fung  a  Pfalm,  or  the  Te  Deum 

&  1. 1.  faid,  then  (hall  be  read  a  Chapter  of  the  New  Tefta- 

menr,  and  then  the  Prayer  for  the  King  and  Magi- 
ftrates.  And  after  that,  the  fixty  feventh,  or  ninety 
eighth,  or  fome  other  Pfalm,  may  be  fung  or  faid,  or 
the  BenediBuf,  or  Mngnificat,  And  the  fame  or- 
der to  be  obferved  at  the  Evening  Worfhip,  if  time 
allow  it. 

Neh.  8.  4,  6.  ^Vr^^T  after  the  Pfalm  the  Minifter  (hall  fin  the 
&  9.  z,  i,4,^,5.  i-^  Pulpit)  firit  reverently,  prudently,  and  fervent- 
10. 58.  Ad.  i:.  ly  pray,  according  to  the  State  and  hecellities  of  the 
J^^^  ^ J  j*^  ^^  Church,  and  thofe  efpecially  that  are  prefenc,  and 
1^.  13.  16.  according  to  the  Subject  that  he  is  to  preach  on. 
iTim.z.  ?.  And  after  Prayer,  he  ihall  preach  upon  fome  Text  ( 
I  Cor.14.1  «jj6.  Qf  f^QJy  Scripture  fuiting  his  Matter  to  the  neceflities 
Neh.  g!  8.  \ti.  o^  ^he  Hearers,  and  the  manner  of  delivery  to  their 
X0.7,  9iTim.  Quality  and  Benefit.  Always  fpeaking  from  Faith 
4  1,1.  Ad.  q. 20  and  holy  Experience  in  himfelf,  with  plainnefs  and 
loh  i/iQ^  perfpicuity,  wuh  reverence  and  gravity,  with  con- 
1  Cor.  2.  7J  n  vincing  evidence  and  aiuhority,  with  prudence,  cau- 
Mat.  ".19.  Tit.  tion,  faithfulnefs,  and  impartiality,  with  tender  Love 
^^M^^^-  ^'"and  melting  CompafFion,  with  fervent  Zeal,  and 
13  i7^'^EpiK^6' P^r^^^^^^"g  Importunity,  and  with  frequency  and 
19,  lo.  Judf  17.  unwearied  Patience,  waiting  on  God  for  the  Succefs. 
2^  Aft.  18. 1).  After  Sermon  he  ihall  pray  for  aBleirmgon  the  Word 
I  Tim  ^f  V-^^^^  Inftrudlion  and  Exhortation,  which  was  delivc- 
A'>.zo.36.  Pfai  r^d.;    And  in   his  Prayers  (before  or  after  Sermon) 

1.  Rev.  II.  I  r  ordinarily  he  fhall  pray  for  the  Converfion  of  Hea- 
'  ^'J".^-^'-»^  thens,  Jews,  and  other  Infidels;  the  fubverfion  of 
^  j^  i^^Yl'^^c"  Idolatry,  Infidelity,    Mahometanifm,    Herefy,  Papal 

2.  \(\.  Rev.  18.  Tyranny  and  Superftition,  Schifm  and  Prophanenefs, 
1'.  Mar.  r,.  9.    and  for  the  free  progrcfs  of  the  Gofpcl,    and  the  en- 
iT      f-  p'h  ^'^^^^^'  Qf   Faith   and   Godlinefs,    the  honouring  of' 
C,  19  I  tiki  -.  Gods  Name,    the  enlargement  of   the  Kingdom   of 
X.  ]«'h.  17.  iQ.  Chrift,   and  the  Obedience  of  his  Saints  thtough  the 

Na- 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  \^ 


{Rations  of  the  Earth.     And  in  fpecial  for  thefe  Na-  '  Sam.  12. 25, 
tions;   for  the  King's  Majefty,   and  the  reft  of  the?,^.^''*''- ^• 
Royal  Family,  for  the  Lords  of  his  Majefty's  Coun-  jam.'  s'.'i'/iV,   ' 
cil,    the  Judges  and  other  Magiftrates  of  the  Land,  16,17.' iWp. 
for  rhe  Paftors  of  the  Church,  and  all  Congregations  ^5^- iCor.i4.i^. 
committed  to  their  Care  and  Government.     Always  p^^,^'""  '°'  ^* 
taking  heed  that  no  mixtures  of  imprudent,  diforder-  Rev.  i.  lo*. 
Jy  Expreflions,   of  private  difcontent  and  paffion,  of  A^s  20. 7. 
unreverent,  difobedient,   feditiou$j'  or  fa6lious  Inti-  p^^*  '•  ^"^j  '7* 
mations,   tending  to  corrupt,    and  not  to  edifie  ^^^  \Qol^/j  2 
Peoples  minds,  do  turn  either  Prayer  or  Preaching  in- 1  Tini  3.  5.  ' 
to  Sin.    And    ordinarily    in  Church-Commilnion,^  ?•  if' 
efpecially  on  the  Lords  Day  (which  is  purpofely  fe- a^*"^*^'^*^^' 
parated  for  the  joyful  Commemoration  of  the  Blefled        ^°'     ^' 
Work  of  Mans  Redemption)    a  confiderable  propor- 
tion of  the  Fublick  Worfhip  rouft  confift  of  Thanks- 
giving and  Praifes  to  God,  efpecially  for  Jefus  Chrift, 
and  his  Benefits;    ftill  leaving  it  to  the  Minifters  dif- 
cretion  to  ablDireviate  tome,  parts  of  Worlhip,  when 
iie  feeth  it  needfu]  to  be  longer  on  fome  other. 

The  Sermon  and  Prayer  being  ended,  let  the  Mi- 
nifter  difmifs  the  Congregation  with  a  Benedidkion, 
in  thefe  or  the  like  Words. 

%\tmt  are  t()ep  ttjat  fjear  tlje  Mo}^  of  <25^oD,  anB  Luke  n.  18. 

%^t  %ep  h\ti&  ^ou,  anu  keep  i^m ;  tiiz  %tp  Levit.  s.  24,2^, 
mafee  Iii0  face  to  ftiim  on  pon,  anD  be  gracious  unto  i^. 
pou  h  2ri)e  JLo^D  lift  up  l)i^  countenance  upon  pou,  anD 
gibe  pou  peace, 

W\)z  #tace  of  our  llogt)  3lefujef  ^i)^i%  ann  tl)e  ^  Cor.  i?.  14, 
lobe  of  (0OD  tl)e  ifatljer,  and  tl)e  Communion  of  tlje 

igolp  C5l)0ff,  be  bOitl)  pou  aH^     Amen^ 

Except  there  be  a  Communion  in  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Lords  Supper  to  be  celebrated,  or  any  further 
Worlhip  to  be.perfnrmed,  and  then  the  Minifter  may 
delay  the  Benedidfcion  till  the  End. 
,  And  becaufe  when  there  is  leifuf  e,  the  Prayers  of 
the  Church  (hould  be  as  full  as  the  Rule  and  our  Ne- 
ceflities  require ;  let  the  following  General  Prayei;  be 
ufed,  when  the  Minifter  findeth  it  convenient,  inftead 
©f  the  Litany  and  Golleds. 

B  b  b  gs  Here 


14  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


Here  are  alfo  adjoined  a  Thankfgiving  for  Chrift 
and  his  benefits,  and  a  Hymn  to  be  afed  at  the  dif- 
cretion  of  the  Minifter  either  after  Sermon,  or  at  the 
Communion,  or  on  other  Days. 

A  Prayer  for  the  King,    the  Royal  Family,  and 
Magiftrates. 


A  ?lmigl)e?  (3od,  bptoljom  Hfiingief  reign,  anti  W^^irt^ 
a\  re0  Decree  J^Qice^  tofto  ruled  in  all  the  Bing^ 


Pfov.  8.  I  f . 
Dan.  4.  ?i. 

m  ^/ii.  &^otttaof  si^en,  "anD  gibeS  ttjetn  to  i»t)omfotber  n)ou 
93.  w  &6f.4.  tDift,  \x)[)o  bp  tl)p  (peciai  IPgobiDence  had  fet  ober  u0 
&  <^o.  f .  &  ^o  tljp  ^erbant  Charles  our  J^ing :  cit^oton  l)im  toitl)  thv 
M-  &  59  '•  3i5lcrfing0,    aiiD  fati^efie  him  "mitl)  tl)p  <J5ootJuef0* 

c  li^Mar  i  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^'  ^^^^  ^^S^^^  ^l^^^^  ^"^  DefenD  him  againll 
1  ifa  59  s"  &  ^"<^^  ^^  nfe up  agaiaC  Ijim ;  prolong  i)\0  life  in i)eacf 
li.i.'  I  Km.  ant)  Eigl]feoufnefj0f,  grant  Ijim  the  §^pirit  of  CDUir:^ 
1. 3,7, 9-  Jofii.  Dom  anti  ccounfel,  the  Spirit  of  igolmefjef,  anD  tiie 
1.8.  zcch.  ti.fear  of  the  ?lo^ti,  t^at  t)t  ,ma^  bnoto  l}0b3  to  go  in 

T  m\^'<^'  ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ srt^at people  ober ©hotn thou f)aff 
&'ioi  6  Pre."  f^^  *i"^  ^ct  not  tip  Jlabj  Depart  out  of  t)i)S  minD, 
xy.  ^  *  T  Tim^^  moutl)/  but  tet  hith  meoitate  in  it  Dap  anD  night* 
z.  z.  z  Tim.  4-  ^afec  hitn  a0  an  3lngcl  of  <23oD  to  Difcern  bettor  en 
7f  8-  Rev.  11  gooD  anD  ebtl,  ttjat  in  l)i0  epe^  a  bile  perfon  map  be 
f;  f^^-^'  '5  contemneD,  but  be  map  honour  tbem  tbat  fear  the 

jara  3  17!  ^°<?^»  ^')^f  ^)^^  ^P^^  ^^?^  ^^  "POi^  ^^)^  faithful  of  the 
r  Sam!  2?!  ?•    ^^uD,  that  thcp  map  Dtoell  toith  hitn,  anD  tl)ep  tljat 

Job.  7. 17-  arp  perfect  in  the  toap  ferbe  him  -.  ikemobe  ti^e  uiicktX) 
a  chron.  19. 6-  from  befo;e  I)im,  tl)at  hi0  STh^one  mav  be  edablifbeD 

R  m\^'7'  in  HivigljteoufneCa,  anD  grant  that  unDer  him  toe  map 

RevM^'ir.  *^^^^^  a  quiet  anD  peaceable  life  in  all  <0oDlinef0  anb 

PfeL^s*.  18.*  tgonedp*    AlnD  tohen  be  h^th  finifijcD  hi0  courfe  on 

jer. 31-11.  Ofarth,  let  him  inherit  a  cir^oton  of  Hghteoufnei^, 

Mat.  6. 13.  anD  reign  toitl)  cb^ill  fo^  ebrr*    ©lef^  ti]t  iSlueen 

another,  the3|nuliriOU0  55^ince,  James,  Duke  of  York, 

anD  the  reft  of  tlje  Hopai  jFamilp,  enDue  tljem  "ooitl) 
thp  igolp  Spirit,  inricl)  them  )x>iti)  tljp  beabenlp 
(Bfiace,  anD  make  tljem  bleffing0intl)eir(25eneratiom 
i^nDue  tl)e  io^D0  of  hi0  ':^milies  ca:Quncil,  anD  all 
tl)c  /liobilitp,  tlic  3fuDgc0,  anD  an  the  fli^agidrate^  of 
the  ianD  toiti)  (KnifDom  from  abobe,  tljat  thep  map 
rule  a0  in  thP  fear.  anD  juDge  Ki^hffou^  ^iuDgmcnt, 
anD  mav  take  heeD  tohat  tljep  do,  a0  lUDging  not  fo^ 
man,  but  fo^  the  !l02D,  that  J\uRi(€  map  run  Doton 
20  Miater,  anD  Kighteoufnef0  as  a  mights  tJream  -, 
^et  alllji0  S^ajeUp^  ^ubjett0  Dulp  fubmit  to  him 

anO 


The  Reformed  Liturgy .  1 5 


anD  obep  ftim,  not  onip  fo?  te^atl).  but  fo^  confcience 
fake :  ?Let  aH  t\iis  l5:mgliomi8i  be  tfte  ifemgDom^  of  tl)e 
3tloA  ant)  of  i)\si  ^on  ccljriC,  tf)at  (0oD  tnap  tiboell 
amongC  u0.  anD  tfjat  it  mat?  be  faia  of  tl)em,  W\)t 
5lo;t)  blef0 1\^,  SD  !^abitatiori  of  Juflice,  ann  ^pcmi::: 
tain  of  r^olinef^*  jFo,2  tt)ine,  ^  ^Fat^er,  toitl)  tt)e 
^on  anD  i^olp  d^IjoCf,  10  tlje  jIfiimgDom,  anD  ^otoer, 
anD  C^^lo^p  fo^  eber*   Amen. 

The  General  Prayer. 

OSPott  !&oIp,    BlelTeD  anD  (2B^lo?iou^  €rmitp,  Mat  28  10. 
iFatI)er,  ^on,  anD  !^oIp  (Bi)0%  €i)}tt  perfon0,  J^^h.  y  7.  iCor. 
anD  ^ne  <25oD,  our  cjfreato^,  HeDecmer,  anD  ^antti:;  ^- ;);  m A  ;\o* 
fier,  our  5fl.o?D,  our  dBfobemour  anD  jfatl^er,  ^earu^,  Hcb  ^  -  ^  ^^' 
anD  ijabemercp  upon  U0,  miferabie  finnerje^*  1  per.  ^.g'.  piii.' 

J8!>  5lo^D  our  s^abiour,  (25oD  anD  5)^an '  tofjo,  fja^  2.2.18.  iCor.n. 
bing  aiTumeD  our  il2ature,  b^  tl)p  fuffermgjs  anD  ^'5,6.Pfai.io3. 
Deati),  anD  burial,  hiaU  maDe  a  Hanfom  to  tafee  atoap  [%  ^^^^  lil' 
tije  fin0of  tl)e  mo^in,  M)0  being  raifeD  from  t^e  f  ,7*  ^^^  cor.' 
DeaD,  afcenDeD  anD  glo^ifieD,  art  maDe  l^eaD  ober  aK  1^.4!  1  Tim.  5. 
tl)tng0  to  tlje  SI)uref),  ixiijid)  tfjou  gatljered,  iu^i::  6.  iM  i.  zp. 
fieg,  fanctifieU,  ruIeU,  anD  |3^eferbe(!,  anD  ioljictj  at  ^ph. 


10, 22. 


ti)^  coming  STIjou  txiilt  raife  anD  juDge  to  enDlef;0^^""*/v°''^* 
(Biop.  cDOie  befeecl)  ^Ijee  to  tjear  u^,  miferabie ,  Thef!Ti6 17 
(inner^,  mafee  fure  to  U0  our  Calling  anD  OElection,  i  Pet.  i.'io. 
our  unfeigneD  5FaitI)  anD  Kepentance  5  tfjat  being  /u=*  iTim  i.^.Rom. 
ftifieD,  anD  maDe  tl}e  §^on0  of  CPoD,  bje  map;-^>'>j^o-^Cor. 
Ijabe  F^ace  koitfj  fjim,  a0  our  reconcileD  d^oDanD^-^^^^^--^-^* 
iiatljer* 

Jlet  tf))J  l}otp  §fepirit  fanctifie  u^,  anD  DhjeH  in  U0,  ^  Pwc.i.a.Rom. 
anD  caufe  U0  to  Denp  our  felbe^,  anD  to  gibe  up  our  '■  ^  '•  ^?af-8-34. 
felbejef  entirelp  to  STtja?,  a^  being  not  our  objn,  but  i  cor.  6  19,20 
^i)int*  Rev.  411.  Job.' 

3i^  tl)e  ««o^lD  toaj8f  createD  fo^  tf)p  (IB^to^p,  let  tl)p  n.  28.  Mar.^ 
iRame  be  glojifieD  tl)geugl)out  tl)e  ©iio^lD  ^  ilet  g>elf  i^-  Pfai.  22.23, 
lobe,  anDP^e,  anD  ^ain^glo^p be DeSropeD,  caufe ^7,^8.  iXim.?. 
U0  to  lobe  SlT^ee,  fear  riiae,  anD  Wxnfl  inWimr.jf[7cl]'r 
toltl)  an  our  fjeart^,  anD  to  Ube  to  Sri)ee*  r^ 

jtletallttje  ot'artl)  fubject  tl}emf£lbe;8^  to  tljae  tl)eirpiai.2.5f47.7. 
i&ing^   ilet  tl)e  laingDom^  of  tlje  QjOIo^ID  become  tljeRcv.  1I.I^ 


Aas26.  18. 


iaingDom^  of  tlje  ^o^D,  anD  of  1)1$  cljriU*    31et  t^e^^J^-  ^-  ^'^• 
4ltl)eiff0,  3|Dolater0,  di^atjometan^,  Jleb^je:,  anDO:;?^^^  ^^ 
tl)er  3|nfiDel0,  anD  ungoDlp  ^people,  be  conberteD*Mat.9  i^Vk 


§feenD  fo^tlj  maet  Jlabourer^  into  tlje  IJarbeft,  anD  14.  i^. 
let  tlje  (Potipel  be  p?eacl}eD  tlj^oug^ut  all  tlje  couo^iD* 

35  b  b  3  JP^fs 


1 6  The  Reformed  LUnrgy. 


1  Thcf,  M,  1.  jp^efertje  aiiD  blrf^  tlirm  in  tfjp  loip^ft*.  ^ullam  in 
Rev.  z.?,  19.  patience.  auD  fcafnablv  t)elibcr,  tlje  C5:i)urci)e0  tt)at 
f^  ]• '°'  are  oppreCfeD  bv  liaolatrrH,  Jinfitiel^,  a^afjometanjBf, 

Rc/i's  ikip.  ^'  ^^^^^^  <cni\mis.  0^  bp tl)e Komanlpapal Hfurpa:^ 
tph!  4.  i.  f»  3  ?,  tionjBf^  •'-     )?■ 

i^-,  1^.  Titus  i.  (lilmtc  an  cjrl)2il!iaa0  in  31efu0  <B:!)riiJ,  ti)t  true 
10.  -Xor.i.1%  anD  oniv  imiberral  igeaD.  in  tl)e  true  Cbriflian  mXi 
1  Cor.i.  10  (a:atfp[iff5  jfaitliann  iLobe^  cal!out!^erefie0anD<tto^ 
f<'T*  ^^*i'.hn^  ruprion0,  lical  Ditifions,  let  t\)Z  Hxm^  receibe  tf)e 
Rom*.  1  31.  ^c-3k,  anDbeartljeir  31nfirmitie0',  l^eftrain  tlje  fpi* 
L.'ke9-5v  ^^^  Of  l^^iDe  auD  crueltp,  auD  let  notljing  be  Don? 
Pfai.  77-10.     in  iirife,  0^  ijain:;glorp^ 

nr'f^'^'p  h  "^tzpusi  from -Itl)eifm,  ^ItJOlatrp,  anD  rebellion 
;  u  1  Tim  t' ^Saintt  %\]Zt\  from  31nfitJelitp  aingoDlinef^  ana 
lU,\.  iCorYi^enfualitp ,  from  ^ecuritp,  ^iefMmption  anD  JDe:^ 
9.  iihei'.2.io  (ixiir^  Jlet  u^Deligl)t  to  pleate  Itfjee,  anDletttjp 
Rom.  8. 14-  eraro^D  be  tlje  feule  of  our  Jraitl^  anD  3ii^ej8f  ■,  let  u0 
prai.40.8.5ci.i.  lo^^  jj.    g^^  unDer0anD  it,  mo  meDitate  in  it  Dap 

Pfal  uT^jiT.^^^iB^W^- 
Mat  iTV        3C.ttti5  not  corrupt  o?  neglect  tbp  SUo^lfiipi  no^ 

Exod.zo.4r,8  ^^^^  ti)P  ^"^Ip  iRame  in  bain,  feeep  u^  from  25Iaf* 

M.rk;  if.i;  pt^emp,  Jdenurp,  p^opljane  ^iuearing,  5lpmg,  com; 

Jam  >•.  It  Hcci  tempt  of  tiip^^Dinance^,  anD  from  falfe  uni»o^t(ip, 

^<*v  h^^^"  ^  anD  unrebermt  tljougljt^  anD  fpeecl)e0  of  (Z3oD,  0^ 

Rc\  I    L'' ' '"  '^'^^P  tilings ,  anD  from  tije neglect  ano  p^opljanation 

Pro.  zi.  I.  Pfal.  Of  t\)i>  W(Q\V  I^aV*  '      ■  ^  \ 

i.  10, 11,12.  .  piit  it  into  tiff  i]ems  of  tije  mn^si  anD  ^iUkxa  of 
lii.  49. 13.  fije  ^c.zlD.  to  fubmit  to  eiviff,  anD  ruie  fo^  l)im  a0 
iChicn. Tf.6.  _^y^g^g  j?atl)er;G;  to  t)i0  cuiiurcl):  4inD  fatoe  tijem 
\ThT\^6  o  '  ^^^ fi)^  tetnptatiohB  tliat UiculD D2oton tijem in  fen:? 
Mat.  ZI.44.  fualitp  0^  uouiD  b.eiifi  tbem  upon  arl)2ill  ag  a 
jph.  II.  48.  ^^ock  of  oft'eiue  bp  engaging  tijem  againli  Iji^  Ijolp 
piii.  I,  z,  5,  s.  jDcctrine  aj:iap0  anD  s^erbanr^* 


iTtin.  2.2.         iijabe  mercp  on  tijv  ^erbant  Chaiks  our  fiing, 
Pui.  5^.  I.      protect  i)i.8  Iperfon.  illuminate  anD  fanctifie  ijim  bp 

L^rr  & ''-  ^^^^'  ^'^  ^*^"   ^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^"^i^^  ^^^  '"^P  ^^^^  ^^^"^^ 
u.n.  Rom.ii"  l^cnour,  tlje  encreafr  of  jFaitlj,  auD  Ijolp  C^beDience 

5,^  I  Pet. Z.I 4!  to  tijv  llalv0  -  anD  map  gobern  U0  a^  rljp  cipmiffer, 

1  rim. 2.  z.      appointed  tp  E'ljCC  fo^  tl]e  tfnoiir  of  etJil  Docra;  anD 

riic  p^aife  of  tl)em  t{)at  do  UieU    t(jat  uiiDer  Ijim  luc 

map  hue  a  quiet  aiiD  peaceable  life,  m  ali  C^oDlinefo 

anb  itonefip* 

Pal •'2  1  Prrv     ll>abe  mcrcp  upou  all  tlje  Kopal  jramilp,  upon  tlje 

«.  16.  tx>d.i^.  ^D^^J0f  of  tlje  ^touncil,   m'^  all  tlje  /^obilitp,  tlje 

?.T.job29.       3;Uoge0,   an)  orl)cr  £l5agi(!rate0  of  tljefe  3LanD0. 

ifa.  1. 17.2J.    J.tt  tiiem  fear  2b(iee    anD  be  c^nfampie^  of  J^irtp 

ija.  li. ;.       anD  jErempermue,  Ijater^  of  3iniuftue,  civobetoufneffi, 

anD 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  17 

anD  p^ioe,  anD  JDefmoerjef  of  t\}t  Innocent :  in  ti)t\t 
ev^0  let  a  bile  perfon  be  contemneo,  but  let  ttjem  tfo^ 
nour  tl)em  t^at  fear  tlje  ?Lo^9^ 

5iet  eberp  foul  be  fubiect  to  tlje  i^igfjer  poh)er;0,  Rom.  13.1,2.^. 
am  not  refiiJ  i  ?let  tljem  obep  tt}t  ihmg,  ano  all  in  i  Tim.  2. 2. 
4lutf]o^itp>  not  onlp  fo^  to^atf),  but  fo^  confcience fake^  *  Pet.  z.  1 3. 

(Bibe  aK  tbe  Cf)urci)e0  able,  tjolp,  faitl)funpallo^0.  ^  Cor.  ^  6. 


tl)at  mar  founOlp  anD  tsiligentlp  pzeac^  tt)p  JMio^D,  J^£;.^  ^^ 
anD  iguiDe  ilje  dflocfe0  in  ix»ap0  of  igolinef^  anD  Fear e,  £  ^"1*  n  \ 
oljerfeeing  anD  ruling  tljem  not  tp  coniiraint,  but  jam.  3.*  17.' 


JfoiHinglp,  not  fo^  filti)|>  lucre,  but  of  a  reaop  minD ;  tzek.  34. 
not  a0  being  ^o^D0  ober  tt^f  igiritage,  tut  tlje  ^er^  '  P'  t.  s.  1,2,3,4- 
i)ant0  of  an,  anD  <2^fample0  to  tlje  fiock,   ttjat '^l^'- ^°- -^> 
it)l)en  tlje  djief  ipafio^  ftafl  appear,  tt)epmapreceibe^''  ^'' 
tf)e  c^oton  of  (25Io^p> 

5Q.et  tlje  people  knoti)  tl}ofe  tljat  are  ober  tijem  in  Heb.I^  7, 17. 
tlje  lio^D  anD  labour  among  ti)em,  p?eacl)ing  to  tljem  \r\m<^l'^  ^* 
tl)e  ^o^Dsf  (BoDh  let  tljem  ijigtjlp  efieem  tijem  in    ^^™-5-i7. 
lobe  fo^  tijeir  Mo^kis  Me,  account  tljem  bio^tljp  of 
Double  Ipnour.  anD  obcp  tl)em  in  tt)e  Jlo^D> 

5let  !Parent0  b^ingup  ti)eir  ca:l)ilD^en  in  3^olp  i^ur^  Epb.  6.  i. 
ture,  tfjat  tliep  map  remember  ti)eir  Creator  in  tl^e^cci.  n.  i. 
Dap0  of  tljeir  goutl},  anD  let  cfrfjilD^en,  lobe,  fionour  Pnh  ;?'?  J^'/v 
anD  obep  tl)em;  ^et  iRu0banD0  lobe  ttieit  ^ii^e0.^^^^,:.]\'^^ 
anD  guiDe  tljem  in  knotolenge  anD  i)Olinef0;  anD  let  3. 7.  1  Coi.4.1.' 
gxuibe0 lobe anDobep  ttjeir  igu0banD0.    %.et^&flev0  &  3. ^2,25,^- 
rule  tijeir  ^erbant0  in  tl)p  fear.  anD  ^erbant0  obep 
tljeir  ^aller0  in  tl)e  ?Lo?d* 

meep  u0  from  £purDer^  anD  biolence,  anD  injuri*'  i  job.  3.  ly. 
ou0  paffionate  9xao^D0  anD  4lction0*  Luke  3. 14. 

iseep  U0  from  fornication  anD  all  (rincleannef0, - Co'"- 7-} Pro- 
from  Cljambering  anD  ix)antcnnef0,  from  inCtini]'^ ^"■^^^f-''^ 
2ri)ougl)t0.  anD  fiitljp  Communication^  anD  all  un^^Is.'  1  Cor.k.%1 
cl)alle  bcl)abiour*  Kom.  1M3. 

meii;im  from  Sealing  o^bcj^onging  ciu:  iJ^eigijbourEpJ;  ^3>4^  'v 
in  l)is  p^op^ietp,  from  perberting  3|uffice,  from  falfe^pp*  +•  "S- 
b3itne(ring  anD  Deceit,   from  aanoering    backbiting,]'4i8i1  pro 
uncljaritable  centuring  0^  otljer  U)^ong  to  tlje  reputa^  19.  ^  &  10.  is": 
tion  of  our  i|^eigi)bour0.  Pfai.  is.  3. 

i^eep  u0  from  cobetmg  anv  tl]ing  tljat  i0  our  ^ei^h^  M.t.  7. 1 2. 
bour^.  5iet  U0  lobe  our  i^>igt}bour0  a0  our  felbe0,^^°;  ^^  17. 
anD  DO  to  otl}er0  a0  b^e  b30ulD  tl)ep  l^oulD  do  to  U0*  jjjg['  l"-^^' 

csraufeuato  lobe  ^l^iH  in  l)i0  aipemb8r0  UntI)  a  Mat.' 25. 40, 
$ure  anD  ferbent  Jlobe,  anD  to  lobe  our  afnemie0,  <  Pec  i.z2. 
auD  Do  gcDD  to  all  a0ljoe  are  able  i  but  efpeciallp  to 
t^e  ijouftolD  of  jfaitlj^.. 

^b.b,  4.  ^iS3ip 


1 8  TAe  Refornted  Liturgy. 

Mar.  f .  4*.  C15ite  U0  our  neceffarp  futtentation  anD  p^obifion 

Gal  5.  lo.  fo^  ti)v  ferbice,  ano  contenteonef^  tljeretoifl)  ^  Blcf^ 

^T-^  '^;  ^-^  our  labours,  ann  t\)t  fnut0  of  tl)e  Ofartl)  in  tfjeir  fea:^ 

Deur^s  -  4  foil.  anD  gitc  U0  fuct)  tem^jerate  tocatijer  a0  teuUetl) 
Pfai.iix.&i'ig.llf^rcunto;  JDeliber  m  ano  all  tlip  ^crbant0  from 

"Dcuc.  11.14.  (ucli  ftcknrfe,   lDant0,  anD  otiier  DiUreCfe^,  ajffmap 

Phil.  z.  17.  unffafonablp  take  u^  off  tljp  ferbice*    Beep  ujsf  from 

Rom.  J  3. 11,  giuttonp  anD  D^unbenneC^,   flott)fulner0,  unlaMul 

U^rVak'^'  %^^^^  anD  from  mabins  p^bifion  fo^  tl)e  flefJ)  to  fa^; 

jviir.5.30.  tijjfie  it0  luttH. 

1  Tnh  »  T  1  ^^^^^  ^^  f"^'  reffore  u^  bp  true  mi^mtmzt  anD 
Gai"*i  jami  jfaiti)  in  cs:I)^itt:  Itlet  U0  loatl)  our  felbc0  fozour 
i9,io.Ezck.6.9.  tranfgreCfion^;  ^o^gibe  tl)em  an  anD  accept  m  in 
Eph.  1.6^7.  tl)pU)eIlbelobeDS>oni  fabe  ujb?  from  tlje  curfe  anD 
Hcb.  7-  if-  puniflnncnt  toljicl)  tljep  Deferbe,  anD  teaclj  ug  Ijear^ 
Mar.  6.  II.  14.  f|{p  ^Q  fo^gibe  otl)er0 ;  conbert  our  enemiejB,  pcrfe^ 
Luke  2^2  ^^'  cuto^0  anD  aanDerer0,  anD  fo^gibe  tl)em. 
Mac.  15.41.  CauCe  u0  toboatcl)  againtt  temptationjef,  torefiff 
j.m.4.7. 1  J*^ii- anDobercometl)e  f\t%  tl)e  Pebil  anD  tl}e  ^o^lDi 
2. 1 3.  &  ?  4-  anD  fap  no  Murement^  of  pieafure,  profit  0^  Ijonour, 
Rom.  8. 13.     f Q  jjg  jj^aton  from  tl)ce  to  fin,  let  U0  patientlp  fuffer 

1  I  h^ii  i^  17.  toi^^)  ^^)^i2  t'^)^^  ^^  ^^P  ^^^ttt^  ^i^^)  W^i^* 
1  Tim.  1. 18.       Beliber  u^  anD  all  tlip  ipeople  from  ti]t  tnmit^  anD 
Rom.  8. 17.      rage  of  ^atan  anD  aU  i]i0  UiickcD  3flnCrument0^  an^ 
iPec.  )-.s.Pfai.  p^efef^e  u^  to  tl)p  l^eabenlp  i^ingDom. 

1  JO  1 , 7  i  5 .  ^Q^  f  jpy  Qj^l^  ^^.j.  f  ijg  {uniberfal  laing :  M.  potoer 
\  xim" i ■  17  i5  tl)me  \n  iigeaben anD  aeartl) :  Of  ihce,  and  through 
Mar.  6.  ij.      ^hec,  and  to  fiiee  are  all  tt)ing0,  auD  ti)t  glo^p  (IjaU 

Row.U.  3^.     be  Thint  fo^  ebcr*     Amen. 

Concerning  the  Pfalms  for  public k  Ufe. 

H^e  defire  that  injlead  of  the  imperfeti  verjjon  of  the 
Pfalms  in  Mecter  now  in  Vje^  Mr,  William  BartonV 
VerfioVy  and  that  ferufed  and  approved  by  the  Church  of 
Scotland  there  in  ufe  {being  the  beft  that  voe  have  fceti) 
may  be  received  and  correHcd  by  fome  skjlful  Men^  and 
both  allowed  (for  grateful  variety)  to  be  l^rinted  together 
on  fever  al  Column  j  or  Pages  ^  and  publickly  ufe  J  ;  At  leafl 
until  a  better  than  either  of  them  (hall  be  made. 

r,r,  o    A  Thankfciving  for  Chrift,  and  his  gracious  Benefits. 

Pfal.  119. 108.  o       D  o 

PCAns'  17.  \/(SD^(3\o;i(im  dBoD,  accept,  tlv^cugh  tl)r  belobcD 

2  Cor.  9. 1 5.  IVl  ^on,  thougli  from  tl)e  l^anDjer of finnrrB,  of  tlianftf:^ 
Ffai  107. 11.  gibing>l)icl)tl)punfi3cakablelDbeanDmercie0.a0h)fn 
z  Cor.  J.  3.  ajg  tljp  QS^oinmanD,  do  bmD  ws  to  offer  up  unto  arbee* 

^fjOU 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  19 


€f)ou  art  tl)e  jfatljer  of  mercfeie:,  anti  tl}e  <5on  of  aH  ^  ^^-  y. 
coiifolation,  ftilt  of  comi^rXSon,  gracious,  long  fuffertf  gr-  ^  ?.  6, 7.  , 
ing,  plenteous  in  d^ootinef^  anDtrutI),  feeeping  merci^  'T'.i  Gen  i*. 
fo?  2r(}oufantJ0,  fo^gibing  %nm\t^->  2rrangreffion  ann  i^.  pfa.  s. ;? ,  6, 
l^m*    jfo?  tl)p  gio?)j  tl)ou  Dina  create  us  after  tl)me  Deut.  31.  u. 
Image  ;  ST^ou  mauefi  ujs:  a  little  loU^er  tl)an  tt)e  &  32.  j..  Hoi. 
4lngef^,  anD  crob?netifl  m  b3itt)  glo^p  anU  i)0:?  4. 7- piai.  5. 10. 
nour,  gibing  iiff  dominion  cber  tlje  too^fe^  of  tf)P  ^cn  4  4^' 
I)an0j5^,  anD  putting  all  tljefe  tfjing^  untier  our  feet*  joh..  3.  16. 
dim  tDl)en  tee  fo^fcDlk  %i)^,  anU  bgofee  t{)p  Cobe^HcU^z.  1^. 
nant,  and  rebelleD  againfl  STfiee,  anD  co^rupteD  our  J?hn  1. 14 
felbe0,  anD  turneD  our  glo^p  into  Cljame ;  tI)ou  DiDfi  f  p']*  3-  »• 
not  leabe  u;^  in  tl)e  tjanDjer  of  &eati},  no^  caa  m  out ;  J^J^  \  J?- 
into  utter  JDefparation ;  But  t!)ou  DiDl!  fo  lobe  t\)t  Heb.  2.  *  is' 
finful  (Wio^lD,  a0  to  gibe  tl)p  ^on  to  be  our  S^a^  Mat.  4.  10. 
biour*    !^e  ttok  not  upon  ^im  the  nature  of  3ingel0,  ^  Cor.  8.  ^, 
Ivit  of  #an,  %i)Z  teo?$  tea^^  maDe  fiell)  anD  Db^elt  'J^^-  ^-  ^^• 
among  ufS.   2ri)i0  ij8?  tl)e  unfeardjable  ^piferp  of  ;T'jj^;  '°* 
lobe  tel)ic!)  tlje  3lngel0  Defire  to  pgp  into,  ige  t»a0  phji.  I  7. 
tempteD,  tl)at  fje  migl)t  fuccour  tljem  tf^at  are  tempt^^  Heb.  12.2. Rev. 
eD,  anD  conquereD  tlje  ^Tempter,  tl)at  IjaD  conquer;^  3-18.  Pfa.  j^.i. 
£D  m :  I&e  became  poj^tljat  tea0  ^o?D  of  an;  to  l/^^- '"-  "■{• 
make  U0  rid).    !^e  DiD  not  fin,  but  fulfiHeo  all  riglj:^  7,^  "^^  '^Tim 
teoufnefs^,  to  fabe  usi  from  our  unrigi)teoufnef0*  j.'^/i'Cor. 
!ge  maDe  Ijimfelf  of  no  reputation,  but  tea^  re:^  m.  3. 
bileD,  fco^neo  anD  fpit  upon,  enDuring  tf>e  c^oCsr,  Heb.  2.  14 


anD  Defpifing  tl)e  fljame  to  cober  our  (bame,  anD  to  ^^i.  ?.  13- 
b^ing  \X0  unto  glo?p,  tljou  laiDtt  upon  l)im  tfte  3(|ni^  ^^l'  [I'  ^^l' 
quit^  of  n0  all.    !^e  tea^  b^uifeD  anD  toounoeD  fo?  Eph.' 1.22.  pfa. 


our  ^raufgreffion^,  tl)at  tee  migt}t  be  l}ealeD  bp  l)i0 :.  8.  phiJ.  a.  9c 
firipejB^.    ige  gabe  Ijimfelf  a  jlRanfom  fo?  u^,  anD  Mat.  i8.  w. 
DieD  fo?  our  fmjef,  anD  rofe  again  fo?our  jufiifica::^h.  j.zz.Heb. 
tion.    me  tijmk  tljee  fo?  i}i$  oeatl)  tijat  fabetf)  U0  °  jV  c^li"^* 
from  Deatl],  anD  tljat  Ije  bo?e  tl)e  curfe  to  reDeem  u$  If^^  ;/;^  pf2. 
from  tlje  curfe,  anD  fo?  t^iisi  life  tel)icl)  openeD  m  119.  "i;o.  Eph. 
tbe  teap  to  life.    STfjou  l)alJ  giben  l)im  to  be  IjeaD  i.io.iCor.j. 
ober  aft  tl)ing0  to   tlie  (a:l)urcb,  anD   l)aff  giben  ^^.^o  ^a-^- 
tlje   igeatfjen  to  be  Ijig  ^Intjeritance,  anD  gi^«i '^; '.^'^  ixim 
Ijim  a  name  abobe  eberp  name,  anD  giben  all  poteer  1  ty  Eph.  4. 
anD  juDgment  unto  l^im.    Me  tijmk  tljee  fo?  tlje  ,8.  joh.  n.  40. 
i^ete  anD  better  ccobenant,  fo?  t!)p  great  anD  p?e^  i  Tim.  4.  z. 
ciou0  p?omife0 ;  ITljat  tljcu  IjaU  giben  u0  eternal  i'^^. 8..  11.12. 
life  in  <iLl)?ifi.  riiat  tee  l)abe  tije  clear  anD  fur  e  Eebela^  {f-J;  ^-  ,h"''- 
tion  of  tljf  teiH  m  tlje  igolp  S>cripture;ff.   STijat  tljou  '/^o  kom.  10. 
fouuDeDU  tljpCljurcIj  upon  3lpomej8f  anD  Jd?opl)et0,  .t. Heb.  11.15. 
3iefu0  Clj?i(i  Ijimfelf  being  t^e  beaD  Co?ner^aone.  Exek.  ??.  u, 
#nO  ijatt  committeD  to  tljp  ^iniUerjef  tije  teo?D  ofPro-i-^-^i  ^i- 

j^ecoiv- 


20  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 

J.h.  6. 44  Aa.  Keconciliatron,  H)at  ajff  (^mbaffaDo?j8^  (peafeing  in  tfte 
^  16  .4.  ges9  of  <2:!7rill  tijrp  migt)t  befoecli  U0  to  be  reconcik^ 

Rom'  to' 20.  ^^  ""^°  ^^^*  cue  fliauk  tl)*3e  ti;at  bp  tliem  tijou  i)aff 
Arroiy.  11  op^ntf  owf  fpf^,  aiKi  ttttnefi  110  from  narftnffe 
Rom.  M.Aa  unto  ^iglit,  anD  from  flie  potoer  of  ^atan  unto 
11.18  Rom.8.Cl5oD»  sue  ktiere  fometime^  fCDfill?,  DifobeOient, 
u.  H»  i6»i7.  DeccibfD,   ferbing  Dibcr^  luff^  anD  ileafure^,  ta:^ 

%  iftLi'    ^^^^^  "^  ^^  ^^^^  i»a(bing  ofiRegeneration,  anDre^ 
q.  4,  r^S'    netoins  of  (ije  l^olp  Gljoa.    Wljou  miijljtea  lump 
Rem.  8.'^.    t)abe  left  00  to  tf)e  blmoneCa  of  our  mmDjs^,  ano  to 
Eph.  ^  11.    tt)c  f)art5ner0  ef  our   Ijeartj?,  to  feareD  confciencejB^, 
te^- ^-  '^     to  be  pafl  feeling,  to  our  oton  i)eart«  iuUsi  to  toaik 
I  tira  2  V     ^"  ^^  0^"   «itounrel0,  anD  to  'v^o^k  uncleannef^f 
Mar.  if.H'.    ^'itt)  greeDinef^,  toljenme  fo  oft  rerufeD  toccme  to 
Pfai.  89.  7.  &  Slj^il!  tbat  toe  migljt  l}abe  life,  anD  ix;oulD  not  Ijabe 
28. 6.  &  51. 22.  i^iin  to  reign  ober  uis.  But  ttjp  patimce  ixiaiteD  on  U0 
Piai. 86. 1 3-     iji  our  fm ;  4inD  all  tf)e  Dap  long  DiDll  tljou  Oretcl) 
fo^tf)  t^p  l)anD   to  a  DifobeDient  anD   gain^faping 
ipeople.    mii]tn  toe  tiirneD  from  tlja?,  tl)ou  calleDff 
iRfter  UjB",  to  turn  anD  libe :  STljou  D^etoeU  Uj8f  to  tljy 
^on  anD  cpeneDff  our  !)eart0  to  attenD  unto  tl7v 
Call :  :lriiou  lobeDll  usi  firfl,  anD  toa^  foimD  of 
tljeni  ti)at  rougl)t  tljet  not*    Wljou  t^€t  parDoneD  our 
great  anD  manifolD  tranfgreffion^,  anD  iuSifieD  m 
bp  i^aitt)  in  Clirill,  anD  giben  u0  ^Repentance  unto 
iiYa :  E  l)cu  tjaU  aDopteD  us:  to  be  ti)y  fon^,  and 
ioint  t\e]xs  Uiitl)  €1)^2;   anD  maDe  00  f)i0mem:^ 
ber0,  anD  giben  ua  l)i0  fpirit :  <ifflie  are  no  mo^e 
Urangers  but  feUoto  ^itmm  tciti)  ttje  ^aint0,  anD 
of  tlp>  l)ou(Ijolo;  IBIefffD  be  tl)e  (25oD  anD  ;fFatl)erof 
cur  ^o^D  3^ieru0  (^tijUiQ,  tol)0  of  i)i0  abunDant  mer^^ 
cp  lirifl)  begotten  us  again  unto  a  libelp  l)ope,  bp  tl)e 
iRefurrenion  of  3;eru0  clj^iU  from  tlje  DeaD,  to  an 
3|nlifrjtanfe  incorruptible,    uncefileD,  tl)cit  faDct(> 
not  alnap,  referbeD  in  Igcaben  fo?  ivs*    Wipu  keep:: 
efi  U0  bptl)P  !nigl)tT>  potuer  ti):ougl)  ;ffaitl)  unto  fal^ 
baticn:  reaDP  at  laif  to  be  rebcalcD,  tl)ougl)  lUiIieii 
fljcp  arc  nttDfulj  toe  ntuft  fo?  a  feafon  be  m  Ijeabi^- 
arf0  unDer  tnfaulatione;  ti)ou  IjaU  pgomifeD,  tijat 
an  tt)ing0  fbaU  too?k  togetl)er  fo?  our  gtoD ;  in  all 
our  llrait0  tl)cu  grantea  u0  accefe  to  tlje  :iri)2one  of 
grace,  biDDmg  us  call  upon   tl)ce,  in  tljc  time  of 
trouble,   anD  p?omit'ing   to  Deliber  U0,  ttiat  toe 
imp  glonfv  tl)a?,  eberp  tobne  toe  Ijabe  Icabf  to  lift 
Tip  luito  cl)cc  l)olp  l)aaD0,  (rlptciallp  m  tl)e  Ijoufe  of 
p,i(i}^n,  anD  tlje  ^liTemblv  of  tlje  §^aiut0.    iThou 

Mat' 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  51 


ijaff  IjeartJ  tlje  boice  of  our  i\x^^\mtmn?i  teljen  tn^ 

$ate  crieD  unto  ti)Zt  -,  great  10  ttjp  mercp  totoarUje? 

U8f>  ^  31ogu  tt}on  fjaft  Deliberen  our  foiil^  from  tljt 

ioiuel!  l^eH  -,  tljou  I}a(!  fent  fo^tl)  from  igeaben  tfjp 

mercp  anD  txntt)  -.  ano  fabeti  U0  from  tije  vep^aci) 

of  f)im  tijat  txjoutD  fijoalloto  ujer  up :  tfiou  art  our 

IjiDmg  place  t  3in  tl>e  fecret^  of  tl)p  p^efence  tfiou 

fi^eferbeS  u^  from  trouble,  from  tijt  jp^iDt  of  men, 

am  from  tl}e  firife  of  Srongue^*  ^t)ou  DoU  compafe  ^''2^-  ^7.  ?.  & 

U0  about  'ixiitt)  ^ong0  of  ueliberance*    SD  lohe  tlje  ^'•;°-  ^  3^.7 

5io^D  an  pe  1)10  S>aint0 !  fo^  tlje ?Lo^D  p^eferbetl)  tlie  ^o-^o &  ,0 

faitljful,  ann  plentifuHp  retoarDet!)  tlje  p^ouo  ooer.  Ha^.  ?.  a. 

i^e  Dealetl)  not  toitl)  u0  after  our  Cinsi,  t)i<s  41nger  1  i^i  ^i  6. 

10  but  fo^  a  moment,  but  in  ijiis  faljour  10  life*    3[n  l;!?!'^^'-  ^Q- 

t}i0  iD^atl)  Ije  rememb^etf)  nterc?^ :  M  tfjp  ))ati}0  p| " ; '  ^' 

W  %.o^Xi,  are  mere)?  auD  trutfj  to  fuel)  a0  feeep  t^j>  pfai'  ,0 J'  /• 

gtotmanU   me  com  into  tl)p  {)oure  in  tf)e  multi^  piai.  89.  ij. 

tuDe  of  tt)p  mercie0,  ^  gibe  tt)anfe0  unto  tlje  Jlo^D 

fo^  l^e  i0  gojD,  fo^  l)i0  mercp  ennuretl)  fo^  eber* 

(Blo^^  ve  in  i)i0  l^olp  ilSame,  let  tlje  l)eart0  of  tl)em        ^^• 

re/opce  tl)at  feek  t)im4    ^leffeD  are  tijz  people  tl)at 

knoin  tl)e  jopful  founo  :  €l)ep  ftaH  toatk  ISD  Jlo^D, 

in  tl)e  ?Ligl)t  of  ti^y  countenance*    3[|n  t^p  name  ^^ai.  84.  4. 

CjaE  tije]^  rejopce  all  ti)e  Uap,  anD  in  tl)p  rigl)teouf;^  ^J^^J-  ^^'  h* 

nef0  anD  fabour  ®all  tl)ep  be  ejcalteD  ^  25leffeD  are  inh  11'  \^' 

tljei^  tljat  DixjeH  in  tl;p  l)oufe,  tijep  toiK  be  aiK  p^ail:^  Re,  l[  t 

ing  tf)0^*    ^  fati0fie  U0  earlp  toitt)  tfy^  metc^,  t^at 

b^e  map  rejopce  anD  be  gtaD  in  tl)0e  all  our  Dap0> 

(0uiDe  u0  bp  tl)p  <iEounfel,  anD  afterfcoarD0  receibe 

U0  unto  tl)p  glo^p  i  b)l)ere  b[)itl)  all  t\)t  bleffeD  l)oft 

of  l^eaben,  toe  map  bel)olD,  aomire,  anD  perfectlp 

anD  jopfuHp  p^aife  tt)ee,  our  mott  glo^iou0  o^rea:; 

to^,  iReoeemer  ano  ^anctifier,  fo^  eber  anD  fo? 

eber*     Amen. 

The  Hymn. 
The  Firft  Part. 

B?lef0  tlje  51o^D  €>  mpfifeoul!  4InD  aH  tfjat  i0„., 
b3itl)in  me  blef0l)i0  l)olp  iJSame,  Blef0  t\)z  ilozD  ^^^'-  '°5* '' ' 
SD  mv  foul,  anD  fojjet  not  all  1^10  23enefit0  :  to^o 
fo^gibetl)  all  tl)ine  3(lniquitie0,  anD  l)ealetl)  aH  t^p      5»  4- 
Difeafe0 !  txAp  reDeemeb  tl)p  life  from  DeKruetion, 
anD  crotonetl)  thee  toitl)  lobing  feinDner0  anDtenoer        ^^• 
infrcie0^   -$0  far  a0  tl)e  afad  i0  from  tlje  Wleff,  fo 

far 


2Z  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 

far  t^atf)  Ije  remobeD  our  tranfgreffion0  from  iwi  ^ 

ijoh.  3.  I.     3i6eI)olD  tDl)at  lobe  tfie  ifatljer  tjatt)  beftotoeo  on  u0, 

i\)B.t  toe  fljouln  be  lalleD  t^t  ^mB  of  (SoD^  becaufe 

tl)j>  lobins  kiiioiieffi  is  better  tijan  ?life,  mp  ^^Lip-e! 

PfaL  61. 3, 4.  fl)an  P^aife  tl)ee.    2ri}U0  biill  31  blcf0  ti)^  toljile  31 

Pfai.73. 15.     libe,  31  toill  lift  up  mp  !^anD0  in  tl)p  name*    Cl^p 

^oul  fban  be  fatiBfieD  aj0  toitl)  marrobanD  fafnef^, 

i5, 17.       anD  mp  mouti)  fljafl  p^aife  tl)ee  toitt)  jopful  3tlip0, 

Cllljomliabe  31  i^i  ig  eaben  but  tijee,  anD  tijere  10  none 

ij.        on  OEartl)  tfjat  31  ^^^^^  befiDe^  tijee*  ^p  :ffle(I)  anD 

mp  igeart  failetl),  but  (23oD  10  tlje  Crengtl)  of  mp 

igeart,  anb  vav  IPo^tion  foz  eber*    f  0^,  lo  all  tl)at 

are  far  from  tljee  fbaU  perilb,  but  it  im  gooD  fo<2  me 

Pfal.  94-  IP-    to  ogaixj  near  to  <Z5ot)*    31  ^^  continuallp  toitl)  tl)0e* 

arijou  l)att  t)olDen  me  b)>  mprigl]t  IjanD,  in  t{)z  tm\^ 

tituDe  of  mp  tl)oiigl)t0  UJitlfin  me,  t\)v  comfo^t0  oe^ 

PfaL  73.  24.     IWt  mp  ^ouU    2ri)0u   fi;alt  guiDe^  me  toittj  tt)P 

arounCel,  anD  aftertoarD  receibe  me  to  glo^p* 

The  Second  Parr. 

H^  m,  erceHent  10  tfjp  lobiiig  feinD;ief0  SI> 
(0OD,  tljerefo^e  Do  tl)e  ^cn0  of  a^en  put 
5.  tijeir  tmd  unDer  tlje  ibaboto  of  t\)\>  ixjing^*  SETijep 
fijall  be  abuuDautlp  fati^fieo  toitt)  tl)e  fatnef0  of  tl)p 
igoufe,  anD  tljou  fljalt  make  tljem  o^mk  of  tl)e  3Rfc 
ber0  of  t{)\>  pteafure^,  fo^  boitli  tliee  i0  tlje  jfoun^ 
tain  of  life*"  31n  tl))>  tigl)t  lue  (ban  fee  51igl)t ;  tljere;^ 
fo<:e  mp  igeart  is  glaD,  anD  mp  d^Io^p  rejopietl)* 
si^p  JFlell;  alfo  (baU  red  in  bop^»  %i)m  toilt^ibeto 
me  t\)Z  pati)  of  i^ife*  31"  tl)P  pzefence  10  fuluef0  of 
31op,  anD  at  tl)p  rigl)t  l)anD  are^  pleafure0  for  eUer 
mo^e*  ^urelp  (Z5ooDnef0  anD  mercp  (ban  foIloUi 
me  aE  ti)e  Dap0  of  mp  \iiz.  ^m  ji  (ball  Dtoell  m 
tl)e  iljoufe  of  tlje  iLo^D  fo^  eber*  ^  contmue  tljp 
lobing  feinDiief0  to  tljem  tl}at  bnoto  tljoe,  anD  tl)j> 
rigl)teoufnff0  to  tt)e  upright  in  l)tart*  Sto  tl)e  enD 
tl)at  mp  glo^p  map  fing  p^aiCe  imto  tl)ee  anD  not  be 
filent,  w  jto^  mp  C5oD,  3j  gibe  tl)anb0  to  tljee  fio^ 
cbcr* 

The  Third  Part. 

Luke  2: 14.      A^JlD^p  to  C0OD  i\\  rt)e  iCigl)ea :  j2Dn  eartlj  ^t&a  -, 

VJ  <BooD  b)ill  toUiaro0  men !  H^^aife  pe  tlje  5Lo^D, 

Pfal.  149. 1, 4,  fing  to  tt)e  3(Lo^D  a  neU)  ^ong ;  igi0  p^zaife  i0  in  tt)e 

J-  6-       (Congregation  of  ^AxntiS^    f  0^  tlje  ^do^D  tabet^ 

plea;i 


Pfal. 

i^. 

9.' II 

pfal. 

ij. 

6. 

Pfal. 

j5. 

TO. 

lial. 

30. 

IZ. 

The  Reformed  Liturgy.  25 


pfeafure  in  l)i0  ^people,  i)t  toill  beautifp  ti^e  meefePfaJ-HJ-io, 

^itt)  falbation.    %tt  ti]t  ^mtg  he  lopful  in  <J5Io^  ".  i**  »3. 

rp.   iet   tlie  tjigl)  p^aifejer   of  (0oD  be  in  tljeir 

moutl)^.  3in  ttip  too^k^  p^aife  tl)ee,  H)  31o^,  an5 

t!)p  ^aint0  l^all  hM0  tljet,    STl^ep  CjaH  fpeafe  of 

tl)t  C^Io^p  of  tf)p  jJ^ingDom,  anu  talk  of  tfip  Ipotoer : 

Co  make  kooton  to  tlje  fonir  of  men  iljy  migijtp 

4Iitj0^,  anD  t!)e  glo^iou^  (^mU^  of  tl}p  feingtjom. 

2r!)p  fiingUom  10  an  eberlaCing  Singtiom,  anD  tl)p  ^v.  4.  g. 

JDominion  i;8f  tI)?oug(i  aU  C^eneration^*    Wije  qeU:        ^i- 

nerjS  auD  ^amtjs;  about  tl)p  STii^onejrel!  not  ^apno^ 

ipigljt,  faping,  l&olp,  igolp,  i^olp,  Jlo^D  ca5oD  ^Ilmigfjtp, 

tofjici)  toa^,  antJ  i$,  anD  10  to  come^    2Erf)ou  art 

tDo^ttjp,  SD  ?lo^ti,   to   receibe   <IB(o^j!>,  ann  igo^ 

nour,   anD  ipoiner  ;    fo^   tl)OU   Ijaft   created  aH^^-^^- 

tl)mg0,  anD  fo?  tl)p  pteafure  tftep  are  anD   toere 

createD*   2ri)epfing  untotljee  tlie  l^ong  of  ^ofe;6^,  ^  ^  '^• 

anD  of  tijt  ?lamb,  faving,  (I^;eat  anD  marbeHou^ 

are  tijp  too^k^,  31o^d  (Bod  4llmigi)tf>  ^  3f!ufi  anD  true 

are  tl)p  toap^,  t{)0U  Jaing  of  S)amt0*    ^l)o  (JaU        t- 

not  fear  tljee,  H>  ^o^D,  anD  glo^ifie  ttip  iftame .' 

fo^  t[)ou  onl^  art  J^olp  :  jFo^  aH  iftation^  ujall  come       9- 

anD  2llo^(I;ip  before  tt}te,  fo^  tl)p  luDgment^  are 

maDe  manifelJ^    mo^tt^^  i$  tljt  3fl.amb  tl)at  toaa  ffain,       «<»• 

to  receive  Potoer,  anD  3Ric^ej8i,  anD  (KaifDom,  anD 

§fetrengtf),  anD  l&onour,  anD  (Bio^v*   S^^l  tl^ou  I)af 

reDBemeD  ujef  to  (IBfoD  bp  tl)p  bl©D,  anD  maDe  v 

5Sing0  anD  ip^iefj;8f  to  dB^oD*. 

The  Fourth  Pare. 

0€l)at  men   ioouiD  p^a^'fe  tfje  51o^D  fo^  ^fS  „, , 
gooonef^,  anD  fo^  i)i0  toonDerful  too^fa;  to^^^'-^'^^.s,!!. 
tlje  ci}ilD^en  of  men  •'  ilet  ti)em  Sacrifice  tly  ^a^^        ^  ' 
crifice^  of  a^{}ankfgft)ing,   anD  Declare  t)i0  jco?k0  „. ,  " 
tuiti)  rejopcing*    ^ing  unto  tl)e  JlogD,  ble^  l)i0-  ^^'- ^^*  ^• 
iBame>  Ujetjo  fogtl)  t)i0  S^albation  frome  Dap  0  Dap» 
?aio^(5ip  tlje  Jlo^D  in  tfje  13eautp  of  f9oUnt%  fear  Pfai.  19.  j. 
before  l)im  aH  ttje  orartfj*    jltt  tlje  J^eatenjereiopce,  I'ia  96-9,1  «>i3. 
anD  ti)e  OEartl)  be  glaD  before  t!;e3lo^D  -,  jFo^  I}e  com:^ 
ttih  ifo^  i)e  cometf)  to  SlwDge  tl)e  (25artt>    2Uitl) 
migl)teoufnef0  l^all  Ije  3fluDge  tfje  nfflfoglD.  anD  tl}eprai.  lo^^o. 
people  U)itl)  Qi^quitv^    ©lef^  tlje  ilozD  pr  Ijiis  3in^ 
gelj0  tijat  ercel  in  ftrengtl),  tljat  Do  i)i$  sommauD? 
ment0,  tjearkening  to  ifje  boice  of  l)i0  ql'o^D.    Mtisi 
pe  tl)e  5flo;D  all  pe  i)i0  fs^oUsi,  pe  ^inifterjef  or  I}i6! 
tljat  DO  ip  pleafure  i  MsiB  tlje  Jlo^D  all  i}i^  Mom       ^^ 

m 


%  4  ^  ^^  Reformed  Liturgy . 

in  all  places  of  tysi  JDominionjef*   Blef^  t^t  5(lo^l)» 

SD  mp  foul ;  mp  moutl)  ftaH  fpeaft  tfje  IP^aiftje:  of" 

tl)e  JL02D,  aiiD  \tt  an  ;lFteiS  blefjsf  i)iet  ^olp  i^ame  fo^ 

Pfai.  i4r  21.   eber  anD  eljer*    ilet  eberp  t^ing  tl)at  ijatlj  23^atl) 

Pfal  150.  6.       p^aife  tlje  JlO^D*.     Pralfe  ye  the  Lord. 


# 


The  Order  of  Celehratifjg  the  Sacrament  of 
the  Body  and  Blood  of  Chrifl. 

this  or  the  liks  Explication  of  the  'Nature^  Vfe,  and 
Benefits  of  this  Sacrament,  may  be  ufed  at  the  Difcre- 
tion  of  the  Minifter^  tphen  he  feeth  it  needful  to  the 
InftruBion  of  the  Communicants. 

THAT  you  may  difcern  the  Lord's  Body,  and 
underftsind  the  Nature,  Ufe  and  Benefits 
of  this  Sacrament ;   you  muft  know  that 
God  created  Man  in  his  own  Image,  to 
know,  and  love,  and  ferve  his  Maker;  That  Man 
fell   under    the   guilt   of   fin   and    condemnation, 
and  left  his  holy  Fitnefs  for  the  work  for  which 
^   was  created.      That    hereupon    the   wonderful 
We  and  wifdom  of   God   provided    us    a  Reme- 
d>  in  our  Redeemer,   to  the  end  he   might  not 
lofi  the  glory  of  his  Creation,  that  he  might  par- 
dor,  and  fave  us  upon  terms;  Securing  the  honour 
of  iis  Juftice,  and  attaining  the  ends  of  his  Law 
and  government,    and  recover  us  to  his  love  and 
fervicr,  by  appearing  to  the  World,  in  the  greateft 
demoiftrations   of  Goodnefs,   Love,      and   Mercy. 
Bytbeireateft  Miracle  of  Condefcention,  he  firft  pro- 
mised, and*then  gave  bis  only  Son,   the  Eternal 
^ord,  :o  take  man's  nature  into  perfonal  union  with 
his  God  head ;  that  being  God  and  Man,  he  might 
be  a  fit  vlediator  between  God  and  Man,  to  reftore 
us,  and  reconcile  us  to  hittlfelf.    Thus  Jefus  Chrift 
conceived  by    the  Holy    Ghoft,  and  born  of  the 
Virgin  Maiy^  became  the  fecond  Adam,  the  Phyfician 
and  Saviour  of  undone  Sinners,  the  Captain  of  our 
Salvation,  to  be  the  glorious  King  and  Head  of  all 
that  are  fandified  and  faved.    He  revealed  the  Ho- 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  xe 

linefs,  theGoodncfs,  and  the  Love  of  God,  by  the 
perfedt  Holinefs,  Goodnefs,  and  Love  of  his  Bleffed 
Perfon,  Dodkrine,  and  Converfacion,  and  by  fufFer- 
ing  for  us  all  the  Affli(51:ions  of  this  life,  and  at  Jaft 
the  curfed  death  of  the  Crofs,  as  a  Sacrifice  and 
Ranfom  for  us.  That  all  this  might  be  effedtual 
to  our  Recovery,  he  made  for  us  a  new  and  better 
Covenant,  and  preached  it  himfelf,  undertaking  the 
Pardon,  Juftification,  and  Sandification  of  all  that 
by  unfeigned  Faith  do  take  him  for  their  Saviour,  re- 
penting of  their  (ins,  and  confenting  to  be  fanftified 
by  his  Word  and  Spirit  (by  which  alfo  he  inviteth, 
and  draweth  men  to  himfelf,  and  givcth  ihem  to  be- 
lieve ) :  Into  this  blefled,  pardoning,  faving  Cove- 
nant, we  are  firft  folemnly  entred  by  Baptifm.  And 
when  Chrift  was  ready  to  leave  the  "World,  and  to 
give  up  himfelf  a  Sacrifice  for  us,  and  intercede  and 
cxercife  the  fulnefs  of  his  Kingly  Power,  as  the 
Churches  Head ;  and  by  his  grace  to  draw  men  to 
himfelf,  and  prepare  them  for  his  glory  ;  he  did  him- 
felf inftitute  this  Sacrament  of  his  body  and  blood 
at  his  laft  Supper,  to  be  a  continued  Reprefentacion 
and  Remembrance  of  his  Death,  and  therein  of  his 
own  and  his  Fathers  Love  uniil  his  coming,  appoint* 
ing  his  Minifters  by  the  Preaching  of  the  Gofpel, 
and  Adminiftratlon  of  thefe  Sacraments,  to  be  his 
Agents  without,  and  his  Spirit  within,  effectually  to 
communicate  his  Grace. 

[The  Lords  Supper  then  is  an  holy  Sacrament  in- 
ftituted  by  Chrift:,  wherein  Bread  and  Wine  being 
fiffl  by  Confecration  made  Sacramentally  or  Re- 
prefentatively  the  body  and  blood  of  Chrift,  are  ufed 
by  breaking  and  pouring  out  to  reprefent,  and  com- 
memorate, the  Sacrifice  of  Chrift's  Body  and  Blood, 
upon  the  Crofs  once  offered  up  to  God  for  fin  ;  and 
are  given  in  the  Name  of  Chrift  unto  the  Church, 
to  fignifie  and  folemnize  the  renewal  of  his  holy 
Covenant  with  them,  and  the  giving  of  himfelf  un- 
to  them,  to  expiate  their  fins  by  his  Sacrifice,  and 
fanCtifie  them  further  by  his  Spirit,  and  confirm 
their  right  to  everlafting  life  ;  And  they  are  received, 
eaten,  and  drunk  by  the  Church,  to  profefs  that 
they  willingly  receive  Chrift  himfelf  to  the  Ends  a- 
forefaid  (their  Juftification,  Sandtification,  and  Glo- 
rification,) 


26  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


rificacion,)  and  to  (ignifie  and  folemnize  the  renewal 
of  their  Covenant  with  him,  and  their  boiy  Com- 
munion with  him,  and  with  one  another.] 

It  being  the  renewmg  of  a  mutual  Covenant  that 
is  here  folemnized  as  we  commemorate  Chrift's  Sa- 
crifice, and  receive  him  and  his  faving  bene- 
fits ;  fo  we  offer  and  deliver  to  him  our  felves,  as 
his  redeemed,  fani^ified  people,  to  be  a  living  ac- 
ceptable Sacrifice,  thankfully  and  obediently  to  live 
unto  his  Praifc. 

Before  the  receiving  of  his  holy  Sacrament,  we 
rauft  examine  our  felves,  and  come  preparedly  : 
In  the  receiving  of  it,  we  muft  excrcife  holy  affe- 
ctions fuited  to  the  work  :  and  after  the  receiving  of 
it,  we  muft  by  confiderationof  it,  endeavour  to  re- 
vive the  fame  Affe(^ions,  and  perform  our  Cove- 
nant there  renewed. 

The  holy  Qualifications  to  be  before  provided, 
and  in  Receiving  exercifed,  and  after  Receiving,  arc 
thefe,  I.  A  true  belief  of  the  Articles  of  the  Chri- 
ftian  Faith,  concerning  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghoft  '■,  the  Perfon,  Offices,  Works,  and  Sufferings, 
and  Benefits  of  Chrift.  2.  The  fenfe  of  our  finful 
and  undone  condition,  as  in  our  felves,  and  of  our 
need  of  Chrift :  fo  as  humbly  to  loath  our  felves  for 
our  tranfgrcflions,  with  the  fenfe  of  our  prefent  weak- 
neffes  to  be  ftrengthcned,  and  fins  to  be  forgiven. 
3.  A  true  defire  alter  Chrift  for  pardon,  and  fpiritual 
Nourilhment  and  Salvation.  4.  A  thankful  fenfe  of 
the  Wonderful  Love  of  God,  declared  in  our  Re- 
demption, and  in  the  prefent  offers  of  Chrift,  and 
Life.  5.  The  exercife  of  holy  love  and  joy  in  the 
fenfe  of  this  unfpeakable  Love,  ( if  thefe  two  be 
not  felt  before  we  come,  yet  in,  and  after  the  Sacra- 
ment) we  muft  ftrivc  to  exercife  them.  6.  A  love 
to  one  another,  and  forgiving  wrongs  to  one  another, 
with  a  defire  after  the  Communion  of  Saints.  7.  The 
giving  up  our  felves  in  Covenant  to  God,  with  refo- 
lution  or  renewed  Obedience.  8.  A  patient  hope 
for  the  coming  of  Chrift  himfelf,  and  of  the  Ever- 
lafting  kingdom,  where  we  ihall  be  perfectly  united 
in  him,  and  glorified  with  him. 

lafting 


The   Reformed  Liturgy.  27 


Thofe  only  are  to  be  invited  to  the  Lord's 
Table,  and  to  come,  that  truly  repent  and  believe, 
and  unfeigDedly  confent  to  the  terms  of  the  Cove- 
nant ( though  all  are  not  to  be  invited  thus  to  be- 
lieve and  repent,  and  fo  to  come  )  But  thofe  are 
ro  be  adn-iicced,  by  the  Paftors,  if  they  come,  who, 
h.jving  the  'afe  of  reafon  to  underftand  what  they 
•  io,  a4id  examine  themfejves,  ifiave  made  a  perfonal 
Frofeirr>n'  of  Faith,  Repentance,  and  Obedience  i 
ind  are  Member?  of  the.  Church,  and  not  juftly  for 
Herefie  or  fcandalous  fin  removed,  from  its  prefenc 
Communion. 

The  Benefit  of  the  Sacrament  is  not  to  be  judged 
of  only  by  preient  Experience  and  Feeling,  but  by 
Faith.  God  having  appoinced  us  to  ufe  it,  and  pro- 
mifed  liis  Bleffing,  we  may  and  muft  believe,  that 
he  will  make  good  his  Promife  ;  and  what  ever  we 
feel  at  prefent,  that  we  fincereJy  wait  not  on  him  in 
vaiii. 

The  Bxhortation» 

"Vr  O  U  are  invited  hither.  Dear  Brethen,  to  be 
-■-  Guefts  at  this  Holy  Table,  by  the  Lord's  Com- 
mand, to  receive  the  greateft  Mercy,  and  to  perform 
the  greateft  Duty.  On  Chrift's  Part,  All  things  are 
pade  ready.  The  Feaft  is  prepared  for  you,  even 
for  yoii  that  bv  fin  have  deierved  to  be  caft  out  of 
the  prefence  of  the  Lord  ;  for  ycu  that  have  to 
oft  negiedtcd  and  abufed  Mercy.  A  Feaft  of  the 
Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift-,  free  to  you,  but  dear  to 
him.  You  were  loft,  and  in  the  way  to  be  loft  for 
ever,  when  by  the  greateft  Miracle  of  Condefcend- 
"ing-]ove,  he  fought  and  faved  you.  You  were  dead 
in  fin,  condemned  by  the  Law,  the  Slaves  of  Satan; 
there  wanred  nothing  but  the  Executing  ftroak  of 
Juftice  to  1  ave  fent  you  into  emiiefs  mifery  ;  when 
our  dear  Redeemer  pitied  you  in  your  blood, 
and  (bed  h.s  own  to  walli  and  heal  you.  He-fuf- 
fered  that  was  offended,  that  the  offender  might  not 
fufifer.  He  cried  out  on  the  Crofs,  My  X^od^  My  God, 
Why  haft  thou  forfal{en  me^  that  we  who  had  dC" 
fcrved  it,  might  not  be  everlaftingiy  forfaken.  He 
died,  that  we  iriight  live.    O  how  would  the  mercy- 

C  c  c"  •of 


,8  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


of  Redemption  have  affecSked  you,  if  you  had  firft 
lain  one  year,  or  month,  or  day  in  Hell  I  Had  you 
but  feen  your  d^ing  Lord,  or  fecn  the  damned  in 
their  mifery,  how  do  you  think  you  (hould  have  va- 
lued the  Salvation  that  is  now  revealed  and  tendred 
to  yovi?    See  here  Chrift  dying  in  this  holy  Reprc- 
fentation.     Behold    the  facrificed    Lannb  of  God, 
that  taketh  away  the  Sins  of  the  World  I  It  is  his 
will  to  be  thus  frequently  crucified  before  your  eyes. 
O  how  ihould  we  be  covered  with  ftiame,  and  loath 
our  felves,   that  have  both  procured  the  death  of 
Chriftby  fin,  and  iinned  againft  ic  ?  And  how  (hould 
we  all  be  filled  with  joy,  that  have  fuch  myfteries  of 
mercy  opened,and  fo  great  Salvation  freely  offered  to 
usi  O  haie  fin,  O  love  this  Saviour  :  See  that  you  , 
come  not  hither  without  a  defire  to  be  more  Holy, 
nor  with  a  purpofe  to  go  on  in  wilful  fin.     Be  not 
deceived,  God  is  not  mocked  ;  but  if  you  heartily 
repent,  and  confcnt   to  the   Covenant,   come  and 
welconriC ;  We  have  commiflion  from  Chrift  to  tell 
you,   that  yx)u  are   welcome.     Let   no  trembling, 
contrite  foul  draw  back,  that  is  willing  to  be  Chrift's 
upon  his  Covenant- terms,  but  believe*  that  Chrift  is 
tnuch  more  willing  to  be  yours.    He  was  firft  wil- 
ling, and   therefore  died  for  you,   and  made  the 
Covenant  of  Grace,  and  fent  to  invite  and  impor- 
tune you  to  confent,   and  ftayed  for  you  fo  long, 
and  gave  you  your  Repentance,  your  willingnefs  and 
defire.    Quefl:ion  not  then  his  willingnefs,   if  you 
arc  willing.    It  is  Satan  and  Unbelief  that  would 
have  you  queftion  it,  to  the  injury  both  of  Chrift 
and  you.     Come  near,  obferve,  believe,  and  won- 
der at  the  Riches  of  his  Love  and  Grace :  For  he 
hath  himfelf  invited  you  to  fee  and  rafte,  that  you 
may  wonder.     You  are  finners,  but  he  inviteth  you 
to  receive  a  renewed,   fealed   Pardon  of  your  fins, 
and  to  give  you  more' of  his  Spirit  to  overcome  them. 
See  here  his  broken  Body  and  his  Blood,  iheTefti- 
monicsof  his  Willingnefs.     Thus  hath  he  fealed  the 
Covenant,  which   pardoneth  all  your  fins,  and  fe- 
cureth  you  of  your   Reconciliation  with  God,  and 
your  Adoption,  and  your  right  to  everlafting  Blef- 
fednefs.     Deny  not  your  confenr,  but   heartily  give 
up  your  felves  to  Chnf\,  jind  then  doubc  not  but 
i  your 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  29 

your  Scarlet,  Crimfon-fins  (hall  be  made  as  white 
as  Wooll  or  Snow.  Obje*^  not  the  number  or 
greatnefs  of  them  againft  his  Grace  :  There  is  none 
too  great  for  him  to  pardon  to  penitent  Believers. 
Great  fins  (hall  bring  great  glory  to  his  Blood  and 
Grace.  But  ftrive  you  then  for  great  loathing  of 
your  (ins,  and  greater  love  to  fuch  a  God,  and 
greater  thanks  to  fuch  a  Saviour.  Unfeignedly  fay, 
I  am  willing  Lord  to  he  wholly  ThinCy  and  then  believ- 
ingly  take  Chrif!,  and  Pardon,  and  Life,  as  given 
you  by  his  own  appointment  in  the  fealed  Covenant. 
And  remember  that  He  is  a  coming.  He  is  coming 
with  thoufands  of  His  mighty  Angels,  to  execute 
judgement  on  the  ungodly,  but  to  be  glorified  in  his 
Saints,  and  admired  in  all  that  do  believe.  And 
then  we  (hall  have  greater  things  then  thefe.  Then 
(hall  you  fee  all  the  Promifes  fuliilJed,  which  now 
are  fealed  to  you,  on  which  he  caufeth  you  to  trult. 
Revive  now  your  love  to  one  another,  and  forgive 
thofe  that  have  wronged  you,and  delight  in  the  Com- 
munion of  the  Saints :  And  then  you  fhall  he  ad- 
mitted into  the  Church  Triumphant,  where  with 
perfed:  Saints  you  (hall  perfe£lly  rejoyce,  and  love 
and  praife  the  Lord  for  ever.  Receive  now  a  cruci- 
fied Chrift  here  reprefented,  and  be  contented  to 
take  up  your  Crofs,  and  follow  him.  And  then 
you  (hall  reign  with  a  glorified  Chrift,  in  the  Blef- 
icd  Vifion  and  Fruition  of  that  Gud,  to  whom  by 
Chrift,  you  are  now  reconciled.  Let  Faith  and 
Love  be  working  upon  thefe  things,  while  you  are  at 
this  holy  Table. 

Then  (hall  the  Minif^er  ufe  this  or  the  like  Prayer.^ 

M®1I  igolpdB^oD,  b3e  are  a^  fiubble  before  tljee,^^^  ^  ^^^ 
tl)t  cotifuming  Sfive*  ^o\»  (ball  toe  UanD  jz/^-  iSam^ 
before  ti}v  igoHncfe,  fo^  toe  are  a  finful  People,  5.  zo.  Mai.  vz. 
laDen  Wilj  31niquitp,  tljat  (jabe  jjone  bacfetoarD  anD  ^^^  '•  4-  Luke 
li^obokeD  tlje  igolp  one  of  ifrad,  toljen  toe  toere'^'^.^^-Ep^-^- 
lo(!,  tl)p  ^on  DiD  tok  anli  fabe  u^,  toljen  toe  toere^^^'^^-  ^^-^^l' 
DeaD  in^in,  tl)ou  maDett  usi  alibe.  STljou  fatoe(Jcoi.  !.*n' je.* 
U0  poUuteD  m  our  blooD,  anD  faiDd  unto  U0  libe*5.28.DeMt.4. 
3In  that  time  of  lobe  tl)OU  cobereui!  our  naketJnefjSf,  m-  i^^i^-  6  u^- 
SLiiO  rntereDll  into  a  ccobenant  toitlj  u^,  ann  toe^»'  ^-• 

(S^cci  became 


!^c  The   Reformed  Liturgy. 


pfai.  100  5.4-  became  thine  otaJn*  2nioirt)iDt!  Driiijer  ti0  fVbm  ttie 
H.b.  iz.  15.  poUier  of  JDarbiute,  aiiD  traixaate  m  into  t{)t  laing:; 
Dcut.p.  iz.     jiQ^  pf  jl^P  jiP^^j.  ojQ,^ .    gj^j,  g^^pji  y^  remiffion  of 

"  Tim  V-  --     '^"j  t^)^ousI)  tH6^  b!aoD»    15ut  liie  are  griel)oii0  3Re^ 

rjohni.  15.    ^olter^,  ir.f  l}ai)e  forgotten  tlje  Covenant  of  tl)e 

Eph.  1.  ?.viai.  ^o^D  our  (25oDi   toe  Uiere  engageD  to  lobe  tl)ee 

5. 24.  Mat  li.  toitl)  an  our  lieartxr,  ax^  to  l)ate  iniquitv,  auD  ferbe 

^^  Mar  r?'°  ^^'^^  Oiligentlp,  ano  tl}aabfuU?>  to  fet  fo^tl)  tl))>p^ai£e* 

?o  Rom  zr-^  ^wftx^t  I)al)e  TeparteD  fromtI)ee,  auD  co^ru4)te9  our 

iCor.'.o.  \i:  rellie0  bv  felf4o\)e,  anD  bp  lebing  tl)etDO^ttJ,  auD 

1  Thef.  4.  I.     tbe  tilings  that  are  in  tlje  tno^lD,  ano  ijate  fulfilleD 

Luke  8.  iS.      tl)e  Defire^  of  the  ^M%  M)k\)  loe  fljouln  Ijabe  cru^ 

vn'.^t^^'    '^^^^^^    Mie  Ijabe  ueglerteD  our  nutp  to  ttjee,  ano 

Deuc  6  6     ^^  ^^"^  neighbour,  anD  tlje  neceflarp  care  of  our  oton 

?hii.'+.  ^.       S^albation*    o^ttie  habe  bzm  unpzofitable  ferbant0, 

iCor.  n.z-,  anD  t)abe  hiD  t\}v  STalentn,  anD'habe  Di(I;onoureD 

18.  ifa.64.7.   ttjar,   iDbom  in  all  tl)ing0  toe  ftoulD  t)aiie  pleafeD 

21'/'  6     ^"^  glo^ifieD*    cKUeljabe  been  negligent  in  tieanng 

4-"*!  Co/i'i    ^'^^  veaDing  tiiP  igolv  Mio^D,  anD  in  meDitating  anD 

29.  Mai.  1"-,   confernng  OF  it^  in  publick  anD  p^ibate  jp^per, 

io,ii.&z.  10  auD  STIjankfgibing,  anD  in  our  preparation  to  tl)ij0 

11.pfai.85  8.  i^olp  5?acrament,  in  the  eA^mining  of  our  felbeje^, 

prf  /*•  'f      anD  repenting  of  our  ^\n$,  ano  Hirring  up  our 

aChro  i^-'  '    l)fart0  to  a  bcliebing  anD  thankful  receibing  of  tl)p 

Mat.  2z.ii.^   fif^cB.  anD  to  ?lobc  auD  ifopfulneCs^,  in  our  com^ 

Mat.  7.  ^^      munion  toith  tl)ee  anD  toitl)  one  anoM)er*    idle  i)abe 

Mil.  1. 10       not  Dufr  DifcerneD  the  ^o^D'^  23oD)%  but  Ijabe  p^o:: 

ifa  c ""  \t     P'^^"^^  ^^^^^  ^olv  iI5ame  anD  £iD;Dinancf,  a0  if  tlje 

PCil  ji  I '.    arable  of  the  1o:d  haD  been  contemptible.     3inD 

Rev'.  ..r  '      b^ben  thou  baft  fpob en  peace  to  U0,  toe  returneD 

Hof.  14.  ^•      again  to  fcHv.    Mfe  habe  DeferbeD,  ^  Iflo^D,  to  be 

E7.ck.  .8.  vi.    caff  out  of  thp  p^efeuce,  ^nD  to  be  fo^faken,  a^  tov 

F7  k^'-:"i.    *^^^^  fo^faken  thee,  anD  to  hear  to  our  confufion, 

Hof  14  4    ^   ^ppart  from  mc,  ^1  knoto  pcu  not,  pe  too^feers  of 

pui.  ^\.  ?.     inmit^.    '^boumiptli  julHp  tell  U0,  tliou  l)aff  no 

J  hn  6.  ,7.     pleafure  in  U0,  no^  toiit  rpceibe  an  offering  at  our 

Hof.  T,.  2.      i^auD.    But  >x\t\)  thee  tl}eie  15  abuiiDant  (fercp«. 

Mat'  f''^'     ^^^  '^"^  aiibocate  Biefus  €l)^ilT  the  IRighteou^,  10 

John 6  5/ &  ^'^^  P^^opii^ia^ion  fCvZ  our  fins:  toho  bare  tfjem  in 

4    ,^.  bis  I60DP  on  the  cjtrorc,  anD  maDe  bimfelf  m  offer? 

Er'h.  3.  i«,  1;.  ing  fo^  tl}rm,  tbM  (je  migl)t  put  tl;em  atoap  hv  the 

1  Per.  ..  «.    facrifiieor  himftlf :  n)abe  merci>  upon  U0.  anDtoal^ 

\T\ ';':  7t    ^^ "1  ^^'^ ^''^'^'^'  ^^'^'■'^^^  "^  ^''^^)  *)i^ KigljteourneCsr, 
ju.1.6. 3y.  J     f^^^^  ^^^^  j^j^j.  iniquities,  anD  let  them  not  be  our 

ruin,  f02gibe  tbern  ano  remember  them  no  mo^e: 

SD  tijou  that  Delighteff  not  in  tl)e  oeatl)  of  fvni^ 

nere,  Ijeal  our  backdiDing^,  lObe  U0  freelp,  «nD  fap 

unto 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  51 


unto  our  foul;^,  tfjat  tijou  art  our  falbation.   Mpa 

^ilt  in  m  ixJife  cafi  out  ti)?m  tijat  Qome  unto  ttjee, 

receibe  U0  graciouilp  to  tfje  feaft  ti^ou  IjaU   pge;: 

pareo  fo^  U0,  caufe  xxfS  to  lounger  anD  tijirtt  after 

cijali  ant)  l)i^.  m^\)ttmimisi,  t^iat  toe  map  be  fa:^ 

tijgffieu^  ?let  fjfe  ;f  lefl;,  ant)  3i5l03D  be  to  u^  s^eat  anD 

HD^infe  inbeet) ;  anti  i)vz  fpirit  be  in  U0,  a  loaeH  of 

libing  boater,   fp^mging  up  to   dfberlading  Ilife* 

d^ibe  ufi  to  fenoto  tl)^  iLobe  in  Ci)^ii!,  b3f)icl)  palTetl) 

jkhobjieDge*    %^m%\)  tee  i)abe  not  feen  fjim  let  u^ 

5(lobe  I)im :  4lnt)  tljouglj  note  tee  fee  ^im  not,  pet  pr_j  „.  « 

beliebing  let  m  rejopce  teitlj  3|op  unfpeakable,  ano  Eph  4  \o 

fUn  of  glo^p;  '£r()0Ug{)  tee  are  untoo^ftjp  of  tl}effit>.  5.  13. 

crumbs  tt)at  fall  from  t(}p  ITable,  pet  feeo  u,0  teitQ  Coi  3. 5. 

tije  3i5^eat)  of  3iife,  auD  fpeak  anD  feal  up  peace |p^  3.  1^. 

t0  our  finful  teounoeo  imlB*   Soften  our  ^eartje?  ^^^^-^^'^7^ 

tl)at  are  fjartJeneo  hf,ti)t  oeceitfulnefB  of  fin  :  ^0^ 

tifie  ttje  jtlefi),  anD  firengtfjen  U0  teitlj  migl)t  in  ttje 

intearD  man  •-,  tijat  tee  tee  map  libe  ano  glo^ifie  t^p 

dlJ^ace,  tl}^ougl)  31efu^  €l)i\Q.  our  onip  ^abiourt 

Amen. 

Here  let  the  Bread  be  brpiight  to  the  Minifter,  and 
received  by  him  and  fet  upon  tlie  Table,  and 
then  the  Wine  in  like  manner  (  or  if  they  be  fet 
there  before  )  however  let  him  biels  thenij  pray- 
ing in  thefe  or  the  like  vygrds. 

A3lmigi)tp  <25pD,  tl)ou  art  tlje  creator,  anDtfjer^n 
?lo^D  of  air  tl)ing0.    i:i)ou  art  tl}e  ^oberaign  r  J' '''°- ^* 
^^ajelip  tel)om  tee  ijabe  offenDeD;  €Ij0U  art  our  ixim  i  17 
mod  lobing  anD  merciful  Jfatlier,  tei)o  IjaS  giben  Pfai.  ?i.V.  * 
tl)p  ^on  to  reconcile  110  to  tljp  felf,  teI)o  l^at!)  ra^  ^'^^^-  3^.  ^^ 
tifieD  tlje  i^ete  2re0ammt  anD  cobenant  of  CB^^ace  j  {"^"  ">-  ]: 
teiti)  1)10  moff  p^eciou^  btojD  -,  anD  l^ti)  inmtuttJ)  f;"J;  [,  ,1 
tl)i0  Igolp  Sacrament  to  be  celeb<2ateD  in  vemtm^  Htb  pfi?  ' 
bgance  of  Ijim  tiK  1)i0  comings    s>andi^  tl^efe  tt^p  Luke  22. 19. 
Creature0  of  B^eaD  anD  WXin^^  teljicl)  accs^Ding  to 
ti^y  JnCitution  anb  (EommanD,  tee  fet  apart  to  tijisi^ 
Ijolp  ufe   tfjat  tijep  map  be  ^feacramentadffp,  tlja 

3150Dp  anD  BtOOD  of  ti)^  §dOn  3lefU0  (Elj^ittt     Amen. 

Xhen  (,or  immediately  before  this  Prayer)    let  tli/e 
Minilter  read  the  words  of  the  Inftitution,  faying, 

HE  A  R.  what  the  Apoftle  Paul  faith,  i  Cor,  1 1 .  j  c^r,  11..133 
:\^For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord^  that  which  <j//^>>>  ^5. 2.(^., 
C  c  c  3  Jf, 


31  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 

1  deliver  unto  you  ;  that  the  Lord  Jefus  the  fame  night 
in  which  he  was  hetrayedy  took^  Bready  and  when  he  had 
given  thankjy  he  brake  it.  tfnd  faid,  Tal{e,  Eat,  This  is 
my  Body  which  is  broken  for  you:  This  do  in  remembrance 
of  me.  After  the  fame  manner  alfo  he  took^  the  Cup, 
when  he  had  fupped,  faying.  This  Cup  is  the  New  Te- 
finment  in  my  Blood,  This  do  ye^  as  oft  as  ye  drinl{  it  in 
remembrance  of  me  ;  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  Bread,and 
drinks  this  Cup^  ye  do  fhew  the  Lord*s  death  till  he  come,^ 

Then  let  the  Minijier  fiy, 

THIS  Bread  and  Wine  being  fet  apart,  and  con- 
fecrated  to  this  Holy  ufe  by  God's  appointment, 
are  now  no  Gammon  Bread  and  Wine,  but  Sacra- 
mentally  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift. 

Then  let  him  thus  Pray, 

Aa^.  ^9,^0.  \yf  ^ff  merciful  g>abiour,a;8:  tI)ou  I)aII  iobeD  m 
Rev.  I  CI  Per.  IVl  to  t\)z  ticatl),  awt)  fufferen  fo^  our  fin0,  t{)t 
TO  lo  I  rn"'  2^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ffiinjuff,  anu  Ijaff  infiituteo  ti)\»  !)oIp 
ii-^Heb  7  »*crament  to  be  ufeD  in  remembrance  of  2ri)ee 
if,i7.&  n.z6.  tin  ti)^  coming;  Mie  beftecl)  €:i)ee,  bp  thine  inter:^ 
Jul).  4.IO  sc6.  ceffion  tx>\t{)  the  father,  through  the  Sacrifice  of 
6r  R  om.  8. 9,  thj^  l5oDp  anD  3i5IooD,  gibe  u$  the  parnon  of  our  fin^, 
Cola  ^u^  thv  quickening  fpirit  toithout  tohich  thejflefl) 

jahn  6  'i- '  ^i^^  ?^^it  w^  nothing*  reconcile  U0  to  t!)e  jFather  5 
Mat.  16.  x6.  iPourifF)  m  a0  thp  ^ember^  to  ^berlaSing  5tlife* 
Htb.  10. 12.      Amen. 


John   i.  i-). 


Then  let  the  Minifter  take  the  Bread,  and  break  it 
in  the  fight  of  the  People,  faying, 

T1&<K  13oup  Of  dth^iff  toa0  b^ofeen  fo^  ujff,  ann  ofr^ 
fereD  once  fo;i  an  to  fanctif|»  m  :  Br holD  the 
facrificer)  Jlamb  of  (Son,  that  tafeeth  aix)ai>  the  fin0 
of  tljf  iwno^iD* 

• 

Ih  like  manner  let  him  take  the  Cup,  and  pour  out 
the  Wine  in  the  fight  of  the  Congregation,  faying, 

W<s.  tocre  rcD0?mc5  Uiith  the  p^ecicu^  ll5IooO  of 
<&\)iiQ,  a0  cf  a  jQ^amb  iwitbout  fclemill),  anj 
iDift)cut  ipot. 

Then 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  ^^ 


Then  let  him  thus  Pray. 
f)Olp  fbpitit,  p^oceetJing  from  tfje  jFatlier  Ma.  zs,  19. 


M^^. 


2] 

tl)at  Vioefieii  anD  too^keij  in  aU  ii)Z  ^tmhtvisi  of  K^m.  8 


hi>b3i)omtfteib?opf)et;8f  an^4ipome0  toeremfpireD/,pgj  ,  ^ 
anD  tl)e  ®ini5er0  of  orlj^iQ  are  qualifieD  anD  caliei?,  A^t.  * 


arf)^ifi,  ixiiiom  tlpu  fanctifiel!  t9  tl)e  Slmage,  am  '  Cor.  12,  n. 
f02  ti)e  ferbice  of  tljeir  ^ead,  am  comfo^teU  tl;em  '  p^*^-  l^-  ^^• 
tljat  ttjep  map  fteto  fo^tl)  iii0  IPgaife :  3,Huminate  f/ ^X,  ;^* 
U0,  that  hp  jfaitl]  toe  map  te^  him  tljat  ijff  l)ere  re^  t8.Luk.^4.3«' 
p^efenteu  to  ws^   Soften  our  heartjs^,  am  humble  Ezf:k.3(^.  26. 
ujff  fo^  our  Ux\0*   g^anctifie  antJ  quicfeen  uje^,  t^at  gech.  n.  10. 
toe  map  veiif^  tlje  fpiritual  i?oor>,  anu  feeD  on  it  to  Ron^-s-  >.J«'n. 
our  jfliourithment  anti  grototh  in  dB^^ace.    »l}f ^  ^6  V '  Ron?  ? 
ab^oaD^tf)e  lobe  of  dD^otJ  upon  our  igeartjef,  auD  .-/ont.  i.  i. ' 
D^ato  tl^em  out   in  lobe  to  l)im*     ifi\lxxfs  totthEph.v  18,20. 
tljankfulneCflf  ann  l}olp  3iop,  anD  toitl)  lobe  to  oiieR^m.  14:  17. 
anotljer ;  comfort  m  b]^  toitneCTing  that  toe  are  tl)e  iJ^^^"^'  ^: 
«a:hil5?en  of  (15oD*    Confirm  1x0  fo?  neto  SDhti^ieme.  ^  ^J^;.  ,   ^^' 
Be  the  earnel!  of  our  Jinl^eritance,  ann  Teal  ms  u^  Bph.  i.  13.  'i^ 
to  eberlalling  ilife*   Amen. 

Then  let  the  Minijler  deliver  the  Bread  thus  confe- 
crated  and  broken  to  the  Communicants,  firft  tak- 
ing and  eating  it  himfelf  as  one  of  them,  when 
he  hath  faid  ; 

T^feepe,  eatpe,  %\)\0  i^theBoDp  of  <icl}gil!to^ict|  i  cor.  n.  2+. 
isi  broken  fo?  pou,  JDo  tfjlsf  in  remembrance 
of  fjim* 

In  like  manner  he  fhall  deliver  them  the  Cup,  (irft 
drinking  of  it  himfelf,  when  he  hath  faid, 

T^x0  cup   10  tf)e  iPeto  STelfament  in  arCpifTjei  w,.  ,^  ,-,e 
BlfflU,  or  lQLi)i\St'0  BloD  of  t\)Z  i|2etojrean:^  iCor.ii  2j. 
ment]  totjiclj  10  Hbm  for  pou  for  t\)z  remiCTion  of 
(injsf,  Prinfe  pe  aU  of  it  irt  remembrance  of  tjim* 

Let  it  be  left  to  the  Minifters  choice,  whether  he  will 
confecrate  the  Bread  and  Wine  together,  and  break 
the  Bread,  and  pour  out  the  Wine  immediately  ; 
or  whether  he  will  confecrate  and  pour  out  the 
Wine,  when  the  Communicants  have  eaten  the 
Bread.  If  he  do  the  latter,  he  muft  ufe  the  fore- 
C  c  c  4  going 


5^  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 

going  Prayers  an^i  Exprcllions  twice  accordingly, 
and  lee  it  be  left  to  hisdircrecion,  whether  he  will 
nfe  nny  vvorJ<:  ir  the  b  eakini^  of  the  Bread,  and 
pouring  out  the  Wine,  or  not ;  And  if  ihe  Minj- 
her  chufe  to  priy  but  once,  at  the  Confecration, 
Cornmemoration,"  and  Delivery  ;  Let  him  pray  as 
•  followcih,  t  r  to  this  fenfe  : 

3(lmigl)t)'  C^oti,  thou  art  the  creator,  anti  the 
^02D  of  ftlL  Zl)ou  art  tlje  ^obereigii  5©aie(!v 
twhom  toe  I]3\jc  offentrcD*  Sijou  art  our  merciftil 
jffafhcr,  Irho  hafl  gibcn  u^  thp  ^on  to  reconcile  u0 
to  Hw  fclf .  ir(]o  hath  ratifieri  the  i^eU)  arettament 
ant)  cobenant  of  (!5^a.ce  Uiitlihi^  mofl  precious  bl©n, 
anD  hat!)  iniJitiitcD  thijB'  help  Sacrament  to  be  cele^ 
i32atr5  in  memorial  cf  I)im,  tili  i)i0  coming*  g^ancti:^ 
fv  thefe  tiw  rreanire0  of  ]l5;eaD  anti  Cttine,  tofncfj 
accrjning  to  tl)p  CUiIT,  h^e  fet"  apart  to  tl)i0  l)olp  ufe, 
that  thep  map  te  ^acr  .mcntallp,  tl)e  BoDj)  anD 
ZSIoiD  of  tl)v  ^on  Ijefu^  (n:l}^iff/  3lno  t^^ougl)  l)i0 
Sacrifice  anD  Blnfrrrefrion^  gibe  U0  the  par  Don  of 
an  our  fm0,;antJ  he  reconcileD  to  U0,  ann  nourid; 
us  l?p  the  botip  ant)  blootJ  cf  orh^ifi  to  c^berlalting 
31ire*  3luD  to  t()-^t  enD,  gibe  u0  tl)p  quir kning  fpi:; 
rit  to  fljeto  flrh^if?  to  our  behebing  fouls,  that  is  Ijere 
rep^ffenteti  to  our  fe.nfej?*  31et  him  foften  our 
hearty,  anD  hinnhle  us  fo^  our  fm«^  anti  caufeus 
to  fODD  on  €i)^i(t  bv  5faith  ?Let  him  (TjeD  ab^oati 
thp  tobe  upon  our  heartxr,  ann  D^ite  tljem  on  in  lobe 
to^tW^  anD  fill  usiniflj  l^otp  3|op  anD  thanfefulnefs, 
anD  ferbent  lobe  to  one  another,  let  l]im  comfort 
us  bp  \joitm(hn%  that  ire  are  thp  ChilD^'n,  anD  con:^ 
firm  US  foz  nciu  ij;beDieniT,  anD  be  fl)e  (EarneU  of 
our  ^inheritance  anDfeal  us  up  to  lifeorberlafiing', 
tij^ough  3f;ffw5 (fl:l)^iff,  our  51o^d  anD  ^abiour*  Amen. 

Let  it  be  left  to  the  Minifters  difcretion.  whether  to 
deliver  the  3read  and  Wine  to  the  Pe'^''ple  (at  the 
Table)  only ''iji  Gcileral,  ^ach  <.nc  inking  it,  and 
Applying  if  to  ThcirrefVcs';  or  to  deliver  it  iii 
General  to  fo  many  as  are  in  each  particular  form  ; 
or  to  put  it  into  every  perfons  hand  ;  As  alio  at 
what  feafon  to  rake  the  Contiibiuion  for  the  Poor. 
And  let  nor.c  of  the  people  be  forced  to  (ii,,.  fland 
or  kneel  in  the  Ad:  of  Receiving  wbolV  judgment 
is  againit  it. 

The 


The  Reforfffed  Liturgy.  35 


The  Participation  being  ended,    let  the  Minifter 
pray  thus,  or  to  this  Senfe. 

Wa  (!5loiion0  (Bor) ,   Ijoto  toontjerful  i0  tl)|?  Rom.  i.  4. 
-   poloer,  anD  biifoom  tl}V  igolinefe  anDjluffiee^iCor-i- h- 
tijv  lobe  am  mercp  in  tln0  Inb^fe  of  our.  Kenemption,  ^p"  \-  *<^-   , 
bp  trie  incarnation,  ?life,  JDeati).  Kefurrection/ In^  ^H  4  Rom' 
terceflion    anD  Dominion  of  ti}f  ^on !  il^o  potoer  5. 5.  ASs4.11. 
0^  (UlifDom  in  igeaben  0^  (Kart(),  couin  l)abe  DelibereD  i  Pet.  i.  iz, 
u0  but  t\)m^  3ri)e  4lngel0  nefire  to  p^v  into  tl)i0  Sl^p:^  Luke  z.  13, 14. 
0erp,  tlje  J^eabenlv  igoS  tio  celeb^att^  it  'witl]  p^ifejff,  ^^v-  ^  ^*»  ^J- 
faping,  (JBloiv  ^^^to  (0oD  in  tl)e  m^^^  •■>  -^n  ofartli  ^^ '°;  pc°?J',^' 
peace .  CB^cdD  U^ill  to)x»arD0  men*  "iije  tolple  creation  Mat.  18. 32*.  33'. 
U)an  proclaim  thp  ip^aife^,  Bleffing  Igonour,  <0lo^pRev.  3.  ir.  & 
anD  Ipober  be  unto  l)im  tl)at  fittetl)  upon  tlje  Wij^oniy  ^i •4.  Rom.  8. 
anD  unto  the  30.amb  foz  eber  anD  eter.    Mio^tljj?  10  3^*  39.Hcb.10. 
tije  5lamb  that  toa0  fiain  to  receive  IPotoer,   ^n^n^bgii^"^' 
igonour,  anD  (25lo^j>,  fo?  h^  W()  reDeemeD  U0  to  Eph.  4. 3 o. 
dBioD  b^  i}i0  bl(DD,  anD  maDe  m  iSing^,  anD  P^iefi0  Luke  7. 47. 
unto  our  dB^oD*    mljexe  fin  abounDeD,  (!5^ace  ijatl)  Mat- 18.  33. 
abounDen  mucl;  mo?e*    41hD  Ijail  tljou  inoeeD  foggi^  '  ^^J^"  ^'  ^^• 
betiufi  fo  great  a  Debt,  bp  fo  precious  <»  Kanfom^pili  •^•j^*^'^' 
^it  tijou  inDeeD  gibe  u^  foreign  'mtlj  Clj^iff  in  Rom  6.' i,i. 
(Silo^p,  anD  fee  tl)V  face,  anD  lobe  thee,  anD  be  be^:  Coi.  3.  z.  Phil. 
lobeD  of  t(}0&  fo^  eber  ^  !9ea,  %op)  tl)ou  Ijall  fo^gi^a  8,  i9,zo,z.i. 
ben  U0,  auD  thou  ioilt  glb^ifie  U0,  fo^  tl}0u  art  faitl)^  }^^l  hj-  10. 
ful  that  hafi  p^omifeD.    ^itf)  tlje  bl©D  of  iljp  ^on,  ^^^{  {'il'j., 
kiitl)  ti)e  Sacrament,  anD  toith  tl)]^  spirit,  tljou^  cor.  5I1;. 
h^U  CeaitJ)  up  to  110  tliefe  p^ecicuj^  p?omife0*   41nDEph.i."ii. 
l])all  b3e  not  lobe  tl)0e,  that  i)aU  tI)U0  lobeD  miM^.s.ie. 
^haH  toe  not  Job'e  tip.  ^erbant^,  anD  fo^gibe  our  J  ?or.  i.  iz, 
^eigl}bour0  tlm  tittle  Debt  ^  lifter  all  tlji^  fljaH  ^^e^J^l'       , 
again  fo^fake  tl)ee,  anD  Deal  faldp  in  ti\p  cobenant  ^ ,  pet.  /.  gjio. 


^eigl}bour0  tlwiv  tittle  Debt^  lifter  all  tlji^  fljaH  toe[jj^jj- 
again  fo^fake  tl)ee,  anD  Deal  faldp  in  ti\p  cobenant  ^ ,  pei 
(Sot)  fo^biD:  SD  fet  our  affections  on  ttie  €t)ingj8fEph.  ^['n 
abobe,  b)l)ere  <a:ii?itt  fitteth  at  tl)p  rigl}t  IjanD ,  ^etRom.  16.10. 
U!S  no  mo^e  mtuD  eartlilp  2ri)ing0,  but  tet.our  con::  i  Cor.  6. 20. 
berfation  be  in  l^eaben,  from  tol^ence  toe  ejcpect  our 
^abiour  to  come  anD  change  U0  into  tlje  likeneCs  of 
l)i0  (Slorpv  ITeach  us  to  Do  thp  cjMiH,  W  (BcJ^,  anD 
to  foHoto  l}im,  tol)0  is  tlje  41uthor  of  eternal  ^al^; 
bation.  to  all  them  tljat  Do  obep  Ijim*  ^^Der  our 
Seps  bp  tl)p  (HUo^D,  anD  let  not  anp  iniquitp  Ijabe 
Dominion  ober  us*  ?Let  uei  not  Ijencefo^tl)  libe  unto 
ourfelbes,  but  unto  {)im  tol)o  DieD  fo<z  us  anD  rofc 
again*   jHet  m  l)abe  no  feUotoil^ip  '^it'q  tlie  unfruit^^ 

ful 


a  6  TSc  Reformed  Liturgy, 


Rom.  II.  I.    ful  too^  of  Darknef^,  but  rcp^obe  tljem*    3lnD  let 
2  Tim.  2.  ii .  our  ligtjt  fo  fijine  before  men,  tijat  tljep  tnaj>  glD^ifie 
ivom.6.2i.     tij^    ^„  ^impluitp,   anD  (5oD!?^  ©inceritp,  atiD 
not  in  jFlefljIp  tuifoom,  let  uje^  tjalje  our  <a:on\)erfation 
in  t\\z  tD02lD»    ^  tl}at  our  tDai)0  toere  fo  tjirecteti 
tt)at  toe  migl)t  feeep  tlip  ^tatutVjff '   jThougl)  featan 
toill  be  Defirou0  again  to  (ift  us,  anu  feek  a0  a  roar^ 
ing  Lion  to  oebour,  Hrengttien  \X9  to  llanu  againli 
Ijifif  (Kiiile0,  anD  (bojtlp  b^uiCe  i)im  unDer  our  feet* 
'  2tccepr  m,  ^  ^ozD,  tot)o  refign  our  felbe^  unto 

tt)fie,  «0  tl)ine  oton  l  anD  boitl)  our  tl)anfej9f  anD  p?aife, 
p^efent  our  felbc;5  a  tibing  ;S>acriftf  e  to  be  acceptable 
tlj^ugt)  Cti.ziH,  ?afeful  fo?  tl)me  Ipnour;  3i5emg 
maDt  free  from  fin,  anD  become  tt)|>  §oerbant0.  let 
U0  I)abe  our  fruit  unto  l^olinef^,  anD  tlje  enD  (^ttv^ 
faamg  ^ife,  tliyjugl)  31efu0  ^t\^ift  our  3llo^D  anD 
^aljiour^    Ameri. 

Next  add  thg,  or  fome  fuch  Exhortation^    if  there 
be  Time, 

DEar  Brethren,  wc  have  been  here  feafted  with 
the  Son  of  God  at  his  Table,  upon  his  FJefh 
and  Blood,  in  preparation  for  rhe  Feaft  of  Endiefs 
Glory.  You  have  feen  here  rcprefemed,  what  fin 
defcrveth,  what  Chrift  fuffered,  what  wonderful 
Love  the  God  of  infinite  Goodnefs  hath  expreffed 
to  us.  You  have  had  Communion  with  the  Saints, 
you  have  renewed  your  Covenant  of  Faith,  and 
thankful  Obedience  unco  Chrift  j  You  have  received 
his  renewed  Covenant  of  Pardon,'  Grace  and  Glory 
unto  you.  O  carry  hence  the  lively  Senfe  of  thefc 
great  and  excellent  Things  upon  your  Hearts :  You 
came  not  only  to  receive  the  Mercy  of  an  hour  only, 
but  that  which  may  fpring  up  to  endiefs  Joy:  You 
came  not  only  to  do  the  Duty  of  an  hour,  but  to 
promife  chat  which  \  ou  muft  perform  while  you  live 
on  Earth.  Remember  daily,  efpecially  when  Temp- 
tations to  unbelief,  and  finful  heavinefs  aflauit  you, 
what  pledges  of  Love  you  here  received  ;  Remem- 
ber daily,  efpecially  when  the  Fielh,  the  Devil,  or 
the  World,  would  draw  your  Hearts  again  from 
God,  and  Temptations  to  fin  arc  laid  before  you ; 
what  bonds  God  and  your  own  confent  have  laid  up- 
on 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  3  7 

on  you.  If  you  are  penitent  Believers,  ysu  are 
now  forgiven,  and  wafhed  in  the  Blood  of  Chrift. 
O  go  your  Way,  and  fin  no  more.  No  more 
through  wilfulnefs,  and  ftrive  againft  your  fins  of 
wcaknefs.  Wallow  no  more  in  the  mire,  and  re-, 
turn  not  to  your  vomit.  Let  the  exceeding  Love  of 
Chrift  conftrain  you,  having  fuch  Promifes,  to 
cleanfeyourfelves  from  all  filthinefs  of  Flefli  and  Spi- 
rit, perfccfting  Holinefs  in  the  fear  of  God ;  And  as 
ai  chofen  Generation,  a  Royal  Priefthood,  an  Holy 
Nation,  a  Peculiar  People,  to  be  Zealous  of  good 
Works,  and  Jhew  forth  the  Praifes  of  him  that  hath 
called  you . 

Next  fing  part  of  the  Hymn  ia  Meeter,  or  fome 
other  fit  Pfalm  of  Praife  (as  the  13.  1 16.  or  103. 
or  100,  ^c)  And  conclude  with  this  or  the  like 
Bleffing. 


N 


£D  Ui  t\)t  <I5oti  of  ipeace,  toljicb  b^oug^e  agairk 
from  t\]e  tjeao  our  3io^o  3!^im  «:l)rill,  tfjat 
great  ^f|epf)erD  of  t^z  ^f)^^?,  %ougl)  tlie  BIcdd  of 
t^e  cberlaffing  cftobenaut,  mafte  pou  perfect  in  eber? 
gaiD  bpo^k,  to  Do  t)t0  mSi.  boo^king  in  pou  tliat 
tol)icl)  \»  toelL^pleafing  in  iifi  fig^t,  t^?ougI)  31efu0 
^\)l\ilr  to  tDl)om  he  (Bioif  fo^  eber  anD  eben 
Amen. 


The  Celebration  of  the  Sacrament  of 
Baftifm,  * 

LET  no  Minifter,  that  is  therein  unfatisfied,  be 
forced  againft  his  Judgment,  to  baptize  the 
Child  of  open  Atheifts,  Idolaters,  or  Infidels,  or 
that  are  unbaptized  themfelves,  or  of  fuch  as  do  not 
competently  underftand  the  Effentials  of  Chrift iani- 
ty  (what  it  is  to  be  a  Chriftian)  and  the  Eifemials 
of  Baptifm,  nor  of  fuch  as  never  fince  they  were 
baptized,  did  perfonally  own  their  Baptifmal  Cove- 
nant, by  a  credible  Profeflion  of  Faith  and  Obedi- 
ence, received  and  approved  by  fome  Paftor  of  the 

Churchy 


58  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


6 


Church,  as  before  Confirmation  is  required,  and  in 
His  Majeft>'s  Declaration.  Nor  yet  the  Child  of 
Parents  juftly  excommunicate,  or  that  live  in  any 
notorious,  fcandalous  fin,  or  have  lately  committed 
fuch  a  fin  fas  if  the  Child  be  gotten  in  Adultery  or 
Fornication)  and  being  juftly  convic^t  of  it,  refufeth 
penitently  to  confefsi  it,  and  promifc  Reformation. 
But  if  either  of  the  Parents  be  duly  qualified,  an4 
prefent  the  Child  to  be  baptized  (or  another  for 
them  in  cafe  they  cannot  be  prefent)  the  Child  is  to 
be  received  uni^o  Baptifm. 

And  if  both  the  natural  Parents  are  Infidels,  Ex- 
communicate, or  otherwife  unqualified,  yet  if  any- 
become  the  Pro-parents  and  owners  of  the  Child, 
and  undertake  to  educate  it  in  the  Faith  of  Chrift, 
and  Fear  of]  God,  an4  fo.  prefent  it  to  be  Baptized  : 
Let  it  be  done  by  a  Minifter  whofe  judgment  doth 
approve  it,  but  let  no  Minifter  be  forced  to  it  againft 
his  judgment.  Let  the  parents  or  owners  come  to 
^the  Minifter  at  fome  convenient  time  the  week  be- 
fore, and  acquaint  him  when  they  intend  to  offer 
their  Child  to  Baptifm,  and  give  an  account  of  their 
forefaid  capacity,  and  receive  his  further  Minifterial 
afliftance  for  the  fuller  underftanding  of  the  ufe  and 
benefits  cf  the  Sacrament,  and  their  own  duty.  The 
Font  is  to  be  placed  to  the  greateft  conveniency  of 
the  Minifter  and  People.  The  Child,  or  Children 
being  there  prefented,  the  Minifter  may  begin  with 
this  or  the  like  Speech  diredted  to  the  Parent,  or  Pa- 
rents (that  prefentcth  it.) 

THat  you  may  perform  this  fervice  to  God  with 
underftanding,  you  muft  know,  that  God  ha- 
ving made  Man  in  his  own  Image,  to  love  and  ferve 
him,  our  firft  Parents  wilfully  corrupted  themfelves 
by  fin,  and  became  the  Children  of  Death,  and  the 
Captives  of  Satan,  who  had  overcome  them  by,  his 
Temptation :  And  as  by  one  Man  fin  entred  into  the 
World,  and  death  by  {\i\  fo  death  pafled  upon  all, 
for  that  all  have  finned,  and  came  (hort  of  the  glory 
of  God.  We  arc  conceived  in  fin,  and  are  by  Na- 
ture children  of  wrath  :  For  who.  can  bring  a  clean 
Thing  out  of  an  unclean.  By  the  offence  of  one^ 
Julgment  cam.c  iipo^;i  all  men  to  condemnation. 
•  ■   "  •  ■'   •••       •    ■  ■■      '    But:' 


The  Reformed  LitHrgy,  5^ 

But  the  infinite  Wifdom  and  Love  of  the  Father 
hath  fenc  his  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  World. 
The  Word  was  madeFlefh,  and  dwelt  on  earth,  and 
overcame  the  Devii  and  the  World;  fulfilled  all 
Righteoufnefs,  and  fuff'ered  for  our  fins  upon  the 
Crofs,  and  rofe  again,  and  reigneth  in  Glory, 
and  will  come  again,  and  judge  the  World  in 
righteoufnefs.  In  him  God  hath  made  and  offered  to 
the  world  a  Covenant  of  Grace,  and  in  it  the 
pardon  of  fin  to  all  true  penitent  Believers,  and 
power  to  be  the  Sons  of  God  and  Heirs  of  Hea- 
ven :  This  Covenant  is  extended  to  the  feed  alfo  of 
the  Faithful,  to  give  th'^m  the  benefits  fuitabJe  to 
their  Age,  the  Parents  dedicating  them  unto  God, 
and  entring  them  into  the  Covenant,  and  fo  Go4  in 
Chrift,  will  be  their  God,  and  number  them  with 
his  People. 

This  Covenant  is  to  be  folemnly  entred  into  by 
Baptifm  (which  is  an  holy  Sacrament  inftituied  by 
Chrift,  in  which  a  perfon  profefling  the  Chriftiaii 
Faith  (or  the  Infant  of  fuchj  is  baptized  in  Water 
into  the  Name  of  the  Father,  -Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft, 
in  fignification  and  folemnization  of  the  holy  Cove- 
nant, in  which,  as  a  penitent  Believer,  (or  the  Sttd. 
of  fiich)  he  giveth  up  himfeif  (or  is  by  the  Parent 
given  up)  to  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Gfaoft, 
from  henceforth  (or  from  the  time  of  natural  capa- 
city) to  believe  in,  love  and  fear  this  blclfed  Trinity, 
againft  the  Flefll,  the  Devil  and  the  World;  and 
this  efpecially  on  the  account  of  Redemption :  And 
is  folemnly  entred  a  Vilible  Member  of  Chrift  and 
bis  Church,  a  Child  of  God,  and  an  Heir  of  Hea- 
ven. How  great  now  is  the  mercy,  and  how  great 
the  duty  that  is  before  you  ?  Is  it  a  fmall  mercy  for 
this  Child  to  be  accepted  into  the  Covenant  of  God, 
and  wafhed  from  its  Original  fin  in  the  blood  of 
Chrift,  which  is  (ignified  and  fealed  by  this  Sacra- 
mental wafhing  in  Water,  to  be  accepted  as  a  Ment- 
ber  of  Chrift  and  of  his  Church,  where  he  vouch- 
fafeth  his  protection  and  provifion,  and  the  means 
and  Spirit  of  Grace,  and  the  renewed  pardon  of  fin  . 
upon  repentance,  and  for  you  to  fee  this  happinefs  of 
your  Child?  The  duty.on  your  part,  is,  firft  to  fee 
that  ycu  are  ftedfaft  in  the  Faith  and  Covenant  of 

Chrift, 


40  The  Reformed  Liturgy , 


Chrift,  that  you  perifh  not  yourfelf,  and  that  your 
Child  is  indeed  the  Child  of  a  Believer:  And  then 
you  are  bclievingly  and  thankfully  to  dedicate  your 
Child  to  Godiy  and  to  enter  it  into  the  Covenant 
in  which  you  ftand.  And  you  muft  know,  that  your 
Faith  and  Confent,  and  Dedication  will  fufiice  for 
your  Children  no  longer  then  till  they  come  to  age 
themfelves,  and  then  they  muft  own  their  Baptifmai 
Covenant,  and  perlonaliy  renew  it,  and  confent,  and 
give  up  themfelves  to  God,  or  elfe  they  will  not  be 
owned  by  Chrift.  You  muft  therefore  acquaint 
them  with  the  Dodirine  of  the  Gofpel  as  they  grow 
up,  and  with  the  Covenant  new  made,  and  bring 
them  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  And  when  they  are 
ad:uaijy  penitent  Believers,  they  muft  prefent  them- 
felves to  the  Paftors  of  the  Church,  to  be  approved 
and  received  into  the  Communion  of  the  Adult  Be- 
lievers. 

If  the  Pcrfons  be  before  well  irftrudked  in  the  nature 
of  Baptifm,  and  Time  require  brevity,  the  Mini- 
fter  may  omit  the  firft  part  of  this  Speech,  and 
begin  at  the  defcription  of  Baptifm,  or  after  it. 
If  there  be  need  of  fatisfying  the  People  of  the 
duty  of  Baptizing  Infants,  the  Minifter  may  here 
do  it ;  otherwife  let  the  Qiicftions  here  immedi- 
ately follow. 

The  Minifter  [hall  here  f^y  to  the  Parent^    and  the 
Parent  anfvfer  m  foSoxveth, 

TT  being  the  faithful  and  their  Seed  to  whom  the 
-*•  the  Promifes  are  made;  and  no  Man  will  fincere- 
Jy  dedicate  his  Child  to  that  God  that  he  believeth 
not  in  himrdf ;  I  therefore  require  you  to  makePro- 
fcflion  of  your  own  Faith. 

Queft,  Do  ym  believe  in  God  tJje  Father  Almigk^ 
'7,  &c. 

j^nfw.  All  this  I  do  unfeigned ly  believe. 

Queft.  Do  you  recent  of  your  fins,  and  renounce  the 
Fle/h,  the  Devil,  and  the  PVorlH,  and  confent  to  the  Co- 
venant of  Grace,  giving  up  ynurfelf  to  God  the  Father^ 
Son  and  Holy  Ghofl,  oi  your  Creator  tuid  reconciled  Fa-- 
fher^  your  {{tdeemer  and  your  Santlifler  ? 

Anfvp'. 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  41 

Anfvo.  I  do. 

[Or  thus  rather,  if  the  Parent  be  fit  to  utter  his 
own  Faith.] 

Queft.  Do  you  remain  ft eadfaFt  in  the  Covenant  which 
you  made  in  Bapti/m  yourfelf? 

Anfvp,  Repenting  of  my  fins,  I  do  renounce  the 
Flefli,  the  Devil,  and  rhe  World,  and  I  give  up  my 
felf  to  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft,  my 
Creator  and  reconciled  Father,  my  Redeemer  and  my 

San(^ifier.3 

Queft.  Do  you  frefent  and  dedicate  this  Child  unto 
Godi  fobe  Baptised  into  this  Faitb^  and  fulemnly  enga' 
ged  in  this  Covenant  unto  God  the  Father^  Son^  and  Holy 
Ghoft,  againft  the  Flefls^  the  Devil,  and  thefVorld? 

Anjvp.  It  is  my  defirc  (or)  1  do  prefenr,  and  de- 
dicate him  for  this  end. 

Queft.  Do  you  here  folemnly  promife,  that  if  God  con* 
tinue  it  with  you  tiS  it  be  capable  of  InftruHions,  you  will 
faithfully  endeavour  to  acquaint  this  Child  with  the  Cove^ 
nant  in  which  he  was  here  by  you  engaged^  and  to  inftruB 
and  exhort  him  to  perform  this  Covenant,  as  ever  he 
lookj  for  the  blefpngs  of  it,  or  to  efcape  the  eurfes  and 
wrath  of  God  ;  that  is,  that  he  renounce  the  Flejfh,  the 
fVorld,  and  the  Devil,  and  live  not  after  them  :  And 
that  he  believe  in  this  One  God,  in  Three  perfons,  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Gboil,  his  Creator,  B^deemer  and 
SanBifier,  That  he  refign  himfelf  to  him  as  his  abfolute 
Owner,  and  obey  him  as  his  Supream  Govemour,  and 
love  him  as  his  mo!f  gracious  Father,  hoping  to  enjoy  him 
as  his  Felicity  in  endlefs  Glory  ? 

Anfw,  I  will  faithfully  endeavour  it. 

Queft.  Will  you  to  this  end  faithfully  endeavour  to 
caufe  him  to  learn  the  Articles  of  the  Chriftian  Faith, 
the  Lords  Prayer,  and  the  ten  Commandments,  and  to 
read,  or  hear  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  to  attend  en  the 
publick.  Preaching  of  Gods  Word  ?  Will  you  endeavour 
by  your  own  Teaching,  and  Example^  and  l{eftraint,  to 
keep  him  from  Wicl^edneft,  and  train  him  up  in  a  holy 
Life  ? 

Anfw^  I  wilUaitbfttlly  endeavour  it  by  the  help  of 
Goda 

Then 


42r  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


Then  let  the  Minifter  pray  thus,  or  to  this  Sciife. 

Rom.  ^  u.  y^  Gi^ott  merciful  ;f artier,  b^  tl)e  firU  Admi  fin 
Eph.  2.^  Jjn.  ^^  cntrcD  into  ti]e  too^D,  ano  Deatl)  bp  fia,  anD 
'■  \^c'  \ihl\-  ^^ ^^^  ^^  ^1^  nature  ctiilD^en  of  In^ath ^  but  ti)Ou 
Heb  9  x6  ft^ff  yibcn  t[)f  onip  ^on  to  be  t[)t  feeD  of  tl;e  icio^ 
RcT.  I.  If.  tnan,  t[)z  ^abiour  of  the  ^HloglD,  tl)e  cftaptairi  of  ouc 
Rom.  f.  lo.  ^altiation,  to  T^iit  atuap  fm  hv  tl)e  facrifice  of  ijimfelf, 
Tit.  ?.  ^  ^0^-  ann  to  luafi)  U0  in  !]i0  blcoDi  anu  reconcile  ub  unto 

10  Gen.  1*7.  ^i."^^"^  ^3^^"  ""^^^  onr  feet :  3n  him  thou  hatt 
lo',  II.  Eiek.  cftabliiljCD  ttje  (zrobenant  of  C^A^tce,  auD  haft  appoints 
20. 57.  Rom.  6.  eD  thiB  holf  Sacrament  of  I5aptifm  fo^  our  folemrt 
3, 4.  Tit.  3. 5-  dntrancT  into  tf)e  Bontije?  of  tl)e  cirotenant,  ant)  fta:^ 
r  rf^;7^Rom  ^"S  "^  "^  ^*^^  Bleffina0  of  it,  toljich  rt)Ou  ejttenDeH 
9  8  Aa's  2.  ?9.*  fo  fi)^  faitl)ful  anD  their  feeu.  mz  neuicate  ano  offer 
Matth.  zi.  37.  tfji^  <a^hilo  to  t()ee,  to  bereceiben  into  tt)p  cjto^jenant 
Deut.?o.io,ii.  anti  cijurc!)*  <iflie  befeeci)  ttjee  to  accept  Ijiui  a^  a 
iz.  Mat.io.n,^etnber  of  tijp  ^on,  auD  tx^dSi)  l)im  in  \)\ii  Mmw 
\t'  ,\  Rev  ^'  from  tlje  fiuat  of  ^in,  ^0  tl)e  jflefl)  i0  toalfteu  bp 
^'Wh  f.  16.  ^^^^^  toater^  ^e  reconcileD  to  l)im,  anD  tafee  i)im  fo)i 
Job  II. '51.  '  tljy  c(i;!)ilD,  reneto  I)im  to  tlje  Jimage  of  tlip  ^on, 
Hcb.2. 13.  Eph.  make  I)im  a  feHoto  (S^itmn  toitlj  tlje  ^aintjsf,  anD  one 
z.  19.  &  J.  1^  of  tiw  I^ouOjolD.  ip^otect  l)im  anD  p^biDc  fo?  i)im 
^  I  PeJ'c^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^"'  ^^"^  finaUv  p^eferbe  him  to  thp  igeaben^ 
li'im  A.ii '  '^^  ifiinsDom,  th^ougl)  3|efu0  Clj^itt  our  3fl.o^D  anD  §>a^ 

biOUr^     Amen. 

Therl  the  Minifter  (hall  aflc  of  the  Parent  the  Name 
of  the  Child  to  be  Baptized,  arid  naming  him, 
fhall  either  dip  him  under  the  Water,  or  elfe  pour 
Water  upon  his  Face,  if  he  cannot  be  fafely  or 
conveniently  dipt,  and  fhall  ufe  thefe  Words  with- 
out Alteration. 

3f|  3i5apti?e  tl;ee  in  the  iliame  of  the  jfatljer,  anD 
of  tlje  ^on,  anD  of  the  igolp  Oljoft* 

And  he  (hall  thus  Declare. 

*TPHis  Child  is  now  receiv'd  by  Ghrift's  appointment 

-^    into  his  Church,   and  folemnly  entrcd  into  the 

holy  Covenant,    and  engaged,   if  he  lives  to  the  ufc 

of  Rcafon,  to  rife  with  Chrill  to  newnefs  of  life,  as 

-  being  buried  with  him  by  Baptilm,    and  to  bear  his 

Crofs, 


The  Reformed  LHnrgy,  ^^ 


Crofs,  and  confefs  Chrift  crucified,  and  faithfully 
to  fight  under  his  Banner  againft  the  Flelh,  the  De- 
vil^ and  the  World,  and  to  continue  his  faithful 
Souldier  and  Servant  to  the  death,  that  he  may  re- 
ceive the  Crown  of  Life. 

Then  he  fhall  give  Thanks  and  Pray. 

Wc  tlmk  tljet,  moff  merciful  ifatljtr,  tl)at  iuIjmRom.  s- 12,18. 
toe  fjatj  broken  tl)p  Jlaix),  anti  loere  conriemneD  Gai.  m 5. 
h^it,  thou  hair  gibeu  U0  a  ^abiour,  ann  life  in  Ijim,  I  j.^^-  ^-^i- 
auD  fjaU  ejrtenneD  thF  orobenant  of  (!5pce  to  3i5elieb^  ^%^'  }^- 
er0,  auDto^tljeir  faeD,  antJ  haf!  noto  reeeibeo  thi^,,  phr;"! 
ta:hil^  into  tip  eobenant  ann  (Sljurclj,  a^  a  '^zvahtx^.  z  Cor.' 8.5. 
of  ch^id  bp  t\)\0  Sacrament  of  iRegeneration^    ?aie  Waim  i  ly.  94.. 
befeech  t^ee,  let  Ijim  groto  up  in  l^oiinef^ ;  anu  toljen  ^p^- /•  h- 
I)e  come0  to  ^twc}&  of  oifcretion,  let  tlm  spirit  X2^  Matrh  iz.  37. 
beal  unto  him  tlje  mp^erie^  of  tl)e  (25ofpeI,  ann  tl)e .  ^  l^^  „  ^°* 
riclje^of  tl)p  lobe  in  lefujer  cl^^iS^  auD  caufe  him  to&  30.  pfai  iV. 
reneio  ano  perform  tije  cobenant  ti)at  he  l)ath  noU)  ^.  sc  27. 4- 
matJe,  auD  to  refign  himfelf,  anD  an  tijat  I}e  ^^tXyJ^^-i-^^Tiz, 
entirely  unto  t\)'^  l)i0  3lo^D,  to  be  fubject  ano  obenir^  ^-{^    J'<\\ 
mt  to :^i)C^ Uvs C5obernour,  auD.to lobe tljx  Iji^ iFa^oii  5  u  Mat! 
tl)Ci  irith  all  Ijisi  l^eart,  anti  fcul,  ano  might,  ant?  6. 1's.'pfai.  81! 
aoijere  unto  tliee,  anD  Delight  in  tijee  a0  tljt  3do^tidn  li.  J^m.  1. 14. 
of  hi^f^ouf,  Defiring  ant)  hoping  to  en|op'tl)ee  in  L^^^e  1.71. 
eberlaffing  (3io:iv*   ^abe  him  from  tl}e  ^uUs;  ano  ^  j  2^\'°;    * 
4!Ilurement0  of  the  ifiefl;,  the  SITemptations  of  the  1  cor*  6  14. 
JDebil,  ano the bait^ of  the  pleafure,  profit  anD  1)0:^ i Pet.i.'i. 
nour  of  t(je  Mfo^lD,  anD  from  all  tlje  corruptions  of  j-h.  9. 31- 
ijvs  oten  Ijeart,  anD  all  tl)e  hurtful  biolence  of  l)ij8f  ^^Jj-  9-  2.3. 
Of  nemiei8f>  iaeep  tjim  in  communion  Mti)  ti}e  faints:,  ^^°-  ^-  ^  °' 
in  tlje  lobe  anD  ufe  of  tfjp  (KHo^d  anD  aiorlI;ip.    %et  ^^^^'  ^'  ^ 
him  Denv  Ijimfelf,  anD  tafee  up  Ijis  mot0  anD  foUobii 
dj^ia  the  ocaptain  of  l)i0  l^albation,  anD  be  faith^ 
ful  unto  the  Death,  anD  tfjenreceibetljectrotonoflife, 
th^ouglj  3|eru0  €1)^10.  our  ^abiour,. 

Then  u/e  this  Exhortation  or  the  lil^eto  the  Parents. 

YOU  that  have  devoted  this  Child  to  God,  and 
engaged  it  in  Covenant  to  him,  muft  be  thank- 
ful for  fo  great  a  mercy  to  the  Child,  and  muft 
be  faithful  in  performing  what  you  have  promifed 
on   your  parts,     in    inttrudling  and  educating  this 

D  d  d  Chili 


4^.  The  Kefornted  Liturgy, 


Child  in  the  Faith  and  fear  of  God,  that  he  may 
own  and  perform  the  Covenant  now  made,  and 
receive  all  the  bleffings  which  God  hath  proniiifed.-^ 
Hear  what  God  hath  made  your  Duty,  Eph,  6.  4. 
Fathers  provoke  not  your  Children  to  v/rath,  but 
bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord.  Prov.  22.  6.  Train  up  a  Child  in  the  Way  he 
Ihould  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart 
from  it,  ?rov,  29.  15.  The  Rod  and  Reproof  give 
Wifdom,  but  a  Child  left  to  himfelf  bringeth  his 
Mother  to  fhame.  Deut,  6.  5,  6,  7.  Thou  Ihalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  Heart,  and  with 
all  thy  Sou],  and  with  all  thy  might ;  and  thefe 
"Words  which  I  command  thee  this  Day,  ihall  be  in 
thy  Heart,  and  thou  flialt  teach  them  diligently  un- 
to thy  Children,  and  thou  (halt  talk  of  them  when 
thou  fitteft  in  the  Houfe,  and  when  thou  walkeft  by 
the  Way,  and  when  thou  lieft  down,  and  when 
thou  rifeft  up.  Jofhutt  faith,  Jofh.  24.  i  «5.  As  for 
me  and  my  Houfe  we  will  ferve  the  Lord.  And 
Paul  faith  of  Timothy^  2  Tim.  3.  15.  From  a  Child 
thou  haft  known  the  holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able 
to  make  thee  wife  unto  Salvation,  through  Faith 
which  is  in  Chrift  Jefus. 

Then  [ay  to  the  People  thus,  or  to  this  Senfi, 

YOU  have  heard  Beloved,  how  great  a  dignity 
we  were  advanced  to  in  our  Batifm,  to  how 
great  Duty  we  are  all  engaged.  O  fearch  and  try, 
whether  you  have  kept  or  broken  the  Covenant 
which  you  made,  and  have  lived  according  to  the 
dignity  of  your  Calling.  And  if  any  of  you  be 
Atheifts,  Unbelievers,  or  Ungodly,  and  love  not 
God  above  all,  and  neglect:  Chrift  and  his  Salvation, 
and  are  yet  unfandtified,  and  live  after  the  FJelh, 
the  Devil,  and  the  World,  which  you  here  renoun- 
ced ;  as  you  love  your  Soul?,  bewail  your  perfidious 
Covenant-breaking  with  God.  Truft  not  the  Wa- 
ter of  Baptifm  alone  :  If  you  are  not  born  again  of 
the  Spirit  alfo,  you  cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom 
of  God,  Joh.-^.  5,  6.  Baptifm  will  not  fave  you, 
if  you  have  not  the  anfwer  of  a  good  Confcience 
unto  God,   I  Pet,  3.  21.   If  any  M^i  have  not  the 

Spiril 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  45 


Spirit  of  Chrift,  che  fame  is  none  of  his,  I{pm.  8.  9. 
Much  lefs  thofe  wretches  that  hate  Sandtification, 
and  defpife  and  fcorn  a  holy  Life,  when  they  were 
by  Baptifna  engaged  to  the  Holy  Ghoft  the  Sanai- 
fier  ;  Can^you  thyik  to  be  faved  by  the  Covenant, 
which  you  keep  not  ?  O  no  !  Your  perfidicufnels 
aggravateth  your  Sin  and  Mifery.  Ecclef.  5.  4,  5. 
When  thou  vovvcft  a  vow  to  God,  defer  not  to  pay  it, 
for  he  hath  no  pleafure  in  Fools:  Pay  that  which  thou 
haft  vowed;  better  it  is  that  thou  fliouldeft  not  vow,than 
,ihat  thou  (houideft  vow  and  not  pay.  O  blefs  the  Lord, 
that  it  is  a  Covenant  of  fuch  Grace  which  is  tendred  to 
you.  That  upon  true  Repentance  and  Converfion, 
even  your  Covenant-breaking  (hall  be  forgiven  j  And 
therefore  penitently  caft  down  yourfelves  before  the 
Lord,  and  believingly  caft  yourfelves  oi\  Chrift, 
and  yield  to  the  teachings,  and  fanc^ifying  Opera- 
lions  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  Yet  know  the  Day  of 
your  Viiitation,  and  forfake  the  Flefli,  the  Devil, 
and  the  World,  and  turn  to  God  with  all  your 
Hearts,  and  give  up  yourfelves  intirely  to  your  Cre- 
ator, Redeemer,  and  Sandtifier,  and  he  will  have 
Mercy  upon  you,  and  will  abundantly  pardon  you. 
But  if  you  ftili  live  after  the  Flefli,  you  fhall  die: 
And  if  you  continue  to  negle(-it  this  great  Salvation, 
there  remaineth  no  more  Sacrifice  for  Sin,  but  a  cer- 
tain fearful  looking  for  of  Judgment,  and  Fire^ 
which  ihall  devour  ^e  Adverlaries. 

Let  no  Children  be  privately  baptized,  rior  any 
Minifter  forced  to  baptize  them  any  where,  befides 
in  the  Publick  Alfemblyj  unlefs  upon  fome  fpecial 
weighty  Caufe.  If  there  be  occafion  for  baptizing 
the  Adult,  let  the  Minifter  accordingly  fuit  his  Ex; 
prefiRons. 


Ddd  2  Of 


46  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Of  Catechizing^    and  the   Affrohation  of 
thofe    that   are   to   be    admitted   to  the 

Lord's  Supper.  o 

SEeing  none  can  be  faved  at  Years  of  difcretion, 
that  do  not  adtually  believe,  and  perfonally  give 
up  themfelves  in  Covenant  to  God  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghoft ;  Therefore  as  Parents  muft  do  their 
Parts,  fo  Minifters  muft  Catechize  the  Ignorant, 
and  diligently  labour  to  caufe  thena  both  to  learn  the 
Form  of  wholefome  Words  (even  the  Lords  Prayer, 
and  the  ten  Commandments,  and  fome  brief,  yet 
full  and  found  Catechifm)  and  to  underftand  the 
meaning  of  them,  and  to  engage  their  Hearts  into 
the  love  of  God,  and  a  holy  Obedience  to  his  Laws. 

To  this  end,  let  the  Minifter  either  every  Lords 
Day,  before  the  Evening  Prayers,  or  at  fome  con- 
venient Hour,  or  on  fome  other  Day  of  the  Week, 
as  oft  as  he  can,  examine  publickly  fuch  as  are  not 
admitted  to  the  Lords  Supper,  and  take  an  account 
of  their  Learning,  and  underftanding  the  Creed, 
the  ten  Commandments,  the  Lords  Prayer,  and  the 
Catechifm.  And  let  him  by  queftioning  and  ex- 
plication, help  them  to  underftand  them ;  And  let 
fuch  of  the  feveral  Families  of  the  Parilh  come  in 
their  turns,  when  they  are  called  by  the  Minifter  to 
be  thus  Catechized.  Alfo  let  the  Minifter  either  go 
to  their  Houfes,  or  rather  appoint  the  Perfons  afore- 
faid  in  their  courfes  at  a  certain  Hour  and  Place  (in 
the  Church  or  any  other  fit  Place)  to  come  to  him 
for  perfonal  InftrUcStions,  where  he  may  confer  with 
thofe  that  are  unmeet  to  be  catechized  Publickly,  or 
unwilling  to  fubmit  to  it,  and  there  with  humble, 
prudent,  ferious  Inftrudiion  and  Exhortation,  let 
him  endeavour  to  acquaint  them  with  the  fubftance 
of  Chriftian  Faith  and  Duty,  and  to  help  them  to 
make  fure  their  Calling  and  Eledion,  and  to  pre- 
pare for  Death  and  Judgment,  and  exhort  them  to 
love,  and  to  good  works,  and  warn  them  leaft  they 
be  hardened  through  the  deceitfulnefs  of  Sin.  But 
let  him   not   in  publick  or   private   meddle  with 

Im- 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  47 

Impertinencies,  or  fpend  the  Time  about  fmaller 
Matters,  or  fingular  Opinions,  nor  fift  People  to 
know  Things  unfit,  or  unneceflary  to  be  difclofed, 
nor  meddle  with  Matters  that  do  not  concern  him, 
as  a  Minifter,  to  enquire  after ;  But  heJp  them  to 
leatn,  and  underftand,  and  pradice  the  Chriftian 
Religion  cxprelTed  in  the  Catechifm. 


L 


Hhe  Catechifm, 

E  T  none  be  admitted  by  the  Minifter  to  the    ^^  ^he  Ru^ 
Sacrament  of  the  Lords  Supper,   till  they  bave^^^'m/'^an^''''" 
at  Years  of  difcretion  underftood  the  meaning  of  Confirmation 
their  Bapcifnnial  Covenant,and  with  their  own  Mouths,  in  theCommon 
and  their  own  confent  openly  before  the  Church,  ^''^vf^^^"^^',* 
ratified  and  confirmed,  and  alfo  promifed,  that  by  the  declaration  ^  ^ 
Grace  of  God,    they  will  evermore  endeavour  them-  concerning  Ec- 
felves  faithfully  to  obferve  and  keep  fuch  Things  as  clefiafiical  Af- 
by  their  Mouth  and  Confeflion  they  have  afTented  ^^^^ 
to ;  And  fo  being  inftruc^ed  in  the  Chriftian  Religi- 
on,  do  openly  make  a  credible  Profeffion  of  their 
own  Faith,  arid  promife  to  be  obedient  to  the  Will 
of  God. 

A  ProfeHion  is  credible,  when  it  is  made  under- 
ftandingly,  ferioufly,  voluntarily,  deliberately,  and 
not  nullified  by  contradiction  in  Word  or  Deed. 
And  that  Profeflion  is  incredible,  that  is  made  igno- 
rantly,  ludicroufly,  forcedly,  ralhly,  or  chat  is  nul- 
lified by  verbal  or  praiftical  contradidliop.  And  it 
mufl  be  practice  firft,  that  muft  make  Words  credi- 
ble, when  the  Perfon  by  perfidiournefs  hath  forfeit- 
ed his  Credit.  It  is  not  private  Perfons  only,  but 
the  Paflors  of  the  Church  that  mufl  approve  of  this 
Profeffion.  Therefore  befote  any  are  admitted  to 
the  Lords  Supper,  they  fhall  give  a  good  account  of 
their  Knowledge,  Faith,  and  Chriftian  Converfation 
conformable  thereunto,  unto  the  Paftors  of  their  re- 
fpedive  Congregations,  or  el fe  fhall  produce  a  Cer- 
tificate, that  they  have  been  approved  or  admitted 
to  the  Lords  Supper  in  another  Congregation,  of 
which  they  were  Members,  and  that  by  an  al- 
lowed Minifter ,  upon  fuch  approved  Profeflion  as 
aforefkid. 

Ddd  3  If 


^8  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


If  the  Pcrfon  be  able  and  willing,  let  him  before 
the  Congregation  give  the  foreiaid  account  at  large 
of  his  Knowledge,  Faith  and  Obedience:  But  if 
through  backwardnefs,  or  difability  for  publick 
Speech,  he  lliall  refufe  it,  Ice  him  make  the  fame 
ProfelTion  privately  to  the  Minifter,  and  own  it  in 
the  AlTcmbly,  when  the  Minii^er  fliali  declare  it, 
and  ask  him  whether  he  owns  it;  But  unlefs  it  be  in 
cafe  of  fome  extraordinary  natural  Im per fe61i on,  and 
difability  of  utterance.  Jet  him  at  Jeaft  openly  recite 
th€  Creed,  and  profeis  his  confent  to  the  Covenant 
with  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft. 

Let  the  Minifter  of  every  Parifti  keep  a  double 
Regifter ;  one  of  the  Names  of  all  that  are  there 
baptized,  another  of  the  Names  of  all  that  are  ap^ 
proved  upon  their  forefaid  credible  Profeflion,  and 
fo  admitted  into  the  number  of  Communicants,  or 
that  have  a  certificate  of  fuch  Approbation,  regular- 
ly, elfewhere  performed. 

And  if  Confirmation  be  continued,  let  His  Maje- 
fty's  Declaration  be  obfcrved,  requiring  [[That  Con- 
firmation be  rightly  and  folemnly  performed,  by  the 
Information,  and  with  the  confent  of  the  Minifter 
of  the  Place.] 

Let  no  Minifter  be  inforced  to  admit  any  himfelf 
to  the  Lords  Supper,  who  hath  been  clancuJarly  and 
irregularly  approved. 

Thofe  that  after  this  Approbation,  prove  fcanda- 
lous  offenders,  fhall  not  by  the  Minifter  be  fuffered 
to  partake  of  the  Lords  Table,  until  they  have  open- 
ly declared  themfelves  to  have  truly  repented^  and 
amended  their  former  naughty  lives. 


Of  the  Celebration  of  Matrimony. 

BEforc  the  Solemnizing  of  Marriage  between  any 
Perfons,  their  porpoie  of  Marriage  fhall  be  pubi- 
lilhed  by  the  Minifter,  three  feveraJ  Lords  days  in 
the  Congregation,  at  the  Place  or  Places  of  their 
moft  ufuai  Abode  refpediively.  And  of  this  Publi- 
^^tion,  tl^e  Miniflcc  who  is  to  joyn  them  in  Marriage, 

Ml 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  49 


fhall  have  fufficient  Teftimofiy,  before  he  proceed 
to  folemnize  the  Marriage;  the  Parents  confent  being 
firft  fulficiently  made  known. 

Ac  the  CeJebration,  the  Minifter  (hall  cither  by  a 
Sermon,  or  other  Exhortation,  open  to  them  the  In- 
ftitution,  Ends,  and  Ufe  of  Marriage,  with  the  con- 
jugal Duties  which  they  are  faithfully  to  perform  to 
each -Other.  And  then  (hall  demand  of  them  whe- 
ther it  be  their  defire  and  purpofc  to  be  joyned  to- 
gether in  the  Bond  of  the  Marriage-Covenant,  and 
if  they  anfwer  affirmatively,  he  (hall  fay  to  them. 

I  reqtiire  and  charge  you,  as  you  will  anfwer  at 
the  dreadful  Day  of  Judgment  f  when  the  fecrets  of 
all  Hearts  (hall  be  difclofed)  that  if  either  of  you 
do  know  any  Impediment  by  Prccontradl  or  other- 
wife,  why  you  may  not  lawfully  be  joyned  together 
in  Marriage,  you  difcover  it,  and  proceed  not. 

If  no  Impediment  be  difcovered  by  them  or  others^ 
he  (hall  proceed  to  Pray. 

M^Q  merciful  jfatfjer,  hrfjo  Ijaff  o^tiameD  ^ar^:  Gen.  1. 18.  &i. 
riage  fo?  mutual  Ijeip   anD  fo?  Uje  increafe  of  ^^-  Mai.  2.  i^ 
mankinD  \x)it^  a  legitimate  Wnty  anD  of  tlje  (XT^urclj  l,^^^-  7. 14. 9. 
toith  a igolp  feeu,  anD  fo^  p^ebention  of  uncleannef^  j  p,;^  ^^'^' 
mt(0  tlip  oton  ^^Dinance  to  tl^efe  perfon^,  tijat  eti^  Eph  /"z-"  &d 
tring  tl)i0  Sate  of  ^parriage  in  tl)p  fear,  tfjep  map  Mai.'  z*.  t7,  iS- 
tt)tve  intirelp  Debote  tljemfelte  unto  tljae,  anD  beP^ai.i^?  ?. 
faitijful  in  all  conmgal  Wettiong  anD  Dutiejar  unto,^'f-^9.i3»i4. 
eaclj  otljer,  [anD  if  t^ou  biet0  ^m  \xiitt)  €t)HDm^v^^k\^^']t''^' 
,   ■,    ^  ^       .         let  tljem  be  DeboteD  untop?o\o; 
u  r  'J  Ri  r""K^'  "  """t  ^^^^  ^^^  accepteD  asi  tljint  Eph.  6.' 4. 

belaid,   Blefs  them  with    ^L,^     ^»-„    uiJr^>,  iJi*^   *i.«     ti\.       .  - 
Children,  and  let  them  be    *^^"'    ^^^^  ^^i^^\  ^^^^   [W  '  p-^-  ';  '•/' 

devoted,  &c.  Qxact,  auD  eDUfateD  m  tt)p' Tim.  3.11. 

fear^    S)ubDue  tljofe  co^rup^^f/'^^'^'^-  . 
tion0  tljat  tooulD  make  tijein  libejS^  unl)Olp  0^  uncom;:;  Gei^i  iV 
fo^table,  auDDeliber  tljemfrom  temptations  toim^p.o  ">/i8.'* 
p;etp,  too^lDlinefjB^,  unquietnefs,  Difcontent  0^  Dit^  ^tb  iq.  z6. 
affection  to  eacf)  otljer,  0^  to  anp  unfaitl)fulner0  to   9' ' "^  ^^* 
U)ee  0^  to  eael)  otljer  ■-,   make  tl)em  mert  Iielp^  to  tad)    p  ^  *  •  '^°' 
otijer  in  tlj^  fear,  anD  in  ti)t  latoful  manage mrnt  of  '^  [^  \  •/ 1' 
tlje  41ffairj^  nf  fi)i$  ©ho^IDv    Jlet  tljem  mt  limDer,joh.i7.i.l" 
but  p^obofee  one  anotlier  to  ?lobe  znh  to  ^mVi  ^x^lS; 
anD  fo^efws  ft^  ^^V  ^^  ^^^^^'  feparaticn  bp  Dcatl), 

JD  D  D  4       •  let; 


50  Ihc  Reformed  Liturgy. 


let  tl)cm  fpeiiU  tlicir  IDapjsf  in  an  l)oIv  Ip^epara^: 
tion,  anD  libc  Ijcre  togetl)er  a^  tl)e  igeir^  of  life 
tl)at  mud  riloice  at  tl)c  great  ti^arriage  tiap  of  tlie 
Jlamb-  aiitJ  libe  fo;  eber  ijoiti)  ^I),2ili  ann  all  tl)e  fjo^ 
Ip  lnael0  anD  ^aintis^  in  tl)e  F^f f^nce  of  tljp  gto^p* 
Amen. 

The  Woman  if  (he  be  under  Parents  or  Gover- 
nours,  being  by  one  of  them,  or  fome  deputed  by 
them,  given  to  be  married,  the  Man  with  his  Righc 
hand  ihalL  take  the  Woman  by  the  Right  hand  and 
iTiall  fay, 

31.  41.  no  take  t\)tt  B*  to  be  my  S^arrieD  lOiife,  anD 
no  p^omite  anD  ccobenant  in  tl)e  p^efence  of  c3on,  ano 
fcefo,2e  tlii0  (Congregation,  to  be  a  lobing  ann  faitl)ful 
Jgu^bann  to  tl)a^»  txVi  (^on  fijall  feparate  \xsi  bp 
neatlj^ 

Then  the  Woman  fhall  take  the  Man  by  the  Righc 
hand,  with  her  Right  hand,  and  fay, 

3I»  ^*  no  take  tI)o^  X  to  be  tnp  s^arrieD  \^^ii!S^ 
bann,  ann  3fl  no  p^otnife  ann  (irobmant  in  tl^t  p^e^ 
feme  of  ^on,  ann  before  tl)i0  congregation,  to  be 
a  lobing,  obeDieiit,  ann  faitliful  (KLiife  unto  tlj(t,  tin 
(2i3oD  fljdU  feparate  \x$  bp  ncatlj* 

Then  let  the  Minifter  fay, 

2:i)Cfe  tttio  iderfon^  41.  ann  315.  being  latofuITp 
marnen  acro^ning  to  (I3on0  €>?ninance,  31  no  p^o^ 
mmvs  tljem  ir^u0banD  ann  c^aiire.  4]un  tljofe  U^Ijom 
(25on  f)atl)  con  omen,  let  nodpan  put  afunner. 

Next  he  may  read  the  Duty  of  Husbands  and 
Wives  out  of  Ephef.  5.  2.  Col.  4.  i.  i  Pet.  3.  and 
PAivi  118.  or  fome  other  pertinent  Pfalm  may  be 
faid  or  I'ung :  And  let  the  Minifter  exhort  them  to 
their  fevcral  Duties,  and  then  Pray  : 

On.  i8.  ?.  \yf^^  merciful  jfatfjer,  let  tljv  ISlerfingfi:  re0 
Ti'.i.i5.  AVI  upon  tljefe  iperfon^,  nolo  jopnen  in  latoful 
I  Tim.  4.  y.  c^arriage,  ^anctifie  tljcm  ann  their  ar^nberfatienjer, 
'1  -ihlfTii'  -^^^^"^  Jfawilpi  (BQ^m.  ann  Aifftiir^  uuto  thp (Bio;y, 


The  Refornted  Liturgy,  5 1 


jFurnift  ti)m  \x^iti)  lobe  to  tlj^e  anD  to  eacl)  otI)er,Eph.  5. 15. 
toitl)    m^kneft^,     patience    anD    contentennef^*!^'f_5.2i. 
3let  tljem  not  lite  unto  tl>e  jfleU),  but  unto  tijeggi.i.g. ' '^' 
spirit,  tljat  of  tlie  Spirit  tl)ep  map  reap  eberlaCing 
5(Life,  tl)gougl)  31efu^  (a:l)?ifi  our  %m  ^"^  ^abiour^ 
Amen. 

Then  let  him  conclude  with  a  Benediaion. 

G€)3D  41ImigI}tp,  tl)e  creator  meneemer  anD 
^anctifier,  ftlef^  pou  in  pour  ^oul0  anD  150^ 
iJiejer,  j?amilp  anD  atffair^,  anb  p^eferbe  pou  to  iji^ 
ijeabenip  BingDom*    Amen. 


The  Vijltation   of  the  Sick.^    and  their 
Communion. 

THE  Vifitation  of  the  Sick  being  a  private 
Duty,  and  no  part  of  the  Publick  Liturgy  of 
the  Church,  and  the  cafe  of  the  Sick  being  fo  exr 
ceeding  various,  as  to  Soul  and  Body  ;  and  it  being 
'  requifite  that  Minifters  be  able  to  fuit  their  Exhorta- 
tions and  Prayers  to  the  condition  of  the  Sick,  let  the 
Words  of  fuch  Exhortations  and  Prayers  be  left  to 
their  Prudence. 

So  urgent  is  the  neceility  of  the  fick,  and  fo  fea- 
fonable  and  advantageous  the  opportunity,  that  Mi- 
nifters may  not  negligently  over-pafs  them,  but  in 
love  and  tendernefs  inftrudt  them  according  to  their 
feveral  Conditions ;  endeavouring  the  Converfion  of 
the  ungodly,  the  ftrengthning  of  the  weak,  and 
comforting  fuch  as  need  Confolation,  direding 
them  how  to  improve  their  Affli£tions,  and  helping 
them  to  be  fenfible  of  the  evil  of  Sin,  the  negligen- 
ces and  mifcarriages  of  their  Lives,  the  vanity  of 
the  World,  their  neceHity  of  a  Saviour,  the  fuffici- 
ency  of  Chrift,  the  certainty  and  excellency  of  the 
Everlafting  Glpry ;.  Exhorting  them  to  Repentance 
and  to  Faith  in  Chrift,  and  to  fet  their  AfFe^ions 
on  the  Things  above;  And  ^f  they  are  penitent 
Believers)  comforubly  to  hope  for  ihe  Kingdom 

wbi^h 


52  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


which  God  hath  promifed  to  them  that  love  him, 
committing  their  Souls  to  their  Redeemer,  and 
quietly  refting  in  the  will,  and  love,  and  promifes 
of  God ;  Refolving  if  God  (hall  recover  them  to 
health,  to  redeem  the  Time,  and  live  the  reft  of 
their  Lives  unto  his  Glory.  And  being  willing,  if 
it  be  their  appointed  Time,  to  depart  and  be  with 
Chrift :  And  they  muft  be  exhorted  to  forgive  fuch 
as  have  wronged  them,  and  to  be  reconciled  to  thofe 
with  whom  they  have  been  at  variance,  and  to  make 
a  pious,  juft,  and  charitable  difpofal  of  their  World- 
ly Eftates. 


The  Order  for  Solemnizing   the   Buriai 
of  the  Dead, 

IT  is  agreeable  to  Nature  andReligion,that  theBurial 
of  Chilians  be  folemnly  and  decently  performed. 
As  to  the  Cafes; Whether  theCorps  fhall  be  carried  firft 
into  the  Church,    that  is  to  be  buried  in  the  Church- 
yard ;  And  whether  it  (hall  be  buried  before  the  Ser- 
mon, Reading,  or  Prayer,  or  after,    or  in  the  midlt 
of  the  reading,  or  whether  any  Prayer  (hall  be  made 
at  the  Grave,  for  the  Living;   Let  no  Chrif^ians un- 
charitably judge  one  another  about  thefe   Things. 
Lee  no  People  keep  up  groundkfs  ufages,  that  being 
fupicious,     grieve  their  Minifter    and  offend   their 
Brethren.     Let  no  Minifter  that  fcrupleth  the  fatis- 
fying  of  Peoples  ungrounded  delires  in  fuch  Things; 
be  forced  to  do  it  againft  his  Confcience;   and  lee 
Miniiterf  that  do  ufe  any  of  thefe  Cuftoms  or  Cere- 
monies,  have  liberty,   when  they  fufpedl  that  the 
People  delire  them  upon  fome  Error,    to  profcfs 
againft  that  Error,  and  teach  the  People  better. 

Whether  the  Minifter  come  with  the  Company 
that  brings  the  Corps  from  the  Houfe,  or  whether 
he  meet  them,  or  receive  them  at  the  burial  Place, 
is  to  be  left  to  his  own  dilcretion.  But  while  he  is 
with  them,  let  him  gravely  difcourfe  of  Mans  Mor- 
tality, and  the  ufefal  Truths  and  Duties  thence  to 
be  inferred :   And  either  at  the  Grave,   or  in  the 

Read- 


The  Refornted  Liturgy.  5  5 


Reading  Place,  or  Pulpit,  by  way  of  Sermon,  ac- 
cording to  his  difcretion.  Let  him  (at  leaft  if  it  be 
defired)  inftrudk  and  exhort  the  People  concerning 
death,  and  the  life  to  come,  and  their  neceflary  pre- 
paration ;  feeing  the  fpei^acle  of  Mortality,  and  the 
feafon  of  Mourning,  do  tend  to  prepare  Men  for  a 
fober  confiderate  entertainment  of  fuch  Inftrudtions : 
And  he  may  read  fuch  Scriptures  as  may  mind  them 
of  Death ,  Refurredtion ,  and  Eternal  Life,  as 
I  Cor,  15.  or  from  verfe  10,  to  the  end,  And  Jobi^ 
21.  G?  19.  25, 26,  27.  John  11.25,  2^.  ^  5.  28,  29. 
And  his  Prayer  Ihali  be  fuited  to  the  occaiion. 

whenever  the  Rain,  Snow,  or  Coldnefs  of  the 
feafon,  make  it  unheahhful  to  the  Minifter  or  People 
to  ftand  out  of  Doors,  at  leaft  then  let  the  Read- 
ing, fixhoitafeton,  and  Pravers,  be  ufed  within  the 
Church. 


Of  Extraordinary    Days  of    HumiUatiotty 
and    Hhank^giving^     and    Anniverfary 
,  Fejiivals, 

WHEN  great  afflicftions  lye  upon  the  Church, 
or  any  fpecial  part  or  Members  of  it,  or  when 
any  great  Sins  have  been  Committed  among  them, 
it  is  meet  that  in  Publick,  by  fafting  and  prayer, 
we  humble  our  felves  before  the  Lord,  for  the  avert- 
ing of  his  difpleafure;  and  on  fuch  occadons  it  is 
the  Paftors  duty  to  confefs  his  own,  and  the  Peoples 
(ins,  with  Penitence,  and  tendernefs  of  heart,  and 
by  his  Doctrine  and  Exhortation,  to  Endeavour 
effe(3;ually  to  bring  the  People  to  the  fight  and  fenfe 
of  their  Sin,  and  the  deferts  of  it,  and  to  a  firm  Re- 
folucion  of  better  obedience  for  the  time  to  come, 
being  importunate  with  God  in  Prayer  for  pardon 
and  renewed  Grace. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  great  and  extraordinary  Mer- 
cies, the  Church  (having  opportunity)  is  to  Aflembk 
for  publick  Thankfgiving  unto  God,  and  the  Mini- 
ver to  ftir  up  the  People  to  a  lively  fenfe  of  the? 

great- 


54  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 

grcatnefs  of  thofe  Mercies,  and  joyfully  to  Cele- 
brate the  praifes  of  God,  the  Author  of  them. 
And  it  is  not  un neet  on  thefe  Days  to  exprefs  our 
joying  in  Feafting  and  outward  figns  of  Mirth,  pro- 
vided they  be  ufrd  moderately,  fpiiitually,  and  in- 
oft'en lively,  and  not  to  gratifie  our  fenfuai  defires, 
and  chat  we  relieve  the  poor  in  their  necelfities 
(which  alfo  on  days  of  Humiliation  and  other  Sea- 
fons,  we  muft  not  forget.)  The  occalions  of  fuch 
days  of  Humiliation  and  Thankfgiving  bein^  fo  va- 
rious, as  cannot  be  well  fuited  by  any  (landing 
Forms,  the  Minifler  is  to  apply  himfelftothe  re- 
fpedkive  Duties,  fuitable  to  the  particular  occalions. 

Though  it  be  not  unlawful  or  unmeet  to  keep  An- 
niverfary  Commemoration  by  Feftivals,  of  fome 
great  And  notable  Mercies  to  the  Church  or  State, 
the  memory  whereof  fhould  be  tranfmitted  to  pofte- 
rity  ;  nor  to  give  any  Perfons  their  due  Honour  who 
have  been  the  Inftruments  thereof:  Yet  becaufe  the 
Feftivals  of  the  Churches  l^iftitution  now  obferved, 
are  much  abufed,  and  many  fober  Godly  Perfons, 
Minifters,  and  others,  are  unfatisfied  of  the  Law- 
f ulnefs  of  the  Celebrating  them  as  Holidays,  let  the 
abufe  be  reftrained;  and  let  not  the  Religious  ob- 
fervation  of  thofe  Days  by  publick  Worlhip,  be  for- 
ced upon  any  that  are  thus  unfatisfied,  provided 
ihey  forbear  all  oftcnfive  behaviour  thereupon. 


Of  Prayer  and  Thdnl{sgJV7rjg  for  Parti- 
chlar  Members  of  the  Chnrch* 

B Elides  the  Petitions  that  are  put  up  for  all  in 
fuch  diftreffes,  in  the  General  Prayer,  it  is  meet 
that  Perfons  in  dangerous  ficknefs,  or  other  great 
afflidion  of  Body  or  Mind;  and  Women  that  are 
near  the  Time  of  Child-bearing,  when  they  defire 
it,  Ihall  be  particulaiy  recommended  to  God  in  the 
Publick  Prayers  of  the  Church.  Becaufe  all  the 
Members  confticute  one  Body,  and  muft  have  the 
fame  Care  one  for  another,  as  futfering  all  with  one 
ihac  fuffeieth,  and  rejoicing  all  with  one  that  is  ho* 

noured. 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  55 

noured:  And  the  effed:ual  fervent  Prayer  of  the 
Righteous,  efpecially  of  the  whole  Congregation, 
availeth  much  with  Caod.  But  becaufe  difeales,  di- 
ftrcfles,  and  grief  of  Mind,  are  fo  various  that  no 
Forms  that  are  Particular  can  fuit  them  all ;  And  be- 
caufe every  Minifter  fhould  be  able  to  fuit  his  Pray- 
ers to  fuch  various  Neceflities  of  the  People:  We 
defire-,  that  it  may  be  left  to  his  difcretion  to  pray 
for  fuch  according  to  their  feverai  Cafes,  before  or 
after  Sermon.  But  we  deiire  that  except  in  cafe  of 
fudden  neceflity,  they  may  fend  in  their  Bills  of  Re- 
queft  to  him,  the  night  before,  that  he  may  confider 
of  their  Cafes,  and  may  publilh  only  fuch,  and  in 
fuch  Expreflions,  as  in  prudence  he  ihall  judge  meet 
for  the  Ears  of  the  Aflembly. 

In  the  more  ordinary  Cafes  of  Perfons  in  ficknefs, 
danger,  and  diftrefs,  and  that  are  delivered  from 
them  J  thefe  following  Prayers  may  be  ufed,  or  fuch 
like. 

A  Prayer  for  the  Sick,  that  is  in  hopes  of  Recovery.' 

\4'5Dtt  merciful  jfatljer,  arijoiigi)  our  ^m  Dotfj  Num.  31.2  V 
^^  finD  m  out,  anD  toe  are  jufilp  affiitteD  fo,:  our  i  ukc  Z3. 41. 
2Erranfgreff!on0,  pet  are  toe  not  confumeo  in  t\)i^  Lom.  5.  zx, 
to^atl);  h\xt  tlpu  punilljefi  m  tef0  t\)m  our  3|ni:=  ^^'^  ^-  '5- 
quitted  Do  Defertie;  tlpujjl)  tt)ou  caufei!  (25^ief,  ^^et 
toi4t  tl)0u  f)abe  cotnpaffton  acco^oing  to  tl)e  tnulti^Lam.  3.  r.3?. 
tixu  of  t\)v  mercieje^,  fo^  tl)0u  008  not  toiDinglp 
afflict  anD  gfiebe  tI)ec(i:|)ilD^en  of  men:  €l)ou  rebibeS  ifa.  y;.  ly,  i<;, 
tl)e  fpirit  of  tl)e  Ijumble,  anD  the  heart  of  the  con^  17. 
trite  ones^,  fo^  tljou  toilt  not  contenD  foj  eber,  neither  Pf^i-  ^s- 1 8. 
toilt  tljou  be  altoap^  to^otl),  fo^  the  fpirit  tooulD  fait    * 
before  tlj0^,  anD  tl)e  a^oul  tol)icii  tI)ou  f^aC  maDe* 
Hl(Bk  Doton  in  tenDer  mercp  on  t\)Z  affliction  of  t^,is  s^  6.  i. 
tl)p  ^erbant ;  SD  JLo^D,  rebuke  him  not  in  tljp^  38.5?. 
to^atl);  neitljgr  ci^Qtn  him  in  thP  hot  Difpleafure*    . 
41U  l)isi  Defire  i$  before  thoe,  anD  hi<s^  groaning  iis  sc  g.  2, 3, 5-. 
not  I^iD  from  tfjee ;  l^abe  mercp  u^on  fjim,  ^  ^o^D, 
fo^  l)e  is  toeafe*    ^  ^o^D  heal  him,   totiofe  3i5nne0  &  7  s.  ^9. 
anD  ^oul  isi  bejueD*    3in  JDeatI)  tliere  10  no  remern* 
b^ance  of  thoe,  31n  the  C^^abe  Uiho  (Tjal!  gibe  t\)^ 
tl)an&0  i  JSemember  that  toe  are  tut  fielli,  a  ^luiD  job  1 5. 25. 
t\)^t  paCTetl)  atoap  anD  cometlj  not  again:  toilt  thou 
b^eaft  a  leaf  D^iben  to  auD  fro,  ana  toilt  tijoupur^ 

fue 


56  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


rial.  If.  7»»8fue  the  D;it>  (fubble  f  Kemembcr  not  tlje  Jlmquitie^ 

f .  '*?•  ^^^  ^*^-  of  W  Jioutli,  o^J  l)i0  tranfgrfffio?iB :  Icnk  upon  l)i8f 

Pfiu'i^  i7f.  -^f^iLtion,  ano  I)i0  pain,   anD  fo^gibe  aU  t)t6  fins* 

Luke  4  39.     2ri)0Ugl)  tlje  fogrole0  of  JDeatl)  Do  Lompafef  liim  about, 

ifa.  ^8.11.  Pf3'.])et  if  it  be  fo<z  tl)v  qIo^v  auD  [)\si  ga)- ,  recober  t)imj 

j-o.  .5.  jubio.2.  ^xiX\  \n  I)im  liUe  antJ  p^alfe  tl)p  /jiame.    Hebuke  \)\f$ 

1  lai.  1 5  V- 1 5-    Ccbner0,  Direct  unto  fuel)  mean0  a0  tI)ou  toilt  blef^^ 

mf  II  %i     ^Tin  tfie  time  of  Ijis  trouble  b?e  call  upon  tli^,  do 

"*  67.        t()ou  Deliver  l}im,  anD  let  t)im  gto2ifie  tliec ,  Ijotoeber 

fijelxi  l)im  tlje  fin  tl)at  Dotl)  offenD  tl}oe,  let  !}im  fearri) 

anD  tr j>  I)i0  toap^,  anD  confef0  anD  turn  from  fjije: 

3iniquitp,   anD  let  it  be  gCDD  fo^  Ijim  tl)at  i)e  b)a5 

Ifa.  17. 9.        afflicteD*    31et  ttji^f  be  tl^e  fruit  of  it  to  purge  anD 

1  Cor.  II.  51.    tafeg  aU3ap  l)i0 fin,  2ri)at  being  d)affeneD  of  tl)e^^D* 

Lam  ^^'i^^'z?  !}e  mav  not  be  conDcmneD  toitf)  tl^e  imoglD^    41nD 

16  iT^i^.*     f^^owgl)  cl)altifement  fo^  tl)e  p^fent  faemetl)  not  to  be 

Pfai.  ?o.^      )opou0,  but  greibou0,  vet  aftertoarD^  let  it  pieiD 

Hcb.  u.  6, 7.    tl)e  peaceable  fruit  of  i^ignteonfnef^  to  tl)i0  tl)p  feer^: 

ifa.  }8.  ii?,io.  i,^„(.^  tijat  i0  ejcercifeD  tl)erein.    3|n  tl)emean  time, 

i3[>  3lo?D,  be  tliou  l}i0  Ipo^tion,  tol)0  art  gCDD  to  t\)Z 

^oul  tliat  fttketl)  tl)ce,  anD  toaitetl)  fo^  tl)0e*   5tlet 

I)im  patiently  anD  filentlp  bear  ti)^  jjoafe,   let  i)im 

Pfai.  ii6.9,iz,ippe  anD  quietlp  toait  fo?  tl)p  falbation:  cironfiDer^ 

v(\  JO  IT  n  ^"S  ^^^^  ^^^^"  ^^'^^  "'^^  '^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^*  ^'^^^  ^^)? 

t  Cor  1  9*  "^^  ^^S^J^  ^^  ^^^  ^^}  ^  moment,  but  in  t\)^  fabour  10; 

&4. 16.*       We*    iWiaeping  map  enDure  fo^  a  mfil)t,   but  ;op 

&  f .  8.  cometb  in  t\)Z  moaning :   anD  tl^at  \»l)om  tl)0u  lobeiJ> 

tl)ou  ciianCeneil,  anD  fcourgefi  eberp  fon  ix)(}om  ti)ou 
recetbeff  -,  anD  tijat  if  !)e  enDure  cl)a(!ening,  tI}ou 

Hcb.  10. 3S.  DealeS  toitl)  fjim  a0  a  ^on.  3|f  I)e  be  recobereD,  let 
I)im  Debote  ijimfelf  entirelp  to  tl)p  glo^p :  i;i)at  bjfjen 
tliou  liafl^  put  offl)i0  fackclot^anD  mourning,  anD 

iCjr.  14-  is.   giroeD  t)im  toitl)  gl^Dnef^,  \)z  map  fpeafi  t\)^  T^^^iiiz^ 

anD  gibe  t\)Zt  tl)ank0^   3|f  ^e  receibe  t{)Z  fentence 

•     of  JDeatt)  in  l}imfelf,  let  it  caufe  l)im  to  trull  ixi  tt^tt 

17.        tljat  raifeff  tl^e  DeaD,  bnotoing  tbat  a0  t()ou  DiDff 

raife  up  tl^e  31o^D  3l,efu0,  tljou  toilt  raife  Ijimup  alfo 

Phil.  3. 9.  bp  31eru0:  3n)erefo^e  fuffer  not  l)i0  l)ope  to  faint: 
hut  tljougl)  I)i0  outtoarD  man  per  ill),  pet  let  [)i0  in:^ 

1  Cor.  10. 13.  ixiarD  man  be  renetoeD  from  Dap  to  Dap:  anD  let  l)im 
libe  h^  faitlj,  anD  Itofe  at  tl)e  tljing0  toljici)  are  not 
iazn,  eben  at  tl)e  cxcccDing  eternal  b3eigt)t  of  glo^p* 

Hcb.  2. 14.  3e^ft  [y^xa  be  founD  m  <&\)i\%  not  f)abmg  lji0  oUin 
rigl)teoufner0,  but  tljat  toljicli  is  of  (I3od  b^  faitl)* 
iReCraiu  tlie  tempter,  anD  Detiber  tlip  Ccrbant  from 

X  Cor.  i;.  J.J.  t[)z  ftnful  fear0  of  Deatb,  bp  Cl^ril!,  toljo  tli^ougl; 
i)eatt),  DelfropeD  tlje  JDebil  tljat  ijaD  tl)e  potoer  of 

Deatlj; 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  ey 


Deaef);  Cljat  ijt  ma]?  finD  t()at  tjeatl)  l)atl)  Io(!  Ijijef 
fimg,  aiiD  SrriumpI)  Dber  it  bp  jFaiti)  in  f)im,  tlj^ougfj  p  .,„  « 
i»l)om  toe  are  maoe  mo^e  fijan  Conquerer^*    STIjat  Coi  i  i' 
tp  JFaitf)  ann  lobe,  l)i0  foul  map  note  afcenD  toitl)  Joh.'ia  i;  & 
^\)^\%  t\)^t  afcenoeD  untof)i0  jfatljer  anD  om*  jfaf^er,  ^4.  ^3,  &  17, 
anD  to  fjifi:<0c9  anD  our  (IB^oD,  anD  i^  gone  to  jn^ei:  Jf- 
pare  a  place  fq^  Ui8^,  anD  i;atl)  p^omifeD,  tl)at  tuyere  ^  ^7- h- 
fte  vs,  tiiere  Iji^  ferbant;8^  (^all  be  aifo :  2ri)at  tljep 
map  beJjolD  ti)e  gio^p  i»I)icfj  ti^ou  ijaS  giben  i)im> 
Sl^agnifie  tijpfelf  in  t)i^  ©oDp  io^etljer  h^  life  0?  Phu  ,  , 
neatd,  auD  fafetp  bring  i)im  im'o  tl}p  glo^iou^  p^es:      '  *  ' 
fence,  tof)erei^fulnef0of3jop,  anD  ofberlafiing  pleas?  pr,i  ,<  ,, 
fure0,  tlj^ougf)  %tim  Clj^ift  our  3!life  anD  Eigijte^       ''''  ^'• 

OUfnef^*     Amen. 

A  Prayer  for  Women  drawing  near  the  time  of 
Child-bearing. 


M^ 


\fiD0  merciful  jfatfjer,  tof|o  Ijail  jufflp  g^enteni:  j  Tim  2  u 
.  ceD  ^oman,  tl)at  O3a0  fird  in  tt)e  2rranfgref:::  Gen.  i  ik 
fi'on,  to  great  anDmultiplieD  fo^roto.o',  anD  particu:::  i  Tim.  2.  i^-. 
larlpin  (q^rohj  to  b?ing  fo^tl}  cljilDgen;  pet  granted  ™'  4^  i* 
p^eferbation   anD  relief,   fo^   t\)t  propagation  ofV-^u^^;'- 
fl^aufeinD*   3l5e  merciful  to  tlji;9f  t^p  ferbant,  be  near  dcuc  i8  4 
f)er  \3^it\)  ti^v  p^efent  Ijelp,  in  t\]t  meDfuf  time  ofzCor.  i.io,'ir. 
trouble,  anD  tl^oujjf)  in  STrabel  II)e  tjatfj  fo^rob^,  gibe « Sam.z.  at  i. 
f|er  firengt^  to  b^ing  fo^tl^   Being  DelibereD,  let  t|er  ^^• 
remember  no  mo^e  ttje  4Ingui0;,  fo^  jop  t!)at  a  <a:l)ilD 
is  bo^n  into  tlje  cHlorlD*    Blef^  Ijer  in  tlje  fruit  of 
l)er  boDp,  anD  being  faf^p  DelibereD,  let  Ijer  return 
tl)ce  tjeartp  tljanfejef,  anD  Debote  it  anD  tlje  rell  of  ^er 
life  to  t\]i^  ferbice,  tlj^ougl)  JjefUiSf  clj^iC  our  ^abi?s 

OUr^.     Amen. 

A  Thankfgiving  for  thofe  that  are  reftored,  from 
^  Dangerous  Sicknefs. 

W(K  tf)ank  t\^  SS>  mol!  <B}mmsi  <15oD,  tljat 
tljou  Ijaft  l^earD  U0  ioljen  h)e  crpeD  unto  tl^oe,  *^^^];  ^0.2, &  3. 
fo?  tl)p  ferbant  in  Ijije?  toeaknefjef  anD  Dittrefe^,  tl)at  ^  f;''^'  '°* 
tl)ou  l)a!I  not  not  turneD  abiap  cur  ip^aper  no^  tf)p  &  ,oj:  3.  4. 
mercp  from  fjim:  toe  crpeD  to  ttja,  anD  tl)ou  ^m  ifa.  38. 10,  n. 
DelibereD  anD  IjealeD  l)im,    tl)0u  IjaS  b^ougljt  \)im]^r  ze.  3.  h- 
from  tl)e  grabe,  t!)ou  Ijafi  kept  l}im  alibe,  tljat  i)e^i^»i-^03-5. 
IJoulD  not  fio  Doton  into  tlje  3Pit,  ttjou  l;ae  fo^giben 

I}ijff 


58  ^he  Reformed  Liturgy. 

ifa.  ?8.  II.       \)\&  iniquirp,   ant)  iiealcD  Iii^  nifeafejef,  tl}0u  IiaU  re^ 

Pfai.  17-  n-     oeemeD  l)i^  life  from  Drllruction,  anD  l)a(!  crdtoeo 

piai.  ?i.  4,  f •    i)iin  toitl)  icbing  feiiitincf^  ant)  tenDer  mercieje:,  d)Ou 

V '^i5^''      ^^^^  ""^^  Ofp^ibtD  Iiim  of  tl)c  rcfiDue  of  t)i0  {>ear0, 

&  ^"  -^V.*      tlicu  liati  rrpmteD  tl]cc  of  tl)e  Crbil :  tt>ifif  3lge  its  not 

&  -5. 1.  DppartfD;  STliou  \^h^  renetueD  iii0  poutli,  ann  gitjm 

&  u.  w-        I]im  to  fee  man,  toitli  flie  3!nliabitant0  of  tt]e  iiQio^ID; 

& ;3-  i$i  *3-    3[nD  to  ict  t\)Z  d^oiDnef^  of  tiie  ?lo^D,  m  t\)Z  lantJ  of 

tlie  libmg*    Pav  anD  niglit  t!ip  lianti  t»a0  lieatjp  upon 

Oim,  but  tl)Ou  hal!  turneD  ateap  tl)p  to^atl),   anD  I)all 

fozgiben  tbe  iniquitp  of  \)\is  fin ;  fo?  tl)i0  eberv  one 

prai..6o.  II.     tt?at  10  goDlv  fball  p^av  unto  t\]Zt  in  a  time  of  trou^ 

vcf'  *r  I  12  ^^^^  2ri)0u  art  a  f)iDmg  place,  tijou  p^eferbcff  usf 

18 1^1+     'from trouble:  iculienour  jrlefijanDour^eart  failetl) 

Ifa'.  38 .  10.      U0,  tlioii  art  tl}e  ffrengtl)  of  our  i)eart,  anD  our  ipo^;; 

1  Cor.  6.  zo.    tion  fo^  e\jer  i  inneeD  jLo^D  tljou  art  gmn  unto  tljme 

Luke  2. 19.     ifrad ;  (Ebeu  to  fudi  a0  are  clean  of  Ijeart  ■■,  manp  are 

1  Cor.  I  }o.     jj^g  afflictions  of  tbe  i^igliteouj0,  but  t^ou  Delibereff 

tliem  out  of  all ;  STliougl)  aU  tlie  Dap  long  t\)tv  be 

afflicteD,  anD  cliadcneD  et)erp  0Bo^ning,  -^tt  are  tljep 

continuafip  toitl)  tl)0e  -,  Cijou  'ijolDel!  t^em  bp  tl)p 

rigl)t  l)anD,  tl)OU  art  a  p^efent  l)elp  in  trouble,  to()en 

all  tlie  l)elp  of  man  i0  \iHn*    ilet  tfip  ferbant  lobe 

tl)CC,  bccaufe  tljou  Ijafl  liearD  lii0  boice  anD  fupplica- 

tion,    JLet  l)im  ofer  unto  t\)it,  tlje  facrifice  of 

t^ankfgibing ;    anD  t^^^  \)iis  (nob30  to  tl}e  moff 

I)igt)-,  anD  take  tl)e  dup  of  S>albation,  anD  call 

upon  tl)cc  all  I)ij0  Daps:    let  liim  be  itnlioUp  De:^ 

boteD  to  tl)p  p^aife,   anD  glo^ifie  tlja*  in  ^oul 

anD  3I50DP,    a0  being  %l)\nz ,   anD  feafonabli?  De^ 

part  in  peace  unto  tl)p  <I0ilo^p:  tl)^ougl)  31efuj0  (il)^i(J 

our  life  anD  ri^jteoufnefs*    Amtn. 


A    Thanks g7 V J ffg.^    for  the   deliverance  of 
II  omen^    in  Child' hearing, 

prai34.  ^4.  \\J^  return  tljct  tl)ank0  590I!  (Bimmsi  (IB^oD, 
Rev.  1.18.  w  3^ijat  thou  l)aa  liearD  our  IPgapers  fo^  tl)i;9r 
prai"i'iV  9'  ^^'^V  liauD:;maiD  :  anD  bafi  born  l)tT  lielpin  tlie  time  of 
&  127.  J.'  *  l)fr  nereffitp  anD  DflibcrtD  1)lt  from  lier  fears  anD 
&  41. 4-  fo^rotcie :  Deatl)  anD  life  arc  in  tl)p  potoer,  t\]ti\  killeU 
&  110.4.  auD  tl)ou  mafeefi  alibc,  tlicu  b^mgeH  roUni  to  tl)e 
&  i4S.:^.iO;i4.grabf,  anD  tbou  b^nigetJ  up  ■■>  Cliou  makrS  tljell^ar::: 
ren  to  beep  fjoufe,  ano  to  be  a  jopful  5^otl)cr  of  <s:l)il:i 

D^ea* 


The  Reformed  Litftrgy.  i^q 

D^em   Mt  tliank  ttjae,  tljat  tliou  i)aff  giben  tijp  fer::: 
bant,  to  fee  tfje  fruit  of  Ijer  ©ifomb,  atiD  tijat'tljou        ip. 
l^afi  bgoug!]t  I)er  again  to  ttip  igolp  ^tlfemblp,  to  Deut.  z%.  8. 
go  toiti}  tiie  muItituDe  to  tl)p  i^oufe,  anD  tr.o^iI?ip  p^^^-  *5-5.. 
tf)0e  toiti)  ttje  boice  of  jop  anD  praife,  tl)at  ll;e  map 
enter  into  ti)p  gate^  l»iti)  tljanfefgibing,  anD  into 
ti)y>  (Court  tt)tri)  p^aife,  anD  U3e  map  aE  be  tiianfeful 
to  tljee  on  l]er  bei^alf,  anD  fpeak  m^  of  tI)T>  iRame  \ 
€I)ou  art  goD,  ^  5(logD,  to  aft,   anD  tl}p  tenDer 
mercies  are  ober  all  tl)p  iuo^fi^,  tI)ou  p^ferbellifa.44'?. 
ti)em  tijat  lobe  tljee  ^  tl)OU  raifeU  \x^  tl)em  ti^at  are  f^e^f-  ^  ^^»  M* 
botoeD  Doten  -,  ti)ou  fulfillelf  tt)e  Defire  of  tl)em  tl^at  ff^ V^" 
fear  tljoe,  tl)ou  alfo  Dott  i}ear  tl)eir  crp,  anD  Tabe  jjfai  ^"  J°' 
tijem.   commanD  t^^  bleffing  pet  upen  t\)^  ferbant ,  cor.  7.  U. 
anD  l}^r  off^fp,2ingi  ilet  I)er  not  fogget  tl)0e  anD  tljpEph.  6. 4. 
mere ieo,   but  let  tier  Debote  tl)e  life  b)l)!cl}  tl)OU  Deut.  6.  c. 
fiair  gibenf)er  to  tl}P  ferbice,  anD  eDucate  Ijer  off^^?^'^-^^. 
fp^ing  aj3^  a  ^olp  feeb,  in  tl}e  nurture  anD  aDmoni^  ^2ech  u  tb  n 
tion  of  tl)e  3to^D,  anD  a.9^  tt}OU  ()dtt  faiD,  tl)at  ttjppfai/gi.  4.' 
curfe  i^  in  ttje  ()oufe  of  t!ie  toicfeeD,  h\xt  ttjou  bleflfell  i  juhn  2.  1  y . 
t()e  Ijabitation  of  tlie  pii  •-,  let  tjer,   anD  l)er  l)oufe  i'^i.  ?.i,  18. 
ferbe  tl)ee,  anD  leti^olinefe  to  tl)e  ^o^X)  be  h)<iitten^^°y;5^'-?' 
upon  aH  b^Ijeretoitl)  ti)ou  blelTelJ  Ijer;  let  ijer  f  ^  S^^\^.  ^^ 
make  ti}ee  ijer  refuge  auD  l^abitaticn  -,  dB^ibe  i^er  tl)e  ^'  ' 
ornament  of  a  raeek  anu  quiet  fpirit,  \x\i}idj  in  tl}p 
figljt  isi  of  great  p^ice,  let  i]er  not  lobe  tlje  iJoo^lD, 
no^  minD  (Sartljlp  ti)ing0,  but  ufe  tljt  mtj^io  a0  not 
abufing  of  it :  Seeing  tlje  time  i0  ftort,   anD  tl;e 
fafl[)ion  of  tl)i0  too^lD  paSetl)  atoap:  3S.ei!orf  i)ei: 
^oul,  auD  leaD  ber  ni  tl)e  patl)i8:  of  rigljteoufnef^f  j 
tliougl)  fije  mull  toalk  tljiou%fj  tlje  baHep  of  tfje 
fJ;aDob3  of  Deati},    let  i)er  fear  no  ebil;   5iet  tl)p 
gmDnef^f  auD  mercp  foUobj  ^er  all  tl^e  Dap^  cf  l^er 
life,  anD  let  l)er  DfeieH  fo?  eber  in  tip  cIBJlo^iou^  p^e^; 
fence ,  2;()?ougl)  3efu0  ^i^iO^  our  Hop  anD  g>abiour^ 
Amen. 

If  the  Child  be  dead,  ifaofe  paffages  whxh 
imply  it's  living  muft  be  omitted,  and  if  tlie  Woman 
be  fuch  as  the  Church  hath  Caufe  to  judge  ungodly, 
sheThankfgiving  muft  be  in  Words  more  agreeable 
to  her  Condition,  if  any  be  u fed. 


Eee  Of 


6o  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


Of  Pa(ioral  Dijcipl'ine,  PMck  Confejjiorj^ 
Abfoltition^  and  Exclujion  from  the  Holy 
Communion  of  the  Church. 

TH  E  Recital  of  the  Curfes  are  faid  in  the  Book 
of  Common  Prayer,  to  be  inftead  of  the  godly 
Difcipline  of  the  primitive  Church,  till  it  can  be  re- 
ftored  again,  which  is  much  to  be  wi(hed,  which  is 
the  putting  of  notorious  Sinners  to  open  Penitence : 
His  Majefty's  Declaration  concerning  Ecclefiaftical 
Affairs,  determineth  that  all  publick  diligence  be  ufed 
for  the  Inftrudlion  and  Reformation  of  fcandalous 
Offenders,  whom  the  Minifter  (hall  not  fufFer  to 
partake  of  the  Lord's  Table,  until  they  have  openly 
declared  themfelves  to  have  truly  repented  and 
amended  their  former  naughty  lives,  provided 
there  be  place  for  dae  Appeals  to  Superiour  Powers. 

And  the  Law  of  Chrift  commandetb,  if  thy  Bro- 
ther trefpafs  againft  thee,   go  and  tell  him  his  faults 
between  him  and  thee  alone,   if  he  (hall  hear  thee, 
thou  haft  gained  thy  Brother,  but  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  to  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the 
Mouth  of  two  or  three  WitneflTes,   every  Word  may 
be  eftablilhed,  and  if  he  (hall  negledi  to  hear  them,  tell 
it  unto  the  Church,  but  if  he  (hall  negledl  to  hear  the 
Church,    let  him  be  unto  thee  as  an  Heathen  man,. 
or  as  a  Publican.     Matth.  i8.  1 5 ,  i6, 17.     And  it  is 
the  Office  of  the  Paftors  of  the  feveral  Congrega- 
tions, not  only  to  teach  the  People  in  General,  and 
guide  them  in  the  Celebration  of  the  publick  Wor- 
ihip,  but  alfo  to  overfee  them,  and  watch  over  each 
Member  of  their  Flock  particularly  ,   to  prefer ve 
them  from  Errors,   Herefies,    Divifions,   and  other 
Sins,  defending  the  Truth,    confuting  Gain-fayers 
and  Seducers,  inftrudling  the  Ignorant,  exciting  the 
Negligent,  encouraging  the  Defpondenr,  comforting 
the  Afflidled,    confirming  the  Weak,    rebuking  and 
admonilhing  the  Diforderly  and  Scandalous,  and  di- 
re<^ng  all  according  to  their  needs  in  the  matters  of 
their  Salvation,    and  the  People  in  fuch  needs  fhould 
have  ordinary  recourfe  to  them,   as  the  Officers  of 

Chrilt, 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  6i 


Chrift,  for  Guidance,  and  Refolution  of  their 
Doubts,  and  for  Afliftance  in  making  their  Sal- 
vation fure;  and  in  proving,  maintaining,  or  re- 
ftoring  the  Peace  of  their  Confciences,  andfpiritual 
Comfort. 

If  therefore  any  Member  of  the  Church  be  a  fcan- 
dalous  Sinner,  and  the  Crime  be  either  notorious  or 
fully  proved,   let  the  Paftor  admonifli  him,  and  fee 
before  him  the  particular  Command  of  God  which 
he  tranfgrefleth,  theSupream  Authority  of  God  which 
he  defpifeth,  the  Promifes  and  Mercies  which  he^ 
treadeth  under  foot,    and  the  Curfe  and  dreadful 
Condemnation,   which  he  draweth  upon  himfelf,  let 
this  be  done  with  great  Compaflion  and  tender  Love 
to  the  Offenders  Soul,  and  with  gravity,   reverent 
and  ferious  importunity,  asbefeemeth  Men  employ- 
ed on  the  behalf  of  God,   for  the  faving  of  a  Soul, 
and  yet  with  Judgment,    and  cautelous  Prudence, 
not  taking  that  for  Sin  which  is  no  Sin,   nor  that  for 
a  grofs  and  fcandalous  Sin,  which  is  but  an  ordinary 
humane  frailty,    not  dealing  as  unreverently  with  a 
Superiour  as  with  an  Inferiour,    not  making  that 
publick  which  (hould  be  concealed,    nor  reproving 
before  others  when  it  iTiouId  be  done  more  fecretly, 
nor  unfeafonably  fpeaking  tothofe  who  through  Drink 
or  Paflion  are  incapable  of  the  benefit,  nor  yet  offend- 
ing by  bafhfulnefs,  or  the  fear  of  man,  or  lukewarm- 
nefs,  negligence,  or  fleighting  over  great  Oflfences,  oil 
the  other  extream. 

Prudence  alfo  requireth  them  to  be  cautelous  of 
over-medling,  where  the  Magiftrates  honour,  or 
concernment,  or  the  Churches  unity,  or  peace,  or 
the  reputation  of  others,  or  the  intereft  of  their  Mi- 
niftry  requireth  them  to  forbear. 

Thcfe  Cautions  obferved.  If  the  fcandalous  OfTen-^ 
der  continue  impenitenr,  or  unreformed,  after  due; 
Admonitions  and  Patience,  let  the  Paftor  in  the  Con- 
gregation when  he  is  prefent  rebuke  him  before  all, 
that  the  Church  may  iufficiently  difown  the  Crime, 
and  others  may  fee  the  odioufnefs  and  danger  of  the 
Sin.  But  let  this  alfo  be  with  the  Love,  and  Pru- 
dence, before  mentioned. 

If  the  Offender  in  obftinacy  will  not  be  there,  the 
Paftor  may  open  the  Crijue  before  the  Congrega- 

E  c  e  1  tion. 


62  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


tion :  And  prefcnt  or  abfent  (in  cafe  he  remain  ini- 
penitent)  if  the  Cafe  will  bear  fo  long  delay,  it  is 
convenient,  that  the  Paftor  publickly  pray  for  his 
conviftion  and  repentance,  that  he  may  be  laved. 

And  this  he  may  do  one,  or  two,  or  three,  or 
more  Days,  as  the  nature  of  the  Cafe,  and  Prudence 
(hall  direcfl  him. 

If  during  thefe  means  for  his  Recovery  fafter  the 
Proof  of  the  Crime)  there  be  a  Communion  of  the 
Church  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  let  the  Paftor  require 
him  to  forbear,  and  not  fuffer  him  to  partake  of  the 
Lords  Table. 

If  yet  the  Offender  remain  impenitent,  let  the 
Paftor  openly  declare  him  unmeet  for  the  Communi- 
on of  the  Church,  and  require  him  to  abftain  from 
it,  and  require  the  Church  to  avoid  Communion 
with  him.  And  let  him  bind  him  by  the  denunci- 
ations of  the  threatnings  of  God,  againft  the  impeni- 
tent. 

But  before  this  is  done^  let  no  neceffary  Confulta- 
tion,  with  other  Paftors,  or  Concurrence  of  the 
Church  be  neglected  :  And  after  let  there  be  place 
for  due  Appeals,  and  let  Minifters  confent  to  give 
account  when  they  are  accufed  of  Male-adminiftra- 
tion. 

But  if  after  private  Admonition  (while  the  offence 
is  fuch,  as  requireth  not  publick  Confeffion)  the  Sin- 
ner be  penitent,  let  the  Minifter  privately  apply  to 
his  confolation  the  promifesof  the  Gofpel,  with  fuch 
cautelous  prudence,  as  is  moft  fuitable  to  his  con- 
dition : 

And  if  he  repent  not  till  after  publick  admoni- 
tion, or  that  the  fcandal  be  fo  great  and  notorious, 
as  that  a  publick  Confeflion  is  neceflary,  let  him  at 
a  feafonable  time  appointed  by  the  Paftor,  with  re- 
morfe  of  Confcience,  and  true  contrition,  confefs 
his  fin  before  the  Congregation,  and  heartily  Jament 
it,  and  clear  the  honour  of  his  Chriftian  profeflion. 
which  he  had  ftaincd,  and  crave  the  Prayers  of  the 
Church  to  God  for  pardon,  and  reconciliation 
through  Chrift,  and  alfo  crave  the  Minifterial  Abfo- 
lucion  and  Reftauration  to  the  Communion  of  the 
Church,  and  profefs  his  refojution  to  do  io  no  more  ; 
but  to  live  in  new  Obedience  to  God,   dcfiring  alfo 

their 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  62 


their     prayers    for  corroborating    and   preferving 
grace. 

It  is  only  a  credible  profeflion  of  Repentance,  that 
is  to  be  accepted  by  the  Church. 

The  foregoing  Cautions  muft  be  carefully  obferved 
in  fuch  confeflions,  that  they  be  not  made  to  the  in- 
juring of  the  Magiftraie,  or  of  the  Church,  or  of 
the  Reputation  of  others,  or  of  the  Life,  Eftate,  or 
Liberty  of  the  Offender,  or  to  any  other  (hame  than 
is  neceffary  to  the  manifefting  of  his  Repentance, 
and  the  clearing  of  his  Profeffion,  and  the  righting 
of  any  that  he  hath  wronged,  and  the  honour  and 
prefer vation  of  the  Chur(A. 

When  he  hath  made  a  credible  profeflion  of  Re- 
pentance, it  is  the  Paftors  duty,  Minifterially  to 
declare  him  pardoned  by  Chrift,  but  in  condiiional 
Terms.  [If  his  Repentance  be  fincere]  And  to 
abfolve  him  from  the  cenfure  of  non-Communion 
with  the  Church,  if  he  was  under  fuch  a  cenfure 
before  his  penitence,  and  to  dfeclare  hini  meet  for 
their  Communion,  and  to  encourage  him  to  come, 
and  require  the  Church  to  entertain  him  into  their 
Communion  with  gladnefs,  and  not  upbraid  him 
with  his  fall,  but  rejoice  in  his  recovery,  and  endea- 
vour his  confirmation  and  prefervation  for  the  time 
to  come:  And  it  is  his  duty  accordingly  to  admit  him 
to  Gommuniou,  and  theirs  to  have  loving  Comniuniori 
with  him  ;  All  which  the  penitent  perfon,  niuft  be- 
lievingly,  lovingly,  and  joyfully  receive.  But  if 
any  by  Notorious  perfidioulnefs,  or  frequent  Cove- 
nant breaking  have  forfeited  the  credit  of  their 
Words,  or  have  long  continued  in  the  fin  which  they 
do  confefs,  fo  that  their  forfaking  it  hath  no  proof; 
The  Church  then  muft  have  teftimony  of  the  actual 
Reformation  of  fuch  as  thefe,  before  they  may  take 
their  profcflions  and  promifes  as  credible  ;  Yet  here 
the  difference  of  Perfons  and  offences  is  fo  great ; 
that  this  is  to  be  much  left  to  the  prudence  of  Paftors 
that  are  prefent,  and  acquainted  with  the  perfons, 
and  Circumftances  of  the  Cafe.  In  the  tranfadling 
of  all  this,  thefe  following  Forms,  to  be  varied  as 
the  variety  of  Cafes  do  require,  may  be  made 
ufe  of. 

Ee  c  3  A 


1^4  T^^  Reformed  Liturgy, 


A  Form  of  Publicly  Admonition  to  the 
Imtenitent, 

The  fin  may  be    A    B.  you  are  convicfl  of  grofs  and  fcandalous  fin, 

namtd  and  aS"  XX  you  have  been  admonilhed  and  intreated  to  re- 
eravaced  when  "^    ti  t         c  •  f       t^      • 

Sisconvtnienr.P^"^-  ^"^  promiies  oX  mercies  to  the  Penitent  j 
and  the  threatnings  of  God  againft  the  Impenitent, 
hsve  not  been  concealed  from  you  j  we  have  waited 
in  hope  for  yQur  repentance,  as  having  compafTion 
on  your  Soul,  and  defiring  yonr  Salvation  9  but  we 
muft  fay  with  grief,  you  have  hitherto  difappointed 
us ;  We  are  certain  from  the  Word  of  God,  that 
you  muft  be  penitent,  if  ever  you  will  be  pardoned, 
and  that  except  you  repent,  you  Ihall  everlaftingly 
pcri(h,  LuJ{e  13.  3,  5.  Acis  5.31.  Lul{e  12.47.  To 
acquaint  you  publickly  with  this,  and  yet  here  to 
offer  you  mercy  from  the  Lord,  is  the  next  duty  laid 
upon  us  for  your  recovery,  O !  blame  us  not,  if 
knowing  the  Terrors  of  the  Lord,  we  thus  perfwade 
you,  and  are  loth  to  leave  you  in  the  power  of  Sa- 
tan, and  loth  to  fee  you  caft  out  into  perdition,  and 
that  your  blood  Ihould  be  required  at  our  hands,  as 
not  having  difcharged  our  duty  to  prevent  it. 

■  Be  it  known  unto  you  therefore,    that  it  is  the 
God  of  Heaven  and  Earth,   the  great,  the  jealous, 
.     and  the  terrible  God,  whofe  Laws  you  have  broken, 
and  whofe  Authority  you  defpife  ;   you  refufe  his 
Government,    who  is  coming  with  ten  thoufands  of 
his  Saints,    to  execute  Judgment  upon  all,    and  to 
convince  all  that  are  ungodly  of  their  ungodly  deeds, 
and  fpeeches,  who  hath  lold  us  that  [evil  ihall  not 
dwell  with  him.]     The  Foolilh  Ihall  not  fland  in 
his  light :    He  hateth  all  workers  of  iniquity  (^Jude 
14.  15.  Pfalm  5.  4,  5.)    The   ungodly  fo all  not  fi and 
in   Judgment^    nor  fpmcrs  in  the  CoKgypg^ticn   of  the 
S{ighteous,   (Pfalm  i.  5,6.)    God  hath  not  made  his 
Laws  in  vain.     Though  the  wicked  contemn  God, 
and  fay  in  their  hearts,  he  will  not  require  it,  {P/alm 
10.  13.)  Yet  their  damnation  flumbereth  not,    they 
arc  referved  to  the  day  of  judgment,  to  be  punilhed 
(i  Pet.  1.  3,  9  J    And  he  feeth  that  their  day  is 
.coming  ;    (Pfalm  37.  13)  If  men  cut  off  the  lives 

of 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  65 


of  thofe  that  break  their  Laws,  will  God  be  out- 
faced by  the  pride,  and  ftubbornefs  of  finncrs  ?  He 
will  not;  you  fliall  know  he  will  not;  He  threat- 
neth  not  in  jeft.  Who  hath  hardened  himfelf  againft 
him  and  hath  profpered?  (?o/' 9.  4.)  Are  you  not 
as  chaff  and  ftubble,  and  is  not  our  God  a  con- 
fuming  fire,  (Pfalmi,^,  1/rf.  5.  24.  Hel/.  12.  l^.) 
If  Briars  and  Thorns  be  fet  againft  him  in 
Battle,  will  he  not  go  through  them,  and  burn  them 
up  together,  {Tfa.  27.4.)  Can  your  heart  endure,  or 
your  hands  be  ftrong  in  the  day  when  God  Ihall  deal 
with  you  ?  It  is  the  Lord  tfet  hath  fpoken  it,  and  he 
will  do  it.  Esiel{.  22.  14.  What  will  you  do,  when 
you  muft  bear  with  the  pains  of  Hell  from  God, 
that  now,  can  fcarce  endure  to  be  thus  openly  and 
plainly  warned  of  it  j  If  we  to  pleafe  you  fhould  be 
filent  and  betray  you,  do  you  think  the  God  of 
Heaven,  will  fear,  or  flatter  you,  or  be  unjuft  to 
pleafe  a  worm.  Do  you  frovoke  the  Lord.to  JeaiouJIe, 
are  you  ftronger  then  he?  (i  Cor.  10.  22.)  O  man! 
for  your  fouls  fake,  let  not  Satan  abufe  yftur  under- 
ftanding,  and  fin  befool  you,  muft  you  not  die?  And 
doth  not  Judgment  follow,  when  all  Secrets  (hall  be 
opened,  and  God  will  no  more  entreat  you  to  con- 
fefs.  (Heh,  9.  7.  Matth,  10.  26.)  Behold  the  Judge 
ftandeth  at  the  door,  (Jam.  5.  9.)  will  fin  go  then 
with  you  for  as  light  a  matter  as  it  doth  now  ?  Will 
you  then  deny  it,  or  will  you  ftand  to  all  the  rea- 
fonings,  or  excufes,  by  which  you  would  now  ex- 
tenuate or  cover  it?  Will  you  defend  it  as  your 
friend  ?  And  be  angry  with  Minifters  and  Reprovers 
as  your  Enemies.  Or  will  you  not  mourn  at  laft 
(with  weeping  and  gnafhing  of  teeth)  And  fay  ^  Hov9 
have  I  hated  TnjhtiHion,  and  my  heart  dejpifed  I{eproof? 
And  have  not  obeyed  the  voice  of  my  Teachers^  nor  in" 
dined  mine  Ear  to  them  that  Infiruded  me,  (Pro.  5.  I !» 
12,  13.  Mat.  I?.  42,  50.)  O  that  you  were  wife,  that 
you  underflood  this,  and  that  you  would  confider  your  lat- 
ter End.  (Deut.  32.  29,)  Believe  Gods  wrath  before 
you  feel  it :  Be  convinced  by  the  word  and  fervants 
of  the  Lord,  before  you  are  confounded  by  the  dread- 
fulnefs  of  his  Majefty  ;  yet  there  is  hope,  but  fliortly 
there  will  be  none,  if  you  negled):  it ;  yet  if  you  con- 
fefs  and  foifake  your  fins,  you  fhall  have  mercy,  but 

Eee  4  if 


66  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


if  you  cover  them,    you  Ihall  not  profperj  {Prov, 
28.  13.)    And  if  being  oft  reproved ^  you  harden  your 
necl{^  you  f\^aU  fuddenly  be  dejtroyed^    nnd  that  vpithout 
remedy,     (Pro.    29.    i.)    Be' not  dece'ved,    God  n  not 
m''cked.     I  Vhatfocver  you  fow,    that  fhall  ycu  alfo  reap. 
(Gal.  6.  7.)    O  man  !    You  know  not  what  it  is  to 
deal   with  an  offended,   and  revenging  God.     Nor 
what  it  is  to  hear  Chnft  fay,   Depart  from  me  ye 
workers  of  Iniquity;   J  never  knew  you,    depart 
from  me  ye  wicked  into  cverlafting  fire,  (Matth. 
7.  25.  and  25.  41.)  You  know  not  what  it  is  to  be 
fhuc  out  of  Heaven,   and  concluded  under  utter  de- 
fperarion,   and  in  Hei!  to  look  back  upon  this  obiti- 
iiate  Impenitence;    and  rejcd:ing  of  the  mercy  that 
would  ha',  e  laved  you  ;  and  ihere  co  have  Confcience 
telling  you  for  ever,    what  it  is  that  you  have  done ; 
Did  you  not  know  what  this  is,   could  you  think  a 
Penitent  confelling  and  foufaking  your  fin  to  be  2 
condition  too  hard  for   the   preventing  of  fuch  a 
doleful  ftate  ?   Ono!    Yoa  know  not  what  a  cafe 
you  are  cafting  your  immortal  foul  into.     The  Lord 
give  you  repentance,   that  you  may  never  know  it 
by  experience.    To   prevent   this,    is  our  bulinefs 
with  )ou;    We  delight  not  to  difpleafe  or  thame 
you.     But  God  hath  tv  Id  us,  QThat  if  any  do  err 
from   the  Truth,    and  one   convert  him,    let  him 
know,   that  he  which  convertech  the  finner  from  the 
err.Tof  his  way,  (liall  fave  a  foul  from  death,   and 
fhall  hide  a  multitude  of  fins,    Jat?].  ^.  10.']    I  do 
therefore  by  the  Command,  and  in  the  name  of  Je- 
fus  Chrift,    require  and  befeech  you,    that  you  do 
without  any  more  delay,    confefs  your  fins  and  hear- 
tily bewail  theru;  and  beg  pardon  of  them,  and  re- 
folve  and  promife  by  the  help  of  Gud  to  do  fo  no 
more.     And  blefs  God   that  yoti  have  an  advocate 
with  the  Father  Jelus  Chrift  the  righteous,    uhofe 
blood  will  cleanfe  you  from  your  (ins  ;    if  you  peni- 
tently confefs  them,  (i  ''^ohn  i,  7,  9.  and  2.  1,2)  and 
that  mercy  may  be  yet  had  on  fo  eafie  terms.     If  you 
had  any  fcnfe  of  your  fin  and  mifery,  or  any  fenfc  of 
the  dilhonour  done  to  God,    or  of  the  wrong  that 
you  have  done  to  others,    and  of  the  ufefulnefs  of 
your  penitent  confeiTion,  ajid  amendment,  to  the  re- 
paration of  ail  ihefe,   you  would  caft  your  fcif  in 

the 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  67 


the  duft,  in  (hame  and  grief  before  the  Lord,  and 
before  the  Church  :  To  day  therefore,  if  you  will 
hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your  heart,  left  God  for- 
fake  you,  and  give  you  over  unto  your  own  hearts 
luft,  to  walk  in  your  own  counfels,  and  refolve  in 
his  wrath,  you  fhall  never  enter  into  his  reft,  [Pf^lm 
95.  8,  12.  and  81.  11,12.)  And  then  God  and  this 
•Congregation,  will  be  WitnefTes  that  you  were 
warned ;  and  your  blood  will  be  upon  your  own 
head.  But  if  in  penitent  Confeffion,  you.  flie  to 
Chrift,  and  loath  yourfelf  for  your  iniquities,  and 
heartily  forfake  them,  I  have  Authority  to  promife 
you  free  Forgivenefs,  and  that  your  Iniquity  (hajl 
not  be  your  Ruin,  (LuK^i/i^.  4, 7.  £;^e/j.i 8.30531,32.) 


A  Form  of  Confejfion^    to  he  made  before 
the  Lofigregatton, 

IJDo  confer^  before  (li5otJ,  anti  tl)ij8^  congregation,  T^f.  -  ^g 
tl;at  BJ^ipb^^eatlp  finneD^   *  31  ijabe  offenDeti,  pro.  28.  i?. 
anD  DifbonoreD  d^ou,  iti^ong^  pfai.  32. 5. 

*  Here  the  fin  muft  b»     ejJ    t\)Z     ^\)nu\x,      anD    tljB  E^o.  lo.  i5. 

judged  rcquifire.  tieferben  to  be  fo^faken  of  tl}e  }^^'l  \l' 

?Lo?D,    anD  cad  out  of  I)ij0fpf.  yi.  ,j. 
T^ldtncz  anD  t\)Z  communion  of  g>aint;6f,  into  Defpe=*  Mac  27.  y . 
ration,  anD  remeDifef^  miferp  in  J^ell:  3I  am  no  \]}^^^^'  -^^ 
moge  Ixjo^tijp  to  be  calfeD  tl)p  S)on,  0?  tof^abe  a  name  ^f-  ^^-  ^• 
0^  place  among  t{)f  ^erbant^.   3I  do  l)ere  Declare  y^'^^;  Lut 
mine  iniqxxit'^.  anD  am  fo?rp  foz  mp  fin^;  arijep  are  ,^.  ,3.  i  xirr! 
gone  ober  mp  IjeaD  a0  a  Ijeabp  burDen,  tftep  are  taj  i. «.  Heb.9.15. 
Ijeabp  fo^  me,  tijep  tafee  I}olD  upon  me,  31  am  ali?a^  Luke  w.  10. 
mrD,  a0unb3o^tl)p  to  Itok  up  tetoarDjsf  igeaben,  but  R^"^-  ^  ^°- 
mp  l)ope  i^  in  t\]t  bICDD  anD  grace  of  Ch^iiJ,  b:»I}0  ^41*  l,  z'  i  ^ 
maDe  l.n^  life  a  facrifice  for  ^n.   anD  came  to  faekneb  s.'iz.    * 
anD  fabe  tljat  tol)icf}  bja^f  lofi^  toljofe  grace  abounD;:  Pfai  51-  n.^;. 
etl),  hjl)ere  Sn  Ijatl)  abounDeD  :  2ri)e  ?lo^D  be  merciful  6c  9.  &  lo?.  ic. 
to  me  a  (inner :  31  l}umblp  beg  of  tl)e  congregation,  p^  ^'^  ^°'  '^• 
tijat  tl)ep  l»in  earnemp  p^ap,  tftat  (25oD  toiH  toall)  ]^l\ \/»  '°- 
me  tIj^ougl)Ip  from  mine  Jlniquitp,  anD  cleanfe  me  j^^rk  13. 37- 
from  mp  fin,  tljat  t)e  U)iu  fo^gibe  tl)em,  anD  blot 
t^ijem  out,  anD  IjiDe  i]\^  $m  from  tt)em,  anD  rementi 

ber 


68  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


Pfai  7-.  1,15.  ber  tl]em  no  mo^r,  tljat  \)Z  toiH  not  eaff  me  abap 
Ecci.  8;  12.      from  \)i^  P^cfenfc,  no^  fo^fake  me  a^  31  Ijabc  fo^fa^: 

3-  ^"'^-  ^-°-  ^°  ken  Iiim,  noz  neal  tciiM)  mc  acco^Ding  to  mp  Defert0 : 
jam.  1. 1 3, 14-  23y^  fj^^(  j^p  ^^^jlj  ^-j.j.3j.g  j^  j^^j,  g  ^Ij^^jj  (^f.^i.t,  ann  re;; 

I J  )hn^.'4.     netD  a  rigl^t  fpirit  in  me.  anD  grant  me  t\)Z  jop  of 
Gal. 6;.  I.        ^10  g^alljation;  anD  31  beg  parDon  of  tlje  ai:t)urcl), 
anti  an  t\)^t  3i  l]a^e  ixi^ongen :  anD  refolbe  bp  tl)e 
grace  of  <i5oD  to  Do  fo  no  mo^e;  but  to  Voalk  mo^e 
toatflifullp  as  before  tlie  51o^D,  anD  31  Defire  an  ttjat 
are  ungoD{)>,  tijat  tliev  tl)ink  neber  tlje  too^fe  of  tlje 
^atP0,  0^^  Uiap0,  o;t  ferbantef  of  tl)e  31o^D  fo^  mp 
i  Cor.  TO.  II.  mlfDoing^^  fo}  if  31 1)^^^  b^n  t-uIeD  b)>  (3oD,  anD 
ii.iSum.ii.^i.  i)v  i)i0  rirbants,  31  ^l^D  neber  Done  a;8f3l  tjabe  Donet 
^/"'  v^"  _-  STbere  i^notbing  in  Keligion  tl^at  befrienDetl)  fin, 
Hcb  u  ts"  ^^I^^^^^'  notl)ing  fo  contrary  to  it,  a^e:  (I^oD  anD  bij^f 
I  Cor. 9. 25,    bc'p  ^atD0,  ^bicb  31  ibouiD  babeobepeD*    Hatl^er 
c.^,  17.  let  aH  take  toarning  bp  me,  anD  aboiD  temptation^, 

aChron.if.K^.  anDlibenot  careleap,  anD  b^^t"ken  not  to  tbe  incli:^ 
Hph.  5. 16.  nationof,  0?  reafonings  of  tlje  flefb>  no^  truttinot 
tl)eir  Ireafe  anD  finful  b^ art0,  hnt  libe  in  goDip  fear, 
anD  ttiatcl):\ilnefj8i,  anD  k^i^  unDer  t\)t  fiefi/,  anD 
keep  clofe  to  (25oD,  anD  b^^^t-ken  to  tbe  faitbful 
founrel  of  \)\^  ferbant^,  anD  intreat  pour  ^gaper^ 
to  ci^oD,  tbafr  ^  map  be  UrengtljencD  h^  bi^  g^ace, 
tbat  31  mav  fin  tlju^  iio  mo^e.  leH  b30<2fe  befal  me* 


J^h  1  y.  14- 


A  Form  of  Prayer  for  a  Sinner  Impenitent ^ 
after  Publick^  Adr/tonition, 

MflDtt  gracious^  C5oD,  acco^Ding  to  t!)p  commanD 
^  ^^. ,. . ..  tue  babe  b:iarneD  tbifl'  finner    anD  tolD  bitn  of 

Mat.  J.  7.        tbP  tl}^eatningj8f ,    anD  fogetolD  bim  of  tbv  certain 

terrible  3iUDgment0,  tljat  b^  *-nigbt  flp  from  tbe 

U)^atb  to  come,  but    afa^,  ^b^e  perceibe  not  tbat  be 
Prv.  19. 1,     repentetb    0,2  relentetb>    but   b^uDenetb  bij8^  b^^^t 

againffrep^©fi    a0  if  b^  ^-fre  able  to  contenD  >o:s\t.\\ 
I  Cor.  10.  iz.  tbee,  auD  obercome  tl)p  poUier ;  ^  let  U0  p^ebail 

bjitb  tbee  fo;  grace,  tljac  U^e  tnap  p^ebail  b)itb  bi^n 
lukci3.24.     fo^  ^Deniteat  confcftion  anD  reformation.  £2)  ^\t^^^ 

mifcrable  finner '  fo  mifcrable,  a0  tbat  be  laprtb  not  to 
AfJsS.  11,23.  beart  bi.^niiferp,  no^  pitietb  bitnfelf*    ilD  fabe  bim 

frmn  tlje  gall  of  I5ittcnuf0,  anD  from  tt]e  23onD0  of 
A^sn.  iS.  -  1)10  J.niquitp :  (3ibe  Ijim  repentance  unto  life  j  tbat 

fee 


The  Reformed  Liturgy.  69 


l;e  map  recober  ijimfelf  out  of  t^e  fnare  of  tljz  Pebii, 

b5l)0  t0  taken  captibe  bp  l)im  at  l)i0  iittiiU^    (ZBitoiTim.  i.i-^iej. 

l)im  not  up  to  a  blinn  tninU,  to  a  fearen  coniciemey 

a  Ijeart  tl)at  i^  paa  failing,  no?  to  toalfe  in  iji^  oion 

coiinfels,   ano  after  t)i;8:  oton  IUS0;  ^et  l)im  nojohn  n.  ^o. 

longer  nefpife  tt)e  ricl}e^  of  tl)p  g(DtJnef;8^,  ano  fo^:^ 

bearance  anO  long^fuffering,  no?  ix)itl)  a  ijarDeneD 

impenitent  i)eart,  treafure  up  to^atlj,   againft  tlje  ^-^^^4. 2- 

Dap  of  lJD?atl),  ano  rebelation  of  tl)p  rigl)teou0 

luDgment,  te^o  toilt  renoer  to  eberp  man  acco^ning 

to  f)i0  jD0eD0,  eben  to  tl)em  tl)at  are  contentious  ^pj?-  4-  ^9; 

anD  obep  not  tfje  trutlj,   but  obep  unrigl)teournef0,  ^^^  ^ ;  '^-  ^ 

indignation,  anD  to^atlj,   tribulation  anD  anguid;,  ^    ^* 

upon  eberp  foul  of  man  tljat  Doetl)  t\>iU   Ktt  Ijim        8,  9- 

he  fure  tl)at  tije  juDgment  of  dBotJ  is?  accosting  to        z,  3. 

trutl)  againl!  tl)em  tl)at  commit  fuel)  tl)ing;8^,  anD  let 

l}im  -not  tl}ink  in  t)i0  impenitmcv  to  efcape  tijp 

;uDgment;  SD  differ  l)im  not,  tofjen  I)e  fiearetf)  tl)e  Deut.19.  i?- 

tl}^eatning^  of  ti)p  3xao?D,  to  blefg  ijimfetf  in  ijist  lo,  n. 

l)eart,  anD  fap,  31  l^aH  Ijabe  peace,  tl)ougt)  31  toalk 

in  tl}e  ^Imaginations  of  mv  l}eart,  anD  aDD  fin  to  fin, 

led  tijy  41nger  anD  3i^alouiie  fmo&e  againtt  I)im,  anD 

tt)OU  toilt  not  fpare  i)im,  but  blot  out  i)ijs  0ame  from  Mark  9. 24. 

unoer  i^eaben,  anD  all  tljp  curfes;  lie  upon  tjim,  anD 

ttjou  feparate  Ijim  to  (Ebi(,  eben  to  tlie  too?m  tijat  Mat.  i.  u. 

titti)  not,  anD  to  tlje  fire  ti)at  i$  not  quencl)eD*    !3D  ^^uc.  9. »;. 

fabe  l}im  from  l)i0  fin^ef,  from  ijijer  3f!ttrpenitencp,  anD 

tlje  F?itJe  anD  Ifubbo^neCe!  of  Ijije:  Ijeart:  W  fabe 

l)im  from  tlje  cberlalling  ;fftames,  auD  from  ti)p  z  Cor.  s.  2. 

ix)?atf),  Uil)iclj  lie  ij6^  tlje  mo?e  in  Danger  of;  becauCe  Lukei.;,  41  ?  z. 

i)t teeletl)  not,  anD  fearetl)  not  l)i0  Danger;  %tt ijm  Prov. 2 .. i+! ' 

fenoto  Ijobj  l)arD  it  10  fo?  l)im  to  kick  againU  tl)e  aos  9.  ?. 

JP?ick0,  auD  l)Oi»  booful  to  Uribe  again!!  Ijiis  maker,  ^^^^  4J-  9. 

lap  l)im  "at  tljv  frottol  in  fackclotl)  anD  aflje^,  in 

tears  anD  lamentation,  crping  out,  2^10  unto  me  joeU.  1,1,3. 

tljat  3i  t}abe  fi'nneD,  anD  l)umbling  I)is  loul  in  true  Lam.  5.  i5. 

contrition,  anD  loatI)ing  ijimfelf,   anD  begging  tl)p 

parDoning  anD  I)ealing  grace,  ano  begging  ttje  P?ap^  Pfai.  n.  jam. f . 

tv0  anD  communion  of  t{)p  cfl:l)urci},  anD  refolbing  2.0.  Luke  31.  i<^ 

to  fin  b^ilfuHp  no  mo?e,  hut  to  libe  before  tl)ce  in  up^ 

rigljtneCs  anD  obeDience  aH  l)i0  Daps :  €>  let  us  p?e^ 

bail  Untf;  tl)ee  fo?  tlje  conberfion  oi  tins  Impemtent  Gai.  5.  t. 

finner,  anD  fo  fo?  tl}e  fabing  of  l)is  foul  from  Deati}, 

anD  tlje  IjiDing,  anD  parDoning  of  l)is  fins  •■>  tl)at  i)t 

ttjat  isi  loS  map  be  founD,  anD  I}e  tl)at  i0  DeaD  map  Lulie  15. 17. 

be  alibe,  anD  tfje  3lngels  of  l^eaben,  anD  b3e  tl)p 

untt)o?t^p  ferbants  ijere  on  carti)  map  rejoice  at  ijis 


70  ^         The  Reformed  Liturgy. 

Ezck.33.14,16.  repenting,  let  us  fee  t)im  redo^eD  bp  ti)^  grace  tljat 
tbe  map  jopfuHp  receibe  I)im  into  our  ccommunion, 

2  Tim.  1. 2^.  anD  tf]Ou  rnapel!  receibe  \)m  at  lalf  into  tt)p  l)eabenlp 
ifiingDom,  anD  ^atan  map  be  tiifappointeD  of  l)iflf 
IP^ev;  fo^  tlip  mercp  fafee,  tI}^ougl)  31efu0  Cl}^i5  our 
%oiXi  anD  onip  ^abiour*    Amen. 


A  Form  of  Rejection  from  the  Commnnion 
of  the   church. 

T  uke  19. 2.7.     lEfus  Ghiift,  the  King  and  Lawgiver  of  the  Church 

Wic.  4. 1.  J   hath  commanded  that  \lf  n  brother  tre/pafi  ngainfl 

.15,  JO  ^^  ifp^^o  4^^  ^e^y  /j/,«  his  fault  between  him  and  us  alone, 

and  if  he  vpiil  not  hear  w,    xve  fhall  then  take  vpith  m^ 

1  Cor.  5.  II.     one  cr  two  Tnore,    that  in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  Wit^ 

nejfes,  every  word  may  be  Efiablifhed ;  And  if  he  /hall 
Tic.  3.10.         ncgkdi  to  hear  them,  that  he  tell  it  to  the  Churchy  and  if 

he  negleEi  to  hear  the  Church,  that  he  be  to  us  as  a  Heathen 
aThefj.^.     Man^  and  a  Publican,    Matth.  18.  i  5, 16,  17.]   And 

that  ate  l^ecp  no  company  ;    if  ar.y  that  is  called  a  Brother^ 

be  a  Fornicator^  or  Covetous,  or  an  Idolater^  or  a  I{ailer^ 
l^  j^,or  a  Drunl{ard^    or  an  Extortioner,  with  fuch  a  one,  no 

not  to  ear.     i  Cor.  5.  1 1.  And  that  we  withdraw  our 

2  Sam.  11.14.  Tel ves  from  every  Brother,  ibac  walketh  difordeiJy, 

and  note  him,  and  have  no  co'npany  with  him,  that 

Afts  8.  24.  he  may  be  alhamed  :  z  Theff.  ^.  6,  14.  According 
to  thefe  Laws  ofChrift,   we  have  admonlhed  this 

2  Tim.  2.  25,  offending  Brother,  who  hach  gr<'atly  finned  againft 
God,  and  grieved  and  injured  the  Church,  we  have 
26.  earneftly  prayed,  and  paticnrjy  waited  for  his  repen- 
tance, but  we  have  not  prevailed.  But  after  a] J,  he 
continueth  impenitent,  and  will  not  be  perfwaded  to 

I  Cor.  y.  13.  confefs  and  forfakc  his  fin;  We  do  therefore  accord- 
ing to  thefe  Laws  of  Chrift,    decUre  him  unmeet  for 

Mar.  iS.  18.      the   Communion   of   the  Church,   and  rejedt  him 

from  it  5  Requiring  him  to  forbear  it,  and  requiring 

you  to  avoid  him,  and  we  leave  him  bound  to  the 

Judgment  of  the  Lord  unlefs  his  true  Repemancp 

^  fiiall  prevent  it. 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  71 

A  Form  of  AhfolHtion^  and  Reception  of 
the  Penitent. 

'Hough  you  have  greatly  finned  againft  the  Lord,  z  Sam.  12.  13. 
and  againft  his  Church,    and  your  own  Soul, 
yet  feeing  you  humble  your  felf  before  him,   and  2.  Chro.  33, 
Penitently  flie  to  Chrift  for  nnercy,   refolving  to  do 
fo  no  more  :  Hear  now  the  glad  tidings  of  Salvati-  la,  13. 
on,    which  I  am  commanded  to  declare  unto  you. 
I  Johnz.  I,  2.     If  any  man  fin,  we  have  nn  advocate  ^om.  10.  if. 
with  the  Father^    Jejus  Chri^  the  righteous^    and  he  ts  ^  -^^h.  2.  i,  z, 
the  Profitiation  for  our  fins ,  f  John  1.  p.    Jf  we  confejl^  John  i,  9, 
our  fins,    he  is  faithful^    to  forgive  us  our  fin,    nnd  to 
cleanfis  us  from  all  unrighteoufnefi.     Ifa.  55.  6,  7.  Seek^l^z.  5-^.  5,7. 
the  Lord  while  he  may  he  found.    Call  upon  him  while  he 
is  near :    Let  the  pyick^d  forfake  his  Wny,    and  the  un- 
righteous Man  his  Thoughts,    and  let  him  return  unto  the 
Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  him,    and  to  our  God, 
for  he  will  abundantly  pardon,     Prov.  z8.  13.  He  that^'^ov.i^.j^. 
covereth  his  Sins  fhall  not  projper,   but  whofo  ccnfejjeth 
and  forfaj^eth  them  fhall  have  mercy.     Gal.  6,  i.   Ere-  ^^'  ^- 1- 
thren,  if  a  man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,    reflore  fuch  a        '  '^*  ^' 
one  in  thefpirit  of  meekpefi,  confidering  thy  felf  left  thou 
alfo  he  tempted.     According  to  this  word  of  Grace. 

[*  I  do  loofe  the  bonds  here 
*  This  muft  be  omitted     Jaid  upon  you,  and  receive  you  Luke  if. 
it  the  p-rfon  was  not  •      ■  \.    r^  ■         e -,  r,^r-  ^  -,  ,- 

firft  Rejeaed.  ^gain  mto  the  Communion  of  ^J^o^;^-7»io. 

the   Church]    requiring  them  ^^s  g/g ' '"" 
to  receive  you,  aud  not  upbraid  you  with  your  fin,  Luke  ij.  25, 
but  rejoice  in  your  recovery.     And  I  do  declare  to  2^7. 
you  the  pardon  of  all  your  Sins  in  the  BJood  of  pj^'  \^'  V^' 
Chrift,  if  your  Repentance  be  fincere.    And  I  ex- j  Cor/9. 25-. 
hort  and   charge  you ,   that  you  believingly   and  ^6,  zj.  ' 
thankfully   accept  this  great,    unfpeakable  Mercy,  P^^l-  i4i'  $• 
and  that  you  watch  more  carefully  for  the  time  to  "  ^^^'  ^'  ^^' 
come,  and  avoid  temptations,  and  fubdue  the  Flefli, 
and  accept  Reproofs,    and  fee  that  you  return  not  to 
your  vomit,    or  to  wallow  again  in  the  mire,    when 
you  are  waihed  ;    but  obey  the  Spirit  and  keep  clofe 
to  God  in  the  means  of  your  prefervacion. 


72  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


A  Form   of  Thartk^giv'wg^    or  Prayer^ 
for  the  Rejiored  Penitent. 

Rom.  3.  If.     f^  (©od  merciful  jfatlier,  u\z  t\)mk  t\)tt^  tX^at 

\J  tl)ou  hail  b2oiiglir  m  nnux  fo  graciou0  a  CoW 
I  Job.  I.  V.  &  ijenaut,  as  not  onlp  to  par  Don  t\)t  fin0  of  our  uure^j 
i.  1, 1-  generate  date;  but  alfo  upon  our  ^tmtmt  confeffi;: 

on,  anD  return,  to  deanfeufi^,  fromaH  ourunrigljte^ 
Pfai.  IV  oufnel^,  anD  parDon  our  faHe  b)>  tl)e  blcoD  of  ^nj^iff, 
^  '°3-  J-       anD  to  redone  our  im\0,  anD  leaD  U0  again  in  t\]t 

3PatI)B  of  lAigWeoufners,  anD  commanD  t\)V  ^tv^ 
Mat.  9. 1.       iJant5^  to  receitje  rns.   ZUt  tljank  tljoe  t()at  tljou  IjaH 

tl)us  rel!o^eD  tins  ti)v  ^feertjant,  gitjing  Ijim  repent 
Rom.  y . « ,  2., : .  tanr e  anD  remiCTion  of  fin*    [*  anD  re^    ^ 

turning  I]im  to  tlje  (Sommunion  of   :f  !fJ*L°^^     , 

Pfal.  51.  11.      tljp  CtjUrcl]]     mz  bcfOedl   tIjCC  COm:^     Rejeaed 

fort  Iiim,  Uiitli  tlje  belietjing  :iLpp,2e^ 

Iienfions  of  tlip  foggifeenefs  anD  reconciliation  tf)^ougI) 

1  Pet.  5. 10.     3|eru0  Qiij^iQ.^   iiieCo^e  unto  liim  tl}e  |0|?  of  ti)v  fal^ 

Nation,  anD  upI)OlD  I}im  bp  tl)V  free  fpirit  ^  Qabiifi), 

Aasii.z?.     lirengtl)en,  fettle  l)im,  tl)at  Untl)  full  purpofe  of 

Iieart,  Ije  map  cleabe  unto  tliee,  anD  noix>  tljou  Ijatt 

fpoken  peace  to  l)im  l)e  map  not  return  again  to  fol:^ 

Pfai.  8y.  8.      Ip,  as  i)t  nauietl)  tl)t  ipame  of  cfl:lj^iS,  let  i^im  Depart 

2  Tim  -        ^^^^  3^^^^^tyi  a^^  n^^^i^  ^tio^^  Diftonour  a;i)ee, 

tl)p  c^urcl)  or  tnitij,  no^  I^ijs  Ijolp  p^ofeCfion,  but 

7  9.    .    fabe  I}im  from  2!remptation>    3ilet  i)im  toatcl)  anD 

Q.im  fad,  anD  fm  no  mo^e,  led  too^fe  befal  Ijim* 

]let  l)im  not  receitje  tl]i0  grace  in  tain,  no^  turn  it 

Rom.  z.ih  into  ^lantonncfs,  no^  continue  in  fin,  tljat  grace 
mai>  abounD*    3i5ut  let  l)isi  olD  man  be  cruc ifieD  toitl) 

Mat.  ^.  I  ^  ca:i)^iii,  anD  tl}c  3i5oDp  of  fin  be  DeilropcD ;  tijat  I)ence:^ 
fo^tl)  f)e  map  no  mo^^e  fcrbe  fin,  remembging  tofjat 

I  Cor.  16. 1  J.  fruit  be  l)aD'  in  tljofe  tl)ing0,  Irijereof  Ije  is^  note  a^ 
(lameD,  anD  tliat  tlie  euD  anD  toages  of  fin  i0  Deatlj, 
anD  [H  us  an  take  Earning  bp  tl)e  falls  of  otljer^, 

John  ^  14.       anD  be  not  l)igli  minDCD  but  fear ;   :3inD  let  Ijim  tl;at 

rCor.  6.1.  tbinbetli  be  UanDctl)  take  IjeeD  led  be  falL  ^etufi 
loatcl)  anD  p^ap  tl)at  Ixie  enter  not  uito  temptation, 
remembering  tijat  tbe  flel]}  is  Uieak*  4lnD  our  4iDljer:i 
farp  tl)e  JDe\)il  iralketb  about    ff eking  U-.ljom  be  map 

Judc  4.  Debour*    ^nD  let  none  of  ue  bate  our  3i5,20tljcr  lu 

our  beartfi,   but  in  anp  boife  rebuke  our  neigl)bour, 

auD  not  fuffer  fin  upon  bim,  anD  confirm  us  un:; 

'  to  tlje  mD,   tljat  toe  map  be  blamelefs,  ii)  tlje  JDay 

cf 


The  Reformed  Liturgy »  70 


of  our  %tsp  3|eru0  slj^iff,  to  ixjl)om  ixiitl)  tljee,  Sl> 
;ffatf)er !  auD  tfip  igolj?  spirit,  be  isingtiom,  anO 
Potoer,  anD  d^Io^p  fo^  eten   Amen. 


APPENDIX. 


Mar.  28. 19. 


A  larger  Letany^    or  general  Prayer^    to  he  ^  J""^-  >'•  7. 

ujed  at  Dijcretiorj,  xTim.  r.17. 

Pfai.  139.7,8,9. 

0&.ij.7,4..ira.  lO, 
S^oi!  l&olp,  3i5le(reD,  ann  (25Io?ious  STrinitp,  17  Nth.9.  Rev- 
;fatl)er,  ^on,  anD  igolp  (2K}oa,  tligee  per^  +•  ^-^  1-  e^-^. 
fonjs^,  anD  one  (0oD,  Sinfinite  in  Potcer,  jf- 4- ^|^- 47- 7- 
SKtiifDom,  anD  CB^CDDnef^,  our  creator,  l'^eDeemer,fJ\^'^ai  2 
anD  ^anctifier ;  our  pinner,  (I5ol3erno^anD5fatl)er^io.Deut.3i  e. 
ijear  our  ip^aper^,  anD  Ijabe  mercp  uponu;8^,  ^i^lvktl\.^. 
ferable  finner^*  Aft.  7.  $<;,  60. 

€>  ^o^D  our  §^abiour,  toliofe  incarnation,  iRa:^  S?,  ^'  ^'• 
tibitp,  Subjection,  :ffafiing,  iremptation,  lPol3ertp,Lukei'n     * 
mep^oaclje^,  4lgonj>,  anD  BleoDp  ficeat,  Scourging,  M3t.4.'i,  2. 
JDefertioit,  arrucifping,  ©eatl],  anD  Burial,  toere  aH  2.  Cor.  8. 9. 
unDergone  to  take  atoap  t\)t  ^im  of  tfje  Qiaio^lD:]^^'^-^^-^^' 
iKUlp  being  rifen,  afcenoeD,   anD  glo^ifieD,  art  tl^eL"^^^^- J^-^ 
great  iP^ieff,   anD  P^opljet,   anD  ising  of  tI)P  uni^ !;!  MYrki ;  U' 
berfal  cljurcf),  fo?  ixjijicl)  ti)ou  makeS  ^jntercelTion,  &  15.  u-  'Corl 
toi)ic()  tljou  Doeff  gatljer,  teacb,  anD  guiDe  bp  tl)p  15. 3,4.  Job.  >. 
Ifepirit,   2[llo?D,   anD   ^iniSer^,   totjicl;  tipu  Dod'-^'-Heb.  1.3.& 
ludifie  anD  toilt  gto^ifie  iritl)  ti)))  felf,    b;i)o  Mt'-^.g^-'-^^- 
come  again,  anD  raife  ttje  Peiit?,  anD  iuiDge  tljencb  T'l'^joh* 
dflio^lD  in rig^teoufnef0 ;  <HLie  befeecl)  tl)ee  Ijear  U0i..  ji.'Mar.i^! 
ai^iferable  S>inner0 :  call  m  not  out  tl)at  come  i\n^  10,10.  iCor.n. 
to  t^ee :  #ake  Cure  to u0 our  calling  anD  election,  ^i^.  4. &  f .  i6, 
our  unfeigneD  f  aiti)  anD  repentance,  tljat  being  iix^i^  ^rVief     '^'  '^' 
fieD,  anD  maDe  tlje  Son0  of  dBioD,  ijoe  map  l}ate  peace  ,^  joh*  ^/^^I' 
toitl) l}im a0 our  neconcileD  C5oD  anD  ;5Fatl)er.  AdV.. 7. '^i.joh* 

3flet  ouri)eart0  be  rig!)t  toitl}  tl}ee  our  dB^oD,  anD^.^y.^PeMio. 
fieDfaH  int\)f  cobenant,  caufeu^toDenpour  felbe^, iT^ii^i-^  aos 
anD  gibe  up  our  felbesf  entirelp  unto  tliee,  our  Cgeato?,  n  y  •  ^  _^\  J^-  ^^• 
.l^eDeemer,  anD  ^anctifier,  a^  being  not  cur  oU5n,,c^;/J.,'8;pf. 
\Mt  tl)ine>  78. 37VMat.!^.  3  i 

Hitt  tip  igolp  fpirit  DtoeU  in  U0,  anD  fanctifie  u^  iCor  80- •  iCor: 
tl)^ou3l)out,  tijat  i»e  map  be  neto  creature;ef,  anD  f)olp  ^'  ^9^  ^o- 

a^ 


74  i he  Reformed  Liturgy. 

Rom.  8. 9.  ajs  tljou  art  igol)^  i  let  if  be  m  ujsf  t\]Z  fjiirit  of  4lDop:2 
1  Thef.y  iv  tion  anD  fuppticatioii,  sm  tlie  feal  arin  enrneU  of 
1  PcT" /■  iV'  ^"^  C351o,2iou0  31nhpritance  anu  let  usf  knoto  tijat  toe 
R«m.*8'  IT.'  ^^^  ^^^i"£^-  3"^  tliou  abiDeff  in  \X0  b^  tlje  fpirit  ix)I)ic^ 
Zech.  iz.  10.     fijou  ija({  giben  \x^. 

Eph.  I.  M,  14.  lifS  n]v  iSame,  SD  ?Lo^ti  i^  Igoli?,  ant>  tl}P  glo^)> 
T  ^t '■  ^'  ^u  K  ^^'^^^'^^^  fi)C  igeal;en0  fo  let  tlje  (iartl}  be  fiHeb  toitt) 
T  ^  Luke  I  '^  t^PP^^aire^:  net  our  ^oul^  eber  fli^agnifie  tijee  S!> 
Vial  .<6  17  &  ^0.-^  ■  ^"1'^^  ow^  SToiiguejef  ertol  tliee.  ?Let  m  fpeak 
Hf.  5.6.7, ^,'1, of  tl)e  glc,ziou;6f  l)onour  of  tl))>  09aie3p;  oftf)i?(25;eat^ 
ii,&:c.zi.  nefs;.  tI}pii5otner>  tl)p  glo^iou0  BmgtnDm.  tijp  dfflfif::; 
Dom.  ipolinef^,  SETriitl)  aiiD  iRigljteoufaefe: ,  tl)p 
^CDDnefs^,  tl)p  Q^ercp,  anD  tl)p  txioiiD^oii^  oxio^k^ ! 

Let  all  Fieli  blefs  chv  Holy  Namd, 

]fa  i5  <?  Dcut  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^^  0"^  ^^"^^  b^  ^0  f ^)>^  iliame :  saufe 
ji.\2.&  10.12,  W-S^  to  lobe  tijee  toitl)  all  our  tortja^  to  fear  tijee  truU 
20, 21.  pfai.-,.^  ia  t[)tz  anD  to  Deligljt  m  tljee,  auDbefati^fieo  in  t^ee 
«c  37.4.&16.5.  au  our  Portion,  aaoioljat  eberiueDoto  uo  it  to  tiw 

-'°+^Ph'i  2 '\i'     ^^^^^  "^  f^o"^  31no?Dinate  felf  lobe,  from  F^iDe, 
JR.m.  i.'is'V^.'  anD  bain  (Blo^p.  anD  felf  feeding  anD  fromDi(6onour^ 
Mit.  J.  x6.     i\%  tl)ee,  tljpiCLio^D.  o,z  ^erbice  in  t\)z  iflio^lD. 
Pia'.^y.z,;.       let  t^e  SUo^lD  acknob)leDge  tljee.  tlje^niberfal 
&  2. 8.  II.      j^iiig^    (23;j^^  .((^P  gjQj^  l-lj^  l^eatljen  fo?  I)i0  31nl)eri^ 

iT7m''2^i'+  ^^"^'^'  ^"^  t^)^  utmoff  part^f  of  tlje  cartljfo?  {)\is; 

joh.  li.  W.     PoCTelTion:  3let  tl)e  isingDomfi  of  ttje  (iflio^lD  become 

&  1 2, 3 : .        I)i0  l^iiigDom0  J  conbert  tl)e  ^tl)eiilical,  3lDolatrou0, 

Phu.  2. 20, 1 1. 3|nfiDel    ci©al)ometan.  anD  ungoDip  il^Iation^of  t{)z 

cartl;  rliat  eberp  iSnee  map  bob?  to  orlj^itt,  anD  ebe:^ 

rp  STongue  confeCe  l)im  t\)Z  %m%  of  ifiingfif,  anD  Itlo^D 

of  i^o,:D0^  2^0  tlie  C^lo^p  of  (2^oD  tl)e  j?atl)er^ 

fTheV'Jt        ^^^  ^^^^  ^^"^^^  ^f  ^^^  0ingDom  anD  s^albation  be 

Dan.  123. '     P.2eadjeD  to  all  tl)e  3^o?ID.  let  it  l)abe  free  courfe  anD 

U" .  49. 6.        be  glorifieD ;  anD  h^  t^e  ipolxier  of  ti)^  Spirit  con^ 

Mar.  9. 58.      bert  manp  unto  €i}?ift.  anD  let  i^imbe  tl)t>  ^alba:^ 

Th^f '  '''*      ^^"^^  ^°  ^^^^  ^"^^  ^^  ^^^^  o^artlv    S)enD  foztl]  mo;e  ?la^ 

1  Thd'i'li    ^ow^^r0  into  tl)e  igarbeli,  tnliicl)  i^  great,'  anD  fit  tl)em 

fo^fo  great  a  too^k  -.  anD  Deliber  tljem  from  unreafon^s 

able  mo  toickeD  men,  t\\^t  to  fill  up  tljeir  rin0;  fo^biD 

tljem  to  fpeak  totlje  ipeople,  tl)at  tl)ep  migl)C  be  fabeD^. 


Luke  18. 7.         jDeliber  tlje  (irl)urcl}e0  t()at  are  opp^eOTeD  bp  ^jDola 

Luke  Yl"  \  0     ^^^^'  ^al}omt  tan0    0?  otI)cr  ;f .nfioel^  anD  a^nemies . 

iPec.  z.if.  &  ^^^^  ^^  t^JP^^f^a"^'^   IP^uDence,  ^patience,  ano 


3.14.17.  sc  3innocenfp,  tliatfufferingaycftliziliian^.  anD  nota^f 
4- 15, 1^,  19-  &iJil  3Doefj0f,  tijep  map  not  be  afljameD  buf  map  glo^ 
wicah  7.7-  rifietlite  anD  toait  for  t\)\>  ^albation,  committing 
Mat,  J.  II,  11.  fug  beeping  of  tlieir  ^oula  unto  tijoe,  in  tjope  of  a 
»eU)aro  m  igeaben»      v  Pe^j 


ThelTeformed  Liturgy,  7S 


JDeliber  ttjecijurcl)  from  ti)e  aSeman  Papal  (afiir^Piai.  119.  lu. 
pation0anD<a:o?rupf:ion5^,  nifpeltt)eDemijerof  i^ere^  ^^^-  i>-9,i3- 
fie^,  anD  falfe  mo^f^vp,  bv  ti)e  Iigl}Cof  tfivp^eliailing  i^h^  '^',0 '^'^^ 
arrutl) ;  finite  aU  ca:f)^illuitig  in  (S^ly^m  3!efu^,  ti)e  true  iVktiz  zf  zs 
anD  onlp  dJniUf rfal  ^eat) :  arijat  bp  tl)e  true  eli^iSiau  ^  Pet.  2.'    * 
cCatljoUck  :JfaitIi  auD  Idobe,  tijep  map  groto  up  in  ijim,  Jude 
anD  map  ka^p  tije  mnity  of  tl)e  Spirit  in  tljt  bouD  of  ^^im.  ?.  9. 
B3eace;  tfje  firongreceibing  anD  bearing  tlje  Jlnfirmt:  ^^ .  ^'  '^'  '^' 
tie^  of  tl)e  toeak  ;  igeal  tlje  Dibifion^  tijaf  are  among  Rom  14  i 
BelieberB;  let  notljing  be  Done  tlj^ougl)  firife  0^  bain^  x  i  m.  * 
glo^p,  but  in  loblinef^  of  minD ;  let  ead)  el!eem  otljer  Jer  gz.  39* 
tetter  tban  l)imfelf,  ^nD  let  aU  menknoto  tl)at  toe  are  '  ^^r.  no. 
(^t^^iUsi  JDifcipIeB^,  bp our  ferbent lobe  to  one anotl^er* it'*/'  \ 

Xttu0  be  fjeartilp  anD  entirelp  tl^p  ^ubjert^,belieb^  Eph  ''  I  , 
ing  tl)at  tlpuart  jul!,  auD  tl)eEetoarDer  of  tljem  tljat  Rom.?.26  Heb. 
Diligentlp fo^k ti)ec^  JSeep ms from ^tljeifln, 3iD0latrp,  ^ T'i.Eph-z.a,?. 
anD  JDifqbeDieuce;  from 31nfiDel itp,  SngoDlinef^,  anD  ^."^^s^-  ^-  »*• 
i^enfualitp; from ^ecuvit^, p^efumption, anD Defpair>  ur^'  ^' ' '* 
?let  U0  auDp  to  pleafe  tlje^  in  aU  ti)ing0 :  let  tl)p  Kom  'g'  zl' 

-Jlato  be  to^itten  in  our  ijear^,  anD  let  u^  Deligl)t  to  Do  Coi.  1'.  to.  Hcb. 

M)V  ^ifl ;   let  our  jFaitl)  anD  ?libe^  be  ruleD  b)>  ti)^  ^.  10.  Pfai.40.8. 

.iBHorD,  'oQt^ici)\0  able  to  m.ake  U0  toife  unto  ^alba-^  ^'a.  s.  zo  Afts 

ition;  let  u0  lobe  it,  fearcl)  it,  anD  unDerSanD  it,  J"^*  |l\^  v"^^  - 

.  anD  meDitate  in  it  Dap  anD  nigi)t.  Jf,  f  ?9  Like 

net  U0  not  pleafe  our  felbe^  0^  ptljer  men  againii24.4f.pfai.i.2, 

t^ge,  no^  be  leD  bp  tlje  toifDom  ozDefire^of  tlje^o^tD,  Rom.  im,  z. 

anD  jflelb,  no;i  regarDlping  banitie^,   no^  tlj^ouglj^a^-'-^o- iCpr. 

,  carelefneffi^,  ra(l)nef0,  0^ p^eCumption,  offenDt^ee^     R'^''5f"^*Vh 
450  all  iBatious  muS  be  juDgeD  hv  tl}ec,  let  tl)em  be  f '"g"';^;*.  ';/*;"' 

.:ruleD  bp  tl]P  laixi0,  anD  not  make  tljem  boiD  bpmen0  i/i^  Roir.2! 

-^TraDitioue",  no?  too^ftip  ttjeeinb^in,  teacijing  fio^  16.  Micah4.z. 
i©oarine  tl)e  cfrommanDment0  of  men*  3i5ut  Wljat  eber  Mat.  ly.  3, 5, 
tl)ou  commanDefi,  let  tl)em  take  1}ced  to  do  !  lettljem  ^  '  [' 

;i:aDD noti)ing  tljereto,  no?  take  ougijt  tl}erefrom*         ^^-i  * 
ilet  U0  not  take  tl)p  iplp  igame  in  bain,  but  ufe  Exod.^oj.Pfal, 

Jt in trutl) anD reberence^-iseepus from aHBlafpljemp, R). 7.  Jer. 4:2. 

.perjurp,  Ipiopljane  fijoearing,  from  lpin«  before  tl)e  Mar.  15. 19. 
(Bod  of  STruti),  ano  from  contempt  auD  fo?getfulnef0 1^""'^  Y'    r* 
of  tt)P  p^efeace,  from  falfe,  untxiortli{>,  unreberent  ,\i\l'f^l'lo 
tl)Ougl)t0ozfp©d)e0of(I5oD,  anD tjolp tl)mg0, auD from  Mai.  i.<^,7,'izl 
neglecting  b?  abufing  tlip  l)olp  oiUogD  anD  orio^fiiip^      6c  1. 1, 7,  s,  9. 

^elpu0  to  ka:p  l)olp  ttjp  JDap,  mrememb^ance  of  tl)e  Rev.  i.  io, 
bleflfeD  ixjo^kof  our  E^Demption,  anD  reberentlp  to  at:;  Aa.  20. 7. 

^  tenD  tliae  in  publick  2jUo?{I)ip ;  anD  obeDientlp  to  r  eceibe  'Cor- 1^.  2. 
ti)^  idio^D,  anD  ferbentlp  to  call  upon  tl)pi|^ame  auD  f^^.  ^  °-J^- 
.toDeligl)tourfelbe0in2n)ankfgibmganD)opfulp?aife0  j^^;  ;  ^' 
to  tl)p  I5olinef0  in  tt)e  communion  of  tl)p^aint0,anD  ah.?.  42,*^. 

jfff  let 


y6  The  Reformed  Liturgy, 


praL98.&c.i4/!et  US  uvt^uUv  fee  tliat  our  5)ounjoil>jer,  anu  all  toitljin 

1.  jofh.  ZA'  !)•  oiir  gate0  Do  fcrte  t^o?^  atiD  not  abufe  tliv  i}oip  JDa)>» 
Exnd.  to  1 0.       j^g^p  mere p  on  tl)e  isingjff  aiiD  l^ul  er0  of  tl)c  cEar tf), 

PfalT'l-r  r^  6  ^^laf  ^1^^*  "^^^  f^l-^P^  ^^^  €cmptation0  of  (LMO^lDif 

Lukei8.2.4,iV<25^^atner8f,  i^.onourflf,  anD  p^fperitp,  totjicli  tooulD 
I  Cor.  1. 15.  f apribatp  tlK m  to  tlje  fled),  ann  nzaUi  ttieir  t)rart5^  from 
Luke  IT.  II.  ttift,  tliP  3C.a)r0  anD  ifliav^,  anD  tooulo  engage  tl}em  a^; 
J^^'  j^. ^V  ^'^  gainfl  th^,  anD  t.hv  ^crbants ,  Znr)  as  thep  are  tl)p 
tVi'Tif^^^9  QPiniUer^,  ann 30agi(lracv i:6r tt)me iZD^Dinance,  Ian* 
a%  i  Chron.  cti&e  anD  Difpofe  tlirm  to  be  il^urfing  jfar Ijerjff  to  tl)>> 
T9.  ^.  eiinrch,  to  oton  tlip  ^fntereff,  anD  Rule  fo^  tljee^ 

V^m.  4-.  10.  C'frer iaKp  habe  mercv  on  tiro  ^er\3ant  Char  ei  our 
1  Kia  ^  1 9ii  I.  j^ing ;  illuminate  anD  fanrtifte  ^im  b^  tiw  i)olv  ^pi:: 
illJ,^jl%  rit,  tliat  abobe  all  tdmga  tie  map  frek  tliv  (3to^p,  tt)e  in^ 
aKmgsiS.i.i,^.  crrafe  of  jfaitlianD  £Dber)icncetotIip3taU)0,  anD  map 
Rom.  n.  4,V  ruIeu0as^bemgtIipa3inilIerfo?gCDD,nottobeaterro,z 
1  Tim.  1.  2.     to  gdiDSllo.zkjsf,  but tcc^bil;  tl]at  unr^er  l)im  ine  map  leaD 

a  quirt  anD  peaceable  life  in  all  goDIineCsf  anD  lioneU)>^ 
PfaL72.iPro.8.  igabe  mercp  upon  an  tl)e  iSopal  :ffamilp,  tije  %o;l}isf 
i6.Exod.i3.i7.oftf)ecounaI,anDaIItf)ei0obilitp,  tlje  JiuDge^,  anD 
ifa  ^?'  -  ^mCtVcites  of  ttiefe  llanD;0f.  ocaufe  tl)em  to  fear  tt)(t, 
Luke  I  SI  ^^^  ^°  ^^  eminent  in  ^ob^ietv,  Kigl)teou(hef0,  anD 
J  2 , )  3 . '    *     C5oDlinef0,  to  piottct  the  "J.nnbcent ,  anD  be  a  terro^  to 

tl)e  (laiit-feeD,  bating  31njUiIice,sobetournef0anD  p^iDe* 
Rora.  13.  I  6.  !leteberpfoulbefubjeatotl)eigig!jfrU5ob3ersf,anD 
1  Pec.  X.  1 3.'    not  refill*  51et  tijem  obep  tbe  Sing,  anD  all  ttjat  are  in 

1  Tim.  z.  t.     4lutlio2itp  unDer  him,not  onip  ro,2  to:atb,  but fo;  conCct:: 

mc£  rafee,a0  knoUiin^  tl}at  tliep  rule  bv  tl]ec,anD  fo^ttjae* 

P        .        (23ibeaIItbearl)urelie0able,  (}0l)>,  faitl^'uHPatfo/^r, 

\  Tim  s"  1*7    ^^  ^^"^^  ^^^^"^  laboiiouli'  to  p:eacb,  anD  riglitlt>  to  Di^ 

2  Tim.  1.  IS.  ^i<^^  t^f  ^o^D  of trutl),  to  feeD  tip F^ opie  toitli  motors 
jcr.  V  u.  leDge,  anD  leaD  them  in  tbe  Uiap  of  jf aiti)  anD  ilobe,  of 
a  Tim.  4.  r.  s  igolinef^  auD  i^eace,  anD  to  toatcli  (ox  ttjeir  fouls  a0 

2.  zr. &  I.  n.  f jjcfe  tl)at muH  gibe  account ;  obcr:;faing  anD  ruling 
iVcili^'x  i  ^^^^^  "°^  bpcondraint,  but  toiUinglp,  notfo?filt!)p 

'^.'  ' '  '  'lucre,  butof  areaDv  minD,  not  a^  being  !Lo^D0  obec 

ti)^  igeritage,  but  a0  tlie  ^erbant0  of  all,  anD  (Jrn^ 

lample0  to  tlje  jfloeli ;  STljat  tol^en  t^e  cljief  ipafio^ 

il)aU  appear,  tljep  map  receibe  a  croton  cf  (Slo^p* 

?Ut  tbe  qo:ongregation0  tmoto  tljofe  tljat  Ijabe  tt)e 

iThcCi  r  .^.^wJ'ngoft^em,  anDareobertbemintt)eilo^D,tl)atla^ 

Hcb.  iV  17.*  '  bouramongtbem,p2eacl)ingtotbcmtbeMio^Dof<Z5oD» 

I  rim.  5. 17.    3fi,et  tl)em  fubmiffibeiv,  anD  obeDlentlp  bear,   anD 

eQeem  tbem  berp  l]igl)l)>  in  lobe  for  tbeir  too^b0  fafee, 

anD  account  tl)m  )xo;ti)v  of  Double  Ijonour* 

Epb  5  4.  ^^^  IParent0  b^ing  up  tljeir  cbrt D^en  ni  tbe  il2ur ture 

anD  4lDmonition  of  tlj?  Jlo^o,  Diligcotlp  teadjing  tl;fm 


The    Reformed  Lrtftrj^y. 


•^7 


ttfp  moitj,  talking  •  of  it  tol)en  tljep  are  in  tf^eir  f)Oufe,  Dcm.  6. 6,7. 

anti  tefjm  tliei?  Voalfe  bt>  tt^e  toap,  totjen  tijep  ipe  Doton, 

ano  bherr  tfieprife  upi  tl)at  tl)ei)  map  knoto  rl)cir  cre^  Eccl.  12.  r. 

ato?,  KeDa>mer,  ano  ^anctifier  in  tlie  Daps  of  t(^eir 

potifli :  41nD  caufe  Cljilo^m  to  f)ear  lobe,  Ijonour,  am  Eph  ^  i  2  ? 

obep  tljrir  i^arent^,  tl^at  tliep  map  I)abe  tl)e  bieffing         '      ' 

of  tliine  efpedal  p^omife  unto  fuel}* 

%n  Jlgu0banD0  lobe  tlieir  2lUibejef,  ano  pzuoentlp  Erh.  s.  2^,  i^. 
guiDe  tljem  in  knotoleoge  ano  tiolimts.  41nD  let    p--.^.  1,7.  ' 
©Hibe0  fobe,  Ijonour,  ano  obep  tijeiv  i^,u0bano;^,  a;9f  c^^-  2-  ^a. 
meet  i)elper£f  to  ttiem* 

?Let  mi<$evs  rule  tfieir  g^erbarttsf  in  igolfnef^  ano  Eph.  5  9  ^ 
^ercp,  rememb^ing  tl)ep  f]abe  a  iS^ntier  in  igeaben, 
ano  let  ^erbantjer  reberentip,  finglp,  ano  toiHingb' 
beobeoient  anoooferbicetotljeir  ^iQer^a^totfje 
Jlc^i3,  rromljim  ejcpecting  t()eir  retearo* 

Beep  m  from  ^uroer,  Oiiolence,  ano  all  injurp  to  our  r  Job.  7.1^, 
neigJjbo^fif  fife,  0^ fjealtl], from TTialice,furSng,rebiiing  L'^^  ?.  14. 
ano  unaDbifeo  atn-jer :  ^et  110  not  reCl!  tbil  )x>itt}  ebil,  if""'  7. 2. 
but  forbear  one  anotlicr,  ann  not  gibe  plate  to  Ui^atlv    Rom'jf  ""r- ^' 

J^oep  u^  from  41ou{f erp,  jforniration  ano  all  ixndem:^  Fph.  4. 7.  ''  * 
nef^,  ano  tije  occafions  ano  appearances  tljereof*  ?Let  Rum.  12. 19. 
U0  talie  care  a0  becometl;  faints,  tl)at  tljt^  be  not  immo:^  ^^^c.  t .  2  , 2?. 
Oefflpnameoamongus^  anot()at  no«:o;2ruptcommu^  iC  rA^^Rcrn, 
nication,  proceeo  out  of  cur  ^cutljs.^  0ecp  us  from  \^*^p'  il '  ,1: 


Cljambering  ano  toantonnefs,  from  luffful  tl)OU^()ts,  4.19. 1'pcc  3:2,1. 
ano  an  immooef!  attire,  bel}abiour,  lojfes  ano  actions*  Job  31.  1.  "^'  * 
iacep  US  from  ^l)pft  ano  ^ppzefSon,  ano  anv  toap  Eph.  4.28  pfai 
to^onging  our  i^eigl)bo? in  Ins  P?op?ietp  anO  ofSate*  62. 10.  &  73.  s! 


Beep  u0  from  jfaife  bjitnefs^bearing,  Iping,  anO  oe^:  '  Thef.  4. 6. 

ceibing >  from flanoering, backbiting, unjUJi, uncl^ari^ Pov^i^.y .&  12. 

table  cenfuringo^  rep^oacl)ing,  from  an  perberting  ofH^^j  j°;^pfai 


plaice,  ano  hj^onging  tt)e  reputation  of  our  iReigl)^  ly.  3.'&8'i.  2. 
bour,  ano  from  aU  confent  or  oelireof  fuel)  tegongs*  Lev.i<,  17. 

Beep  us  from  cfnbp,  ano  from  cobeting  anp  ti)ing  p^ov.  zj. 
tl)at  is  our  i|ieigl)bours,  to  l)is  bj^ong,  ano  from  fak^  Gal.  5. 21,  z6. 
ing  our  oton,  0^  o^ab^ing  to  ourfelbes,  to  tlje  injurp  of  E^p^-  ^0*17. 
tfi0  Welfare  •,  but  let  usi  lobe  our  i|^eigl)bours  as  our  \^^^-  ^'  ^ '• 
lelbes,  ano  00  to  otl)ers  as  b^e  tooulo  tljep  Rjoulo  00  & ;  Z.^"  ^^' 
to  m^ 

2EreacI)  m  to  lobe  clj^iS  ano  l)is  i}0\v  Blmage  in  l)i0  Mat.  i  f .  40. 
fl^embers,  toitl)  a oear  ano  fpeeial  lobe,  ano  to  lobe  i Pec.  1.2^.. Mar. 
our  (Enemies,   ano  p^ap  fo^z  tliem  tijat  l}ate  anO  per^  ^  44^  ^;  Jr45. 
fecute  usi,  ano  to  00  gcbo  to  all  as  bne  are  able,  but  ^^^'  ^'  ^^' 
cQseciallp  to  tl)em  of  tije  l)ou(Ijolo  of  jfaitlj* 

Caufe  us  b3itl3  patienee  to  fubmit  to  all  tije  ©ifpo^  PCai.  ^9. 9. 
fals  of  tl;p  caiill,  ano  Wit  ti)}>  drno,  ano  to  lobe  tij?  Ma..  16.  jo. 

;ffffa  m^ 


78  The  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Afts  M.  «4.  nemonffration^  of  t)i\v  l&olinefje;,  auD  3|u(lice,  tl)OUfil| 
Jam.  5. 7i  8 11.  gricboufi  to  t\)Z  f\t%  auD  keep  uje:  from  impatient 
J  Kin.  10.  i^.  jai^urmuringjff,  an?)  tiifcontcnt,  anO  arrogant  reafon^ 
Mai.  3H-  »4- uig  agamU  tl)p  ^in. 

Luke  1 1 .  n  •  <25itje  u0  our  Dailp  b^ean,  our  neceffatp  fuHentation, 
Dcut.  i8.  -^5.  ant)  p^obifion  fo?  tl)p  ferbice,  ant)  let  U0  ufe  it  fo^  tfjee, 
Rom.  I  ?.  1 4-  anD  n^t  to  fati;6fp  tlic  flefl;  -,  let  U0  ticpenD  on  ti)a,  ano 
^"h^ '  '^'/°*  ^"^  ^^^  f^^  ^^  ^'^  ^^  laiofui  ufe  of  ttie  mean0  ■■>  anD 
IohIJ'4         ^^f-^^  ^^'^^  ^"^  Iabour0,  anti  gibe  ujb  tl)c  fruits  of  ti)t 

cartif  in  feafon,  aiiD  fuctj  temperate  b^eatljer  a0  tenH^ 

eti}  tljereunto* 
Tte^t'>%  6  8  K>eliber  U0  anD  all  tl}p  ^erbant^  from  Old)  toantjef, 
&c  Pha*2.'z7.tiiffreire0,grief;ff,  anDficknefe,  a0  iioifl  unfeafonablp. 
pfai.  101 .  24.  tafee  ujBf  off  tl}j5  ftrbice.  ant)  from  untimely  oeatt) ;  4InD 
Luke  1 2. :  o.  teact)  u0  to  batue  antJ  retjeem  our  time,  anB  icoo^ti  \xX}i\t 
Eph.s-i^.       iti0tiav^ 

joh. 94-  0eepu0from  (I5lutton|>,  3D^unfeennef0    an&  all 

Rom.  M-  n-    intemperance;  from aotl)  ano  iolencf^,  from ino^Dinate 
Jy^^^^".^- ,  tiefire0ofpleafure0,  ogabunoame^  but  Ijabmg  f coD, 
Eph  4.  z8.'     ano  liJaiment  let  U0  be  tl)ereb3itl)  cmtmitli^ 
Pro.ii.  17,         ilDf  tt)p  abundant  mercp.  tluougi)  tljefacnfice  anB 
&  2.3. 4.         merit0  of  tlip  ^onacco^oingto  tip  p^omife, fo^gibe  \m 

1  Tim.  6.  8, 9.  aH  our  fin0,  anD  fabe  U0  from  tljip  DeCerbeD  togattj  anD 
Pfai.ji.  I.  conDemnation*  Kemember  not  SS> ^o^D  our  offence0, 
w  h  R  ^*  ^'  ""^^  ^^^^  offences  of  our  fore^jfatl)er0  -,  but  tljoug!)  our 
Dan  9'  6''i6  31niquitie0  teilifp  againd  U0,  ftjare  m  anD  fabe  U0 
jer.  14.7.'  '  fo^  tl)v mercp fake '  £D  let  not  our  fin  Dep^ibe  m  of 
Pfai.  31.16.  tl)p  fpirit,  0?  of  accef0  unto  tl)ae,  or  communion  toitfi 
rfai.  51.11,  tfjae,  o^  of  t\)^  fabour  o^  comfort,  o^  tt)e  ligfjt  of  t^ 
»i»  'Q-  •        (Countenance,  o^of  eberlaUing  life* 

u^'e  i[.  I  *^^"^^  "^  ^0  fo^gibe  from  our  ^eart0,  tfje  Jlnjurie^ 
Rom.- 12. 19.  t)one  againtt  U0,  a0  b^e  ejrpect  to  be  fo^giben  bp  tljee 
Luke  6. 28, 29.  tl)c  greatef!  Debt*  iSeep  U0  from  aH  rebengeful  De* 
Luke  14.  fire0  anD  atrempt0*  ^CnD  Do  tljou  conbert  anJ  parDon 
Aft.  7.60.       our  afnemie0.  aanDerer0   opp^eao^0,  iperfecuto^0, 

anD  otljer0  tl)at  l)abe  Done  U0  loo^ong* 
Mar.  25.  41.  ^g^p u0  fxom  ruuning  upon  HDcmptation^,  tuffec 
^m.  4. 7.  not  tl)e  tempter  bv  fubtiltp  o^  impo^tiuhtp  to  corrupt 
jo^b'^T^''  cur  3iUDgment0.  ZBi^Hs  3lffection0,  o^conberfati;: 
Mat.  11. '3^.  on0*  Caufe  U0  to  maintain  a  Diligent  anD  conftant 
Hcb.  2.10.       toatcl)  ober  our  t!)ougl]t0  anD  lieart0.  our  fenfe0  anD 

2  Tim.  2. 3.    appetitP0,  our  top;D0  ano  action0;  anD  a0  faithful 

1  Job.  2. 13.  £^oulDicr0  bp  tlje  conDUct  anD  flrcngtlj  of  tl)e Captain 
R-'m"^  8  1       ^^  •"^  ^albation  biiti)  tl)e  U)l)Ole  41rmour  of  <^0D, 

2  Tim.  z.  8.'     to  reiia  auD  obercome  tlje  ^o^lD,  tlje  jOebil,  anD 

tlje  Sf\i{i)  unto  tljc  (EnD* 

^abe 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  79 

^abe  \x»  firom  t\)t  STempCation^  of  ip^fperit|>,  I'^ov.  30. 8, 9. 
ma  2tDberfitp,  let  iijef  not  fce  D^ton  from  tij^  to  fm  ^  ^°^-^-  '^» ^^- 
i)p  tfje pleafure0,  p^ofit^,  0^  l^onourief  of  ttje ©loglD-,  mTi ?' ll\i 
(Icengt^en  U0  fo^  fuffermg^ef,  let  u^  not  fo^fafee  ti)tt,  Mac'  8. 24.*  * 
0^  fafi  in  time  of  trial,  Ijelp  ujef  to  Denp  our  felbe^,  Kom.  8. 18. 
sxiXi  take  up  our  ca:rof0  anD  foHoU)  ^\^ii%  accounting 
tfje  fufferings^  of  tl)ij6f  p^efent  time,  uni»o^tfjp  to  be 
compareo  "ooitl)  tfje  glo^p  to  be  rebealeu* 

^eliber  U0  from  t^e  <Enmitp  anD  Kage  of  ^atan,  M:^t.  6.  i?. 
anD  lji031n0rument^,anD  gibe  not  up  tl)p  ^erbantjef,  ^i>"^- 1^  i^'- 
tljeir  s&oul^  0^  ^igfooiejsr;  tfjeir  peace  0^  Jlibertie^,  j^^^^-  J^?:^''»^* 
<rCate0o;i^ame0,  to  tl^eir  malicioujSf  ^KUiE;?:  ^VLt^r'A\m7i\ 
fabe  Uj8^  anD  p^eferbe  m  to  tljp  J^eabenlp  BingDem*  '    ' 

•   iwie  a0k  an  t\)\is  of  t^oe,  €)  ?logD  •'  ifo|  t^ou  art  i  Tim.  1. 17. 
tlje  uniberfal  Sing,  l)ol?  anD  jutt.  to  h)l)om  it  belongs  P^'-  W)-  v- 
tti)  in  rigl)teoufnef0  to  juDge  tl)e  oaio^lD,  anD  fabe  t^^  ^yf  ^7. 31. 
people  =,  M  pob3er  10  tl}ine  to  execute  bj^tfjuponfu'^eu  if^^* 
tljim  o^nemie^,  anD  to  Deliber  anD  glo^ifie  tl)p  jFlocIt ;  i  xher'  i,\o. 
anD  none  10  able  to  refil!  tijfie :  S)f  tljce,  anD  tlj^ugfj  Pf.6z.i.&i47. 
SThee.  anD  to  Ctjee,  are  all  tl)ing0,  anD  tlje  glo^p  i-  Job  9. 4. 
:ftail  be  2?l)ine,  fo?  eber^   Amen.  Kom.  n.  3^, 


The  Churches  Pra/fe  for  our  Redemption^ 
to  be  ufed  at  Dijcretion. 

OCHr  &oul0  Do  magnifie  tl)ee,  ^  3io^D .'  our  fptritjsf  Luke  i.  45. 
rejoice  in  (^OD  our  ^abiour,  b)I]o  rememb^eD  E^'^-  '3<5ij. 
U0  in  our  lob?  anD  loll  cffate^  fo^  \)i^  mercp  enDU:^  j^''?'  I'  ^^■ 
retij  fo?  eben    T5v  one  man  fin  enrteo  into  n)t  Ujo^Id,  Rom  ^  1?°* 
anD  DeatI)  bp  fin :  b»e  feept  not  tlje  cobenant  of  (2BoD,  .^  ^  Vs. 
anD  refufeD  to  bialk  m  lji0  Jlab) :  ^0^  all  l)abe  finneo  Luke  i.  6%, 
anD  come  l^o^t  of  tl^e  glo^p  of  <0oD,  anD  luDgment  ^p  70. 
came  upon  all  men  to  conoemnation*    But  bleCTeD  \  u'  '^* 
be  tl)e  lo^D  ma  of  in-aei,  tl)at  l)atlj  bifiteD  anD  re::  Man  ii 
DeemeD  l}i0  people    anD  fjatl)  raifeo  up  a  migl)tp  fal:;  Luke  2.  iz', 
bation  fo?u0  in  tbe  l)oufe  of  ^i^  ferbant  David:  3t^ 
^e  fpafee  hy  i\)t  moutlj  of  \)i»  Ijolp  p^opl^etflf,  bil^iclj. 
I^abe  hzzn  lince  tl)e  bJO^lD  began :  ^  2iirgin  Ijatl)  con^^ 
ceibeD  anD  b^ug^t  fo^tl):  2n)e  igolp  d^^off  Did  come 
upon  l)er,  tlje  potoer  of  ttie  igigljeHDiD  ober:jg)aDobJ 
^r,  tljerefo^e  tl)e  Ijolv  ilDne  tljat  i<$  bo^n  of  Ijer,  iii 
caHeD,  tl)e  ^on  of  (Sod:  igis  i^ame  10  calleD  Jei' 
ft^,  J^  ^fabetl)i)i0  people  ftom  tljeir  finjBf:  2^0 

;ffff  5  ■  uM 


8o  2  he  Reformed  Liturgy. 


Col.  I.  Is-. 


1  Pec.i.  i^i-S. 
a4- 


lief  10  bozn  a  ^atiiour,   iutiidi  ifS  €\^iS.  U]t  ^o?t)  t 

!&e  is  tl]e  "^mage  of  the  inbifible  (Bot^  tljt  firll  bo^n 

,^  3-  of  eberv  mature,  fo^  bp  t)im  aU  tliiiigjef  are  createD 

^'  ""  t  'It  are  in  heaoen  ano  in  earth,  inO'jie  ant»  inbifible, 

toh'ther  sLwms  o^  JDommions^,  o?  IP ancipalitiejff  o^ 

jp  vu-evje^,  all  thin^e  toere  createD  by  him  aiiD  fo^l)im, 

anD  Ije  i^  before  aU  tl)((ig0,  anD  bp  l)im  aH  ti]in^to 

t  Cor.  1. 14-    ccnriff.   ige  10  the  po\iier  of  (Bod,  aiiD  the  (Kriifoom 

inhni  q  14     ^^  ^0^'  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^S^)^  ^^)^^  Ughtett)  eberpman  that 

jqimi.y.  h-    ^q^^^^j^  into  the  £tto^ :  €[]t  illnzD  tDa0  maDe  ftell? 

auD  n^coelt  amorift  ii0,  auD  2^en  behelD  l)i0  (B\o^v  a0 

the  (S^lo^i^  of  ti)e  oiiip  begotten  of  t^e  :ffather,  fuH 

Col  I  19       ^^  2^^'^^  ^"i»  ^ruth,  fo^  it  pledfeo  tlje  jFather  that  in 

u»i  +.  4-  ^)i^  (I)OUiD  an  fuliaef0  ntoeH*  OjUljen  tl)e  fulnefe  of 
time  aia0  come,  C5od  feat  hi0  ^on  maDe  of  a  WXo^ 
man,  maDc  miner  the  ?labc,  to  reoctm  tljem  that  are 

Mat.  1 7 .^      umtv  the ?latx»*    ^l)i0 i0 tt)e belobeo S)on in tohom 

Hcb  -  2.6       ^f  father  i0  Ujelf^pleafeD*    jFo^  fuel)  a  i^,igh-)P^iett 
■''  became U0,  ixUio  10  ii^olp,  igarmteija,  fflinDei&leo,  fe;^ 

parate  from  finner0,  l)e  DiD  no  fin,  neitljer  U)a0  there 
anp  guile  founD  in  l)i0  mouti),  Myen  Ije  U)a0  cebileti, 
i)e  rebilen  not  again,  leabingu0  anc^nfample:  iciljo 
iii0  oton  felf  bare  our  Um  in  bi0  olon  boop  on  the 

ifa.  n  ^,  6.     Wvet:  Jfo^  (S^otJ  iaiD  on  him  the  iniquitp  of  U0  all, 

Rom  5  6  an^  bp  tii^  llripe0  tee  are  healer>*  mljm  tee  teere 
teithout  Crength,  in  cue  time  ch^ifi  tJieo  fo;  tlje  un^ 

1  Pet  ^  is      S^*^^^^'  ^^  ^^'^  ^^'  ^^'^  unfutt :  Jn  this  tea0manifeff 

1  joh.'4. 4.  the  lol^e  of  (15co  totoarD0  U0,  that  (feot)  fent  hi0  on^ 
Ip  begotten  ^on  into  the  Mio^lD,  that  tee  might  libe 

Kcb.  i.i'  15.  bP  '^^i^*  Jfogafmuch  a0  th^  ^hito^en  teere  idarta:? 
ke^s  of  fied)  an^  bi^otJ,  Ije  himftif  liketeife  tcok  part 
to.ti)  them,  that  t)t  might  DeUros^  through  oeatt),  Ijim 
that  ha.i  th^  po-ripr  ov  Dc.iti%  that  i0  the  ©ebil ;  anD 
migi)t  ot  ibti'  tljem,   teho  ti)<20ugh  ftar  of  ©eatfj, 

Col  z  15.  teere aH  neirlife  tfme  (uyiVct to  bonoage^  igabing 
fpoiIeD  p^ziufipatititjb  anr:  jpoteer^,  h^  itiaoe  fljete  of 
tl)em  opmlp,  truimphing  ooer  them  in  l)i0  crof0* 
ige  toa'5  burieDauo  rcte  auainthe  thirD  Dap  acco^ing 
to  tlje  ^cripture0,  fo?  dPoD  raifeo  l)im,  habing  KnfeD 
ttjepainercf  J-catij,  bec-ufe  ittea0  not  poflfiblethat 

Aas2.  :4.      jj^  ii)ou\ii  ^e  hoioen  of  it,   f)e  hatl)  aboUdjeo  DeatI], 

aT»m.i.  10.  gj^j,  ^^ought  Me  anD  3immo,2talitp  to  light  bpthe 
(15ofpeL  ilD  3Deat() !  tel;ere  is  tl)p  ^ting  i  k[>  (JB^A'ot  •' 

i  Cor.  1;.  5  J-   tDhere  i0  thp  <Uicto^pf 

\A     9   9         ^^  Ipoteer  10  giben  him  in  l^eaben  anD  Ofarth; 

Mir.  18. 18.  ^jjgj^  1^  afcenDeD  up  on  I)igh,  he  ieD  captibitp  captibe, 
anD  cjace  gift0  to  men :  3lnD  l)e  s^be  Tome  4IpoCle0, 

anti 


i  Cor.  15- 4- 


The  Reformed  Liturgy,  8i 

ano  fome  id^opfjet^,  anD  fotnc  aebangeliffjef,  mo  Eph.  4- »» »i, 

fome  i^aSo^fif,  anD  fome  STeacljerj^,  fo^  ti)t  pevftct::>  ^-,13. 

ing  of  tljt  ^int0,  fo?  tlje  to^k  of  tlie  ^inilirp,  fo? 

tt}e  (Knifpmg  of  tlje  IBoDp  of  clj^iff,  till  toe  all  come 

in  tl)e  unitp  of  tlje  faitlj,  anu  of  tlje  fenotoletJge  of  tlje 

S^on  of  <0oB  to  a  perfect  man ;  fje  i$  fet  at  (!5oti$ 

rigljt  I)anD  in  tl)e  cfrelettial^,  far  abobe  all  IP^mcipa^:  Eph.  1. 10, 2% 

Cities,   anD  Ipoloer^,  ann  (©igfjt,  anD  JDominioii,  ^^,^h 

anD  etjerp  name  tl)at  i0  nameD,  not  onlp  in  tl)i0 

©uo^lD,    but  in  tl)at  to  come*    (25oD  I)atl)  put  aK 

tl)ing0  unner  Ijisi  (ezt^  anD  gabe  t)im  to  be  IjeaD  obcr  all 

tl)ing;8r  to  tl)e  Ci)urcl),  Mjtdj  i0t)i^BoDp,  t^e  fulneCe: 

of  Ijim  tljat  fillet!)  all  in  all* 

mitljoixt  controberCe  great  10  tljesippllerp  of  (0oiJ^  i  Tim.  3.  x6. 
linefsr:  (Bon  manifelleDin  tl}t  fled;,  juCiaeD  in  tlje 
S^pirit,  faen  of  ^ngeljtf,  p^eacIjeD  to  tlje  (Bentilesf, 
iieliebeo  on  in  tl)e  QUo^lD,  rereibcD  up  into  <IE>lo^)(>* 
%l)i0  ig  tlje  3Reco^D,  tl)at  (Boo  ijatl)  giben  uies  atternal  i  john  5.  n. 
life,  anti  tlji0  life  i$  in  l)i0  ^on  =,  Wit  tl}at  Ijatl)  tlje 
^on  ijBtt)  life,  anD  Ije  tlj&t  ijati)  not  tijt  efeon  l)atl)  not 
life*    ige  toa^  in  tlje  mo^io,  anD  tlje  mio^Id  toa^  John  1. 10,  ti. 
maDe  bp  Ijim,  anD  tlje  mo^iO  feneto  Ijim  not ;  ige 
came  to  Ijis  oUin  anD  l)i;0oton  receibeD  Ijim  not*  Wi)i0  jobn  3.19. 
is  tlje  couDemnation  tljat  ligljt  10  come  into  tlje 
iDO^lD,  anD  men  lobeD  Darknef^  ratljer  tljan  llgljt, 
becaufe  tljeir  Jdms  are  eUL   Wut  asi  manp  aflf  re^  john  i.  u. 
ceibe  Ijim,  to  tljem  gibe^  Ije  ipotoer  to  become  tlje  ^ons 
of  <0oD,  eben  to  tljem  tljat  beliebe  in  Ijiis  il^ame*  Rom.  8.  i. 
Cljere  iis  tljerefo^e  noto  no  conDemnation  to  tijem 
ioliicl)  ar^  in  orlj^tt  3flefu0,  ^^0  'walk  not  after  tije  pczi  103. 3. 
fiel!)  but  after  tlje  fpirit*  ^e  fo^gibetlj  our  iniquitieSj  Keb.  8.  iz. 
anD  toiE  remember  our  CinjBi  no  mo^e*  ©iilio  IbaH  lap 
anv  tljin%  to  tije  cljarge  of  (Boos  mecti  3|t  is  (Boo  Rom.  8.33134-' 
t^at  juffifietl) ;   toljo  i0  Ije  tljatcouDemnetl)^  3it  i^ 
Clj^iS  tljat  DieD  ■>  gea,  rather  tljat  is  viten  again,  toljo 
10  eben  at  tlje  rigljt  IjanD  of  <Boo  Itljo  alfo  maketl) 
interceffion  fog  U0*    mijo  gabe  tjimfelf  fog  U0,  tljat  xit.z.  n,  14. 
Ije  tnig^  reDcem  U0  from  all  ^iniquitp  anD  purine  to 
Ijimfelf  a  peculiar  people  5ealcu0  of  gcoD  too^k0*    3:f  Rom.  g.  9. 
anp  mail  ^a^^  ^^  ^)t  fpirit  of  cjrljgiS,  tlje  fdmi  i^ 


^retoafljeD,  U>earefanctiti^C5,  u:e  ait  ;Ui^itiec  iu  cije 
^ameof  tlje  Jlcgi  'JiiU's,  anD  l-^>  tijc  ipiat  c:  luc 
Cl5oD*  f^ot  b^ \5?c:fe0  uf  waj;-.»ieoulati.3 1  ljici> Ut  ijabe 
Done,  but  accogDih^  to  ijts  mcccp  ijt  f^ieD  u.^  Ip  tlje 

j?  f  f  4  tUuH^ 


82  The  Reformed  LitHrgy, 


Tit.  J.  f.        hjafl^mg  of  !f?egpneration,  ano  rrnehmtg  of  rtje  !^olp 

Rom. ;.  1, 1, 5.  (0t}oll»    4InO  btinj  luffifieD  bf  faiti),  toe  Ijabe  peace 

totrt)  (ZPotJ  tf),:oiigt7  our  5(Lojti  3|efu^  Cfj^tff  -,  bp  toljom 

alfo  Uie  Ijabe  ^Irccf^  br  faitli  into  this  grace  ttiljerein 

•Ire  IIani>,  anD  rejo^^r e  in  ticpe  of  tbe  gto;p  of  dJoo ;  aim 

l)ope  mafeetl)  not  aftamcu,  becaufe  the  lobe  of  (2i5oD  iK 

ffeer)  abroao  in  ourhcartjS^,  hy  t\)t  J^olt?  (5hofJ  bjlif c!)  ijfi: 

io.  gibrn  to  m^   jfoz  if  to^en  iue  toere  ehemiej^  toe  toere 

reconcileo  to  c!5o6  bp  tl^e  neatb  of  fjijg  sfeon,  mucfi  mo^e 

Rom. 8.  r-      ^^"^3  reconciletJ,  toe  fljall  befaben  bpfji^Ufe  ^  l^ethafc 

fpareD  not  [)ij&  cton  ^on,  but  gabe  {)im  up  fo;i  m  ^II> 

!]oto  (f)an  tje  not  toitf)  I)im  alfo  frcelp  gibe  m  all  tf)ing0? 

John  14.2,5.  J^etljat  10  gone  to  prepare  a  pf ace fo?u.0,  toiUcomea^; 

g:iin  anD  receibe  U0  to  Iiimfelf,  tijat  tof)ere  i)t  iis,  tljere 

jjhn  17. 1^     toemapbealfo.3l|ti0iii0icnintf)at  tl)eptl)attf)e  JFat^er 

tjati)  giben  Ijim  be  toiti)  !)im  toljere  l)e  i^,  tijat  tdep  map 

John  1 4. » 9.     ^^W^  tfie  (fi^lo^p  that  10  giben  l)itn^    3!5ecaure  he  libeti) 

Col.  3.  3.4-     teP  fl^aH  libe  alfo  •,  for  toe  are  oeaD,  an5  our  life  i$  Ijin 

toitf)  Ch^iS  in  0OD :  iflihni  ^h^tff  toho  i0  our  fife  ftaH 

appear,  then  fljaH  toe  alfo  appear  toith  hitn  in  glo^p; 

iThef.  I  10.    tohenhelfjall  come  to  be  glo^ifieD  in  l)isi  ^RintB,  am 

to  be  acmireD  in  all  them  that  do  beliebe^    Zljtn  (Jail 

Mai  / 18       ^^"  tiifiern  bittxieen  ti)e  mof-jtecuis  anD  the([ffl[ie6eD,be:: 

^^'  fto0:!nthoreti)atrerbe(BoD,anDthofe  that  Cerbe  him  not*. 

Mac.  13.  4^    9rhen(J)aIltI)eKighteou0fl}inefi:i;jtha0the  ^unintljt 

Rcv.ii.  7.      fiingDom  of  their  jfather*  iCethatobercomethlJanini: 

Mar.  I  y .  2 1 .     h^rit  all  tl)ing0*  ig  e  ©all  enter  into  the  iop  of  hi0  lo^D* 

Kev.3. 12.       |gef!;air  be  a  pilar  in  the^cmple  of  (25oD,anD(|)aIlj3D 

.      out  no  mo^e*  €lyj{t  toiU  grant  him  to  fit  toith  ^1^^  iu 

'  ■  l)i0  ^h^one  eben  kg  he  obrrcame  anD  10  fet  Doton  toiti) 

t^is  jFather  in  hi5  Ch^one,  h^  ^^J^  re  oice  ober  U0  toitl) 

z-ph.  3.  T7.     icr,hf  toiHrett  inhi0  lobe :  orbenin  the  holp  cii:itp,ti)e 

Rev.  zi.  z.      neto  jerniakni,  pgepareD  ajff  a  3i5^^iDe  aDo^neD  fo^  her 

.3.  hU0banD,  tohrre the  CafaEcnac le  of  (0OD  toill  be  toitl) 

men,  anD  he  toiH  DtoeH  toitti  ttiem,  anD  thep (IjaH  be  hi0 

peop!  e,  anD  (0oD  himfeif  (IjaH  be  toith  them,  their  (25orr, 

4  auD  (Iiall  toipe  atoap  all  tearjB  from  their  epe0,  anD 

there  fl?aTlbe  no  mo^e  Death,  no;  fo^roto,  no^  crping, 

no;  pain,  (0^  thefo^mer  things  are  paCfeD  atoap*    4ltnD 

2  J .  tiie  <iLity  neehetl)  not  the  S^un,  c;  the  ^rni  to  (him  in  it, 

fc;  the  (25lo;p  of  God  Doth  tigh^^"  ^U  ^^i"^  the  31amb  iB 

Rev.  11.  J.      ^he5fl,ighf  thereof. ^ht^^^^^^ne  of C5oD  anD  of  theilamb 

4.  fijall  be  in  it,  anD  hi0  S»erbant0  (IiaH  ferbe  him,  anD 

I  Tim  ru  1 V.    ^i^Tl  Xee  \)iB  face,  toho  10  the  lidlefTeD  anD  onip  ipoten::: 

}j:om.  II.  36.    f.ite,  the  iiing  of  ji^^ingK,  anD  ^02D  of  3fi.o;D0:  of  him, 

.    .  2rh zoirgf)  him,  anD  to. him  are  au  things ;  So  l)im  be 

S^OiP  fOT  ebetv     Amen.    •"        '     V-   ■■  '■  ^    ■-      ••'    ■  ■■ 

FINIS. 


A  N 


INDEX 

Qf  the  principal  Matters  contain'd 
inthisFirft  VoiUME. 


A. 

ACTS  of  Parliament,  Obfervations  on  feveral  re- 
lating to  the  Nonconfbrmifts.  AH  of  Vnifor^ 
mity^  IT). — 183.  Conventick'Aa,  308.  Ojf- 
ford'AH^  3 1 1 . — 3 1 3 .  Cmventkle-AH  renew'd,  3  28. 
AH  of  Toleration,  444,  AH  againji  Occafional  Con- 
formity^ 715. 

Addreffes,  from  the  Diflenters.  To  King  Charles  11, 
'  Addrefs  of  Thanks  for  his  Declaration  for  Ecdefiaftical 
Affairs,  152.  Another,  312.  Another,  333-  On 
the  Declaration  of  Indulgence ^  1672.  335.  To  King 
James  II.  The  Refledtions  caft  on  the  Diflenters  for 
their  Addrefles  to  him  confider'd,  377.  To  King 
fV>  Hi  am .  On  his  coming  to  St.  James's,  when  Prince 
oi  Orange^  387.  To  him  and  Queen  Mary  on  their 
Acceflion  to  the  Crown,  423.  On  Queen  Marys 
Death,  539.  To  Queen  Anne,  On  Her  Acceflion 
to  the  Crown,  621.  On  the  Vi<^ory  of  B^mel'-^ 
lies,  6<^'i.  On  the  Vnion,  J 10.  On  the  difappoint- 
tnent  of  the  Pretender's  Attempt  on  North-Britain,  7 1 9. 

An'fip^dobaptijis.  Many  of  them  in  the  Parliament 
Army.  Harrifon  the  Head  of  'em,  68.  Croinwe/, 
tio*  a  favourer  of  them  at  firft,  difcountenancesthem 
afterwards;  particularly  in  Ireland,  where  Ludlov> 
headed  them,  69,  70.  Mr.  Baxter's  firft  acquain- 
tance with  ihem  at  Gloucefter,  76.  He  thought  him- 
feif  oblig'd  to  preach  againfl  their  Sentiments  at  €0- 
.;;•;-  ^       '•  .  ^•'  ■■  ■  ^--  '■     ventrjf^ 


An    INDEX. 

ventry^*  80.     Forc'd  upon  a   publick  Difpure  with 
Mr.  T^w/'/,  one  of  ihecn,  105,  106.     His  moderate 
Sentiments  of  them,  113.     His  Overtures  with  Tome 
of  them  for  Peace,  135. 
They  join  with  the  other  DilFentcrs  in  an  Addrefs  to 

Queen  /tnne^  6^1. 
Antrim  [Marquifs  of]  an  Infh  Rebel's  recovery  of  his 
Eftate   after   the  Reftoration,   upon  producing  the 
King's  Letter  of  Inftrudtions,  43.    Vindication  of 
the  Author  of  the  abridgement  for  inferting  this  Paf- 
fage,  44. 
Apocryphal  Lefforu.    Diflcntcrs  Reafons  againft  them. 
Debates  with  Mr.  OHyjfe  and   Mr.  Hoadly  on   this 
Head,  232. — 234. 
Arminianifm.    Mr.  Bnxter*s  Judgment  of  the  Contro-   ' 

verfies  about  it,  113. 
Articles^  of  the  Church  of  England.     Mr.  Baxters  Ac- 
count of  the  Senfc  wherein  he  and  many  other  Non- 
conformifts  fubCcrib'd  them,  469.    Bilhop  Burnets 
Expolition  of  them.    See  [^Bumct, 
Ajjembly   of    Divines.     How    call'd    and    conftituted. 
Their  Chara£ler  vindicated   from  Lord  Clarendon's 
Jlefledkion,  82.    Their  real  Character.    Limited  in 
their   Debates.     Lift  of  the  Members.     The   Five 
Diflenting  Brethren.     The  Vow  every  Member  took 
at  bis  AdmifTion,   83,  84.     Hiftory  of  their  begin- 
ning, progrefs  and  publick  Acts,  85.    The  Members 
•     of  it  moft  Conformifts  till  the  Wars,  49.     DilTolv'd 
with  the  Parliameni:  by  Crowrp<?/,  69.     Their  Advice 
defir'd  about  accepting  the  Covenant.     An  Explica- 
tion of  it  v/bich  they  obtained,  80,81.     The  yinnotn- 
tions  caird  by  their  name  wrongfully.     The  Authors 
of  them,  86.     They  had  no  Power  to  Eje£t  any  out 
of   Livings,    but  to  judge  of   the   fitnefs  of  thofc 
l)rought  in,    87.    Their  ConfefTion  of  Faith  wrote 
againft  by  one  Parkier,  J03. 
Ajfent  nnd  Confent  to  the  Common  Prayer.     Why  refused 
by  the  Nonconformifts,    201. — 238.     Debates  be- 
tween Mr^OHyjfe  and  Mr.  Hoadly^    and  the  AiithcH", 
about  the  comprehenfivc  Senfe  of  the  Words,  ^Jjent 
and  Con/cnt,  203. — 206. 
AJfoclation,    Of  the  (4^urcejierfhire  Minifters  for  Church- 
Order  and   Concord,    fet  on  foot  by   Mr.  Baxter, 
The  Names  of  thofe  conccrn'd.    Their  Meeiings- 

Oc- 


An    INDEX. 

Occaiional  Ledures  fet  up  by  them  in  the  County* 
1 1 6. — 119.  A  like  Ajjociation  of  the  Mioifters  of 
PVeftmoreiand  and  Cumberland^  1 1 8. 
Athanafian  Creed.  Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft  de- 
claring Aflent  to  the  damnatory  Claufes  in  it.  De- 
bates with  Mr,  Olfyffe  and  Mr.  Hoadly  about  it,  235. 

fiaftifmal  B^generation,  Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft 
declaring  their  Affent  and  Confent  to  it.  Debates 
between  Mr.  OUyffe  and  Mr.  Hoadly,  and  the  Authqr 
about  it,  206. — 210.  ^  • 

"Bnxter,  [Mr.  B^charff]  His  Parents.  Time  and  Place 
of  Birrh,  2,5.  Education  in  School-Learning,  3. 
How  diverted  againft  his  inclination  from  going  to 
the.Univerfity.  The  helps  he  had  inftead  of  it,  3, 4. 
Perfwaded  ro  try  a  Court  Life ;  but  difliking  ir,  re- 
turns to  his  Studies,  Jhid.  Benefit  he  bad  by  a  pious 
Education,  5.  Follies  of  his  Childhood.  Means  of 
his  Converfion,  6.  Long  doubts  about  his  State. 
Benefit  of  that  Exercife.  Means  of  his  Satisfacfticn, 
7. — II.  Entrance  on  the  Miniftry.  Epifcopal Oi- 
dination.  Firft  Settlement  in  the  Free-School  at 
Dudley,  II,  12. 

JHis  firft  Thoughts  of  Conforraity,  12.  Farther  Study 
of  that  Controverfie,  and  the  ilfue  of  it,  13.  Re- 
move to  Bridgenorth,  His  Work  and  Circumftances 
there,  14,  15.  Led  to  farther  Confideration  of  the 
Hierarchy  by  the  Et  C<t  em  Oath.  Hi$  Thoughts 
thereupon,  1 6.  Complained  of  for  Nonconformity, 
but  efcapes  Troubles,  ip. 

Cccalion  of  his  coming  to  Ksderminjler^  21.  Oppofi- 
tions  he  met^with  there  at  firft,  22.  Indefatigable 
Labours,  24.  Eminem  Succefs,  26.  Circumftances 
contributing  tojiis  Succefs,  27.. — 34.  Carcof  Difci- 
pline  among  his  People,  34.  His  Cafe  as  to  the  Se- 
queftration  and  Income  oiKjderminfter  Vicaridge,  56. 
His  Condu6l:  during  the  publick  Troubles.  Endea- 
vours to  keep  the  medium  between  Extrcamsj  cen- 
fu  *d  for  it  by  both  Parties,  74.  Adheres  to  the  Par- 
Ji-m  lit  while  he  thought  their  Caufe  juftifiable. 
Takes  and  reccommends  the  Proteftation  they  order 

\     on  occafion  of  th^  Infio  MafTacre,  75,    But  endea- 

yours 


An   INDEX. 


vours  to  keep  his  People  free  from  taking  the  Cove* 
nant  and  Engagement y  1 04. 

Forc'd,  when  the  War  broke  out,  to  retire  to  Gloueefter^ 
Has  Contefts  there  with  the  Anabapifls  and  Antino* 
tniansy  76.  Returns  to  IQfderminfterj  buc  forc'd  to 
retire  again  to  Coventry.  Is  chofen  by  the  Committee 
thereto  preach  to  the  Garrifon,  ^^  78.  Stops  the 
progrefs  of  the  Anahaftifis  there,  80. 

invited  by  Cromxvel  to  be  Chaplain  to  his  Troop,  but 
xcfufes,  88.  Afterwards  becomes  Chaplain  to  pf^hal- 
leys  Regiment,  in  hopes  of  putting  fome  ftop  to  the 
Sedaries  in  the  Army.  Is  coldly  received  there  by 
Cromwel,  87, — 89.  His  pains  with  the  Army,  89. 
Publick  Diipute  with  fome  Seiftaries,  91.  Impedi- 
ments to  hisSuccefs,  93.  Forc'd  to  leave  the  Army 
in  the  mofk  critical  Time  by  a  great  lofs  of  Blood, 
ihid.  Returns  to  Kjderminfleri  hast  publick  Dif-r 
pure  with  Mr.  Tombs ^  105. 

5651 .  Writes  diffwaiive  Letters  to  the  Souldiers,  when 
going  againft  the  Scots ;  and  openly  bears  his  Tefti- 
moay  againft  what  was  then  doing  :  But  is  let  alone, 
106,  107. 

The  Medium  obfervM  by  him  and  his  Neighbours  in 
their  Carriage  under  Cromxvel*^  Government,  1 07. — , 
1 09.  He  preaches  before  him,  1 09.  Has  a  Confe- 
rence with  hira,  li©.  Brings  the  fVorcefler/hire  Mi- 
nifters,  Epifcopal,  Presbyterian,  and  Independent, 
to  agree  in  a  Method  of  Church  Difciplinc,  116. — 
J.. 1 18.     Sets  on  foot  the  {Vorcefierfloire  Petition  for  the 

^    hiiniftry^   I/9. 

Is  called  up  in  Cromwers  little  Parliament  to  be  of  the 
Committee  of  Divines  for  drawing  up  a  Scheme  of 
Fundamentals.  His  Debates  with  the  reft  on  that 
Head,  1 20, 1 2  [ .  His  Overtures  for  Concord  among 
the  fevcral  Religious  Denominations  before  the  Re- 
ftoration,  1 22.  His  endeavours  with  the  Epifcopal 
tarty.  With  Archbiftiop  V/her^  405.  With  Bifhop 
hrownrigy  i22.  With  Dr.  Hammond,  137.  With 
Mr.  N>f,  as  to  the  Independents,  136.  With 
Mr.  Lamb  and  Mr.  AUcriy  two  fobcr  Anabaptifts,  1 35. 
His  Debates  with  one  Mr.  Jobnfon,  about  the  «e- 
celTity  of  Epifcopal  Ordination,  ii2. — 135.  With 
the  Papifts,  138, 


Cofucs 


An   INDEX. 


Comes  up  to  London  between  Richard's  Prote(^orfhif) 
and  tbc  Reft  oration,  294.  Preaches  before  the 
ParJianaent  the  Day  before  they  voted  in  the  King: 
And  a  Thankfgiving  before  the  Lord  Mayor  for 
Monies  Succefs,  295.  Made  one  of  the  King's  Chap- 
lains at  the  Reftoration,  1^9.  Is  offer'd  the  Bi(hop- 
rick  of  Hereford,  151.  One  of  the  Savoy  Commifli- 
oners  for  reviewing  the  Liturgy,  153.  Draws  up 
fhe  B^formd  Liturgy  at  the  Requeft  of  his  Bre- 
thren, 158.  See  it  at  large,  Appendix  p.  i.  Chofen 
•  Jin,  1661.  with  Mr.  Calamy,  Proxy  for  London  for  the 
enfuing  Convocation ;  but  both  fet  afide  by  the  Bi- 
fliop  of  London,  159.  His  Reform'd  Liturgy  pre- 
fented  to  the  Bifhops  with  a  Petition,  1 60.  Chofen 
by  his  Brethren  one  of  the  Difputants  attheS^-oo)-,  164. 
His  management  as  refpondent  in  that  Difpute  upon 
the  head  of  Impolitions.  The  Reflec^ons  caft  on 
him  for  it,  and  his  Vindication,  168, — 170. 

Outed  of  i^ederminflcr  upon  the  Reftoration,  the  feque- 
ftred  Vicar  re-entring.  Earneftly  defires  any  Settle- 
ment there.  The  Lord  Chancellor  pretends  to  in- 
terpofe  in  his  Favour,  but  to  no  purpofe,  296,  297. 
Porbidden  by  Bifhop  Morley  to  preach  in  his  Diocefs, 
who  keeps  up  the  Kjderminfter  Le(St\jie,  and  endea- 
vours to  aUenate  the  People  from  him,  but  in  vain. 
Mt,  Baxter's  Advice  to  them  at  parting,  298.  Re-« 
moves  thence,  and  waves  correfponding  with  them 
to  prevent  Offence ;  but  cannot  efcape  the  Cenfures 
of  the  high  Party,  299.  Nor  of  his  own  People  aft 
terwards  for  his  Moderation,  300.  The  Vicar  dy- 
ingy  he  might  have  had  the  Prefentation  ,•  but  could 
not  Conform,  301.  Hefollicites  the  People  to  join 
with  the  Succeffor,  but  could  not  prevail  when  they 
were  imbitter'dby  Perfecution,  902. 

His  Labours  in  the  City  till  filenc'd.  After  occafional 
Preaching,  fixes  Lecturer  at  St.  Dunfians  wiih 
Dr.  Bates,  Obtains  Bifhop  Sheldons  Licence.  At- 
tended by  a  great  Auditory,  302.  Has  a  week-day 
lLe(3:ure  in  MUkrftreet,  Once  a  Lord's  day  at  Blackr 
friars,  303.  Defifts  from  his  publick  Work  Three 
Months  before  Bartholomew  day.  His  Reafons  for 
it,  304. 

Retires  to  ASion  in  Middlefex,  purfues  his  Studies^  and 
attends  the  publick  Worlhip,   oniy  preaching  to  his 

Fa- 


An    INDEX. 

Family,  310.  The  firft  Conventicle  AH  expiring. 
An.  1670  he  preached  to  others  with  his  Family  in 
the  Intervals  of  Church  time.  Imprifoned  for  this^ 
fix  Months,  323,  324.  Hardfhip  and  Iiijuftice  of  that 
Profecution.  Imeroeiri-'rrs  for  him,  and  his  Dif- 
charge,  315,  326.  Overtures  to  Dr  Oven  for  art 
Agreement  with  the  Independents,  327. 

1671.  Has  a  great  Lofs  by  the  (hutting  op  of  the  Ex- 
chequer, 333.  Takes  out  a  Licence  pon  the  Indul- 
gence, 167^.  Chofen  ooe  of  the  firft  Tucfday- 
Ledlur^TS  at  Pinner  s-hnlL  Has  a  Friday  Le(^ure  at 
Fjttcr.lane,  Refufes  any  fettled  Place  on  Lord's- 
Days,  335. 

1674.  Seized  for  a  Conventicler  upon  recalling  the 
Licences,  but  rcleas'd  on  a  Miftake  in  the  Warrant, 
342.  1676.  Obtains  the  Relcafe  of  Kjting  the 
Informer  againft  him,  then  in  Prifon  for  Debt*  Is 
profecuted  at'refh.  Forc'd  to  defift  from  fome  Meet- 
ings he  fet  up  in  tVifiminfier.  Preaches  in  Southward, 
fome  Months  without  Difturbance,  346,  347. 

1680.  Hurryd  violently  out  of  his  Houfe  when  fick, 
upon  feveral  Warrants  for  Nonconformity.  But  his 
Commitment  fafpendei  by  the  King's  Order  upon  his 
Phyfician's  Oath  that  his  Life  was  in  Danger.  All 
his  Books  and  Goods  feiz'd  and  fold,  357. 

1 684.  Seized  again  in  a  languiHiing  State,  carried 
three  Tiroes  to  the  Sclfions-houfe,  and  bound  over,, 

•  without  any  Crime  alledged,  363. 

1685.  His  Trial  and  Fine  by  Jeffreies  for  his  Para- 
phrafe  on  the  NeW'Tejiament^  368.— 972.  The 
Fine  remitted,  375. 

Upon  King  James's  Toleration,  preaches  gratis  Four 
Years  with  Mr.  Syhcftevy  till  difabled  from  coming 
abroad :  Then  in  his  own  Houfe,  till  confin'd  to 
his  Chamber  and  Bed.  His  laft  Sicknefs  and  Death, 
402,  403.  His  Will,  404.  His  Correfpondence 
and  FriendPaip  with  many  eminent  Perfons,  404, 
• 410.     His  primed  fi^ui /iff  410. 

The  Benefit  he  received  by  a  Courfc  of  bodily  Weak- 
ncfs  all  his  Life.    His  Temptations  to  Infidelity,  and 

Relief  under  rhem,  3po. 394.     The  Difference 

he  obfervM  in  himfelf  between  Youth  and  Age,  394* 
—  399.  His  remarkable  DelivcrarKes,  399.  Much 
confulced  about  Cafes  of  Conrcieru:e,  408. 

His 


An    INDEX. 

Vils  Senfe  of  th  fuhfcrihed  Articles,  fee  inferted  here, 
p.  469. 

His  frequent  Concern  in  Propofals  for  Accommodation 
between  the  Church  and  Moderate  DifTenters  in 
King  Charles  Il's  Time.     See  in  [^Nonconformity, 

Behmemjis.     An  Account  of  them,  103. 

Biddle,    An  Account  of  him  and  his  Followers,  1 04. 

Burial-Office,  Nonconformifts  Reafons  why  they  could 
not  declare  Affent  and  Confent  to  it.  Debates  with 
Mr.  Ollyff  and  Mr.  Hoadlj  about  it,  zz^, 227. 

Burnet,  Bifliop  of  Sarum,  His  Declaration  in  King 
James's  Time  of  the  moderate  Tenaper  of  the  Church 
towards  DilTenters,  426.  His  Acknowledgment 
fince  how  little  his  Expedtations  were  anfwer'd,  427, 
His  Sermon  of  Peace  and  /Union ^  455.  \^h  Expofi- 
of  the  "^^  Articles^  565.  The  Proceedings  in  Convo- 
cation about  it,  605, 606,  607,  60S.  Several  Tradts 
pubhlh*d  for  and  againft  that  Expofition,  643.  His 
Speech  againft  the  Occafional  Bill,  1703.  647.  His 
Defence  of  Aichbifhop  Ti7^o^yo»,  538. 

C 

Canonical  Obedience.  Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft 
taking  the  Oath  relating  to  it,  238. 258.  De- 
bates with  Mr.  Olljiff  and  Mr.  Hoadljf  about  the  Senfe 
of  this  Oath,  238. 

Carolina.    The  Hardftiips  put  upon  Proteftant  Difleripi 
ters  in  that  Plantation,  contrary  to  their  Charter. 
A  Petition  to  the  Houfe  of  Lords  in  England  upon 
that  Occafion.     The  favourable   Refolutions  the^ 
pafs'd  in  the  Cafe,  686.. 688. 

Charles  I.  He  approves  the  Canons  of  1640.  i6i 
The  Diforders  in  Scotland  upon  his  impofing  the  new 
Common- Prayer- Book  there,  17.  Uneaifinefs  i^ 
England  upon  his  exacting  the  Tax  of  Ship-Money,, 
Scots  twice  enter  England  with  an  Army,  and  a  Paci» 
ficationas  often  made  with  them,  18.  Opening  o5 
the  Long  Parliament.  Union  of  the  Members  au 
firft  in  their  Complaint  of  Innovations,  upon  dif^ 
ferent  Views.  Compliances  of  the  King  in  fome 
,  Particulars,  19,  20.  General  Cry  againft  Delin- 
quents. Profecution  of  the  Ectrl  of  Strafford.  Se- 
veral Members  upon  that  Occafion  fall  in  with  thjs 

King's 


An   INDEX. 

King's  Interefts,  37,  38.  The  Pleas  of  thofe  who 
were  againft  difpleafing  the  King,  and  of  thofe  who 
were  for  vencuring  that  rather  than  not  have  Grie- 
vances redrels'd,  39,  40.  Several  Incidents  that 
heightned  the  Differences,  40,41.  Proceedings  a- 
gainft  the  Five  Members.  Lord  Digb/s  appearing  iii 
Arms.  Srijh  Maflacre,  41.  King  Charles's  Com- 
miilion  to  the  Marquis  of  Antrim^  43,  44. 

Opening  of  the  War.  The  King  deny'd  Entiance  at 
HuB.  He  and  the  Parliament  feverally  claim  the 
Militia.  Both  publilh  Declarations  juftifying  their 
Caufe.  Parliament  Vote  an  Army,  and  EJfex  Ge- 
neral. The  King  fets  up  his  Standard  at  Not- 
fingbam^  45.  Charadter  of  the  feveral  Parties  that 
adher'd  to  King  and  Parliament,  46.  The  Pleas  of 
thofe  that  adher'd  to  the  Parliament,  50.  Many 
forced  to  join  the  Parliament- Army  to  avoid  Infulis 
at  Home,  52.  Some  Account  of  the  War,  under 
EJJex,  51.     And  the  new  modcU'd  Army,  51.— .35. 

The  King  cafts  himfelf  upon  the  Scots,  who  deliver  him 
up  to  the  Parliament,  55.  The  Army  take  him" 
into  their  Cuftody.  Seem  not  to  defign  his  Death 
at  firft  ;  but  on  a  fudden  cry  for  Juftice  againft  him. 
He  flies  to  the  Ifle  of  ^ight,  56.  Treats  with  the 
Parliament,  they  vote  an  Accommodation.  But 
Crommd  by  Force  models  the  Parliament  to  his 
Mind  ;  brings  on  the  King's  Trial  and  Death,  57. 

•  F4»>/4;t' againft  it,  but  overpower'd  by  Cromxvel^  58. 
Evidence  that  the  Papifts  had  a  confiderable  Hand 
in  it,  from  Du  Moulin^  Prynne^  sit\d  4tf(im,  57—60. 
Marg,  The  zealous  Endeavours  of  the  Preslfyterians 
10  prevent  it,  60,  61. 

Charles  II.  Scots  adhere  to  him  after  his  Father's 
Death,  offer  him  the  Crown  upon  Terms.  He  cakes 
the  Covenant,  and  publifties  a  Declaration  in  fa- 
vour of  it.  Cromwel  invades  him  in  Scotland^  routs 
him  and  Mafters  the  Country.  The  King  advances 
to  England  with  the  Remains  of  his  Army.  The 
Impediments  to  his  expedtcd  incretfe  here.  His  De- 
feat Sit  fyorcejier,  and  Efcape,  63. — 63.  Imprifon- 
ment  of  feveral  Presbyterians  for  holding  Correfpon- 
dence  with  him,  and  Love's  Death  on  that  Ac- 
\:ountj  6^6, 

The 


A»  1  N  D  E  X. 

The  Steps  to  his  Reftoration.     His  Behaviour  to  feme 
Presbyterian  Minifters  thac  went  over  to  him,  72,  73. 
Letters  from  fome  Proteftanc  French  Minifters,  certi- 
fying his  Firmnefs  to  che  Proteftant  Religion,  faci- 
litated his  Retutn,  2p4. 
His  ParJiament  awaken'd.  An.  1673.  to  a  fenfe  of  the 
danger  of  Popery.     Their   Proceedings   thereupon, 
337.     Debates  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords  upon  impofing 
on  them  the  Oath  of  Non-Reliftance,    344.    The 
Popilh  Plot,  and  its  Confequences,   348.     Mr.  {{ofe" 
weU*s  Profecution  for  High-Treafon,  363. — 365. 
.The  State  of  Nonconformity  in  bis  Reign.    See  in 
^Nonconformity, 
Church  of   England,     See  [Convocation,     Danger  of  the 

Church.     Epifccfacy. 
The  Church  of  England^  as  a  National  Church,  a  meer 

Creature  of  the  Civil  Power,  701.  .  .^ 

Church  Government,     Mr.  Baxter's  middle  Scheme  of  it 

between  the  feveral  contending  Parties,  in. 
tiviifVar,  between  King  (r//<ir/r/ the  Firft  and  his  Par- 
liament.    See  [Charles  L]  and  [Cromwel. 
Clarendon  f Earl  ofj.     Reflections  on  a  paffage  in  hia 
Hiflory^  relating  to  the  Aflembly.  82.     He  draws  up 
the  King's  Declaration  for  Ecclejiajiical  Affairs.     A 
Conference  between  the  Church  Party   and  fome 
Prelbyterian  Minifters  at  his  Houfe,  before  the  King 
and  feveral  Peers  upon  that  Declaration^  149,  150. 
He  gives  them  after  the  Savoy-Conference  fome  hope  of 
pafling  that  Declaration  into  a  Law,  181.    Writes  4 
Letter  to  Sir  i^.  Clare  at  Mr.  Bnxter^s  requeft  in  Fa- 
vour of  his  Settlement  at  Kederminftcr :    But  this  a 
ttieer  Complement,  296,  297.    Zealous  for  the  Ox~ 
ford'A^,  311.     His  Difgrace,  316. 
Commijjions  Ecclejiafiical,     See  [EcclefiuflicalCommiJftons,. 
Common- Prayer.     See  [Liturgy. 

Coriftrmation.  Nbnconformifts  Rcafons  againft  it,  as 
pracSic'd  and  required  in  the  Church  of  England^ 
Debates^  wiih    Mr.  Oll^jfc    and   Mr.  Hoadly    about 

Convocation.  That  of  1 640.  which  fram'd  the  Et  C<t^ 
teraOathy  15.     The  long  Parliament  warm  againft 

The  Convocation  1661.  Court-Policy  in  deferring  it  fo 
long  after  the  Reftoration.  Arts  us'd  in  che  Choice,  i  s  9. 

Ggg  1689; 


An  I  N  D  E  X. 

Crijp  [Dr.  Tobiaf\.  The  Contefts  among  the  Diffenteris 
for  feveral  Years,  upon  occalion  of  the  f  epriniing  of 
his  Sermons,  515,  516.  5'io.  537.  549.  550. 
560,  561.     564. 

Crommll  \Oiivery  Joins  with  Vane  10  lay  afide  Ejfex^ 
and  new  models  the  Army.  They  obtain  the  Self- 
denying  Vote.  Put  out  with  the  reft  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  Parliament :  But  foon  obtains  a  Difpenfation 
for  himfelf.  His  Intereft  in  the  new  modeird  Army 
Supream,  tho'  ¥tiirfiix  had  the  Name.  Heads  it  with 
People  of  his  own  Opinions;  Ufes  the  Army  to  mo- 
del the  Parliament.  53. — 55.  His  fubtle  Manage- 
ment when  the  King  was  in  the  Hands  of  the  Army,- 
56.  To  prevent  an  Accommodation  with  him,  puts 
a  force  on  the  Parliament,  and  brings  oii  the  King's 
Death,  57.  His  Management  of  F^iVfdA:,  while  the 
Stroke  was  giving,  59. 

After  the  King's  Death,  pretends  at  firft  to  be  for  a 
Commonwealth,  6z,  The  Impediments  in  his  way 
to  the  Crown,  63.  His  Succefs  againft  the  King  in 
Scotland^  64.  And  at  Worcefter^  65.  Seft  up  for 
himfelf,  and  puts  an  end'  by  Force  to  the  long  Par- 
liamenr.  His  firft  Methods  to  eftablilh  his  Govern- 
ment. Calls  the  little  Parliament,  who  are  prevail'd 
with  to  refign  their  Power  to  him.  Inftaird  Prote(ftor 
upon  an  Inftrumcnt  of  Government  drawn  up  by  a 
Jun^o  of  Officers,  66. — 68.  The  manner  of  his 
Adminiftration.  Weary  of  the  Sedlaries,  and  fup- 
prefles  their  Power.     His  Death,  69,  70. 

Mr.  B^AT^e^'s  Judgment  of  him,  71.  lOp.  The  middle 
Way  many  Minifters  took  in  their  Behaviour  under 
his  Goverment,  108. 

Cromxvel  [_Hjchar(f\  fucceeds  by  his  Father's  Will.  Ge- 
neral Submiflion  to  him.  Calls  a  free  ParHament, 
and  18  own'd  by  it.  The  Army  diflike  him.  Af- 
fembly  at  H'aUivgford-Houfe  depole  him,  upon  parti- 
cular Ambition  of  the  Leaders,  71,  72. 

Crofl  in  B*pttfrn.  Mr.  Bnxtcrh  early  Thoughts  of  ir,  1 3. 
Nonconfoinufis  Reafons  againft  u(ing  it,  and  denying 
Baptifm  to  thole  that  will  not  ufe  it.  Debates  wiih 
Mr.  Ollyjfe  and  Mr.  Hoadly  on  this  Subjedt,  216.^- 
219.  Complaint  of  the  Lower  Houfe  of  Convoca- 
tion  againft   unnccelfary  private  Baptifrrs,   becaufe 

they 


An  I  N  D  E  X 

they  occafion  the  uridue  PraHice  of  bapcizing  with^ 
out  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs,  655. 

a 

Danger  of  the  Church.  Clamour  about  it  on  the  mifcar-' 
riage  of  the  Occ^fjonal  BUI.  The  Pamphlet,  catrd. 
The  Memorinl  of  the  Church  0/ England,  680,  681. 
Paffage  of  the  Queen's  Speech  relating  to  it.  De- 
bates and  Proceedings  of  Parliament  about  it,  68z. 
—68^.  Both  Houfes  of  Convocation  agree  in  an 
Addrefs  to  the  Qpeen,  declaring  it  out  of  Dan- 
ger, 696. 

DavH  [^I{icharcQ,  The  Diffeniing  Minifters  Declaration 
againft  forae  of  his  Principles  aud  Pradtices,  511, 

Declaration  concerning  EccUfiaJiical  Affairs^  1660.  See 
[Konconfcrmity, 

Difcifline.  Mr.  Baxters  Thoughts  of  it,  14.  His 
Gare  about  it  at  Kfderminjier,  34.. .  The  method 
obfcrvM  in  ic4>y  the  PVorceJier/hire  AiTociation,  n  8« 

^^i)'/,  BifliOp  of  SrfM/'ttr/s  Gharadser,  174^ 

E,after'Dny.  Reafons  of  fonne  Npnconformifts  againft 
declaring  Aflcnt  and  Confent  to  the  Rule  in  the  Ru- 
brick  for  finding  it  out.  Debates  with  Mr.  Ollyffe 
and  Mr.  Hoadly  about  it,  and  a  farther  confideration, 
of  the  Matter,  227.— Z31, 

BcclefiaJiiealCommiJfions,  That  granted /4m.  1660.  See 
in  [^Nonconformity. 

That  in  King  James  the  Second's  Time.    The  Gom- 

miffioners.     All  Eccleli^ftical  Affairs  committed  to 

their  Care  in  the  largeft  Extent.    Open'd  ^ug,^, 

1686.    Some  of  their  Proceedings,  374,  375.  385, 

That  An.  1689.  Debate  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  whe-* 
'  ther  any  Laymen  fhoaid  be  inferted  in  it.  Carry 'd 
in  the  Negative,  which  fome  Lords  proteft  againft, 
442. — 444.  Dr.  Tillotfon  faid  to  advifc  the  King  to'^ 
tfiis  courle  of  aCommiflion  and  Convocation,  445^ 
The  Form  of  the  Commiflion^  446.  TJhe  Com-- 
miflioneis.  They  agree  upon  feveral  Alterations, 
Aich  as  would  have  brought  in  many  Diflenters,  447j> 
44^»    Some  Light  as  to  their  Proceedings  from  Bi-f 


An   INDEX. 


(hop  Bumety  449.  Bifliop  fVak,e,  4«;o.  Dr.  Nichols, 
451.  A  more  particular  Account  of  their  Proceed- 
ings from  fome  Minutes  of  them,  452.  Summary 
of  the  reafonings  of  the  Church-writers  at  that 
Time  pro  a.nd  con  about  this  Commiflion,  457. — 461. 
En^agemerty  after  the  Death  of  King  Charles  I.  Moft 
of  rhe  Presbyterian  Minifters  refus'd  it.  Many  Epif- 
copal  Divines  took  it,  and  pleaded  for  it  in  Print, 
'  61,  6-^.  Mr.  B«.xr^tf>  fpake  and  preach'd  ae;ainft  it, 
and  anfwer'd  the  Picas  of  fome  Epifcopal  Divines  for 

Etfqnir'y  iftto  the   Cortflitution  of   the  Primitive  Church. 

The  Scheme  of  that  excellent  Book,  516. 513. 

Epifcf^pn'cr,"    The  different  Sentiments  of  Men  about  it 

up(?>n  the   £r  Cccrffr^  ,  Oath,   16.     How  Mr.  Bnxter 

came  to  think  the  Englifh  Epifcopacy  unlawful,  16. 

King  Charl  /s  firm  adherence  to  it  in  bis  Difputcs  with 
■^  the  Parliament  in  the  Ifle  oi  tVight.  The  Divines 
-6F  both  Parties  that  debated  it  before  him,  57.  How 

far* Mr.  Tfnxter  thought  the  Englifh  Seheme  tolerable, 

111.  What  he  principally  diflik'd  in  it,  1  J4.  His 
overtures  with  Bifliop  Brownrig  for  Concord  between 
thofe  of  the  Epifcopal  and  Presbyterian  Perfwafions, 

112.  Abftrac^  of  the  Debate  by  Letter  between 
-i  him  and  Mr.  Johnfon  about  the  ncceflity  of  Epifcopal 

Ordination,  and  uninterrupted  Succcflion,  123..^ — . 
J 3 5.  Papers  between  him  and  Dr.  Hamrtiond  about 
an  agreement  with  thofe  of  the  Epifcopal  Way,  1 37. 
The  Presbyterians  offer'd  to  fubmit  to  Archbifhop 
Vfr^cr's  [{eduRion  of  Epifcopacy^  J41.  That  inferted 
at  large.  145. — 149.  The  Nonconformifts  Reafons 
againft  declaring  Affent  and  Confent  to  Bifhops, 
Priefts  and  Deacons  being  three  Orders  of  Divine 
Appointment,  221. — 224.  Bifhop 'Ly^rc'-'s  moderate 
Sentiments  about  Epifcopacy  exprefs'd  to  Mr.  B/ixter, 
405.  The  Contefts  between  the  Swearing  and  Non- 
fwearing  Clergy,  about  adhering  to  thedepriv'd  Bi- 
fhops.     See  in  [_f{pvolutiov. 

H-rnftintis.  What  Mr.  Bix^er  judgM  good  in  their 
Scheme,  1 1  r.     And  what  he  diflik'd  in  it,  1 1 3. 

Excotnmunicatiov,  Konconformifls  Exceptions  againft 
many  Grounds  of  it  prcfcrib'd  in  the  Canons,  and 
dgainfV  the  Power  of  it  being  in  Lay-hands',  240 

249-     253.--i57- 

"■•   •     -  E 


An    INDEX. 


F. 


Fairfax  [Sir  Thomas}.  How  he  came  to  be  pitch*d  on 
for  General  of  the  Parliament-Army,  when  new 
modeird,  53.  Againft  the  King's  Death,  bucover- 
power'd  by  Cromwell,  58.  Lays  down  his  Commilfi- 
oniipon  the  War  with  the  Scots ^  59. 

Forms  of  Prayer,     See  [^Liturgy. 

Frewen,  Archbifliop  of  Tor}(s  Behaviour  at  the  Savoy 
Conference,  171..  ti;^\. 

Fundamentals  (f  Religion.  A  number  of  Divines  ap- 
pointed by  Oliver's  little  Parliament  to  draw  up  a 
Lift  of  Fundamentals,  Mr.  Baxter  one  of  them. 
His  Debates  with  the  reft  about  it.  The  Defign 
nuU'd  by  the  DilTolutionof  that  Parlia^ment,  1 20, 1 21. 

G. 

Gelt  and  Gibbon,  Two  Leaders  of  the  Sedaries  in  the 
Army,  103. 

Gunning  [DrJ.  His  Behaviour  at  the  S4voy  Confe- 
rence, 175. 

H. 

Henry  [Mr.  Matthevf>1.  A  Sheet  of  his,  call'd,  The 
Layman  s  ^eafons  for  joining  in  Stated  Communion  with 
a  Congregation  of  Moderate  DiJfenterSy  inferted  at  large, 
672.- 680. 

Hide.  See  [Clarendon, 

Hinchman^  Bifhop  of  Sarum,  His  Behaviour  at  the  Sa- 
voy Conference,  172. 

Hoadly{lAx,Benj,~],  His  Anfwer  to  the  loth  Chapter 
of  this  Abridgment,  659.  His  Sermon  on  B^m,i'i,  i. 
and  the.Clamour  upon  it,  691.  A  fummary  of  his 
principal  Objeftions  to  the  roth.  Chapter,  and  the 
Anfwers  that  have  been  returnd  to  bim,  faffim  in 
Mnrg,  from  f,  199.  to  f,  285.  Some  Reflexions  on 
bis  Defence  of  Rpifcopal  Ordination,  7 1  5. 718. 

Howe  [Mr.  John"].  Scheme  of  ha  Anfwer  to  Dr.  Stil- 
lingfleet  ^  Serwow,  355.  His  Sermon  of  the  M^ans  to 
allay  Animojlties  among   Protejiants,    ^6l.     His  Cafe 

,     of  the  Protefiant  Dijfenters  reprefented  and  argun^   in- 

G  g  g  4  ferted 


Jn  I  N  D  E  X. 

ferced  entire,    419. -^39.     His  ^equeft  to  Confor- 

tnifts  and  Nonconform ifts  touching  their  Temper  and  Be- 
baviour  upon  the  Indulgence^  inferred,  4895.— —498. 
His  Anfwer  to  the  Preface  of  Dff-F<7«r's  Enquiry,  577. 
His  Letter  concerning  Occafiontil  Conformity,  not  before 
publilh'd,  579. 

I. 

Jacobites,     See  [}yi/liarn  IIIj 

Jmpofitions.  Debate  of  the  lawfulnefs  of  itnpoGng  in- 
different Things  as  Terms  of  Communion,  in  the 
^4«/(5>  Conference,  \66. 

Independents.  What  Mr.  Bnxter  approved  in  Hieir 
Scheme,  112.  and  what  he  difapprov'd,  115.  His 
Overtures  with  Mr.  Nye  about  an  Agreement  with 
them,  136. 

Irifh  B^bellion,  41.^45. 

K. 

Kjnnet  [Dr.  tj^hite"].  His  Proteftation  again  ft  the  Irre- 
gularities of  the  Lower  Houfe,  690. 

His  Hiftory  of  England.  Remarks  On  feveral  Omiflions, 
and  unkind  and  untrue  Reilcdiions  in  it  upon  the 
Diflenters,  61,  82.  154.  158.  165.  170.  183.  309, 

.    312.  3i<^.  328.  33l-,33<^-  348.  3<57. 

Several  of  his  Writings  in  the  Convocation- Controver- 
fie,  among  thofe  you  arc  direded  to  an  Abftra£^  of 
in  the  Word  [Convocation. 

KJng^  Bifliop  of  Londonderry,  Scheme  of  his  Difcourfe 
of  Humane  Inventions  in  the  H^otjhip  of  God,  ^41. 

Kjieeling  at  the  Sacrament,     Mr.  Baxters  Sentiments  of 

it  upon  bis  firft  ftudying  the  Difciplinarian  Contro- 

verfie,    13.    Hin  early    Debates  in   writing  for  the 

Lawfulnefs  of  it,  14.     Offers  to  give  all  at  Kieder- 

minfter  tne  Liberty  of  their  Gefture,    but  could  not 

comply  with  the  defire  of  one  that  would  have  it 

r.love  kneeling,  35.     Debate  at  xhe  Snvoy  Conference 

about  the  finfulnefs  of  enjoining  Miniftersto  deny. 

the  Communion  to  thofe  that  dare  not  Kneel,  165. 

Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft  confenting  to  this. 

Debares  with  Mr.  OUyffe  and  Mr,  Hoadly  dhoxxt  'ir, 

210, — 212. 


An  IN  D  E  X. 


Laney^  Biftiop  of  Peterborough,    His  Behaviour  at  the 

Savoy  Conktence,  and  afterwards,  173. 
Liberty  of  Confcience.  See  [Toleration-l^ 
Liturgy.  Mr.  BiJxter''^  Thoughts  of  Liturgies  in  Gene- 
ral, and  of  the  Englifh  Liturgy,  1 3 .  The  Presby^ 
terians  at  the  Reftoration  own  d  the  Lawfulnefs 
of  a  Liturgy,  Petition  the  King  that  a  new  one 
niight  be  Cornpii'd,  or  the  old  one  Reformed,  142. 
Epifcopal  Divines  in  their  Anfwer  agree  it  Ihould  be 
revis'd,  144.  The  King's  Declaration  promised  fuch 
a  revifal,  153.  At  the  Savoy  Conference  the  Prefby- 
terians  offer  their  Exceptions  to  the  Liturgy.  An  Ab- 
ftradt  of  them,  154.— 158.  The  Aditions  they 
defir'd,  drawn  up  by  Mv,  Baxter^  158.  fXhis  i^5- 
f armed  Liturgy  inferred  at  large,  jippeniix  p.  i .)  The 
Bilhops  v/ill  agree  to  no  Alterations,  161.  Put  the 
Diffcnters  on  declaring  what  they  >adg'd  flatly  finful 
in  the  Liturgy.  They  charge  Eight  Things  as  fuch, 
164.  The  Difpute  in  Writing  upon  one  of  the  Par- 
ticulars, 165.  Some  Reflediions  on  the  Ordinance  of 
Parliament,  1645.  againft  the  ufe  of  iheGommon- 
Prayer,  186.  Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft  de- 
claring ACfent  and  Confent  to  the  Common-Prayet. 
Debates  with  Mr.  OHyffe  and  Mr.  Hoadly  about,  it, 
201 . — 238.  Writings  fro  and  con.  An.  1 66 1 .  and  62. 
about  the  Liturgy,  304.  The  Difficulties  from  a 
prefcrib'd  Form  fenfibly  felt  by  the  Clergy  in  the 
Thanikgiving  for  the  Pretender'' s}Bmhf  382.  Am 
in  their  Prayer  for  King  James  when  the  Prince  of 
Gr/«w^ff  was  coming,  387. 

LocJi^Mr,  John'],  Abftradt  of  his  Letters  concerning 
Toleration.  The  Firft  and  Second,  499. — 506.  The 
Third,  513. — 527.    The  Fourth,  699. 

l^ove  J[ChriJicpher'}.    His  Trial  and  Death^  66, 

M. 

Marriages.     Appointed  by  Oliver's  little  Parliament  to 

be  Solcmniz'd  before  Magiftrates,  inftead  of  Mini- 

fters.    But  many,    while  they  came  before  a  Juftice 

for  this  Purpofe,  were  marryd  in  bis  Prefence  by 

>.  '-  w  ■  Mi"- 


An    INDEX. 

Miniftc"»  ^7«  M^-  Baxter's  Determination  of  the 
Cafe,  whether  a  Proteftant  Lady  might  Marry  a  Pa- 
pift,  408. 

MaJJacre  in  hehnd^  42. — 45. 

Miniftry,  A  Reformation  of  the  Miniftry  agreed  on 
at  the  beginning  of  the  long  Parliament.  Petitions 
from  all  Quarccrs  againft  their  Minifters.  f^hite's 
fcandalous  Centuries,  20,21.  The  advantageous 
Circuraftances  Mr.  Baxter  met  with  to  promote  the 
Succefs  of  his  Miniftry  at  Ksderminfler^  27. — '34. 
Put  to  the  Queftion  in  Oliver's  little  Parliament,  whe- 
ther all  the  Parifh  Minifters  of  England  (hould  not  be 
put  down  5  carry'd  in  the  Negative  but  by  two  Voices, 
68.  Triers  of  Minifters  appointed  by  Cronmell^  69, 
Pf^orcefterfhire  Petition  for  the  Miniftry,  and  Defence 
of  it,  119,  1 20.  Of  an  uninterrupted  Succeflion  in 
it.     See  {^Epifcopacy. 

Morle^,  Bifhop  of  Pf^orcefter,  His  Behaviour  at  the  Savoy 
Conference,  and  warm  Temper,  .171. 

Moulin  [Dr.  ?eter'\.  His  proof  of  the  Papifts  concerting 
King  Charles  the  Firft's  Death.  Difpleafure  of  the 
Papifts  and  Court  againft  him  for  it.  The  Dr's  offer 
to  ftand  a  Trial,  which  wasrefus'd,  58* 

.N. 

KevO'England.     Mr.  Baxters  Service  to  the  Intereft  of 
•     Religiqn  there,  406.    Letter  from  the  Nonconfor- 

mift  Minifters  of  London  \,o  their  Brethren  there,  to 
^ollicite  the  taking  off  the  Penal  Laws  againft  Qua- 
^kers,  670. 
I^ichols  [Dr.  H^illiam'] .     His  Reflcdiions  on   the  Firft 

Edition  of  this   Abridgment  confider'd,  643.     Some 

paflages  of  his  H'rtory  relating  to  the  Convocation, 

1689.     445.  45  f. 
N)noonformity.     The  firft  Occafion  of  Mr.  Baxter's  con- 

fidering  the  Bulinefs  of  Conformity,    12.     His  firft 

Judgment  about   it,  13.     Occafions  of  his  inclining 

more  to  Nonconformity ,  \C. 
A  brief  Hiftory  of  the   Rife  and  Progrefs  of  Ntnconfor"' 

mity  till  the  Civil  Wars,  46.-49. 


State 


An    INDEX. 


State^  of  the  NonconformJfts  under  King  Charles  IL 

The  Presbyterians  Overtures  for  Reconciliation  with  the 
Church  upon  the  Reftoration,  139..  Their  PropofaJs 
about  Church  Government,  141,  Anfwer  of  the 
Epifcopal  Divines,  143.  The  King's  Declaration  for 
Eccltfiiijiieal  Affairs^  drawn  up  by  Lord  Chancellor 
Clarendon,  He  fends  a  Copy  of  it  to  the  Presbyterians 
before  publifh'd.  A  Conference  between  them  and 
the  Church  Party  upon  it  at  his  Houfe  before  the 
Kj^g  and  feveral  Peers.     Several  Amendments  made 

in  it  thereupon.    Publifh'd,  149 '5^.     Addrefs 

of  Thanks  from  many  London  Minifters  for  ir,  152. 
This  Declaration  no  farther  executed  than  to  fufpend 
for  a  Year  the  Laws  againft  Nonconformijis,  and  to 
brfng  on  the  Savoy  Conferences.  Lift  of  thofe  Com- 
miflion'd  to  manage  thofe  Conferences.  Account 
of  them,  153.-— —176.  The  Presbyterians  Kepre- 
fentation  of  them  to  the  King,  and  Petition  for  A- 
batements,  176.  Their  Overtures  in  vain.  Sham 
^Piots  contriv'd  to  make  thenfi  odious,  177.  A  Mo- 
tion in  Parliament  for  enadting  the  King's  Declarati^ 
on,  opposed  by  a  Secretary  of  State,  181. 

AB  of  Vniformity  brought  in.  Scandalous  Arts  us'd  to 
difpofe  the  Parliament  to  pafs  it,  by  laying  Sham 
P/o^j  to  the  Dilfenters  Charge,  177.' 181.  Far- 
ther Methods  us'd  for  palling  it,  182.  Effedls  of 
that  AB,  1 83.     A  ferious  Expoftulation  upon  ir,  1 84. 

195. 

Cafe  of  the  Nonconformifls  after  that  AB,  304.'  The 
King's  Declaration  of  Indulgence  foon  after.  The 
DifTenters  wave  an  Addrefs  of  Thanks  for  it,  becaufe 
it  included  Papi^s,  and  the  Parliament  remonftrate 
againft  ir,  305.  Many  imprifon'd,  306.  A  legal 
Indulgence  or  Comprehenfion  talk'd  of  about  this 
Time,  307. 

The  Conventicle. AH  increafes  their  Difficulties,  308. 
Difference  among  them  whether  they  fhould  join  at 
all  in  the  publick  Worfhip,  as  Matters  then  ftood, 
309.  Ejedled  Minifters  Preach  privately  till  the 
Plague.  Some  of  them  then  Preach  publickly  in  the 
forfaken  Churches  to  the  good  of  many,  3 1  o. 

The 


'  Jn  I'N  D  E  X. 

The  Oxford- AB  made  in  the  Plague  Time,  obliged  them 
to  Swear  to  abfolute  Koff^!{efiftance^  or  baniih'd  them 
Five  Miles  from  any  Corporation.  Promoters  and 
Oppoiers  of  that  Ad  in  the  Houfe,  311.  Some  here- 
upon retire  to  obfcure  Villages  j  Others  venture 
the  more  boldly  to  Preach  till  imprifon  d.  And  fome 
few  take  the  Oath  with  an  Explanation,  312,  31 3, 

After  the  Fire,  they  open'd  publick  Meetings  and  were 
undiHurb'd.  Many  of  them  agree  to  Occafional  Com' 
munion  with  the  Church,  315.  On  Clarendof2sDl{' 
grace  and  Buckingham's  coming  into  Favour,  they  ire 
conniv'd  at,  and  the  King  in  a  Speech  recommends 
an  Indulgence.  A  like  refpite  granted  in  the  Coun- 
try, 316- 

An.  1 66S.  Propofals  of  comprehending  Presbyterians  and 
tolerating  other  Proteftants  made  by  Lord  Keeper 
Bridgman.  His  Propofals  a.t  large.  Dr.  Manton  and 
Mr.  Baxter  confer  with  him,  Dr.  iVilkins  and 
Mr.  Burton  abotjt  it-  Tbey  move  for  fome  Additi- 
ons, but  are  loldthey  could  not  be  obtained,  317 

321.  Judge  H<:/e  draws  a  Bill  to  this  purpofe,  but 
the  High  Party  prevent  it's  being  offered  by  a  warm 
Vote  againft  any  fuch  Bill.  The  Dijfenters  upori  2 
Motion  from  Court  Addrefle  the  King,  who  allures 
them  of  Favour;  but  all  comes  to  nothing,  322. 

1670.  A^  agAtn^  Conventicles  renew'd,  and  made 
more  fevere.     Dr.  Mayitcn  and  others  imprifon'd  upon 

•  it.  Archbifhop  Sheldon  s  Letter,  exprelling  his  Hopes 
of  the  extirpation  of  Nonconformity  by  it,  318. 
Meetings  difturb'd  by  Soldiers,  330.  Dukt  Lauder- 
dale  makes  fome  PropoJals  to  Mr.  Baxter  for  lower- 
ing the  Terms  of  Conformity  in  Scotland,  331. 

1671.  The  NoYiconformili s  feverely  profccutcd  by  Bi- 
fhop  U^^ard  in  the  Diocefs  of  SalKhury,  332.  They 
Addrefs  the  King  upon  a,  Motion  from  Court,  have 
fair  Promifes,  and  are  connivM  at.  The  King^s  De- 
claration of  Indulgence  publifh'd  on  the  Commence- 
ment of  the  Duich  War.  The  Tenour  of  it,  333, 334, 

1672.  Diflenter^  prefenr  a  cautious  Addrefs  of  Thanks 
on  that  Occasion,  and  take  out  Licences.  They  fet 
up  a  Tuefday  Leiiure  at  Pinufs-Hall^  3:^5, 

1673.  Parliament  Voce  the  King's  DecUratlon  illegal. 
Alderman  Lwe,  a  known  Diflenter,  zealous  againft 
it.    A  Bill  pafs'd  the  Commons,   for  eafc  of  Proteftant 

Oif-' 


An  IN  D  EX. 


Diffenters,  but  dropd  with  the  Lords ^  336.  A  new 
Monon  from  Court  to  Mr.  Baxter  to  draw  up  fome 
Propofals  of  Union  with  the  Church  ;  which  ap- 
peared to  be  infincere  by  the  ftricSures  made  on  them 
by  a  Biihop  faid  to  be  a  Friend  to  the  Deiign,  338, 
—340.  A  Bill  for  Accommodation  drawn  up  again 
by  fonnie  of  the  Commons^  but  defeated  by  the  Bi- 
(hops,  340. 

1 674.  The  CJergy  preach  up  fe  verities  again  ft  the  Dif- 
fenters. 340.  The  Bifhops  ad  vife  the  King  to  recail  his 
Licences ;  which  he  does  by  a  Declaration.  Severities 
renew'd.  Mr.  Baxter  taken  as  a  Conventicler,  hue 
difcharg'd.  Dr.  M^n/on  way-laid,  but  efcap'd,  341^ 
342.  A  frelh  attempt  for  Accommodating  Differen- 
ces between  Tf7/o(/3«,  Stilling  fleet,  smd  Manton,  Bates^ 
Pool  and  Baxter.  Propofals  agreed  to  among  them, 
but  refus'd  by  the  Bifliops,  342,  343- 

ji675.  Informers  bufie  in  the  City,  but  difcourag'd  by 
moft  of  the  Aldermen,  344.  Sheldon  writes  to  the 
Biibop  of  London  to  know  the  number  of  Diflenters, 
345,  34^. 

1676.  The  King  urges  Judges  and  Jufticesto  execute 
the  Laws  againfl  Diffenters,  347. 

I  tSgo.  A  Bill  for  Comprehenfion^  another  for  Indulgence 
read  twice  in  the  Commons  and  committed.  The 
Heads  of  fuch  a  Bill  agreed  to  in  the  Committee, 
349. — 351.  This  failing,  a  Bill  prepar'd  for  exemp- 
ting Proteftant  Diffenters  from  the  Penalties  of  25th* 
Eli:[.  which  part  Lords  and  Commons,  but  was  taken 
from  the  Table  when  the  King  came  to  the  Houfe, 
and  heard  of  no  more.  Debates  on  this  Occafion  in 
the  Houfe  of  Commons,  352,  353. 

i68i.  New  Profecutions  of  Diffenters  in  the  Cit^ 
and  Southwarl{y  by  Order  of  the  King  and  Coun- 
cil, 356. 

1 682.  Extream  Severities  againft  many  Diffenting  Mi- 
nifters  and  People,  337. 

1683,  84.  Severities  continue  and  increafe.  A  vio- 
lent Prefemmenc  of  the  fVeJiminJier  Grand-Jury, 
And  a  cruel  Order  by  the  Juftices  of  Exon^  which 
the  BiOiop  required  his  Clergy  to  read  in  the  Churches, 
360,  361.  Severe  Proceedings  againft  Mr.  Baxter 
and  Mr.  l{ofewelly  363. — 365.  Several  Nonconform 
mift  Minijiers  die  in  Prifon,  3  65. 

State 


An    INDEX. 


State  of  the  Nonconformifls  under  King  James  IF. 

1685.  The  fame  Methods  us'd  againft  the  DifTcnters 
at  firft,  as  in  his  Brother's  Time.  Mr.  Baxter  s  Trial 
for  his  Paraphrafe  ojz  the  New  T^ftament^  368. 

1686.  Profecutions  againft  Dilfenters  continue;  but 
new  Favour  fhewn  upon  application  to  ihofe  above, 
372-,  373.  Bifhops  InjundtiDns  to  prefent  all  that 
came  not  to  Church,  374.  Many  take  out  Licenfes 
from  ihe  King  to  ftop  procefles  for  Noncontormity, 

375. 

1687.  Tht}^mgsDecUration  for  Liberty  of  Confcience, 

publiih'd.  The  Diffenters  make  ufe  of  it ;  but  with- 
out falling  into  Court  Meafares,  or  profecuting  Re- 
venge, 375. — 377.  The  Zeal  of  a  Dilfenter  for 
aflifting  the  Church- Writers  at  Oxford  againft  Obadi- 
ah  IVnlker,  and  their  ill  requital  of  him,  377. — 379* 
Mr.  Dickyelt  gives  private  Affurances  to  the  Dilfen- 
ters of  the  Prince  of  Oranges  Inclination  to  Liberty 
of  Confcience,  h8o.  The  like  Aifurances  given  in 
Fagel's  Letter,  381.  Commiflioners  Cent  by  the  King 
to  enquire  of  the  Dilfenters  through  the  Nation 
what  they  had  loft  by  Profecutions,  but  none  of  them 
would  take  the  Opportunity  of  Revenge,  382. 

1688.  King's  Declaration  renew'd  with  Additions. 
An  Order  for  reading  it  in  Churches.  Clergy  refufe. 
Bilhops  interceding  are  fent  to  the  Tower ;  declare 
in  their  Petition  that  they  are  willing  to  come  to  a 
Temper  with  Dilfenters.  Sancroft  then  projecSts  fome 
Amendments  for  gaining  them,  383,  384.  In  Arti- 
cles fent  to  his  Clergy,  preffes  them  to  have  a  tender 
Regard  to  their  Brethren  the  Protejiant  Dijfenters^ 
385.  In  the  Bilhops  Advice  to  the  King  to  call  a 
Free  Parliament,  one  End  mention'd,  to  provide  for 
due  Liberty  of  Confcience.  The  fame  Temper  ex- 
prelsd  by  rhc  Church-Writers  then,  386.  To  the 
fame  purpofe  the  Prince  of  Orange's  Declaration,  387* 
Bilhop  of  London  introduces  fome  Difl'enting  Mini-, 
fters  to  the  Prince  along  with  his  Clerg^.  Dilf-'nters 
Addrefs  him  in  a  Body,  387,388.  Why  the  Dilfen- 
ters wrote  not  much  againft  Popery  in  King  James's 
Time,  373. 

State 


An    INDEX. 


State  of  the  J^onconformifis  under  King  William, 

1 68?.  They  Addrefs  the  King  and  Queen  Mary  on 
their.  Acceflion  to  the  Crown,  wherein  they  declare 
their  readinefs  to  confent  to  the  Terms  of  Union 
wherein  all  the  Reform'd  Churches  agree,  423. — 425. 
Promifes  made  them  in  King  Jam^s^  Time,  and  the 
ill  performance  of  them  reprefemed  out  of  Bilhop 
Burnet,  426,  417. 

1689.  A  Bill  iot  Comprehenjion,  another  for  Indulgence 
brought  into  Parliament.  Oppofition  to  them  in  both 
Houfes,  418.  The  King  moves  for  capacitating  all 
Proteftants  to  ferve  him.  A  Claufe  ofFer'd  to  take 
away  the  Tefl^  but  rejefted,  439.  Another  Motion, 
that  taking  the  Sacrament  in  any  Proteftant  Congre- 
gation Ihould  be  fufficient,  rejed^ed.  Some  Lords 
proteft,  440.  A  Motion  for  leaving  the  Pofture  in- 
different. Voices  being  equal,  it  was  determin'd  in 
the  Negative,  442.     A^  of  Toleration  paft,    JViiy  24.' 

444-  .    „ 

Attempts  this  Year  for  feme  Alterations  in  Favour  of 

the  DifTenters  fcruples,  fee  [Ecclefiafiical  CommiJJions.'J 

and  [^Convocation. 

Diffenting  Minifters  fubfcribe  the  Dodrinal  Articles 
of  the  Church.  The  Senfe  of  many  of  them  there- 
in exprefs'd  by  Mr.  Baxter  in  a  Trad:  then  publilh'd 
and  inferted  here,  469. 

2690.  Heads  of  Agreement  affented  to  by  the  Preshte- 
a?2s  and  Independants,  476.  Their  Behaviour  under, 
the  ^volutiony  to  the  Government,  to  each  other,  to 
the  Church,  488.  Endeavours  us'd  by  fome  to  cramp 
their  Indulgence  as  much  as  they  could,  particularly. 
by  Bilhop  Stillingfleet,  498. 

1692.  Vnited  M>«//?eri  publifli  their  Senfe  0/ Mr.  Rf^ 
chard  DavisV  erroneous  Dodtrines,  and  irregular 
Pra6lices,  512. — 514.  The  unhappy  Concefts  that 
arofe  among  them  on  uccafion  of  reprinting  Dr.  C^-^^'s 
Works,  fee  in  [  Crijp, 

1694-     They  Addrefs  the  King  on  Qgcen  Ai.'rr/s  Death, 

535?. 
1697.     DifTenters  profecuted  in  the  Bifhop's  Courts  for 
inftrufting  Youth,  but  obtained  Prohibitions,  551.-^ 
S53.    Sir  Humohrj  Edppin,  Lord  Ma^or,    carries  the 


■An    INDEX. 


TraBs  written  upon  that  Occalioii,  622,  623.  Fir  si 
'Bill  agninit  it^  1702.  Abftradt  of  it.  Lords  Amend- 
ments, Free  Conference  between  the  two  Houfes. 
Bill  drop'd,  (524.— 634-  Second  Bill  agaln^  it,  1703. 
Difference  between  that  and  the  former*  Speeches  in 
DOth  Houfes  on  the  Occafion.  Thrown  but  by  the 
Lords,  645. — 649.  More  'treids  upon  ibis  Subjc£^, 
'649. — 654.  Third  Bill  aoninil  it^  1 704.  With  the 
unfuccefsful  Attempt  of  the  Tacl{.  Rejedled  again 
by  the  Lords.  New  Pi/ri:in^s  on  the  Subject:,  660. — . 
662.  692.  Fourth  Bill  brought  in  to  the  Houfe  of 
Lords,  171 1,  and  pafs'd,  724. 

Ohffe  [Mr.  John].  His  Anfiver  to  the  1  oth  Chapter  of 
the  Ahridge/nenti^  S59.  His  Second  Defence^  691. 
His  Third  Defence:  With  fome  Reflcdlions on  it,  697, 
698.  Summary  of  his  principal  Obje<5tions  to  the 
I  oth  Chapter,  and  of  the  Anfwers  that  have  beenre- 
tufn'd  to  him,  pr.ffim  in  Mar^.  from  p,  199.  to  ^.285. 

Or^fr/.  About  the  threeOrders  of  Minifters,fee[£;'(/co;)/jc|. 

Debates  between  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mr.  Johnfon  about  the 
rieceflity  of  Epifcopal  Ordination,  {tt\_Epifcopacy, 

Nohconformifts  Reafons  why  they  could  not  fubmit  to 
^-ordiiiation.  Debates  with  Mr.  OUjffe  and  Mr.  Hoadh 
about  it,  if)6. 200. 

Owen  [Mr.  James^.  His  Plea  for  Scripture-Ordination, 
and  Defence  of  it^  543.     His  Moderation  4  Vertue,6'iOt 

•  <$5i.     Moderation  it  ill  a  Vcrtue,  66  i. 

Oxford-  Aci,  againft  the  DilTenting  Minifters.  See  [Now- 
conformity. 

Oxford-  Decree.  See  \_I{ffiif:a?icc. 


Papifts,  Their  concern  in  the  King's  Death,  proved 
from  Du-Mouiiny  Prynne  Sind  Atkjm^  58,  59.  They 
influenc'd  the  Seclaries  in  the  Army  in  difguife,  91, 
lo^i  Mr. B^.v^pr's  Contefts  with  them,  1:^8.  King 
Charles  Sccomi's  Parhament  awaken'd  to  a  Senfe  of 
the  danger  of  Popery,  337.  Whether  a  Proteftant 
Lady  may  lawfully  Marry  aPapift,  408.  PopifhPiot 
and  its  confequences,  348.  In  King  James's  time 
they  endcavour'd  to  inflame  Diflenters  with  revepge 
againft  the  Church,  but  without  Succcfs,  367,.  Pro- 
ceedings of  his  Ecclefiaftical  Commiflion,  fee  [^Eccle- 

-  f}^fii<i'il  Ccwmijfions.  Their  other  Methods  10  introduce 
Popery  in  that  Reign,  pajjim  in  Ch.  14.  Parser, 


An   INDEX: 

Parker.  A  ring-leader  of  the  flrange  Opinions  in  the 
Army.     Wrote  againft  the  Ajfemblies  Confe/fion,  1 03. 

Parlinment.  The  Long  Parliament  of  1 640.  fee  [Charles  IJ 
andCCrownr//.]  Wver^  little  Parliament,  67, 68.  King 
Charles  the  Second's  long  Parliament,  fee  [CW/ej  11. 

Pier/on^  afterwards,  Bifjiop  of  Chefier.  His  Behaviour 
at  the  ^^w;' Conference,   175. 

Plots,  -Sham-plots  laid  on  the  Prefbyterians  to  facilitate 
the  Vniformity-A^i^  1 7?.  Another  An.  i66l,  305. 
P<7p//^  PJDt,  1678.  348.     Affaflination-PJqr,  548. 

Pordage  [r)r»  Si  Behr?ie>ufty  103. 

Prayer.     Remarkable  Anfwers  of  it,  400. 

Presbytcriajjs.  Did  all  they  could  10  oppofe  the  King's 
Death.  Their  Petition  to  the  General  againft  ir,  60. 
Charg'd  with  a  correfpondence  with  the  King,  for, 
which /-o-y^fufFer'd,  66.  What  Mr.  Baxter  zippioy'd 
in  their  Scheme  of  Government,  112.  And  what  he, 
dii$pprov'd,  114.     See  [^Nonconformity. 

Pfdlter.  Nonconformifts  Reafons  againft  ufing  the 
Tranflation  of  it  in  the  Common  Prayer.  Debates 
with  Mr.  Ollyffe  and  Mr.  Hoadiji  about  it,  234,  235. 

^aheys,     Mr.  Baxters  Difpute  v^iihthtmsLt  K^dermin'- 
iter^  29.    Account  of  their  Principles  and  Rife,  102. 
Letter  of  the  DifTenting  Minifters  in  London  toNew^ 
England f    to  follicit  the  Repeal  of  fome  Penal  Laws, 
againft  them,  670.     Trial  of  Penn  and  Meady  325. 

lUnters.    Their  wicked  Opinions  and  Practices,.  lor.' 

Reformation  of  Manners.  Societies  for  it  commenc'd,  An^ 
'  i  691 . 5  op.  Upon  the  Peace  of  i^)/w/c/c  began  to  have . 
pablick  Sermons  from  Conformifts  and  Npnconfof° 
mifts  10  animate  that  good  Work,  551. 

Regale.     See  [Supremacy. 

I^eigmlJs  [Dr.  Edvoard'].    Turn'd  out  of  the.Deapry  of. 
Chrift-Church  for  refufing  thq  Engagement,  63 .  On  what 
Terms  he  accepted  the  Biflioprick  oi  Norwich,  151. 
His  Behaviour  at  the  S/ix'o;' Conference,  174.,    Joins  ^ 
with  the  Presbyterians  (when  Bifhop)  in  the  Reprefep- 
tation  of  it  and  Petition  to  the  Kjng,  17,^. 

J^efijiancel    Nonponforoiifts  Rpafons  againft  fubfcribing , 

th?  Dedaratidri  of  the  unlawfulnefs  of  caking  Arms  a- ; 

'•■'■*■■**■•    ■    "'Hhh-a,.  '■        galn^i 


J«   IN  D  E  X.         '■ 

gainft  the  King  or  any  commifTion'd  by  him  on  any  pre- 
tence whatever,  260.  Account  of  theOx/or</-i^a,  1665. 
that  prefcrib'd  this  to  all  Nonconformifl  Miniflers,^  1 1 . 
Struggles  in  the  H^ufe  of  Lords  upon  the  Bill  that  would 
enjoin  the  fame  on  the  Lords,  Commons  and  all  Magi- 
ft rates,  1675.  ^44.  Mr.  Uoadiy%StTmonoT\J{om.  13.  i.  j 
and  theNoile  it  made,  691.  "The  Oxford- Decree,  1683. 
and  tome  Reflexions  on  it,  360 ,  361.  j 

Revolution.  See  [l^^illiam  III.  j 

fij-^htsofthcChrijiian  Church.  Abftra(5  of  itj  701. — 709. 

Kjghts  of  Proteftnnt  Dijjenters,  661. 

]l{oJeweJI[lAT.Thorfiaf'],    The  fevcre  Proceedings  agalnft 
him,  1684.  363. 

S. 

Sacheverel  [Dr.  Hewj],    His  Sermon  at  St  Pauls,  1709. 
'  and  the  Confequences  of  it,  711. 

S^trahfntcJTeJ}.¥ixd  for  Officers  in  Corporations,!  661. 
I  to.  King  J/i>7if  J  attempts  to  take  it  off  with  the  Penal 
"ivr^j  in  favour  of  the  Papifts,  380.  Prince  and  Princcfs 
df  Or/i7:ge  refufe  to  confent  to  it,  381.  King  IViUiam . 
rnbves  for  the  repeal  of  it  fo  far  as  to  make  Protefttnt 
DklTenters  capable  of  ferving  him.  Attempts  in  Parlia- 
nnentfor  it,  butin  vain,  439. — 444.  The  Noife  after- 
wards rais'd  upon  the  Occafional  Communion  of  fomc 
of  them  with  the  Church,  fee  in  [Occ-iponal  Conformity. 

Letter  from  a  Genthman  in  Scotland  again  ft  the  Sacramen- 

.     talTeft,  710. 

Saner  oft  [^hh^.p^Cnnterbury\  Offers  Reafons  with  6  other 
Bifhops  to  ¥^\n^J/imcs  for  refudngtb  difperfehis  Decla- 
ration for  Liberty  Imprifon  d  for  it,try*d  and  acquitted, . 
383,  384.  HepT0;e6ts  at  rhat  Time  fome  Conceflions 
and  Alterations  to  gain  the  Diflenters,  j/'/t/.  and;>.  450. 
In  Articles  then  fent  to  his  Clergy  preflej  them  to  Mode- 
ration iotheir^yethrentheVroteflantDiJfenters^l^^  .From 
the  firftrcfufcs  to  own  King  W^//7y4r»'sCovernment.Su- 
fpended  nb  off.cio  for  it,  An.  1 690.  Could.not  be  prevail'd . 
on  to  gi\e  his  Reafonsforrefuling  the  Oath,  484.  To-  . 
tally  d'cpriv'd,  i6pr.  506.  His  Death.    Short  View  of 
his  ftrange  Condn(f^  after  the  [{evolution^  5  27. — 5  29.    : 

Sandcrfu7i  [Bifhop  of  Lincoln^.  His  Behaviour  at  the  Sav«y 
^  Conference,.  171.  .  , 

Savoy  Confer evce.     See  ['Nonconformity. 

Scotland.     DiHurbances  there  en  the  nev;  Cammon  Prayer 

fcnt 


*  J^  -P^  ^'"^ 

fcm  them,  when  the  CS?c.  Oath  was  enjoin  d  here,  1 7. 
Their  cntring  England  twice  wkh  an  Army,  and  Picifi- 
cttion  with  them  as  often,  18:  Parliament  oiEnglondy 
An.  1643.  dcfire  their  ailiftancc  upon  the  King's Succef- 
fcs.  They  confent  on  condition  the  Covenant  might  be' 
ti^tn'inEngland,  On  the  Parliaments  compliance,  they 
bring  in  an  Army  and  clcaf  the  North  5  but  afterwards 
do  little  Service.  Cromx9eU\  Policy  to  make  the  Englijh 
V!Jt2xy  of  them,  80, 81.  The  King  delivers himfelf  to 
them.  How  they  came  to  furrender  him  to  the  Parlia- 
mem-Commiflioners,  55.  Their  adhertrice  to  King 
Charles  II.  and  attempts  for  his  Service.  CrotnweB's  Con- 
queft  of  them,  '6^.^^66.  Lauder dnle's  Propofals  An. ' 
1670.  for  lowering  the  Terms  of  Conformity  in  icot- 
land,  351.     Vnion  with  England^  695,  696.  '  ^' 

SeRaries.'Jhtiv  Progrefs  in  the  Parliament-Army  by  Crow- 
■  n7ir/'sfavbur,54.87. OowjiTf/ weary  of  them  whenhehad 
gain'dhis  Ends,  andH^rr//b«theirHead,  68,69.  Mx. Bax- 
ters fuccefsful  Oppolicion  to  them  at  Coventry^  80.  Ob- 
fervations  concerning  them  in  the  Army,  89.— 91 .  His 
icbntefts  with  them, and  filencing  them  in  a  publick Con- 
ference, p  i ,  9  2.  impediments  to  his  Succefs  with  them, 
93.  A  Sum  of  the  Account  he  gives  of  therri,  94.«^— 104, 
Seekers.     Their  Opinions  and  Charadler,  lOf, 
Sheldon,  k\>^.6{  Canterbury.  One  of  the  Commiflioners  for 
* '  the  Savoy  Conference.  Then  Bp:  oi London.  His  6ehavi« 
aur  at  an  introduAory  Meeting,  153,154.   Sets  afide 
Mr.  Calamy  and  Mr.  Baxter ^  when  chofen  ProAors  for 
London  to  the  Convocation,  1 66 1. 1 59.  His  Behaviour 
at  the  Savoy  Conference,  171 .  His  Refblution  of  exclu- 
ding the  Prefbyterians.  A  paflage  that  feems  to  intimate 
more  Moderation  afterwards,  ibid.  Marg.     Before  the. 
AH  ofVniformity  grants  Mr.  Baxter  a  licence  to  preach 
in  his  Diocefs,  301.  Is  made  Abp.  oiCanterbury,  1 663. 
3  06.  A'main  promoter  of  the  Oxford- AS ^  511.  Sends 
Orders  1 66-5  -^o  his  Suffragan  Bps.  to  return  ttie Names 
of  the  ejedlcd  Minifters  in  their  Diocefsj  ^i^.Mdr^.  A 
Letter  to  his  Suf&agan  Biftiops,  1670.  upon  occafion^ 
oithtConv^enti<ile-/i&^    inferted  at  large,  328.»«-33i^ 
His  Letter  to  the  Bifhop  of  London,  1675.  inquiring  into 
the  number  of  Diffentcrs  in  his  Diocefs,  345,  346, 
S  her  lock.  [Dr.']^    His  Behavio'jr  as  to  the  Oaths  upon 

the  Revolution,  48  s. 
Shif 'Money.  Difcortcms  in  Ew^/^?7 J  upon  ir,  i8. 

Shute 


A^    I  N  D  E  X: 

Shute  IMtifJt^n'],  His  Inter  eft  of  England  with  reference  to 
-I'PrdteBMnt  Diffenters,  651.'  His  Rights  Tf  ProteSl ant 
Oijfentcfs^  661. 

Stem,  Bifhop  of  Curlijle.  His  Behaviour  at  the  Snvoy 
Conference,  174. 

S%bfcriftion.     Mr.  B^^t^er's  early  fcmples  about  it,  14. 

Succeffion,  uninterrupted  ir1*the  Miniftry,  whether  ric- 
ceiffary  ot  not,  fee  \_fipifeopacy. 

Supremacy.,  of  the  King  in  Ecclefiaftical  Matter?'.  This  a 
Subje^  of  Debate  between  the  Swearing  and  Non- 
fwearing  Glergy  in  the  Cafe  of  the  depriv'd  Bifhop?, 

/^66. 468.     508, — 510.'     And  in  the  Convocation 

Controverfie.  See  the  Abftradk  of  the  Writings  in 
that  Controvcrfic  in  th6  Word  [Couvocaticn. 

Lefley'/  Cafe  of  the  I{egale  and  Pontificate,  644. 

Surplice.     Mr.  B^jxf^r's  Thoughts  of  it,  15. 

T. 

Termifortf  ,Abp.  of  Canterbury,    Succeeds  Ahp.Tillotfon* 
:  Preaches  Queen  Mar/s  Funeral  Sermon,    539.    His 
Circular  Letter,  1695.  549.  HisGontefts  with  feveral 
Lower  Houfes  of  Convocation,  fee  in  [^Convocation, 
Teft,     See  [Sacramental  Telt, 

Thortjdil{e.  His  Behaviour  at  the  Savoy  Conference,  175. 
Tillotfon,  Abp.  of  Canterbury.  Concerned  An.  1 674.  in  fome 
.  Overturesfpr  accommodation  with  the  Dilfenters,  in 
which  he  agreed  with  them  in  a  Scheme  for  it ;  but  all 
•  f  ruftrated  %vhen  coaimunicated  to  the  Bilhops,  345.  Per- 
fuaded  King  f^iUiam  to  take  the  way  of  an  Ecclefiaftical 
Commijfiori  and  Convocation  for  accommodating  our 
Church  differences,  445, 446, One  of  the  Ecclefiaftical 
CommiflTioners,  447.  Had  the  laft  hand  in  drawing  up 
the  defign'd  Alterations  in  the  Liturgy ,  45 1 .  Put  up  by 
the  moderate  Side  (or  Prolocutor  of  the  Convocation, 
but  loft  it,  461.  Made  Abp.  in  the  room  of  Dr.Sa'n" 
croft,  506,-   His  Death,   and  the  Treatment  his  Me- 
mory met  with,  537-  5?8. 
Tpland.     Debates  in  Convocation  .about  cenfuring  his 

B9ok,  603.  66^. 
long  [Mr.  H^iOiam'].     Shorl  Scheme  of  hu  Defence  of 

Mr.  Henry  of  Schifm^  and  the  Vindication  of  it,  ^30. 
'Toleration.     C'orwtpfZ^ cemented  the  Sedlarics  in  ^be  Army 
by  their  common  Inrereft  o(  Liberty  of  Confcience,'  $/{. 
-CromweH  joii/d  with  nonparty,  but  v/as  for  Liberty  xgc 
\    ■•  '     '  .    "        ;.  -       all,  ' 


An    INDEX. 

alJ,  88.  Sectaries  difputed  warmly  for Uniyerfal Liber- 
ty, 90.  ^4«e'sP]ea  for  11,99.  CromtpellzikslAt,  Baxter's 
judgmencaboucir,  v»/bichhefendshimin  Wricing,  1 1  o. 
Mr.  Baxter  zgMn^  folliciting  the  Magiftrate  cp  fecond 
Bxcommunication  with  Temporal  Punilhmems,  114. 
G/ft'er^s  Inftrumenc  of  Government  declar'd  for  Liberty 
to  all  that  profefs'd  Faith  in  Chrift,  1 20.  A  ciaufe  pro- 
posed to  be  inferted  in  King  Charles's  Declaration, for  Ec- 
clefiafiicalAjfairs  for  a  general  Toleration.  Mr.  B/jjt^rr'g 
Speech  on  that  occalion,  150.  The  Author'^  diflike  of 
an  Ordinance  of  Parliamenc,  1 64.5. forbidding  the  Ufc 
ofCommon  Prayer  under  Penalties;  but  the  difparity 
between  that  and  the  A<3:  of  Uniformity  (hewn,  1 86. 

The  feveral  fteps  taken  towards  a  Toleration  in  K.  Charles, 
K.  JameSy  and  Yi.fVilliams  Reigns, fee  in  [Uonconformity, 

DilTenting  Minifters  in  London's  hQiiet  to.  New- Englnnd^ 
folliciting  the  Repeal  of  fome  dorraa^tLaws  there 
againft  Q«^/;erj,  670.  ::;•.'  ^  . 

Abflra^  o£  Mr.  Locl^s  fqur  Letters  of  Toleration.   The  ift. 

and  2d.  499. — 506.  The  3d.  523.  The  4th.  699.  Ah- 

Jirafi  of  the  Inter eji  of  England  ai  to  Protefiant  Dijfen-r 

ierj^  for  their  Toleration,    65 1.     An4  of  the  I{jghts  of 

Protejlant  Dijfenters,  661. 

Other  TraEis  written  for  and  againj^  Toleration^  il6 , 
'321.326.354,355.338.341.366,;, 

yriers.     See  (Miniflry,  ,  -  •>  i-  « y  ■  {.  < 

Trinity,  Debates  ih  the  Church  of  £«g<<i^/^^bout  it,  548. 

U.  ^■■'^^-  ' 

Vane  [Sir  Henry'].  His  management  along  ivith  Croinweli 
for  new  modelling  the  Army,  53.  Cromwell's  reflecti- 
on on  him,  67.  Account  of  him  and  his  followers, 
98,99.  Mr.  Brfx^er's  Writing  againft  him,  and  his 
Indignation  at  it,  100.    His  Death,  lOr. 

'Uniformity  AB,     See  [Nonconformity. 

ZJnion  between  Presbyterians  and  Independents,  47^, 
BciyNCcn  England  and  Scotland,  695,6^6.' 

"Ofher,  Abp.  of  Armagh.  His  £(educiion  of  Epifcopacy  to  the 
Form  of  Synodical  Government^  H5  •  Mt.  Baxters  inti- 
macy with  him.  His fentiments  of  Univerfal  Redemp- 
tion, and  of  th6  Validity  of  Ordination  by  PresbJ- 
ters,  405. 

W. 

yVar^  between  Kin§  and  Parliament,  fee  [Qharks\P^  arid 

[iCromweU.  "  !\\ 

Whiter  Centuries,    ACenfure  of  them,  2i  .  ^il- 


An    INDEX. 

WiBinm  \\\.  In  King  James's  time  Dickpelt  the  Stat<: 
Minifter  here,  gave  afTuranccs  to  all  of  the  Prince  of  O  - 
?^4«^<r'sRefolutiontoftand  up  againrt  Popery  andF^wcr 
hnd  to  the  Konconforjrt'^fts  of  his  AfFeciiion  to  Liberty  of 
Confcience,  379,38'^-  K.y4Wfj  endeavours  to  obtain 
the  i^rinccTind  Princejs's  DecUracion  for  taking  off  the 
Penal  Laws.  They  give  a  Declaration  to  the  contrary 
hy  Penlionary  Page/,  380,  381.  Ona  rumour  of  the 
Princes comifig^thc  Court  changes  their  Meafurcs. He 
lands  at  Torhay,  His  Declamtion.  Arrives  at  ^t.Jamei*s 
Btfhopof  Low^on.  with  fome  Dlffenting  Minifters,  wai.t 
on  him.  The  Diffentcrs  foon  after  do  it  in  a  Body, 
386,  387.  The  Convention  offer  the  Crown  to  the 
Prir,ce  2LT]dPrincefs;  which  they  accept,  389. 

All  Protcftants  concur  in  the  ^voiution  at  firft,  387. 
Many  foon  for  compromifing  Matters  with  K.  James, 
but  carry 'd  againft  theni,'389.   , 

He  endeavours  according  to  his  Declaration  to  bring  about  a 
good  Agreement  between  the  Church  and  DifTcnters. 
The  fteps  he  took  towards  it,  fee  in  \J^onconformity, 

Clergy  divided  about  raking  the  Oaths  to  the  new  Go- 
vernment. Sum  of  their  Reafonings/^ro  and  cow,  465.— 
468.  Rclie(^icns  upon  their  Altercations,  468.  Non-ju- 
fing  Clergy  fufpcnded  ah  officio.  Endeavours  us*d  to  gain 
Petitions  for  their  Reftoracion.  Mildermethods  us'd,  till 
the  vacant  Sees  are  fill'd-upona  difcovery  of  trcafonable 
.Correfpondencies.Dr.5^ffr/ocJ!;'s  Behaviour  on  this  occa- 

•  iion,  484, 485.  Non-fwcaring Clergy's  feverc  Cenfiircs 
on  thofethat  took  theOaths,486. Their  feditiousPraycTS, 
487.Writingsforlthe  Cover  nmcnt.Diflenicrsuniverfal; 
]y  fall  in  with  the  Revolution,  488.  1 69  ( .  Non  juring 
Bps.  and  Clergy  cjeded. Tracfis^ro  and  cow,  whether  the 
deprived  Bps.  were  to  be  adher'd  to.  Behaviour  of  the 
ejedled,  507.— 510.  Bp./^^i'Z^/<j^A/s  noble  Account  of  the 
Penefirs  of  the /^ffW//;iow,  544.  Andofthcfufpiciournels 

1    of  the  Birth  of  the  pretended  Prince  Q^PVaUs^  54^. 

Death  of  Queen  Mary,  univerfally  lamented,  5  3S. — 540. 
AlTallination  plot,  548.  Peace  of  i^/wif/;,  551.     The 

'.  King  ftopstheProfecution  ofaNonconformift,  555. 

The  Kang's  Death.  The  Diflentcrs  Behaviour  towards 
him,  and  his  to  them,  619,  620. 

Y.       .        . 

Tr.rrmvton.  1  he  (ham  Plot  chare  d  on  him  and  rn^hy 
other  Prelbyterians,  1661.  Abftiadt  of  his  own  Ac- 
count of  it,  178. — 181.  M^trg. 

t  I  N  I  S. 


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